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Adrenaline
Epic: Stories of Survival from the World's Highest Peaks
Epic is a collection of the most memorable accounts of expeditions to the world's most famous peaks, often in the worst possible conditions. This is a volume that is certain to strike a chord with all adventurers - armchair or otherwise
4 pages, Audio Cassette
First published November 13, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
January 10, 2010
Made me realize I do not want to climb a mountain.
July 1, 2010
A compilation of mountain-climbing "disaster" stories from some of the best-known mountaineers in the world.
Personally, I love to read stories about mountain climbing, although I myself have never climbed a mountain and have no intention of ever doing so. Willis managed to bring an interesting mix of stories together to highlight the wide variety of dangers that one might face while summiting the world's highest peaks - both the expected (freak storms, human error) and the unexpected (corrupt officials, equipment failure).
Some of the stories were absolutely, spine-tinglingly chilling. Others were on the boring side; there was more than one that I skimmed through or skipped over entirely. Many left me absolutely astounded. I don't know if I'll ever understand these men (I don't think any of the stories were written by women or even included any; a disappointment) who look death in the face during some of the world's worst climbing disasters yet return to this past time again and again anyway - some of them to die in later disasters.
If you enjoy reading adventure stories, this book will not disappoint.
Personally, I love to read stories about mountain climbing, although I myself have never climbed a mountain and have no intention of ever doing so. Willis managed to bring an interesting mix of stories together to highlight the wide variety of dangers that one might face while summiting the world's highest peaks - both the expected (freak storms, human error) and the unexpected (corrupt officials, equipment failure).
Some of the stories were absolutely, spine-tinglingly chilling. Others were on the boring side; there was more than one that I skimmed through or skipped over entirely. Many left me absolutely astounded. I don't know if I'll ever understand these men (I don't think any of the stories were written by women or even included any; a disappointment) who look death in the face during some of the world's worst climbing disasters yet return to this past time again and again anyway - some of them to die in later disasters.
If you enjoy reading adventure stories, this book will not disappoint.
February 4, 2019
Did not get to read all of it as it was my friend's and I had limited time. Crazy true stories that will cure you of any desire you might have to climb serious mountains or even camp in the snow. No thanks, I'll enjoy the devil's thumb from my recliner.
May 31, 2021
Why are all mountaineering books about climbing disasters?
November 4, 2020
A collection of short stories is exactly that; not too much detail, but enough to satisfy one's curiosity.
This book taught me that I want to climb a mountain and also, that I don't want to climb a mountain.
Also, Mr. Crowley (shout out to my Ozzy Osbourne fans) was an English occultist, ceremonial magician, poet, painter, novelist, and mountaineer. His name came up in this book, I made the connection and dug a little deeper and sure enough, Aleister Crowley is a real person.
I want to climb a mountain:
For the adrenaline rush.
The sense of adventure.
The sense of accomplishment.
The empowerment from conquering something so harsh.
I don't want to climb a mountain:
I would miss my wife and daughter and would not want them to worry about me.
Because I would love to keep all of my fingers and toes.
I enjoy good food too much.
A warm bed is something I look forward to each night.
Enjoyable read.
This book taught me that I want to climb a mountain and also, that I don't want to climb a mountain.
Also, Mr. Crowley (shout out to my Ozzy Osbourne fans) was an English occultist, ceremonial magician, poet, painter, novelist, and mountaineer. His name came up in this book, I made the connection and dug a little deeper and sure enough, Aleister Crowley is a real person.
I want to climb a mountain:
For the adrenaline rush.
The sense of adventure.
The sense of accomplishment.
The empowerment from conquering something so harsh.
I don't want to climb a mountain:
I would miss my wife and daughter and would not want them to worry about me.
Because I would love to keep all of my fingers and toes.
I enjoy good food too much.
A warm bed is something I look forward to each night.
Enjoyable read.
June 21, 2024
This book is really good, but very much depends on the story to see which kind of encounter you will get. While some were page turners, others dragged on and on describing every little detail of the journey. I found it interesting to read about the kinds of equipment and experience that climbers had in the 1950’s, when some of these stories were written. Overall it’s a great book to read if you are interested in mountains, disaster and survival (for most in the book).
July 8, 2008
This book has some of the most well know mountaineering stories combined into one exciting read. If you are interested in man versus mountain this will give you a good dose. Alas the book carries the name Krakauer and one must suspect foul play.
October 7, 2020
This is another of many books I have read in this Adrenaline series, all edited by Clint Willis. I have enjoyed them all, and perhaps this one most of all. Not because the writing is better than in those other books, but just because these are the types of stories I am most drawn to. Almost all of them are written in the first person by the climbers themselves, and so they vibrate with the immediacy of being right there with them.
Okay, at least a couple of them are written by someone not taking part in the climbs, such as brief histories of Mallory's tragic attempt in 1924, and Hillary's success in 1953 (funny but I just noticed how close the two names are: Mallory, Hillary. Took me years to pick up on that).But both of those third person accounts are well-written enough and from a fresh perspective so as not to seem like old hat to me. And I enjoyed reading about the 1996 tragic climb (featured in so many books) from the new perspectives of Mike Groom and Lene Gammelgaard. Like all great climbing writings, they don't sensationalize and they don't hesitate to express their own fears and doubts along the way. Even the inclusion of Anatoli Boukreev's version of events was not just drawn from his book that I read, but rather they used his more immediate words as given during an interview closer to that disastrous climb. Clint Willis's selections actually added to my knowledge of what happened during that climbing season, instead of just repeating what I had already read.
I will not mention every article or excerpt in this book, but instead I will only say that I am always glad to read something I haven't yet seen from Peter Boardman, in my opinion one of the best writing climbers, and after reading something by Chris Bonington for the first time, I will seek out more of his efforts.
Okay, at least a couple of them are written by someone not taking part in the climbs, such as brief histories of Mallory's tragic attempt in 1924, and Hillary's success in 1953 (funny but I just noticed how close the two names are: Mallory, Hillary. Took me years to pick up on that).But both of those third person accounts are well-written enough and from a fresh perspective so as not to seem like old hat to me. And I enjoyed reading about the 1996 tragic climb (featured in so many books) from the new perspectives of Mike Groom and Lene Gammelgaard. Like all great climbing writings, they don't sensationalize and they don't hesitate to express their own fears and doubts along the way. Even the inclusion of Anatoli Boukreev's version of events was not just drawn from his book that I read, but rather they used his more immediate words as given during an interview closer to that disastrous climb. Clint Willis's selections actually added to my knowledge of what happened during that climbing season, instead of just repeating what I had already read.
I will not mention every article or excerpt in this book, but instead I will only say that I am always glad to read something I haven't yet seen from Peter Boardman, in my opinion one of the best writing climbers, and after reading something by Chris Bonington for the first time, I will seek out more of his efforts.
June 27, 2018
Audiobook from Hoopla. Not my favourite, but some good stories. I was almost about to drop it for a while during an old autobiographical essay about a summit attempt of Everest that was post-Mallory and pre-Hillary. It was laden with old fashioned descriptive language where everything seemed to happen to the uttermost as he attempted his summit alone. I guess it wasn’t as fascinating when you already a) knew he wasn’t going to make it to the top, and b) knew he was going to make it to the bottom. What saved it was the next story about a climber’s post-adventure experience recovering from frostbite. It was the uttermost cringeworthy thing I’ve heard in a while. Was worth the time spent on the whole book.
November 3, 2020
I listened to this and HIGH. Both are excerpts from books by well-known climbers or adventurers. I seem to need stories of survival to help me deal with difficult times in my own life (it is currently the covid isolation and the lead up to the 2020 election that has me in high anxiety). In the introduction, Willis notes that an Epic adventure is one that does not go well, often involving the death a participant. In this selection there are more frozen toes and hands that I ever remember as well as a number of deaths. I liked the inclusion of a part of Shackleton’s story of the Endurance - a selection with no deaths and amazing survival.
April 29, 2022
Audiobook for 2022 Arky with the Barkies Spring Break
A collection of excerpts of the worst part of mountaineering catastrophies. I like the idea of it, but the way they'd start the story mid-misadventure was too jarring and then they stopped the story the same way. If I wasn't really paying attention, I'd find myself lost in a new story not realizing we'd moved on from the last one. I like a short story that leaves me wanting more, but a little context to start the story would've gone a long way.
A collection of excerpts of the worst part of mountaineering catastrophies. I like the idea of it, but the way they'd start the story mid-misadventure was too jarring and then they stopped the story the same way. If I wasn't really paying attention, I'd find myself lost in a new story not realizing we'd moved on from the last one. I like a short story that leaves me wanting more, but a little context to start the story would've gone a long way.
Read
December 6, 2024This is a collection of some short mountaineering stories excerpted from longer books. I had read some previously as they are very well known, for example, the Shackleton bit is excerpted from Alfred Lansing's incredible book "Endurance". But there are some that I was not familiar with and so this is a good collection of mountaineering stories. I especially enjoyed "Savage Arena" and "Thin Air: Encounters In The Himalayas".
February 23, 2018
After reading Jon Krakauer’s book, Into Thin Air, I’ve had a fascination with Everest, harboring a secret desire to climb it. This book cured me of that. I loved all of the different perspectives of the writers/climbers including not just accounts of the mountains themselves but also the bureaucracy of traveling in that area. Thanks Taylor, for recommending it!
December 26, 2023
If I was a more adept climber, I could see that the book would be much more enjoyable. Every story had incredible perseverance featured, but some aspects of mountaineering I just didn’t know about (I.e: learn the word bivouac).
Well written, though, and the shifting stories and points of view led itself to a wonderfully paced book.
Well written, though, and the shifting stories and points of view led itself to a wonderfully paced book.
July 1, 2024
Not all of the stories read super smoothly so I get bored during them. A few stories are written incredibly and make me want to buy the book they came from. I give it a 2.5/5 because it was only really exciting to read during the few stories that read really nicely and were not so mountain fact heavy that an average person could understand the whole story.
May 23, 2017
Great collection of accounts. Some were more riveting than others, but all were excellently written and so interesting to read! It is safe to say that some of the situations described in these pages did not make me want to go mountain climbing anytime soon!
December 28, 2018
A selection of pieces of stories about crazy people climbing mountains.
It is gripping and gave me the heebie jeebies. Just the descriptions of the precarious situations these climbers found themselves in made me shudder and kicked my fear of heights into over drive.
Climbers be cray
It is gripping and gave me the heebie jeebies. Just the descriptions of the precarious situations these climbers found themselves in made me shudder and kicked my fear of heights into over drive.
Climbers be cray
May 18, 2020
some interesting stories, many felt unfinished, I guess most were excerpts from other books. also only so many stories of icy trails & snowstorms I could read at once so this one took a while to finish.
April 2, 2021
A solid collection of excerpts from other books.
Some awesome climbing stories, but can be also a tease, as I think I'd rather read the complete stories. Although I do now have a great list of books I want to read!
Some awesome climbing stories, but can be also a tease, as I think I'd rather read the complete stories. Although I do now have a great list of books I want to read!
September 2, 2022
The stories were interesting though I didn't think they were particularly highly engaging. I have always really liked the story of Ernest Shackleton and part of his story was included in the book. However, I don't think it was enough of the story to show how heroic he really was .
January 6, 2023
I was a bit disappointed in this book. I didn't realize it was excerpts from other books. The stories are well told, but the theme is a bit repetitive and sometimes left me wanting for the rest of the context.
November 15, 2023
Very good, but for some of the stories of climbs you are better off reading the entire book, not just the excerpts as contained within Epic. For example, the excerpt from Mathiessen's Snow Leopard does not do justice to the book because the context is lost.
July 12, 2024
I like the mix of stories as someone who loves mountaineering stories and knows a lot of them. This gabe me the chance to hear some stories over again and some left me wanting to read the original books they came from.
January 5, 2025
More excerpts from other mountaineering expedition books. From these I'd like to read "Minus 148 degrees" about the first winter ascent of Denali, and "K2: the savage mountain" about the 1953 American K2 expedition of "The Belay". Hard to find copies of though!
May 4, 2019
Enjoyable My husband enjoyed all things mountains and exploration so this was right up his street.
February 18, 2020
Great collection of mountaineering and survival stories from different eras
March 19, 2020
Interesting stories but they are all excerpts from larger books so it was a bit disheartening to have the tales end suddenly.
March 18, 2021
Between this book, "Into Thin Air," and "Climb," I will never use an ice axe.
April 4, 2021
I didn't really enjoy it so I quit reading it.
August 1, 2023
Nuts! (in a good way :D)
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