This book started slow for me, but once I was into it, I didn't want to stop listening. I was fascinated by the logistics of climbing Mount Everest, but I was also very intrigued by Jim Davidson's reflections on his climbing career and especially how he handled trying to climb Mount Everest a second time after his first attempt was thwarted by a major earthquake that caused the deadliest day in the history of Everest.

If you like adventure memoirs you MUST add this one to your list. It is so well written. You are given so many details, but you don't feel bogged down by them. And Jim's writing is reflective and clear.

Content Warning: Natural Disaster, Death

Listening to this story as an audiobook was an absolutely fantastic, thrilling immersive experience! It opens with clips of live footage from Jim Davidson's GoPro camera while at Camp I during the 2015 earthquake that prompted the most deadly avalanche in Everest's history. You can hear the terror in the climbers voices, and wind and helicopter blades in the background. I've been a huge fan of Everest stories since reading Into Thin Air, which prompted me to read all of Jon Krakauer's books and everything written about the Everest accidents in 1996. But I have never listened to an audiobook about Everest, and this one surpassed all my expectations. As an experienced mountaineer myself, I really enjoyed listening to the words of a very experienced climber, for the story of his trips to Everest and other formidable mountains, and for his reflections and thoughts on life and how to move on from this disaster into future climbing and other life experiences.

On April 25th, 2015, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked Nepal. It was the largest earthquake in the history of the country and killed almost 9,000 people. And the shockwaves were felt all the way to Everest, where Jim Davidson was preparing to climb the mountain. Davidson was trapped on the mountain and eventually rescued, but in the aftermath it was determined to be Everest’s most deadly day with 18 deaths. But this is only half the story. Two years later, Davidson finds the strength and courage to climb again, and conquers more than just the world’s highest peak.

I have read a few books about Mount Everest, so I was very excited to see something new come out on the topic, especially on the 2015 Nepal earthquake incident. I love memoirs and biographies of those who have survived harrowing events, and Jim Davidson does not disappoint.

This book invoked so much feeling as I was reading. I could feel the author’s desperation and fear at the beginning of the book. In the audio version, there were also some satellite phone transmissions/recordings of the author interspersed, which greatly added to the overall feeling of the book. I could also feel the author’s relief of surviving and then the hope and accomplishment when Davidson finally achieved his goal. The audiobook was very well done so the reader is able to really feel empathy for Davidson.

This is a survival story for the ages. It will keep readers on the edge of their seat, while educating them on the perils on climbing Everest. Perfect for anyone looking for adventure! 4 stars.

I received a free digital ARC from NetGalley and Macmillian Audio in exchange for an honest review.

Audiobook narrated by Tim Campbell and he did a great job. Clear and easy to understand. The author did play some actual audio from the trip and it enhanced the experience.
This was a memoir about a man who’s determined to reach the top of Everest.
Have you heard how dangerous this is? Can you imagine having a family member go? Is it selfish? Do you say goodbye? For good? How do you sleep while they’re gone? OMG! I was holding my breathe the whole time. Danger, danger, danger. That’s all I felt. Whew! I’m glad it’s over and I hope no one even slightly related to me ever tries to go. I’m so glad Covid shut it down. If you love a non fiction adventure then you’ll love this.
Something I didn’t realize:
• that people left trash on the mountain.
• that it feels like you have hangover/drunk because of so little oxygen when you make it to the top!
• That it generally takes over 60 days to do this.
• That you can’t get there without oxygen tanks.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher. I’ve voluntarily given my review.

This is the terrifying true story of the expedition up Mount Everest Jim Davidson and his team embarked on on April 25, 2015. A huge earthquake unleashed an avalanche that trapped Davidson and his team at 20,000 feet. Eighteen people were killed on the mountain and almost 9,000 people in Nepal were killed. Rescued two days later, Davidson and his team survived and in 2017 Davidson returned to Everest to achieve his dream of reaching the summit. While many may question the mental well being of Davidson’s return to Everest, there’s no denying that this is a high octane thriller about a man who will sacrifice everything to achieve his dream

Usually I prefer regular books to the audio version but I am so glad that this time I’ve made an exception. It is a gripping story and listening to it instead of reading has a powerful effect, truly transports you in the midst of action - or an avalanche. It is also thanks to great performance of the narrator, which is combined with fragments of authentic audio recordings made by the author.

I like books about mountaineering and I found this one particularly interesting, thanks to the very detailed and colorful description of the conditions high up in the Himalaya, accompanied by the professional insights due to the author’s background in geology.

Thanks to the publisher, Columbia University Press, and NetGalley for the advance copy of this book.

What a freaking page turner. To try to make the Everest summit and to not make it due to a earthquake that almost takes your life. And to lose friends and family. And then to go back and try again. This book is full of heartbreak, love, and hope. Don’t get me wrong I will never attempt this. But it gives me the faith we can all succeed in everything we try if we believe. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.