Everest: The Ultimate Book of the Ultimate Mountain

xvi, 704 pp. "This is the definitive history of Everest--the most romantic mountain in the world. It tells the story of the intrepid men and women who risked their lives to reach the ultimate summit. Their tales are the basis of the Everest legend: tales of tragedy and triumph, courage and fear. Here too are first-hand accounts of the early failures, the near unbelievable pettiness and incompetence of some parties, and the commendable altruism and skill of others. Illustrated with breathtaking photographs and written in an informative, easy style, Everest is a must for all those who revel in a sense of adventure and are intrigued by humanity's constant urge to pit its wits against nature's most extreme monuments."