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Tap Dancing on Everest: A Young Doctor's Unlikely Adventure
The plan was outrageous: A small team of four climbers would attempt a new route on the East Face of Mt. Everest, considered the most remote and dangerous side of the mountain and only successfully climbed once before. Unlike the first larger team, Mimi Zieman’s team would climb without using supplemental oxygen, porter support, or chance for rescue. She would accompany the climbers as the doctor—and only woman—although she was still in her third year of medical school. Full of self-doubt, Zieman grappled with whether to go but couldn’t resist the call of the mountains. On Everest, when three climbers disappeared during their summit attempt, she reached the knife edge of her limits and dug deeply to fight for the climbers’ lives and to find her voice.
Sparkling with suspense and vulnerability, Tap Dancing on Everest is a coming-of-age story about the risks we take to become our truest selves. Zieman weaves her childhood as the daughter of immigrants raised in 1970’s New York City, her father a Holocaust survivor, with adventure and medicine, capturing the curiosity and awe of a young woman as she faces down messages to stay small and safe and ventures into the unknown.
Sparkling with suspense and vulnerability, Tap Dancing on Everest is a coming-of-age story about the risks we take to become our truest selves. Zieman weaves her childhood as the daughter of immigrants raised in 1970’s New York City, her father a Holocaust survivor, with adventure and medicine, capturing the curiosity and awe of a young woman as she faces down messages to stay small and safe and ventures into the unknown.
244 pages, Paperback
Published April 2, 2024
77 people are currently reading
2988 people want to read
About the author
Mimi Zieman
2 books27 followersMimi Zieman is a physician, writer and speaker. In addition to Tap Dancing on Everest, she is the author of The Post-Roe Monologues, a play that has been performed in multiple cities. An OB/GYN specialized in Complex Family Planning, she has also co-authored sixteen editions of Managing Contraception. Her writing has appeared in The Sun Magazine, Ms. Magazine, Newsweek, Dorothy Parker’s Ashes, NBC News THINK, The Forward, and other publications. She’s spoken nationally and internationally and has been interviewed by major media outlets. Ranking high on her list of favorite things are a good adventure, dancing, and a rich cup of coffee. Learn more at https://www.mimiziemanmd.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews
July 13, 2025
5.0
Im not a fan of audio books, but friends kept insisting I would love it, as our talented author is the narrator. Having watching Mimi's many interviews, her voice was as familiar as one of my friends would be. I rate this the same as my kindle read.-5.0
Review:
My mother would have said : YOU ARE GOING ... WHERE?? "
When Mimi was six years old, her father told her he was a Holocaust survivor and that his entire family were killed in the war. She wouldn't know at the time the impact this would have on her life.
1988
"The plan was outrageous: A small team of four climbers would attempt a new route on the East Face of Mt. Everest, considered the most remote and dangerous side of the mountain and only successfully climbed once before. Unlike the first larger team, Mimi Zieman’s team would climb without using supplemental oxygen, porter support, or chance for rescue. She would accompany the climbers as the doctor—and only woman—although she was still in her third year of medical school. Full of self-doubt, Zieman grappled with whether to go but couldn’t resist the call of the mountains."
Mt. Everest and those who climbed it is certainly a conversation starter. Mimi,now twenty-five receives an invitation. (see above) Everest- an elevation of appx. 29,000 +. No communication. No rescue. It is said that certain mountains own a reputation of spiritual history. Some find answers, others find questions they never recognized as relevant.
This story is written from a few vantage points that I shortened. Mimi had been to Everest once before and knew it's limitations. Having issues of self doubt to begin with would be elementary in comparison to the torture she put herself through doubting her ability to be medically responsible for an entire climbing team. She learned a long time ago about perseverance; and so, after self negotiating she pressed the green light.
Mimi did not go with the climbers to the top; giving opportunities of recording her thoughts and spiritual experiences when alone. She needed to be methodical in determining how to treat severe problems during the climb; praying her decisions would correct.
Mimi's childhood was the culture of Modern Orthodox Judaism. The impact of her father's story follows her through this journey. Her thoughts of him and his advice he shared had become mature and interacted throughout the book. As Mimi found more of her passions and voice, she saw a fusion waiting to be connected spiritually and religiously. This would act as her guide, one step at a time.
A Passover Seder on Mt. Everest? Oh yes; the whole team participated. I myself wouldn't be able to breathe let alone think of a matzah substitute, but that evening turned out to be a hit and brought the team that much closer. At one point in the book Mimi was describing just how freezing it was and how she learned to handle it. Tents are not usually set up on smooth ground at certain elevations. Sleeping in layers on top of hot water bottles sent chills right through me. We learn.. one can not go outside of their tent at night due to severe frostbite factors. But... learning to pee in a small contraption in the corner of her tent that actually was on those rocks turned out to be a total balancing act. Curious how quickly Mimi mastered that feat. Definitely easier for a guy. :) The title "Tap Dancing on Everest" happens to be a literal one. Mimi used to dance every week throughout her childhood.
When traveling in general, most of us wouldn't even think to pack tap shoes if we owned them. But to climb part of Everest having a specific limited weighted duffle? She explains why and how she uses those shoes.
Melded through this story are topics that have never fizzled through the course of time. Thirty -six years ago some of us would have danced around a few of these subjects because sometimes, it' just easier, yet we knew deep down they would never become invisible. Our author does not believe in quitting and it is evident that "Tikkun Olam" (Repairing the World) stayed in Mimi's head while on Everest.
She graduated medical school to become a practicing OB/GYN.
"She is also a playwright and speaker who writes about medical topics to empower people with information and writes creatively to explore the meaning behind experiences we share".
Dr. Mimi Zeiman's CV and accomplishments as of today are very impressive.
** Know that this memoir is not typical. The prose is outstanding. I knew a bit about the geographics of Tibet, but less about Tibetan culture and how extremely sacred Everest is to them.
The information regarding identifying medical issues and treatment due to altitude will stay with me. When pilots announce they will be flying at an altitude of 30,000 feet I can relate, so I think maybe a hill is my perfect starting point. :)
***** UPDATE 7/1/25
Announced yesterday "Tap Dancing on Everest" by Dr. Mimi Zieman won the Georgia Book Award. Specifically, it was the Memoir category winner in the 2025 Georgia Author of the Year Awards.
Well deserved Dr.
Im not a fan of audio books, but friends kept insisting I would love it, as our talented author is the narrator. Having watching Mimi's many interviews, her voice was as familiar as one of my friends would be. I rate this the same as my kindle read.-5.0
Review:
My mother would have said : YOU ARE GOING ... WHERE?? "
When Mimi was six years old, her father told her he was a Holocaust survivor and that his entire family were killed in the war. She wouldn't know at the time the impact this would have on her life.
1988
"The plan was outrageous: A small team of four climbers would attempt a new route on the East Face of Mt. Everest, considered the most remote and dangerous side of the mountain and only successfully climbed once before. Unlike the first larger team, Mimi Zieman’s team would climb without using supplemental oxygen, porter support, or chance for rescue. She would accompany the climbers as the doctor—and only woman—although she was still in her third year of medical school. Full of self-doubt, Zieman grappled with whether to go but couldn’t resist the call of the mountains."
Mt. Everest and those who climbed it is certainly a conversation starter. Mimi,now twenty-five receives an invitation. (see above) Everest- an elevation of appx. 29,000 +. No communication. No rescue. It is said that certain mountains own a reputation of spiritual history. Some find answers, others find questions they never recognized as relevant.
This story is written from a few vantage points that I shortened. Mimi had been to Everest once before and knew it's limitations. Having issues of self doubt to begin with would be elementary in comparison to the torture she put herself through doubting her ability to be medically responsible for an entire climbing team. She learned a long time ago about perseverance; and so, after self negotiating she pressed the green light.
Mimi did not go with the climbers to the top; giving opportunities of recording her thoughts and spiritual experiences when alone. She needed to be methodical in determining how to treat severe problems during the climb; praying her decisions would correct.
Mimi's childhood was the culture of Modern Orthodox Judaism. The impact of her father's story follows her through this journey. Her thoughts of him and his advice he shared had become mature and interacted throughout the book. As Mimi found more of her passions and voice, she saw a fusion waiting to be connected spiritually and religiously. This would act as her guide, one step at a time.
A Passover Seder on Mt. Everest? Oh yes; the whole team participated. I myself wouldn't be able to breathe let alone think of a matzah substitute, but that evening turned out to be a hit and brought the team that much closer. At one point in the book Mimi was describing just how freezing it was and how she learned to handle it. Tents are not usually set up on smooth ground at certain elevations. Sleeping in layers on top of hot water bottles sent chills right through me. We learn.. one can not go outside of their tent at night due to severe frostbite factors. But... learning to pee in a small contraption in the corner of her tent that actually was on those rocks turned out to be a total balancing act. Curious how quickly Mimi mastered that feat. Definitely easier for a guy. :) The title "Tap Dancing on Everest" happens to be a literal one. Mimi used to dance every week throughout her childhood.
When traveling in general, most of us wouldn't even think to pack tap shoes if we owned them. But to climb part of Everest having a specific limited weighted duffle? She explains why and how she uses those shoes.
Melded through this story are topics that have never fizzled through the course of time. Thirty -six years ago some of us would have danced around a few of these subjects because sometimes, it' just easier, yet we knew deep down they would never become invisible. Our author does not believe in quitting and it is evident that "Tikkun Olam" (Repairing the World) stayed in Mimi's head while on Everest.
She graduated medical school to become a practicing OB/GYN.
"She is also a playwright and speaker who writes about medical topics to empower people with information and writes creatively to explore the meaning behind experiences we share".
Dr. Mimi Zeiman's CV and accomplishments as of today are very impressive.
** Know that this memoir is not typical. The prose is outstanding. I knew a bit about the geographics of Tibet, but less about Tibetan culture and how extremely sacred Everest is to them.
The information regarding identifying medical issues and treatment due to altitude will stay with me. When pilots announce they will be flying at an altitude of 30,000 feet I can relate, so I think maybe a hill is my perfect starting point. :)
***** UPDATE 7/1/25
Announced yesterday "Tap Dancing on Everest" by Dr. Mimi Zieman won the Georgia Book Award. Specifically, it was the Memoir category winner in the 2025 Georgia Author of the Year Awards.
Well deserved Dr.
March 28, 2024
This book really stands out among the many volumes on Everest and the Himalayas that I have read. Written by a woman who is not a professional climber, it has a very different tone and feel. Most accounts of mountaineering expeditions focus on the adventure itself, here the climb is only described in the last part of the book. Instead, the author recounts in detail her unlikely path to it - from a difficult upbringing as a child of Jewish immigrants in New York City, with all the survivor trauma inherited from her parents, to battling her eating disorder and inferiority complex, to studying medicine and training to be a doctor. It can be a painful, emotional read at times.
She doesn't shy away from the gruesome details of trekking in the Himalayas either - I think both her gender and her medical training made her much more open about the realities of high mountains, including the physiological ones. If you felt intimidated after reading Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air, I don't think you'll ever decide to climb an 8,000er after reading this book. Of course, she is writing about a time before commercial climbing began (this shift is well chronicled in another forthcoming book, "Everest, Inc"), so she faced many more challenges than today's tourists.
If you are interested in mountaineering, I think this book will give you a new, original view of the Himalayan experience.
Thanks to the publisher, Globe Pequot, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.
She doesn't shy away from the gruesome details of trekking in the Himalayas either - I think both her gender and her medical training made her much more open about the realities of high mountains, including the physiological ones. If you felt intimidated after reading Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air, I don't think you'll ever decide to climb an 8,000er after reading this book. Of course, she is writing about a time before commercial climbing began (this shift is well chronicled in another forthcoming book, "Everest, Inc"), so she faced many more challenges than today's tourists.
If you are interested in mountaineering, I think this book will give you a new, original view of the Himalayan experience.
Thanks to the publisher, Globe Pequot, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.
January 6, 2024
Tap Dancing on Everest by Mimi Zieman is a fascinating memoir of the author’s transition into adulthood from the constraints of a concrete bound NYC childhood full of shoulds and parental Holocaust memories to the symbolic freedom of the wide-open spaces as the team proceeded up Everest.
I was totally absorbed by her journey – both emotional and physical – as I recognized the underlying desire that perhaps many of us might have harbored in our twenties but made different choices.
Beautifully written with warmth and humility, don’t miss this insightful recounting of both her mountain adventure and her own growth as a result of that adventure.
Note: I was provided an advance copy of the book, in exchange for an honest review.
I was totally absorbed by her journey – both emotional and physical – as I recognized the underlying desire that perhaps many of us might have harbored in our twenties but made different choices.
Beautifully written with warmth and humility, don’t miss this insightful recounting of both her mountain adventure and her own growth as a result of that adventure.
Note: I was provided an advance copy of the book, in exchange for an honest review.
February 25, 2024
Loved it! I was engrossed and reading for hours at a time about Mimi's compelling journey to Mt. Everest. Mimi shares relatable themes stemming from her childhood insecurities to transitioning into young adulthood. Her inspiring story includes the topics of physicality, risk-taking, religious identity, self awareness, friendship and love. Her beautiful and descriptive writing (sprinkled with humor) flows organically and engages the reader to anticipate what's to follow. I am thrilled to recommend this book to my book club, family and friends. I read an advanced copy in exchanged for an honest review.
January 9, 2024
From the opening words of “Tap Dancing on Everest: A Young Doctor’s Unlikely Adventure” by Mimi Zieman, the stakes are devastatingly clear. There’s nothing to see and everything to fear as half the members of a mountain climbing expedition search the opaque and freezing landscape for any sign that their other half has survived: “We’d last spotted the climbers days earlier, tiny dots ascending toward the summit, creeping over the edge of our route onto the South Col, the link between Tibet and Nepal, East and South, visible and invisible. We distinguished them by the color of their coats and hats, steadily inching up in the bright sunshine. Now there was no sun, just lackluster white, and our world of waiting felt like groping through the darkness, except that everything was flat and stark and still.” Zieman’s breathtaking memoir about her time as a 25 year old medical student serving as the only medical expert on a risky trek of the East Face of Everest, where the climbers, “purists,” declined the use of oxygen or Sherpas, provides intimate new details about the groundbreaking and famous physical undertaking that occurred in 1988 - but it also does much more. The memoir provides an explanation as to why a person with Zieman’s background ended up there at all; a person whom a magazine article ahead of the trip labeled as an “unlikely” choice, a perspective Zieman explores and ultimately subverts by referring to it in her memoir’s title.
The reader does not return to ledge of the opening pages until the end of the book. We’re kept hanging on tenterhooks whether or not, due to its infamy, we know the final outcome of the trek. From the outset we are viscerally invested, feeling the peril deep in our bones. Zieman proceeds to take us through her individual life story, in the process answering the question of why she ended up where she did. We learn that, ironically, mountain climbing helped Zieman finally feel safe and secure in her body and her life. Climbing mountains gave Zieman the tools to live in a world that from the beginning felt anything but stable: “The great peace I felt in the mountains was the perfect antidote to the manic pace of my New York City life.” But it wasn’t just growing up in Manhattan as an immigrant with few material resources that felt fraught. It was her parents’ disintegrating relationship, her overwhelming sense that she didn’t belong or wasn’t good enough. It was the messages she received telling her not to depend on anyone else, ones that led her to feel isolated and to struggle to intimately connect to others. And, centrally, it was her father’s admission when she was 7 years old that his entire family was murdered in the Holocaust that compelled Zieman to seek her own path towards personal growth and self-acceptance, and towards “learning to live with loss,” the central challenge for anyone who grew up under the shadow of terror.
Zieman does what all memoirists aspire to do by combining her unique, in this case historic, personal story with self-reflection that covers universal themes like overcoming adversity and insecurity, the impact of generational trauma, and the challenge of living with grief and loss. On top of this, Zieman describes struggles specific to women like her who were raised during the second wave of feminism by strong women like her mother and grandmother. Zieman vividly portrays the mind bending and infuriating ways women at that time were, and still are?, encouraged to seek opportunities but were still burdened with the expectation to look and behave in certain ways, all the while continuing to be subjected to misogyny and the risk of sexual violence. Zieman expertly weaves this crucial part of her experience into the greater narrative which enriches the reader’s contextualization of her feat as a medical student serving on an Everest climb in the 1980’s. What results is a vivid representation of an extreme and life changing event, and an equally inspiring and in depth portrait of a woman who found herself exactly where she belonged.
The reader does not return to ledge of the opening pages until the end of the book. We’re kept hanging on tenterhooks whether or not, due to its infamy, we know the final outcome of the trek. From the outset we are viscerally invested, feeling the peril deep in our bones. Zieman proceeds to take us through her individual life story, in the process answering the question of why she ended up where she did. We learn that, ironically, mountain climbing helped Zieman finally feel safe and secure in her body and her life. Climbing mountains gave Zieman the tools to live in a world that from the beginning felt anything but stable: “The great peace I felt in the mountains was the perfect antidote to the manic pace of my New York City life.” But it wasn’t just growing up in Manhattan as an immigrant with few material resources that felt fraught. It was her parents’ disintegrating relationship, her overwhelming sense that she didn’t belong or wasn’t good enough. It was the messages she received telling her not to depend on anyone else, ones that led her to feel isolated and to struggle to intimately connect to others. And, centrally, it was her father’s admission when she was 7 years old that his entire family was murdered in the Holocaust that compelled Zieman to seek her own path towards personal growth and self-acceptance, and towards “learning to live with loss,” the central challenge for anyone who grew up under the shadow of terror.
Zieman does what all memoirists aspire to do by combining her unique, in this case historic, personal story with self-reflection that covers universal themes like overcoming adversity and insecurity, the impact of generational trauma, and the challenge of living with grief and loss. On top of this, Zieman describes struggles specific to women like her who were raised during the second wave of feminism by strong women like her mother and grandmother. Zieman vividly portrays the mind bending and infuriating ways women at that time were, and still are?, encouraged to seek opportunities but were still burdened with the expectation to look and behave in certain ways, all the while continuing to be subjected to misogyny and the risk of sexual violence. Zieman expertly weaves this crucial part of her experience into the greater narrative which enriches the reader’s contextualization of her feat as a medical student serving on an Everest climb in the 1980’s. What results is a vivid representation of an extreme and life changing event, and an equally inspiring and in depth portrait of a woman who found herself exactly where she belonged.
March 8, 2024
Wow! What a beautiful memoir!
This is more than about Mimi’s time at Everest, you get glimpses of her childhood, family and heritage. Transitioning from childhood through adulthood. A true self discovery memoir that I found inspiring.
I find family dynamics and reflection fascinating which I would say was about the first half of the book. The second half was more focused on the climb and how unique for it to be from Mimi’s POV as one who will tend to any medical situations and not as a climber. I felt like I learned a lot in a short amount about climbing/Everest and it sparked a new curiosity for me and I’m already seeking other books in this niche genre.
Thank you Mindbuck Media Book Publicity
Releases 4/2
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
This is more than about Mimi’s time at Everest, you get glimpses of her childhood, family and heritage. Transitioning from childhood through adulthood. A true self discovery memoir that I found inspiring.
I find family dynamics and reflection fascinating which I would say was about the first half of the book. The second half was more focused on the climb and how unique for it to be from Mimi’s POV as one who will tend to any medical situations and not as a climber. I felt like I learned a lot in a short amount about climbing/Everest and it sparked a new curiosity for me and I’m already seeking other books in this niche genre.
Thank you Mindbuck Media Book Publicity
Releases 4/2
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
March 25, 2024
Mimi Zieman describes one of the most challenging experiences a person could have on Earth. Climbing Mt. Everest usually has some tragic stories about death and despair. Despite less severe consequences, the climbing team described by Zieman in Tap Dancing on Everest has a better story than others. It is a story about a young woman who is studying to be a doctor. She is invited by her close friend and former intimate partner to join a team as medical support. They travel through rural regions of Nepal and high into the Himalayas. Zieman often refers to her childhood and her family heroes to help her persevere and overcome challenges. With many details of personal trials and developing conviction, she tells of her journey with her team. They experience challenges and have very close calls that could lead them to disaster. But the medical conscience of Zieman seems to choral everyone into soulful and spiritual unity that is so often expressed by pre-climb ceremonies and prayer sessions.
If you like to hear about mountaineers and you can get over the expected consequences, this story uses a different approach for coping and it describes a different approach to reaching the summit.
Thank you to Mimi, Net Galley, and Falcon for this Advanced Reader's Copy.
If you like to hear about mountaineers and you can get over the expected consequences, this story uses a different approach for coping and it describes a different approach to reaching the summit.
Thank you to Mimi, Net Galley, and Falcon for this Advanced Reader's Copy.
February 4, 2024
*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free book!*
I'm absolutely fascinated by mountains in general and Everest in particular. I lack the stamina and training for serious mountaineering, but I love climbing mountains and hiking. "Tap Dancing on Everest" is part memoir and describes Zieman's participation in a 1988 Everest summit attempt as the medical professional (and only woman!) even though she was, at the time, still a student. The book also talks about her family, her Jewish heritage, her personal struggles and upbringing - how she ended up on Everest really. With the smart framing device, lots of suspension is created. An absolutely fantastic read I could barely put down. The only criticism I could find was that the last chapter felt rushed and didn't give me the closure I needed after the intense chapters near Everest. I would've liked to know a bit more about the aftermath of the expedition. But maybe it's another book? What a thrilling read in any case.
I'm absolutely fascinated by mountains in general and Everest in particular. I lack the stamina and training for serious mountaineering, but I love climbing mountains and hiking. "Tap Dancing on Everest" is part memoir and describes Zieman's participation in a 1988 Everest summit attempt as the medical professional (and only woman!) even though she was, at the time, still a student. The book also talks about her family, her Jewish heritage, her personal struggles and upbringing - how she ended up on Everest really. With the smart framing device, lots of suspension is created. An absolutely fantastic read I could barely put down. The only criticism I could find was that the last chapter felt rushed and didn't give me the closure I needed after the intense chapters near Everest. I would've liked to know a bit more about the aftermath of the expedition. But maybe it's another book? What a thrilling read in any case.
March 20, 2024
"Tap Dancing on Everest" is an inspiring memoir that particularly resonates with medical students like myself. It showcases the remarkable journey of Mimi Zieman, a medical student from New York City to an expedition team doctor on Everest. This book is a testament to the diverse roles and incredible opportunities available in the medical field!
Zieman's transformation, detailed in chapters such as "At Risk", is awe-inspiring. Her experiences waiting for missing team members on Everest underscore the critical role of doctors in extreme conditions and the immense mental fortitude required. Her vivid storytelling not only captivates but also highlights the importance of adaptability and resilience in medicine.
Her personal reflections in "Feetfirst" and "Immersion" add depth to her journey, emphasizing the value of embracing challenges and stepping out of her comfort zone. These sections speak volumes about personal growth and the courage needed to follow unconventional paths in the medical profession.
Zieman's book is more than just an adventure story; it's a deep exploration of balancing personal aspirations with professional commitments. It's an exemplary guide for medical students, showing how skills can be utilized in extreme environments and encouraging them to envision a career beyond traditional boundaries.
In summary, "Tap Dancing on Everest" is an essential read for those in the medical field, offering a new perspective on the profession's possibilities and inspiring readers to pursue diverse and fulfilling career paths. Zieman's narrative is a compelling mix of bravery, passion, and resilience, serving as a beacon for limitless opportunities in medicine.
Zieman's transformation, detailed in chapters such as "At Risk", is awe-inspiring. Her experiences waiting for missing team members on Everest underscore the critical role of doctors in extreme conditions and the immense mental fortitude required. Her vivid storytelling not only captivates but also highlights the importance of adaptability and resilience in medicine.
Her personal reflections in "Feetfirst" and "Immersion" add depth to her journey, emphasizing the value of embracing challenges and stepping out of her comfort zone. These sections speak volumes about personal growth and the courage needed to follow unconventional paths in the medical profession.
Zieman's book is more than just an adventure story; it's a deep exploration of balancing personal aspirations with professional commitments. It's an exemplary guide for medical students, showing how skills can be utilized in extreme environments and encouraging them to envision a career beyond traditional boundaries.
In summary, "Tap Dancing on Everest" is an essential read for those in the medical field, offering a new perspective on the profession's possibilities and inspiring readers to pursue diverse and fulfilling career paths. Zieman's narrative is a compelling mix of bravery, passion, and resilience, serving as a beacon for limitless opportunities in medicine.
February 22, 2024
Wow!! The more I followed Zieman on her journeys into the Himalayas, the more I was invested in her accomplishing the climb at Everest. Her vulnerability isn’t hidden, and even more so, it helps us respect the tenacity and fragility of Zieman’s whole process to find meaning and place in and around Everest. She delves into her challenging childhood, her parents’ determination as post-World War II displaced Jewish immigrants, and the surprise of rugged, faraway mountains calling her out of New York City. She captures the intense preparation, self-doubt and naysayers, and an unshakable resilience through it all. All this while in medical school! I’ve also been to medical school—that in itself no small thing to take on!
This memoir isn’t a fast paced read—climbing a mountain at extreme altitudes prevent it. But it took me along every step, making clear the struggles and appreciations in it all. Zieman’s fervor and love for her work, in the hospital and on the mountains, makes it look easier than it it was, even though it was clearly a challenging experience. All of her accomplishments at the point of her Everest climb and since have been challenging and enviable*, the Everest portion written here with such aplomb and grace, I doubt you’ll ever find another memoir like it. By the end of the written journey, I was almost as breathless as she must have been at 17,000 feet at base camp.
Brava, Mimi Zieman. I’m impressed and can’t wait to see what other amazing things you’ll share with the world.
*She is also an editor of the well-known pocket reference guide “Managing Contraception”. Every U.S. medical student and Ob/Gyn resident would have had their hands on this book in part of their training.
NOTE: I read this with an ARC.
This memoir isn’t a fast paced read—climbing a mountain at extreme altitudes prevent it. But it took me along every step, making clear the struggles and appreciations in it all. Zieman’s fervor and love for her work, in the hospital and on the mountains, makes it look easier than it it was, even though it was clearly a challenging experience. All of her accomplishments at the point of her Everest climb and since have been challenging and enviable*, the Everest portion written here with such aplomb and grace, I doubt you’ll ever find another memoir like it. By the end of the written journey, I was almost as breathless as she must have been at 17,000 feet at base camp.
Brava, Mimi Zieman. I’m impressed and can’t wait to see what other amazing things you’ll share with the world.
*She is also an editor of the well-known pocket reference guide “Managing Contraception”. Every U.S. medical student and Ob/Gyn resident would have had their hands on this book in part of their training.
NOTE: I read this with an ARC.
April 3, 2024
I was super excited to get a chance to read this book, but honestly, it just wasn't my cup of tea.
There are a lot of back and forth things in the beginning, I think this would have been better if it was chronological order, for the childhood portion. It just doesn't make sense with the whiplash back to a kid, then back to an adult, all within the same paragraph.
I was really excited about this because this is a book from a female's perspective on Everest, who isn't a 'hiker', or someone who sets out to climb Everest. Not to mention, this is something that was only done once before, so this was a challenging climb. I really really really was wanting to love this book, just based on that alone.
A lot of the beginning really turned me off from this book (see swimming portion... like why is this necessary?), and then when it got to the actual climb, it just wasn't the hype I thought it would be.
Thank you NetGalley for my E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
There are a lot of back and forth things in the beginning, I think this would have been better if it was chronological order, for the childhood portion. It just doesn't make sense with the whiplash back to a kid, then back to an adult, all within the same paragraph.
I was really excited about this because this is a book from a female's perspective on Everest, who isn't a 'hiker', or someone who sets out to climb Everest. Not to mention, this is something that was only done once before, so this was a challenging climb. I really really really was wanting to love this book, just based on that alone.
A lot of the beginning really turned me off from this book (see swimming portion... like why is this necessary?), and then when it got to the actual climb, it just wasn't the hype I thought it would be.
Thank you NetGalley for my E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
March 14, 2024
Perfect vacation book! Absorbing, unnerving, transfixing, leaves you with lots of questions and wonderings. So glad Mimi wrote this: so glad I read it.
February 27, 2024
Recently, I had the pleasure of delving into "Tap Dancing on Everest" by Mimi Zieman, and I must say, it was an absolute delight. Zieman's memoir takes readers on a captivating journey through her life, focusing on her experiences leading up to and during her 1988 Everest expedition.
Zieman's exceptional storytelling skill is evident as she artfully intertwines personal anecdotes with introspection and profound insights. While reading, I found myself laughing, tearing up, and deeply connecting with Zieman's emotions and reflections. Each character she introduces becomes a pivotal point in her journey, enriching her narrative.
What stood out most was Zieman's resilience as a woman, shining through despite the challenges she faced growing up under the influence of strong female figures like her mother and grandmother. Her strength and character growth are deeply rooted in her cultural heritage, with her Jewish background adding layers of depth and relatability.
The build-up and climax of the Everest expedition were particularly riveting, leaving me engaged and eager for more. Through Zieman's experiences, I felt motivated to embark on my own path of self-discovery. One quote that resonated deeply with me was, "Now I understand that courage is about moving forward despite fear."
Having read many Everest expedition books, I confidently assert that "Tap Dancing on Everest" stands out in various aspects. Despite not being an avid climber, I found a profound connection with Zieman's story. Her feminine voice, without being overtly feminist, offered a fresh perspective. I admired her openness in tackling issues like body image struggles that women often face. Above all, Zieman's authenticity and bold storytelling have shaped her into the remarkable individual she is today.
I wholeheartedly recommend "Tap Dancing on Everest" to anyone seeking an inspiring and thought-provoking read. This book deserves a spot on every bookshelf, and I plan to gift it to the influential women in my life. It has undoubtedly earned its well-deserved five-star rating.
Many thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
Zieman's exceptional storytelling skill is evident as she artfully intertwines personal anecdotes with introspection and profound insights. While reading, I found myself laughing, tearing up, and deeply connecting with Zieman's emotions and reflections. Each character she introduces becomes a pivotal point in her journey, enriching her narrative.
What stood out most was Zieman's resilience as a woman, shining through despite the challenges she faced growing up under the influence of strong female figures like her mother and grandmother. Her strength and character growth are deeply rooted in her cultural heritage, with her Jewish background adding layers of depth and relatability.
The build-up and climax of the Everest expedition were particularly riveting, leaving me engaged and eager for more. Through Zieman's experiences, I felt motivated to embark on my own path of self-discovery. One quote that resonated deeply with me was, "Now I understand that courage is about moving forward despite fear."
Having read many Everest expedition books, I confidently assert that "Tap Dancing on Everest" stands out in various aspects. Despite not being an avid climber, I found a profound connection with Zieman's story. Her feminine voice, without being overtly feminist, offered a fresh perspective. I admired her openness in tackling issues like body image struggles that women often face. Above all, Zieman's authenticity and bold storytelling have shaped her into the remarkable individual she is today.
I wholeheartedly recommend "Tap Dancing on Everest" to anyone seeking an inspiring and thought-provoking read. This book deserves a spot on every bookshelf, and I plan to gift it to the influential women in my life. It has undoubtedly earned its well-deserved five-star rating.
Many thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
February 24, 2024
Based on the title of Mimi Zieman’s book, the reader might think they are about to read a travelogue detailing Mimi’s trek to Everest.
It is true that Mimi recounts, in vivid detail, her experiences on Everest. Throughout the book, she shares her love of the mountains and the people she meets along the way.
The entirety of the book, however, is one woman’s very courageous journey, navigating life from childhood through adulthood.
Mimi’s ability to reflect and recount her life story requires courage. She is brutally honest and delves deep - sharing her triumphs, as well as, her fears and failures.
Mimi never waivers or shies away from the challenge.
The book is a journey of self discovery and as such, something we can all relate to ( even if we don’t trek to Everest ). This is the reason Mimi’s book is a resounding success. She lays bare her life and causes you to pause and reflect on your own story.
It is true that Mimi recounts, in vivid detail, her experiences on Everest. Throughout the book, she shares her love of the mountains and the people she meets along the way.
The entirety of the book, however, is one woman’s very courageous journey, navigating life from childhood through adulthood.
Mimi’s ability to reflect and recount her life story requires courage. She is brutally honest and delves deep - sharing her triumphs, as well as, her fears and failures.
Mimi never waivers or shies away from the challenge.
The book is a journey of self discovery and as such, something we can all relate to ( even if we don’t trek to Everest ). This is the reason Mimi’s book is a resounding success. She lays bare her life and causes you to pause and reflect on your own story.
February 6, 2024
Tap Dancing on Everest tells the story of how an insecure twenty-three-year-old medical student overcomes personal and physical obstacles to find herself part of a team attempting to summit Mount Everest. Still not graduated from med school, she accepts the biggest challenge of her life, joining an Everest expedition of six as their medical officer. They are attempting a route never climbed before. Without oxygen and without sherpas.
This is a searingly honest memoir of young girl from a traditional Jewish family searching for herself: wanting to break free from what she should and shouldn’t do. Persuaded to give up dancing, she begins university and then med school. In Colorado she discovers a love of nature that leads to trekking in Tibet, a passion for the mountains, and then a chance meeting that changed her life.
The author takes you inside her head as she deals with hopes, fears and terror as the expedition starts to fall apart. This is a book that will keep you turning the pages to the end to find out whether the expedition will end in triumph or disaster.
This is a searingly honest memoir of young girl from a traditional Jewish family searching for herself: wanting to break free from what she should and shouldn’t do. Persuaded to give up dancing, she begins university and then med school. In Colorado she discovers a love of nature that leads to trekking in Tibet, a passion for the mountains, and then a chance meeting that changed her life.
The author takes you inside her head as she deals with hopes, fears and terror as the expedition starts to fall apart. This is a book that will keep you turning the pages to the end to find out whether the expedition will end in triumph or disaster.
April 12, 2024
I loved this book. It feels authentic, deep, funny, suspenseful and an overall great read. The author accomplishes so much in the first 25 years of her life, including her unlikely adventure, and the process of looking back in her later years allows for a kind of reflection and insight. Her habit of keeping a detailed journal throughout her life and especially at incredible elevations is just one example of her perseverance and foresight, and we, the readers, are the beneficiaries. I personally have a lot in common with the author--similar families of origin, schooling, professions and interests--and I could never imagine myself doing what she did. But even if you have nothing in common with the author, her beautiful writing style will get you to understand and appreciate her amazing story.
December 22, 2023
"Tap Dancing on Everest" is Mimi Zieman's memoir, focusing on finding her place in the world as a Jewish doctor, framed through hiking expeditions in the Himalaya. As someone who's recently binged Everest nonfiction, this book seemed right up my alley. It was refreshing to see an Everest book told from a woman's perspective - the male perspective on climbing Everest has been told endlessly, and it was wonderful to see a different approach. The focus on Mimi's youth was unexpected but welcome. All told, this is an excellent book to pick up, whether you're a casual Everest fan or a lover of memoirs. Five stars.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for a review.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for a review.
January 2, 2024
I absolutely loved this book and was totally absorbed from the first page all the way to the end. I was impressed with how the author blends her personal challenges with professional ones. The juxtaposition of the extreme conditions on Everest with the authors own internal struggles created a touching and very compelling narrative. Picturing Mimi on top of the rock tap dancing and entertaining the group made me laugh out loud and seemed representative of her ability to cheer up others in challenging circumstances all through the book. I think this wonderful and touching story would make a great film!
Note: I received an advance copy of this book for my honest review.
Note: I received an advance copy of this book for my honest review.
January 1, 2024
Could not put this adventure story down until I read to the very last page. A fantastic memoir of an exciting few years in the life of a brave female doctor. Her adventures will inspire young girls to avoid limits on what they could accomplish! Loved learning about how mountain exploration takes place and all the nuances to life on the mountain for women especially! Mimi flips back and forth between her exciting life in medical school in NYC and frozen moments on the face of Mount Everest! Thanks so much for this amazing read!
January 29, 2024
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read Tap Dancing on Everest! I always love a good adventure book, especially set in faraway places. As expected, I enjoyed reading about the summit itself, but I also relished in the story of Mimi's self-discovery. As a woman it is always nice to read about other women's moments of finding themselves because it always looks so different.
I think my favorite part of this book is when Mimi found her voice. Albeit loud and demanding, she found it which to me is the most important part of this story. Kudos to you, Mimi!
I think my favorite part of this book is when Mimi found her voice. Albeit loud and demanding, she found it which to me is the most important part of this story. Kudos to you, Mimi!
Read
April 12, 2024Weaving together the influences of her traditional Jewish upbringing, the strength of the women in her family, and her father's experiences during the Holocaust, a medical student volunteers to serve as the doctor for four fearless men, documenting the harrowing vivid details, as they attempt to climb a perilous approach to the summit of Mount Everest. A stirring suspenseful memoir of courage, growth, and survival.
February 6, 2024
Dancing on Everest is a remarkable journey that proves determination can move mountains. Mimi describes how weaving through life’s obstacles can become a life adventure. Her story shines light on being true to yourself and remaining firm in your beliefs. Mimi highlights small moments that can set you on a different path, but to take them in stride and with confidence. Everything happens for a reason in this book and this story is a wonderful reminder of just that!
January 9, 2024
Gorgeous and gripping! From conversations in her childhood kitchen at The Versailles to the long, cold nights at advanced base camp waiting for the climbers to return, Zieman attempts to trace, with insight and humor, the experiences and events that led a shy, Jewish girl from the Upper West Side of Manhattan to become the unlikely medical officer on an expedition to Mount Everest.
March 21, 2024
Facing down Everest, advocating for those lost climbers, Zieman gained the confidence that comes from knowing your own strengths. And that's the message. The author is also a physician, playwright, speaker, women's advocate, and an adventurer. I'd add badass but not sure the review will make it through.
This story makes you want to find your own adventure so that your life can also be a badass through life.
If you have ever bristled when advised to play it safe, plan ahead, ask permission (gag!), and more - this book will help you understand why your gut was right.
When I was reading this book, I kept thinking: I want my daughter to grow up to be like this. To give yourself permission to take a risk and trust that the risk is the adventure. If you feel a calling, you don't need to stop the path you're on.
This story makes you want to find your own adventure so that your life can also be a badass through life.
If you have ever bristled when advised to play it safe, plan ahead, ask permission (gag!), and more - this book will help you understand why your gut was right.
When I was reading this book, I kept thinking: I want my daughter to grow up to be like this. To give yourself permission to take a risk and trust that the risk is the adventure. If you feel a calling, you don't need to stop the path you're on.
March 19, 2024
This is an incredible story of great heroism shown by both Zieman and her teammates at Everest. I took my time reading this memoir so I could savor the details. The author’s beautiful prose captures not only her adventures in Nepal and Tibet, but also transports the reader by describing the effects that being immersed in nature had on her mental state and transformation. I highly recommend this book!
March 12, 2024
The author provided me with an advance copy of the book.
This is a riveting, profoundly wise coming-of-age memoir written in stunning, breathtaking detail that kept me up well past my bedtime. I am not an athlete or a risk taker. My idea of a winter adventure is leaving the house without ice grips strapped to my boots. Mimi’s extraordinary Tap Dancing on Everest has plenty of treacherous, cinematic scenes that are light years beyond my experience, and yet, I found much to relate to. It is as much a story about family, identity, and pushing through the boundaries of what scares us as it is about a perilous mountain adventure. I loved every chapter of this memoir and couldn't recommend it more to couch potatoes and aspiring adventurous alike!
This is a riveting, profoundly wise coming-of-age memoir written in stunning, breathtaking detail that kept me up well past my bedtime. I am not an athlete or a risk taker. My idea of a winter adventure is leaving the house without ice grips strapped to my boots. Mimi’s extraordinary Tap Dancing on Everest has plenty of treacherous, cinematic scenes that are light years beyond my experience, and yet, I found much to relate to. It is as much a story about family, identity, and pushing through the boundaries of what scares us as it is about a perilous mountain adventure. I loved every chapter of this memoir and couldn't recommend it more to couch potatoes and aspiring adventurous alike!
February 26, 2024
A perfect balance of Mimi threading her family’s history to her childhood in NYC and empowering her through college and med school to the magic of Everest.
Tap Dancing on Everest is an honest, raw and inspiring memoir of Mimi owning her story and decisions. And Everest is the co-star whose beauty and danger Mimi writes about keeping the reader engaged and in suspense.
I read this book online and I look forward to reading it in paperback so I can touch and feel the words again.
Tap Dancing on Everest is an honest, raw and inspiring memoir of Mimi owning her story and decisions. And Everest is the co-star whose beauty and danger Mimi writes about keeping the reader engaged and in suspense.
I read this book online and I look forward to reading it in paperback so I can touch and feel the words again.
February 27, 2024
I loved the book Tap Dancing on Everest by Mimi Zieman. From the first page I was drawn in by the author’s beautiful use of descriptive language, allowing me visualize her experiences in my mind. Her inner strength, independence, adventurous spirit, humor - but also her insecurities and growing past them, held my interest throughout the book. Her journey to finding her voice and knowing who she is was very compelling and made for an amazing read.
February 8, 2025
This is NOT just another “I climbed Mt Everest” adventure. It’s the story of a young woman following her dreams from her perspective 25 years after the fact. Very well written with excellent descriptions of both the beauty and the hardships of the mountains.
I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I thoroughly enjoyed it.
February 26, 2024
The author drew me into the story with the first chapter! I could feel her stress and the tension was palpable. Great storytelling! Editing to add that I was given an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
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