This is a thrilling, well told account of the race to the top of the world's highest mountains. Ellsworth does a wonderful job telling the stories of the alipinists and adventurers while also explaining the historical context and technological innovations in a relatable style. The result is a fast paced, transportive read. For anyone who loves history and the outdoors, this book is a wonderful escape when many of us are currently quarantined.

The world beneath their feet.

While we have heard many reports and reviews on Mr. Everest in the last decade , it's truly so interesting to hear the history of past attempts of climbs. This book tells details of so many countries and people the climbers meet on the travels, plus the distance it was to get there to the mountains, how exciting to have lived during this period. Climbers would wear several layers of clothes to stay warm. Also the tents were heavy and not made of material they have now. Even the tools to climb with, So many improvements have been made.
But the author grabbed me from the first page, he felt as they felt, so determined to get the race won. No matter sickness, frostbite, weather and death. He wanted us to be that climber and see how beautiful those giant mountains were.
The history is researched so well and written with such details that I didn’t want to put this book down, it teaches you alot!
The publisher sent me a hard copy and I have never been so happy to get a book with even wonderful pictures. Sure you can read it on your tablet but I highly recommend you put this one on your shelf because You will want to read it again trust me!
Thanks so much to Little, Brown and Company for sharing!!

While it is well known that Sir Edmund Hilary was the first person to reach the summit of Mount Everest, what isn't as well known are the many attempts to climb Everest and other summits in the Himalayas before Hilary reached the top. There were many attempts to scale these mountains by various groups of climbers, most notably from England, Germany and the United States. The adventures of some of these attempts are told in this terrific book by Scott Ellsworth.

Each of the stories is gripping in its own manner, whether the climb was considered successful (a few were in the big picture, even if the summit wasn't reached), a disappointment or even deadly. There was one summit that the Germans tried to climb three times, Nanga Parbat, and each one was unsuccessful, with deaths to some climbers and Sherpas each time. American expeditions to K2 were met with similar results and the English were the most persistent with Everest, with their efforts finally paying off with Hilary's success.

Why the book is so good is that Ellsworth tells about the climbers, the Sherpas and other important people in the climbing teams in a manner that the reader will be able to easily relate to that person's traits, quirks and determination. That was a key characteristic to all the people portrayed – they all were determined to scale whatever Himalayan peak they were climbing. Add that to the description of the climbs and their experiences at base camps – mostly cold and fighting off terrible weather – and the reader is left with a fantastic description of what these mountaineers went through in trying to conquer some of the most challenging peaks in the world.

Even if the reader is not familiar with the language or sport of mountaineering, this book is one that he or she will enjoy for the human side of these adventures. If the reader enjoys books on this topic, like this reviewer, then it is one that must be added to his or her bookshelves, it is that good.

I wish to thank Little, Brown and Company for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A breathtaking read a time in history a race for dominance a fete of mountain climbing.Teams from different countries here to climb the hymalaiys ais be the victor as war loomed.A group of warriors that captured the world’s attention.#netgalley#littlebrown