The definitive story of the British adventurers who survived the trenches of World War I and went on to risk their lives climbing Mount Everest. On June 6; 1924; two men set out from a camp perched at 23;000 feet on an ice ledge just below the lip of Everest’s North Col. George Mallory; thirty-seven; was Britain’s finest climber. Sandy Irvine was a twenty-two-year-old Oxford scholar with little previous mountaineering experience. Neither of them returned. Drawing on more than a decade of prodigious research; bestselling author and explorer Wade Davis vividly re-creates the heroic efforts of Mallory and his fellow climbers; setting their significant achievements in sweeping historical context: from Britain’s nineteen-century imperial ambitions to the war that shaped Mallory’s generation. Theirs was a country broken; and the Everest expeditions emerged as a powerful symbol of national redemption and hope. In Davis’s rich exploration; he creates a timeless portrait of these remarkable men and their extraordinary times.
#1421563 in Books 1998-03-31 1998-03-31Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 10.00 x 6.50 x 1.75l; #File Name: 0375500820446 pagesculture
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. A good read but the case is not closedBy M. GlishThe author has amassed an amazing amount of research and tells a gripping "whodunnit". But it is filled with "he must have" and "he probably" and other inferences that left me feeling that the whole story wasn't there. His closing thoughts are that Ray killed King for a twisted desire for notoriety and for money. But money from who?He makes the case that Ray's travels after the murder were funded by robberies; not by the mysterious "Raoul". This seems plausible after learning that Ray was an experienced robber. But other than a $50;000 bounty that Ray "probably" heard about in prison; there is nothing in Posner's account that suggests that Ray was counting on a payday. Posner attempts to debunk various conspiracy theorists. The saddest part of the book other than the murder itself is that King's family was taken in by a nutty conspiracy tale.As a reader; I think Posner's data is accurate and logical. But I think he should have admitted that the case isn't truly closed. By that I mean it seems pretty clear that Ray was the trigger man and not a patsy; but he wasn't a virulent racist; he was a robber and not a hit man; and there was no obvious pot of gold at the end of Ray's actions. I was left wondering "why did he do it?"; not "did he do it?"1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Another "Case Closed"By M MahoneyI just finished reading this book. I believe what Mr. Posner has written finishes the myth of conspiracy of the killing of MLK. He points out the hollow "facts" of those who believe Ray had outside help by Raoul and other unknown conspirators. Many question why Ray did it. Was there a bounty for King? Where and how would Ray get it? If you read the true story of "In Cold Blood" you might find an answer. Those 2 ex cons thought that farmers in Kansas and elsewhere had money in safes in their homes. Up to $20;000. They robbed and murdered a whole family for a non- existent safe. Same with Ray. He heard there was a bounty on King and since Ray was a southerner he believed he would get paid from another southerner with his same hatred of blacks. He did the killing in the Memphis thinking a Southern governor would pardon him.Unlike Oswald; Ray had a plan. He was always anticipating what effects a crime would be. When he robbed a taxi; he hid the gun so he would get a lesser sentence. He knew from his earlier travels how to go to Canada and on to other countries. His use of numerous aliases was his way of throwing the law off track. He hid his face from news photos and even had plastic surgery. His family came from on long line of criminals and had lots of experience in deceiving law enforcement by framing other members of their robberies.Ray kept his name in the news for 30 years after the murder and was always looking for money. He signed agreements for book and movie rights; even though he would not see a cent; he thought his family would get it.It is too bad he did not do the right thing before he died and admitted the truth. He did it and almost got away with it. Despite Mr. Posers hard work; I am sure there will still be many people who will contradict his work and believe that Ray had help.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy CustomerGreat book in great condition!
