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docpacey's review against another edition
4.0
A well researched telling of the 1939 American expedition to K2. The tragedy that was to occur on the mountain, with the loss of Dudley Wolfe, an american playboy invited mostly to fund the climb, unfolds so transparently as the hubris of the team leader leads to mistake after mistake in the months, weeks, and days leading up to the final days on the savage mountain. Still, Wolfe comes off as an admirable figure, an old school adventurer of the highest order, who probably, if the team were stronger, would have successfully made the summit. But the team was ill-formed and poorly lead, so he became the first man to die on a mountain that has taken many, many lives.
sincitylibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
I feel this book should not stand alone, but be read along with K2: The 1939 Tragedy, as that book provides a much fuller picture of the team dynamics, the technical details of the climb, and the events of the expedition; cited and referenced through archival research. That said, Dudley Wolfe deserves this kind tribute and it is a respectful portrait drawn from the bits of evidence that remain.
ottopivnr's review against another edition
4.0
A well researched telling of the 1939 American expedition to K2. The tragedy that was to occur on the mountain, with the loss of Dudley Wolfe, an american playboy invited mostly to fund the climb, unfolds so transparently as the hubris of the team leader leads to mistake after mistake in the months, weeks, and days leading up to the final days on the savage mountain. Still, Wolfe comes off as an admirable figure, an old school adventurer of the highest order, who probably, if the team were stronger, would have successfully made the summit. But the team was ill-formed and poorly lead, so he became the first man to die on a mountain that has taken many, many lives.
george_farrants's review against another edition
4.0
Well balanced, exciting while remaining objective and telling the story clearly.
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