Paths of Glory

I listened to this book several years ago. It’s one of those that really stays with you. Not a big fan of nonfiction - reading is my escape from the realities of life - so five stars from me on a book like this says a lot about how much I enjoyed it

More than just a book about Mallory and Everest - really engaging story with a gifted narrator. Real pleasure to listen to over the course of several days. Jeffrey Archer is an engaging story-teller with a focus on detail. I do not know enough about the subject matter to offer criticism. As a consumer, I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of historical fiction. While not expressly 'fiction', a great deal of the story has been dramatized. Think historical 'fan-fiction' of the highest caliber. Sweet romance, nice walk through Edwardian England sprinkled with war and history: good stuff for long nights on the road or anyplace where a good story can fill the gap. You get to learn about the business of the National Geographic Society and how early expeditions were funded; what the average 'explorer' day job was, how members were elected. I found all this trivia fascinating as I listened to the characters progress. The narrator is wonderful. All the accents are natural and effortless. Each scene has its own flavor. Really brilliant stuff to get cozy with and listen to over and again. Well worth the price.

I am a fan of Archer and this one did not disappoint. I enjoyed the subject which was a bit of a change of pace for me. I recommend this book to Archer fans who are also interested in both history and personal achievement stories.

FROM BEGINNING TO END I WAS SO EXCITED IN READING ANOTHER OF JEFFREY ARCHER'S BOOKS AND THIS ONE WAS BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN WITH A LOVE STORY OF DEVOTION AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEOPLE THAT WERE POSITIVE AND SUCH REAL AND THRILLING PORTIONS, MORE THAN EVER EXPECT, LIFE CLIMBING OVER THE WALL BECAUSE HE SO WANTED TO GET INTO MADELYN COLLEGE/CAMBRIDGE AND MADE QUITE AN IMPRESSION WHICH WAS A JOY TO SEE SOMEONE CARING ABOUT THAT ALSO. TAKING A TEACHER'S POSITION BECAUSE HE DID NOT MAKE A FIRST - HE SEEMED TO ALWAYS MAKE THE BEST OF WHAT CAME HIS WAY. EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING WAS SO WELL WRITTEN AND I COULD NOT LAY IT DOWN OR FORGET IT. THE BOOK BECOMES A PART OF YOU. THANK YOU. RUTH LAMPE

I love a good book....though I usually tend more towards thrillers, I love just plain old good stories and this is one that I enjoyed immensely. First off, even the best story can be made boring if you do not have a good reader on an audio version. Roger Allam reads this book and he is wonderful. I would listen to him read the toothpaste tube and I'm sure I'd find it interesting like never before. Now to the book itself-Everyone has heard of Sir Edmund Hilary, who was the first to conquer Mt. Everest, but have you heard of George Mallory? No? I hadn't either. This story is about George Mallory and his passion for climbing....he quite possible could have been the first to conquer Everest though we will never know for sure, as the book starts off in 1999 where Mr. Mallory's body is found within several hundred feet from the summit. Did he make it? We can't be sure, though he had promised that he would put a picture of his beloved wife Ruth on the top if he indeed made the climb to the summit. When he was found, they did find his wallet, but there was no picture. (I would like to believe that he DID make it). Now, once I heard that, right off the bat I was a little disheartened-now we have 9 disks of story that we don't know how it ends? Well, yes, but somehow it seems very complete anyway. In the story you get to know George, and his love of climbing. He once was late to an interview at Cambridge and was told the gate would be locked so it was crucial he make it on time. This did not stop George as he scaled it and came over no worse for wear (Good for you, George!). George makes a fine career for himself as a teacher but continues his love for climbing, and scales many mountains in his path, but his one goal is to make it to the summit of Everest. We learn much about George in the book, we learn of his love of Ruth, whom he marries and fathers three children with, and how he puts others above himself, in fact going back on one excursion on Everest to help a fellow climber. George is unassuming, charming and driven. I found myself drawn into the story and his life and wished we knew for sure that he had made it to the top. Still, the mystery does not take away from the book in the least in my opinion. At the end of the book there is a breakdown of all the characters in the book and what happened in their lives, which I liked, it brought a closure to all of the characters and left everything with a tidy ending...except for that mystery part. I am very happy that I chose to listen to this audio version and learn about George Mallory. Whether he made it or not it was a fabulous life and story that is now so well honored by Mr. Archer's rendition of his life. If you are looking for just a good listen/read, I would highly recommend this. I very much enjoyed it and believe all that like a good story would like it as well.

This story is based on the life of mountaineer George Mallory who didn't come back from his last attempt to reach the summit of Mt. Everest in 1924. Mallory was last seen, "going strongly for the summit." But did he reach it? And can a thriller writer like Jeffrey Archer keep us interested in a book without his usual twists and turns in the plot? Can he keep us interested when we know how the story has to end? The answer is a resounding yes, I believe, to all three questions. I must admit I'd never heard of George Mallory before this story. I don't know why, I guess because he'd never made that honor roll and I suppose if you include him then Sir Edmond Hillary's name would have to come off. But then maybe it makes no difference, because I would think a climb wouldn't really be considered successful if you didn't come back alive. Anyway, that not withstanding, this is a page turner. Mr. Archer certainly as a way with words, he keeps you wanted to know what comes next, even when you do know. That is something only a great writer can do. Whether or not you believe Mallory reached the summit shouldn't keep you from reading this fine story. It'll keep you up, maybe even make you want to climb something. Reviewed by Stephanie Sane