K2, The Savage Mountain: The Classic True Story Of Disaster And Survival On The World's Second-Highest Mountain

I was told this was one of the best mountaineering books written and I wouldn't dispute it - colourful lively poignant writing - I really couldn't put it down.

I thought the book to be very well written and gave what is probably the most accurate account of what happened on that 1953 expedition. I thoroughly enjoyed the account which is not littered with technical climbing terms and could understand the bonds formed between the team members. Sadly I believe all have now passed save for Dee Molenaar who is 101.

Amazing mountain climbing story with triumph and tragedy and some truly unbelievable moments. I would have liked more about the belay moment, but as it was told, it was still incredible.

Riveting it isn't. It's not a bad book but I wouldn't say this comes anywhere close to some of the other classic mountaineering books. The two reviews giving it five stars (by the same person??) seems a little biased/rose tinted if you ask me...(marketing agent??/publisher??)The basic story is a bunch of guys go up a mountain, the weather gets bad and one goes down with an illness, they come down and one dies on the way. There are no useful pictues to illustrate the route and key features like House's Chimney, whereas there are some very useful ones in Boukreev's 'The Climb' or Simpsons 'The Beckoning Silence'. The expedition planning stages where interesting to an extent as I am a keen climber and would love to partake in such a huge venture, and without this I think I would have given it 2 stars. Most importantly though I just dont think these guys are natural writers and as a result I don't think the book does justice to the event.

An informative read about a tragic story unfolding on one of the most unforgiving environments on Earth.After being forced to turn back from the summit by a combination of bad weather and strength sapping ilness,the team are hit by a catastrophic accident apparently resulting in one of the team making the ultimate sacrifice to save the lives of his friends.This book takes the reader on a journey to a frozen land shrouded in freezing mist and tragedy, if you want to read about a heroic struggle to escape the jaws of death itself then this book is for you.Too often we see the inability to summit as failure when in actual fact just surviving is the ultimate sucess.

I liked everything about this book

Good read

Mountaineering classic, must read for lovers of this genre. Tale of a group of passionate people trying to conquer one of the arduous mountain in the world. Very engaging story with a fitting end.

It is a great story about friendship and life. I was amazed about the skills and the logistics available in that time (1953). The story is great, and it's going both through spiritual part and technical part of the climb.It is an inspiring book for those who like adventure.My personal favourite quote from the book:"When men climb on a great mountain together, the rope between them is more than a mere physical aid to the ascent; it is a symbol of the spirit of the enterprise. It is a symbol of men banded together in a common effort of will and strength - not against this or that imagined foeman of the instant, but against their only true enemies: inertia, cowardice, greed, ignorance, and all weaknesses of the spirit"

It was good but not great.

Very informative, even educational, whilst still being an entertaining read. Also, somewhat of a time capsule for how and what climbing used to be.