Great Ascents

I had never heard of Eric Newby until NPR did a story on him when he passed away a few months ago. He was in his 80's, a traveler and adventurer. My husband, John Newby, is also a traveler and adventurer, so I thought this book would be a unique Christmas gift for him--who knows, maybe they're distant relatives. My husband loved the book.

Eric Newby, who has considerable credibility as an entertaining traveler, has written what seems to me to be a wonderful set of brief vignettes on some of the more important ascents in Mountaineering. Each essay provides a succinct and uplifting description, along with enough pictures to bring joyfulness if you have been there, or if you wish you had. I've climbed a few of the ones in Europe and it's kind of nice to know who went before you. For example, the author's unique essay on Tschingel of the Alps, a brave dog who took part in the Golden Age of Mountaineering, is worth the book's price. The author documents the story well and tells it with tenderness and appreciation -- the mountains have brought gifts to others besides humans. The story will probably bring a tear to the eye of anyone who has ever seen the enjoyment a mountain hike can bring to a beloved pet.