Denali: Deception, Defeat & Triumph

Anyone would be greatly impressed at this collection of three early Denali (preferred name of Mt. McKinley) climbing stories. This is not one of those cheap "facsimile" books that are so common in public domain works. This is truly re-typeset to perfection! Photos have been reproduced with crisp contrast at full size to compliment the overall fine layout. Pages are soft; they lay open effortlessly to allow effortless reading.A remarkable value to find these days. This is the combination of three works that would be prohibitively expensive to own as original editions, yet cost less than one of these, that I am aware of, that is in reprint. The experience is one of handling the original editions because there is so little of the domineering "New introductions" some egomaniacs burden this genre with.The value of all three in a single volume has a powerful effect on the childish Cookie (Fred Cook) version that both offended and inspired Belmore Browne. He had a passion for exposing Cook and trying to climb Mt. McKinley himself. Recently Bradford Washburn lived up to his objective of "nailing Cook's coffin shut" (See: The Dishonorable Dr. Cook) with his devastating photos of exactly where the fakes occurred - many miles from and miles below the Denali summit. Now look here at Stuck's primitive, but authentically powerful pictures and Cookie becomes even more of a joke. All Fred Cook had going for him was compulsive lying coupled with sickening "poetic descriptions" that lulled weak minds. Not so Stuck! His group can be likened to early, primitive "Sir Edmund Hillary" style mountain climbers. Theirs is a thoroughly satisfying expedition that delivered the real photos, data, and supporting descriptions.This is a brilliant trio of Denali classics that makes one appreciate Washburn's extraordinary efforts to nail that coffin shut by providing a context to understand why Belmore Browne was so offended with the Fred fraud. Denali is a magnificent natural wonder; Cook's self-serving exploitation of Mt. McKinley was like a dog taking a poop on a rare Persian carpet. Thankfully there were men of character, men with the determination of Browne and Stuck, who sought the reward of reaching that summit in the clouds. Hats off to everyone who worked on producing this excellent publishing effort. While Washburn nailed the coffin, this book makes you want to grab your own hammer & nails to whack in a few more for good measure. Fun reading, excellent browsing, this is the ultimate reference companion on Denali. Bravo!!! Bravo!!!