Last Climb

Last Climb chronicles the 1924 British Mount Everest expedition, focusing on mountaineers George Mallory and Andrew Irvine. The book draws on letters, journals, photographs and expedition records to reconstruct their final attempt to reach the summit. David Breashears, an experienced climber and filmmaker, brings his technical knowledge to bear in analyzing the route, conditions, and equipment used by Mallory and Irvine. His investigation includes findings from modern expeditions and archaeological discoveries on Everest's slopes. The narrative tracks the climbers from their early lives and mountaineering experiences through their fateful journey on Everest. Key attention is paid to the historical context of post-WWI Britain and the era's approach to high-altitude climbing. Beyond documenting a significant moment in mountaineering history, the book explores themes of human drive, the limits of physical endurance, and the complex relationship between ambition and risk. The mystery at its core raises questions about how we measure achievement and what constitutes success in exploration.

Readers describe this as a balanced portrayal of George Mallory's Everest expeditions and final climb. The book's photos and personal letters provide unique insights into Mallory's character and motivations. Readers liked: - High-quality expedition photographs and historical images - Integration of 1999 expedition findings with historical narrative - Respectful handling of Mallory's story without sensationalism - Clear explanations of climbing challenges and geography Readers disliked: - Some repetition between text and photo captions - Limited new information for those already familiar with Mallory - Focus shifts between historical events and 1999 expedition Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (189 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (31 ratings) "The photos alone make this book worthwhile" appears in multiple reviews. Several readers noted it serves as a good introduction to Mallory but doesn't offer significant new conclusions about whether he reached the summit.

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📚 David Breashears became the first American to reach Mount Everest's summit twice and was also the first person to transmit live television pictures from the peak. 🎥 The author is an accomplished filmmaker who co-directed and photographed the IMAX film "Everest," which became the highest-grossing IMAX documentary at the time of its release. 🗻 "Last Climb" details George Mallory's final expedition to Mount Everest in 1924, where he and climbing partner Andrew Irvine disappeared near the summit, leading to one of mountaineering's greatest mysteries. 💫 Mallory's body was discovered 75 years after his disappearance, in 1999, at 27,000 feet on Everest's north face. Breashears was part of the expedition that found him. 📸 The book features rare photographs from the 1920s expeditions, including some recovered from Mallory's camera, providing unique historical documentation of early Everest climbing attempts.