K2 a novices introduction to real danger.

A brilliant and unputdownable book in audio, you almost felt you were there, highly recommended.

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Fascinating

I found this book fascinating. Who would have thought that climbing a mountain could be so political!? Really entertaining and I'm off to listen to a book about Everest now!

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Excellent

Really good, well read, great detail, fascinating listen. Highly recommended, would listen to it again.

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Fascinating

As a non-mountaineer, I came to this book with little to no knowledge of high altitude climbing or of K2. The book was recommended by the author Sarah Lotz in her excellent novel about Everest 'The White Road' and, having read hat, I wanted to know more about climbing and the history of some of the world's highest peaks. This didn't disappoint. It's a well researched, thorough (without being too dense for the layperson) and fascinating account of the various expeditions to K2. The audio is well narrated with a nice pace for easy listening. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend to anyone wanting to know more about K2.

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3 people found this helpful

Great book

Really well written and read! Thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it and the epilogue answered all my questions about what happened to everyone. Definitely recommend for anyone that likes a good historical story!

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1 person found this helpful

Detailed and Exciting

This book’s narrator is very English and is a great fit for the writing. The stories of each group of pioneers is beautifully told; details of equipment and organisation making for steady listening but then each time they start their ascents of K2 the tension ratchets up; excitement and terror at times. It was quite emotional in places. I found myself rooting for some parties more than others. A good bit of analysis towards the end was appreciated. And then to the modern day…K2 continues to attract mountaineers but remains a challenge to climb.
I would highly recommend the book - as an armchair alpinist or a seasoned climber, you’ll get an informative and, at times, a thrilling read.

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3 people found this helpful

Excellent and enjoyable

Excellent and well read, history documenting first and early ascents of K2. Thoroughly enjoyable listen.

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great listen.

totally enthralling, I never really knew the history of K2 the first ascent , I knew that it had a reputation for people loosing their life trying to climb it, but never to the extent explained in the book. loved it.

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2hrs too long

I say 2hrs too long because it deals with the almighty tedious aftermath of the successful K2 expedition.

A heroically pointless debate arose when the Italian climbers returned home fuelled by a desire for some in the party to retain a prominent part of the story.

All sensible writers do by indulging this twaddle is keep the wheel spinning. Did the Summit pair have 10hrs of oxygen or 12 hours? Was camp 9 set up to deliberately foil the plans of Bonatti? Did an eagle steal Cimpagnoni's glove? Was it all faked like the moon landings or gravity?

At one point it is stated 'in 2004 new evidence came to light."

50 years after the expedition! The evidence being there was 12 hours oxygen not 10 for the Summit duo. So what?

Controversy sells - we know that but as controversies go, the aftermath of the K2 summit is so unbelievably tedious the whole bunch of self indulgent Italians should be written out of its narrative.

I would urge listeners to turn off when the summit duo reach base camp.

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Solid historical account of K2 mountain

I enjoyed the previous account of Everest by this author/ narrator combination. My criticism there was the lack of emotion as the chronological account, at times, became a list of names and missions. I'm happy to say this new book addresses this issue and I found it much more personal. There were lots of little details which helped to shape the characters attempting to conquer K2.

This book follows the chronology of missions from the late 1930s and therefore involves a good number of characters as teams change each year. At times I lost track of which period was being covered but overall I enjoyed the dramatic telling. It's also interesting to hear about the history and politics of the region in which these great mountains reside. Although the trials and efforts of the various climbing teams are interesting and harrowing at times, K2 just doesn't have the same magic as Everest.

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