I was surprised last night to look up from this book and see that the clock read 4 a.m.! I was enthralled with the story again, the same one told by Krakauer in "Into Thin Air", but found that this book, with it's amazing photography and interesting side-bars, painted a more complete picture--not of the tragedy, but of the Everest experience as a whole. I saw the IMAX movie and was disappointed, not by its content, but more by its short length. This book rounds it out, and satisfied my desire for more time atop Everest....sleep be damned!

My obsession with mountaineering began with "Into Thin Air" by John Krakauer. From there I progressed to "The Climb" by Anatoli Boukeerev. Then came "Eiger, Wall of Death", "K2 Triumph and Tragedy", and I currently have "Everest Diary" on my wish list. "EVEREST: MOUNTAIN WITHOUT MERCY" however, is my proudest posession to date. The awe inspiring photographs and the unbiased viewpoints from the expedition members were refreshing. There is little finger-pointing in this book. While I was well aware of the IMAX team's efforts during the 1996 tragedy, I came to admire them most for the efforts involved in the filming of the movie! I was lucky to be able to attend a lecture given by David Brashears shortly after purchasing this book and the IMAX EVEREST video. He truly is a die-hard filmmaker. The shots in this book (and in the movie) are breathtaking and were obtained at great risk. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who is facinated with the stuggles of mountaineering. It combines facts (not blame) of the 1996 expeditions together with some of the most haunting photographs I have ever seen.

This book has incredible pictures, and an incredible story. I was deeply taken by the humanity and bravery of the subjects of the book. I cannot wait to see the IMAX movie that they were involved in making. I also read Into Thin Air, which was great also, but told the story from a different angle. Mountain Without Mercy is aptly named, emphasizing the deep respect the local culture has for the mountains and the gods that they believe inhabit them. This book emphasizes how humans are subject to the will of nature, and that not all areas of the world are so easily conquered. I know I will never attempt to summit Everest, but I would love to see the views from Base Camp!!!