This Game of Ghosts

This Game of Ghosts follows climber Joe Simpson's life and career in mountaineering, serving as a sequel to his acclaimed book Touching the Void. Simpson recounts his experiences from childhood through his development as a climber, including triumphs and tragedies in the mountains. The narrative tracks Simpson's continued pursuit of climbing after recovering from his near-fatal accident in Peru. He documents expeditions across multiple continents and mountain ranges, while examining the deaths of climbing partners and friends throughout his years in the sport. Through stark descriptions of both technical climbs and personal reflections, Simpson reconstructs pivotal moments that shaped his relationship with risk and mortality. His accounts of specific climbs alternate with broader contemplations about why climbers choose to face extreme dangers. The book explores fundamental questions about human nature and our drive to push limits, even in activities that can lead to death. Simpson's writing confronts the complex psychology of climbers who repeatedly return to the mountains despite devastating losses.

Readers describe this as a more introspective follow-up to Simpson's Touching the Void, exploring his psychological struggles and continued mountaineering after his accident. Many connect with his raw honesty about fear, loss, and the deaths of climbing partners. Readers appreciated: - The candid examination of why climbers risk their lives - Personal reflections on mortality and trauma - Detailed technical climbing descriptions Common criticisms: - Less cohesive narrative structure than Touching the Void - Some sections feel repetitive - Too much focus on climbing partners' deaths - "Jumps around chronologically in a confusing way" - Goodreads reviewer Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (120+ ratings) Several reviewers noted it works better as a companion to Touching the Void rather than a standalone book. Multiple readers mentioned struggling with the more fragmented storytelling style compared to Simpson's first book.

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🏔️ Joe Simpson wrote this book as a sequel to his best-selling "Touching the Void," which detailed his near-fatal climbing accident in Peru. ⚡ The book's title comes from a quote by mountaineer H.W. Tilman: "Any attempt to write objectively about oneself is bound to be a game of ghosts with truth the elusive prey." 🌋 Throughout the book, Simpson reveals he has lost 14 climbing partners to mountaineering accidents, highlighting the extreme mortality rate in high-altitude climbing. 🧠 Simpson explores the psychological impact of surviving extreme situations, including his struggle with PTSD and survivor's guilt after his Peru accident. 🎯 Despite nearly dying in the Andes and experiencing numerous close calls, Simpson continued climbing for years after his famous accident, driven by what he describes as an almost addictive need to challenge himself.