The Measure of a Mountain: Beauty and Terror on Mount Rainier

I think if I were stranded on a deserted island, I would want a copy of this book as well as all those Dostoevsky's I've always promised myself I would read one day. Being an avid climber, this is probably my favorite book of all times, and the book I am always sure to purchase as a gift for others to enjoy. This is NOT a climbing guide or a book just for the climbing community (although we love it). This is a book for anyone who loves the Pacific Northwest, mountains, mountain weather, great stories of adventure and tragedy, geology, hight altitude bugs, plants, animals, and good humor. Each chapter unfolds an entire diverse topic. You'll find yourself going back and reading your favorite chapters.

This is a beautiful "biography" and "love story" about Mt. Rainer. It is so beautifully written that it is hard not to fall in love the Rainer while reading it. So many books on climbing approach mountians as things to be conqured- not this one. Not that this is really a climbing book. As a matter of fact, climbing is an after thought. It makes one appreciate that when one is in the moutians there is a history and life that needs to be respected. Any endeavor in the mountains is that much better when you appreciate the location, past, people etc. that make the mountain more than just rock. Although Barcott is critical of climbing, as a climber I can see some of his points. It is not just about the summit and this book is a reminder of that.

Bruce Barcott's book about Mt.Rainier is a breath of fresh air after reading many of the current crop of books about mountaineering. He writes with a good sense of humor and imparts to the reader the important connection between a lot of the Puget Sound residents and the mountain. Instead of the typical step-by-step base camp to summitt saga that is prevalent in mountaineering books, he gives a good sense of the many faces of "my mountain".

Bruce Barcott's riveting book about Mt. Ranier, its geology, history, wildlife and everything else you might want to know is here in this unusual book. If you are a climber however, you may be insulted by the author's tone. He is highly critical of the macho pursuit of climbing, though he does yield to the tempatation of Rainier by the end of the book and climbs it. He calls it the one of the stupidest acts of his life. The lesson is that climbing the moutain is the poorest way to get to know it.Those of you searching for another hair-raising adventure story will be disappointed, but those of you who want a well written, thoughtful and fascianting look at men, mountains and the lure of a place will love this work. Highly recommended!

Bruce Barcott has written an insightful, fun book about Rainier. He describes the mountain from the perspective of all those it has attracted: scientists, hikers, climbers, and Washington residents who have never stood on its flanks but claim ownership of it as talisman rather than mere scenery. His style is upbeat and conversational. He's a keen observer of his world. And his humor lingers long after you're done with the book.