Climbers who court danger in the world's highest places risk far more than just their own skins. When tragedy strikes, what happens to the people who love them? Why would anyone choose to invest in a future with a high-altitude climber? What is life like in the shadow of the mountain? Such questions have long been taboo within the international world of mountaineering. Now Maria Coffey breaks this silence. She recounts climbers' stories of near-death experiences, and gives a voice to the families and loved ones of Chris ...
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Climbers who court danger in the world's highest places risk far more than just their own skins. When tragedy strikes, what happens to the people who love them? Why would anyone choose to invest in a future with a high-altitude climber? What is life like in the shadow of the mountain? Such questions have long been taboo within the international world of mountaineering. Now Maria Coffey breaks this silence. She recounts climbers' stories of near-death experiences, and gives a voice to the families and loved ones of Chris Bonington, Ed Viesturs, Anatoli Boukreev and Alex Lowe, amongst many other famous names. Her riveting narrative weaves tales of adventure with first-person accounts of the people left behind, highlighting the conflicting beauty, passion and devastation of this alluring obsession. Coffey confronted one of the harshest realities of mountaineering when her lover, Joe Tasker, disappeared on the NE Ridge of Everest in 1982. With an insider's understanding, she explores the addictive highs and inevitable lows of this challenging, unusual lifestyle. She describes the stress of long separations, the constant threat of bereavement, and the lives shattered in the wake of climbing accidents. She examines what compels climbers to return repeatedly to the mountains, and why, despite the costs, our society continues to laud their exploits. Coffey's ground-breaking book tackles the romantic myth of mountaineering, painting a shockingly real picture of its private world, its extraordinary moments of exhilaration and its far-reaching personal costs.
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Seller's Description:
Very good. All orders are dispatched within 1 working day from our UK warehouse. Established in 2004, we are dedicated to recycling unwanted books on behalf of a number of UK charities who benefit from added revenue through the sale of their books plus huge savings in waste disposal. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied.
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Very good. Simply Brit – welcome to our online used book store, where affordability meets great quality. Dive into a world of captivating reads without breaking the bank. We take pride in offering a wide selection of used books, from classics to hidden gems, ensuring there's something for every literary palate. All orders are shipped within 24 hours and our lightning fast-delivery within 48 hours coupled with our prompt customer service ensures a smooth journey from ordering to delivery. Discover the joy of reading with us, your trusted source for affordable books that do not compromise on quality.
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New. 2004. New Ed. Paperback. Climbers who court danger in the world's highest places risk far more than just their own skins. The author recounts climbers' stories of near-death experiences, and gives a voice to the families and loved ones of Chris Bonnington, Ed Viesturs, Anatoli Boukreev and Alex Lowe, amongst many other famous names. Num Pages: 304 pages, 30. BIC Classification: WSZG; WTL. Category: (G) General (US: Trade). Dimension: 196 x 131 x 19. Weight in Grams: 204......We ship daily from our Bookshop.
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Seller's Description:
F- in F- jacket. Signed by Author. F-/F-. 8vo. original textured papered boards gilt (faint bowing to boards) in dustwrapper (extremities slightly crushed); pp. xvi, 192. A near fine copy, otherwise as new. Flatsigned on title page 'Maria Coffey'. Winner of the Mountain Literature Award of the 2003 Banff Mountain Book Festival.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good in Very Good, Not Price Clipped jacket. Book. Signed by Author(s) Complete number line from 1 to 10; signed by Maria Coffey on the title page with no inscription; some edge wear to boards and dust jacket including chip out of lower right corner of front cover; otherwise a solid, clean copy with no marking or underlining; a very good reading copy.