a good read - alpinism

Anyone have suggestions for a good read about mountaineering/alpinism?

I read House's Beyond the Mountain followed by Kirkpatrick's Psycho Vertical, enjoyed both, and had more vigor for reading than I've had in years.

Now Twight's Extreme Alpinism's pedagogic nature is not really drawing me in. It reads more like a manual.

Any suggestions for something with a more fluid nature? Have something you want to part with? I'd been thinking I've wanted to give something of Messner's a read....

Barry Blanchard's book is quite good. Would recommend. The calling: a life rocked by mountains.

Starlight and Storm is awesome

Tom, you read Twight's "kiss or kill"?

Bonatti-mtns of my life

Conquistadors of the Useless, by Lionel Terray.

Mountain of my fear and Deborah by Roberts

Once you've read a few mtneering books, you'll appreciate 'A Short Walk In the Hindu Kush' , Eric Newby.

Anything by Peter Boardman or Joe Tasker

No picnic on Mount Kenya. These POWs from WWII break out of a war camp just to climb a mountain and then break back in. It's an insane true story

Matt Carroll wrote:Barry Blanchard's book is quite good. Would recommend. The calling: a life rocked by mountains.

I agree, I would also recommend this book.

"Touching the Void" by Joe Simpson and "Eiger Dreams" by Jon Krakauer were very well written.

No shortcuts to the top by Ed Viesturs.

And, It's not specific to Mountaineering, but an incredible sense of adventure comes from the two books I've read by Collin Angus, "Amazon Extreme" and the better of the two, "Lost in Mongolia". An older, and true account about a a guy who survived a wicked long time on the open ocean is called "Adrift". Sorry for swinging slightly off topic there, but just in case you wanted to switch it up a bit after you've worked thru the other good suggestions.

I can second the recommendation of Kiss or Kill by MT, read it twice and really enjoyed it.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the ultra classic "Annapurna", by Herzog. The difficulties that they overcame with the gear and tech that was available at the time is beyond comparison, an excellent read for any mountaineer...they didn't even have a reliable map, if those early pioneers could see the beta we churn out on MP they'd all be rolling over in their graves!

somebody might have already mentioned Starlight and Storm but that's a great read

The Shining Mountain

Mountain of my Fear

Zac.St.Jules wrote:Tom, you read Twight's "kiss or kill"?

I've not, I skipped it hearing EA was the synthesis of ideas originating in there...

Matt Carroll wrote:Barry Blanchard's book is quite good. Would recommend. The calling: a life rocked by mountains.

BB was definitely one of the best speakers I've ever heard, probably only on par with Vince Andersen's talk of NP, think I should probe give that one a try.

..... tablet doesn't let me edit....

Has anyone compared a few of the Nanga Parbat readings and has some thoughts on which is best?? Buhl's , Messner's , House's and which book? I wanted to tap into one of the more historical ascents but looks like theres four options at least...

Not just alpinism- Teewinot by Jack Turner

Messner's 'Naked Mountain' (Nanga Parbat) is an interesting read. Herzog's 'Annapurna' is great.

Tom Sherman wrote: I've not, I skipped it hearing EA was the synthesis of ideas originating in there...

Well if you don't want pedagogic then read Twight's Kiss or Kill. It's a collection of his stories that he had published over the years. Quite a good read, especially if you like gloomier stuff that doesn't take things too seriously, or have an affinity for Skinny Puppy.