Beyond the Limits: A Woman's Triumph on Everest

I really enjoyed this excellent book. Stacey Allison weaves an auto-biographical tale which is complelling not only because of her climbling adventures but also because it is the tale of her life, which in some aspects was a very hard one. The climbing part of the story is amazing, and you will feel like you're right there with her as she undergoes both defeat and victory. If you are not already in love with the mountains, prepare to be. You'll see the world through the author's eyes amd understand her desire to reach the summits of peaks both physcial and psycological.

The book Beyond the Limits may actually be the only book that I have read that can act both as a wonderful plethora of information, and as a really good story with twists and turns that keep the reader on their toes. There are many things about the procedure, equipment, and training that can be involved in all the different forms of mountain climbing. Allison paints a wonderfully vivid picture of the mountain scenery, her own emotional struggles and feats, and how it may have felt on Mount Everest in the Death Zone, trapped in a blizzard with winds over 100 mph. When I finished it, I did so with a much more knowedgable view of mountain climbing, a great respect for Stacy Allison, and as a satisfied reader after he or she has just finished a great book to cuddle up to. Its more than worth it, and can only help the reader on thier own mountains, real or metaphorical, that they may have trouble climbing.

Collaboratively written by Stacy Allison and Peter Carlin, Beyond The Limits: A Woman's Triumph On Everest is the amazing, autobiographical account of Stacy Allison who became the first American women to reach the highest point on Earth, Mount Everest itself. In addition to the courageous tale of her 1988 climb, Beyond the Limits also tells of Stacy's personal challenges, including how she had to walk out of an abusive marriage. Beyond The Limits is the uplifting and very highly recommended autobiographical story of one woman's strength and personal determination.

I try to avoid this platitude, but I could hardly put this book down. Among the many Mt. Everest tomes I have read this one is truly remarkable. This is an honest account of a monumental achievement in the face of enormous emotional, cultural and physical barriers. This exceptional person with an exceptional dream somehow found the ambition, skill and opportunity to achieve what no other American woman had done. She walked alone onto the highest summit in the world. But not without facing failures in the process. To simply say it took courage and ambition is an understatement. Yet, in her words, the summit itself was ephemeral and gone in an instant. It is apparent that in the end what is important to Stacy Allison is the pleasure of living and experiencing. Climbing is just her means of doing that. Her message is, "Look beyond the ordinary. There is always something more."I highly recommend this book. It is a great story and well written by Stacy Allison and Peter Carlin.

Here is a very well written book that provides you with excellent understanding of the climbs, and the climbers. Allison and Carlin are able to create with words scenes and situations, and the complex nature of both the climbs and the people who are drawn to climbing. When appropriate Allison provides brief explanations of equipment, traditions, and protocols; these help non-climbers know the little details that climbers take for granted,but because they are so concise and specific, climbers won't object. The material about her abusive husband does not detract from the narrative because it is so connected to her climbing life and need to climb. The only thing missing were more photographs and better photographs. Allison and Carlin know how to tell a tale that keeps you fully engrossed. Does anyone know if she ever got to climb K2?