Mountains and uplands Books

Book SynopsisThe white dome of Mont Blanc looms over France, Italy and Switzerland, and it is no wonder that the 169-kilometre Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) has captured the public imagination to become one of Europe’s most popular long-distance trails. The TMB appeals to people who have different levels of experience and travel at all speeds, and this Vertebrate Publishing Guidemap is unique in that it caters for four categories of user, providing custom itineraries for walkers, trekkers, fastpackers and trail runners. This lightweight, waterproof, durable and easy-to-use folding map features all the essential information for a successful TMB, including 1:40,000-scale mapping for the anticlockwise route starting and finishing in the town of Les Houches, south of Chamonix. It also includes nine route variations, a detailed elevation profile and route planner, safety advice, terrain information and an accommodation directory, and a link to a GPX file download.

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Book Synopsis'I have given my whole life to the mountains. Born at the foot of the Alps, I have been a ski champion, a professional guide, an amateur of the greatest climbs in the Alps and a member of eight expeditions to the Andes and the Himalaya. If the word has any meaning at all, I am a mountaineer.'So Lionel Terray begins Conquistadors of the Useless - not with arrogance, but with typical commitment. One of the most colourful characters of the mountaineering world, his writing is true to his uncompromising and jubilant love for the mountains.Terray was one of the greatest alpinists of his time, and his autobiography is one of the finest and most important mountaineering books ever written. Climbing with legends Gaston Rébuffat, Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal, Terray made first ascents in the Alps, Alaska, the Andes and the Himalaya. He was at the centre of global mountaineering at a time when Europe was emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and he came out a hero. Conquistadors of the Useless tells of his wartime escapades, of life as an Alpine mountain guide, and of his climbs - including the second ascent of the Eiger North Face and his involvement in the first ever ascent of an 8,000-metre peak, Annapurna. His tales capture the energy of French post-war optimism, a time when France needed to reassert herself and when climbing triumphs were more valued than at any other time in history.Terray's death, in the Vercors, robbed mountaineering of one of its most passionate and far-sighted figures. His energy, so obvious in Conquistadors of the Useless, will inspire for generations to come. A mountaineering classic.Trade ReviewLittle compromise and total commitment are features common in both Terray’s writing and his climbing, the lines of his autobiography are every bit as powerful as the lines he followed in the mountains. – John Baker, Climbers' Club JournalConquistadors of the Useless captures the energy of an optimistic world shaking off the restraints of war and austerity, and is sure to inspire today’s climbers with the irresistible passion of his mountaineering. – Scottish Mountaineering Club JournalConquistadors is one of the great books, hardly perfect but with bursts of powerful writing, especially about climbing. It is irresistible, even to those grown up enough to know better. There’s a Gallic cynicism, a dismissive brilliance that is achingly cool, and which Sutton does capture in his translation. And of course it is an outstanding account of arguably the greatest Alpine career of the 20th century. – Ed Douglas, Climber MagazineFrank, witty, clean, often controversial, Terray irresistibly conveys his lifelong passion for the mountains. – Lara Dunn, Adventure Travel MagazineTable of ContentsNote for the 2001 EditionForewordChapter One – DiscoveryChapter Two – First ConquestsChapter Three – War in the AlpsChapter Four – I meet LachenalChapter Five – The North Face of the EigerChapter Six – Guide to the Great ClimbsChapter Seven - AnnapurnaChapter Eight - Mountain RangingPostscriptAppendix One – The Ascent of Mount HuntingtonAppendix Two – Lionel Terray’s Climbs and Expeditions, and other Achievements

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Book Synopsis'One of the greatest mountaineering survival stories never told.' – The Sunday Times Some mountains are high; some mountains are hard. Few are both. On the afternoon of 13 July 1977, having become the first climbers to reach the summit of the Ogre, Doug Scott and Chris Bonington began their long descent. In the minutes that followed, any feeling of success from their achievement would be overwhelmed by the start of a desperate fight for survival. And things would only get worse. Rising to over 7,000 metres in the centre of the Karakoram, the Ogre – Baintha Brakk – is notorious in mountaineering circles as one of the most difficult mountains to climb. First summited by Scott and Bonington in 1977 – on expedition with Paul ‘Tut’ Braithwaite, Nick Estcourt, Clive Rowland and Mo Anthoine – it waited almost twenty-four years for a second ascent, and a further eleven years for a third. The Ogre, by legendary mountaineer Doug Scott, is a two-part biography of this enigmatic peak: in the first part, Scott has painstakingly researched the geography and history of the mountain; part two is the long overdue and very personal account of his and Bonington’s first ascent and their dramatic week-long descent on which Scott suffered two broken legs and Bonington smashed ribs. Using newly discovered diaries, letters and audio tapes, it tells of the heroic and selfless roles played by Clive Rowland and Mo Anthoine. When the desperate climbers finally made it back to base camp, they were to find it abandoned – and themselves still a long way from safety. The Ogre is undoubtedly one of the greatest adventure stories of all time.Trade Review'One of the greatest mountaineering survival stories never told.' – The Sunday Times. Table of ContentsPrefaceIntroductionPART I1. The Mountain2. Ancient History of Exploration3. European Interest in the Region4. The East India Company5. Scottish Contribution to Empire6. The Blanks on the Map7. Early MountaineeringPART II8. The Climbers9. March to Base Camp10. Climbing the Ogre11. The Epic Descent12. The Final StretchAfterwordAcknowledgementsFurther ReadingThe Author

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Book SynopsisIn Mont Blanc Lines, photographer and alpinist Alex Buisse has travelled the Mont Blanc massif to capture images of all the major mountain faces and to trace the classic climbing and skiing lines. As well as Mont Blanc itself, also featured are other Alpine icons, including the north faces of the Grandes Jorasses and the Droites, the Aiguille du Midi, and the Grand Capucin.Whether on the ground in crampons or on skis, or in the air by ultralight or paraglider, he has captured the majesty of the range so that he can tell the story of these classic lines and present them to us in the most stunning way possible.Mont Blanc Lines features images taken during over a decade of mountaineering while Alex worked as a professional photographer based in Chamonix. Alex Buisse’s story of these iconic mountain faces is mixed with the stories of climbers who have experienced great moments there. As a bonus feature, also included are the legendary faces of the Matterhorn and the Eiger North Face in Switzerland.Table of ContentsIntroductionMont Blanc – North FaceMont Blanc – East FaceMont Blanc – South FaceMont Blanc – South-West FaceGrandes Jorasses – North FaceDroites – North FaceAiguille Verte – North FaceAiguille Verte – South FaceDrus – North FaceDrus – South FaceAiguille du Midi – North FaceAiguille du Midi – South FaceAiguilles de Chamonix – North FacesAiguilles de Chamonix – North-West FacesAiguilles de Chamonix – South FacesMont Blanc du TaculGrand CapucinDent du GéantAiguille d’ArgentièreAiguille du ChardonnetAiguille du TourDômes de Miage – North FaceThe MatterhornThe Eiger – North Face

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Book SynopsisFreedom Climbers is the multi award-winning book by Bernadette McDonald, now available in the UK and Ireland thanks to Vertebrate Publishing. Freedom Climbers tells the story of the extraordinary Polish adventurers who emerged from under the blanket of oppression following the Second World War to become the world's leading Himalayan climbers. Although they lived in a war-ravaged landscape, with seemingly no hope of creating a meaningful life, these curious, motivated and skilled mountaineers built their own free-market economy under the very noses of their Communist bosses and climbed their way to liberation. At a time when Polish citizens were locked behind the Iron Curtain, these intrepid explorers found a way to travel the world in search of extreme adventure - to Alaska, South America and Europe, but mostly to the highest and most inspiring mountains of the world. To this end, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan and Nepal became their second homes as they evolved into the toughest Himalayan climbers the world has ever known. In her most engaging book to date, renowned and award-winning author Bernadette McDonald weaves a passionate and literary tale of adventure, politics, suffering, death and - ultimately - inspiration.Trade ReviewOne of the most important mountaineering books to be written for many years. – Boardman Tasker Prize for Mountain LiteratureClimbers everywhere have much to l learn from this bold, tragic, ultimately magnificent story. – Grand Prize Winner, Banff Mountain Book FestivalA brilliantly crafted tale of mountain and political adventure that reveals a golden era in Himalayan climbing that was as glorious as it was tragic. – Sir Chris BoningtonThis important volume documents a defining chapter of Himalayan climbing history. – Reinhold MessnerPainstakingly researched and well crafted, this remarkable book acknowledges the significance of Polish mountaineers during the golden age of Himalayan exploration. Fascinating. – Andy Cave, author of Learning to BreatheMcDonald deserves special praise for bringing to light the stories of these remarkable men and women, and doing so in a manner that does honour to their memory. – Wade Davis, author of Into the Silence: The Great War, Mallory and the Conquest of EverestA gripping read, bound to become a classic of mountain literature. – Maria Coffey, author of Explorers of the InfiniteTakes the reader from deep within Communist-controlled Poland and into the lonely, dramatic landscapes of the world's most formidable mountain ranges. – Jim Curran, author of High Achiever: The Life and Climbs of Chris BoningtonFreedom Climbers is a very enlightening and captivating look at the Polish climbing superstars. – Ed Viesturs, author of No Shortcuts to the Top: Climbing the World's 14 Highest Peaks

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Book SynopsisWinner of the 2012 Boardman Tasker Prize for Mountain Literature 'I was aware that I was cold - beyond cold. I was a lump of meat left for too long in a freezer, a body trapped beneath the ice, sinking down into the dark. I was freezing to death.' In this brilliant sequel to his award-winning debut Psychovertical, mountaineering stand-up Andy Kirkpatrick has achieved his life's ambition to become one of the world's leading climbers. Pushing himself to new extremes, he embarks on his toughest climbs yet - on big walls in the Alps and Patagonia - in the depths of winter. Kirkpatrick has more success, but the savagery and danger of these encounters comes at huge personal cost. Questioning his commitment to his chosen craft, Kirkpatrick is torn between family life and the dangerous path he has chosen. Written with his trademark wit and honesty, Cold Wars is a gripping account of modern adventure.Trade Review"The book is often as varied as it is textured, and with every break I looked forward to returning ... a book that is both hilarious and haunting." (Alison Osius, Rock & Ice Magazine). "This is Andy Kirkpatrick at his best." (Tom Richardson, Climb Magazine). "The rarest of things, a mountaineering book that really matters." (John Horscroft, Climber Magazine). "Kirkpatrick's wry sarcasm, his deft character sketches of his climbing partners, and the often ridiculous situations of the game of big-wall climbing lead to many laugh-out-loud moments. The portrayal of Kirkpatrick's developing insight into his motivation and his growing realisation of the importance of life outside climbing make this a climbing autobiography on a par with Steve House's Beyond the Mountain, only with more jokes about poo and Johnny Depp." (John Chivall, TGO Magazine). "Cold Wars is a funny, poignant read and I enjoyed it very much." (Alastair Humphreys, www.alastairhumphreys.com). "Brilliantly written, painfully thoughtful and yet still an incredibly easy and gripping read. Human and brilliant at the same time." (Jon Doran, OUTDOORSmagic.com). "A good second book from one of the the UK's best climbing showmen which will hopefully open the door for a third, as this man surely has more mountain stories to tell." (Jack Geldard, UKClimbing.com). "It's laugh-out-loud funny at times, and amazingly honest at others. Read it - but then you would have done anyway." (Rosie Fuller, Adventure Travel Magazine). "The book weaves an impressive line between man and mountaineer ... and manages to break out of an over-worked genre by dint of the author's honesty and vulnerability." (John Appleby, Footless Crow). "A superbly written insight into the life of a world class performer torn by internal battles, never satisfied because to stand still is to go backwards and infuriatingly not recognising that he doesn't need to be be measured against anyone." Dave Mycroft, MyOutdoors.co.uk). "A book that is moving, powerful and hugely entertaining, often within a single chapter, Cold Wars joins Psychovertical as one of the new classics of mountaineering literature." (Nicola Underdown, rockclimbinguk.co.uk). "Cold Wars is a superb book. For those like me who don't climb, it is a fantastic insight into a specialised world with pithy comment on the difficulties faced by those who inhabit it. For those who climb big walls in winter, you may well be in it. Regardless of who you are, go and read it." (British Army Rumour Service)."A book which celebrates all that is best in mountaineering literature and the Boardman Tasker Award in particular." (Bernard Newman, Boardman Tasker Prize 2012). "The book is often as varied as it is textured, and with every break I looked forward to returning ... a book that is both hilarious and haunting." (Alison Osius, Rock & Ice Magazine). "This is Andy Kirkpatrick at his best." (Tom Richardson, Climb Magazine). "The rarest of things, a mountaineering book that really matters." (John Horscroft, Climber Magazine). "Kirkpatrick's wry sarcasm, his deft character sketches of his climbing partners, and the often ridiculous situations of the game of big-wall climbing lead to many laugh-out-loud moments. The portrayal of Kirkpatrick's developing insight into his motivation and his growing realisation of the importance of life outside climbing make this a climbing autobiography on a par with Steve House's Beyond the Mountain, only with more jokes about poo and Johnny Depp." (John Chivall, TGO Magazine). "Brilliantly written, painfully thoughtful and yet still an incredibly easy and gripping read. Human and brilliant at the same time." (Jon Doran, OUTDOORSmagic.com). "A good second book from one of the the UK's best climbing showmen which will hopefully open the door for a third, as this man surely has more mountain stories to tell." (Jack Geldard, UKClimbing.com). "It's laugh-out-loud funny at times, and amazingly honest at others. Read it - but then you would have done anyway." (Rosie Fuller, Adventure Travel Magazine). "Cold Wars is a funny, poignant read and I enjoyed it very much." (Alastair Humphreys, www.alastairhumphreys.com). "A hugely entertaining and moving book, which will appeal to mountaineers and non-mountaineers alike, and no doubt will become one of the modern classics." (Ken Applegate, Scottish Mountaineer). "The book weaves an impressive line between man and mountaineer ... and manages to break out of an over-worked genre by dint of the author's honesty and vulnerability." (John Appleby, To Hatch A Crow). "A superbly written insight into the life of a world class performer torn by internal battles, never satisfied because to stand still is to go backwards and infuriatingly not recognising that he doesn't need to be be measured against anyone." (Dave Mycroft, MyOutdoors.co.uk). "A book that is moving, powerful and hugely entertaining, often within a single chapter, Cold Wars joins Psychovertical as one of the new classics of mountaineering literature." (Nicola Underdown, rockclimbinguk.co.uk). "Cold Wars is a superb book. For those like me who don't climb, it is a fantastic insight into a specialised world with pithy comment on the difficulties faced by those who inhabit it. For those who climb big walls in winter, you may well be in it. Regardless of who you are, go and read it." (British Army Rumour Service).Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Preface Prologue Yosemite One Dru Two Lafaille Three Black Dog Four Fitz Roy Five Mermoz Six Park Seven Fear Eight Xmas Nine Troll Ten Hard Eleven Troll II Twelve Breathing Thirteen Lesueur Fourteen Sheep Fifteen Diamond Sixteen Post Seventeen Charlie Eighteen Grounded Nineteen Magic Climbing 101 Glossary

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Book SynopsisWild Light is a stunning panoramic exploration of the Scottish landscape by photographer Craig Aitchison, winner of the inaugural Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year competition. Produced over seven years and shot entirely using a traditional Hasselblad film camera, this remarkable body of work captures the essence of the Scottish wilderness through the seasons and portrays the Highlands and Islands at their most beautiful. Featuring over eighty panoramas, this book celebrates the rich natural heritage, incredible geodiversity and varied landscape for which Scotland is internationally renowned. Among a glittering cast of many are the dramatic heights of Suilven, An Teallach and Aonach Eagach, and the otherworldly landscapes of the Lairig Ghru in the Cairngorms and Glen Etive. Craig Aitchison's Wild Light will delight anyone who treasures the Scottish mountain landscape.

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Book SynopsisLake District Mountain Landscape is a spectacular photographic perspective on the Lake District from award-winning mountain photographer and filmmaker Alastair Lee. More than five years in the making, it is a work of extraordinary commitment and originality.With an emphasis on the mountain heights, Lee captures the otherworldliness and majesty of the 'English Alps' in all seasons and conditions. An experienced climber, Lee brings all his skill and tenacity to the task of capturing sunrise from the summits of the highest peaks in England, moonlight on icy slopes and seas of cloud filling the familiar valleys of Lakeland.Ascents of seemingly unscalable crags such as Pillar and Gimmer Crag are celebrated, and 360-degree panoramas in ethereal upland light from high peaks including Helvellyn, Bowfell and Great Gable are complemented by a series of identifying sketches. In a book which is full of revelations for Lakelanders and visitors alike, Alastair Lee renews and redefines the magic of this much-loved landscape.Trade Review'Lee's Cezanne-like obsession with capturing and recording a rocky feature in all lights, conditions and weathers makes his quest a fascinating one.' (The Independent on Sunday). 'They're not just pretty pictures but images that speak of a fundamental appreciation of the hills as a refuge from the world and a visionary vantage point, a unique wild character in the landscapes of our imagination.' (The Guardian). 'Jaw-droppingly stunning views of Lake District fell tops feature in this quite breathtaking book from award-winning photographer Alastair Lee. No one leafing through this collection of inspirational images can fail to be impressed by the mood and majesty of the mountains that Lee has managed to capture through his lens.' (Westmorland Gazette). 'Any photography fans with an affection for the area should get hold of a copy and stick it on their bookshelf for emergency inspiration.' (Cameron McNeish, TGO Magazine). 'This beautiful 'coffee-table' collection of photographs is probably the most stunning I have ever received for review. Few photographers have produced such evocative pictures. This stunning volume is a gift to be treasured and enjoyed for years.' (Keswick Reminder). 'Lake District Mountain Landscape is a gorgeous look at the less-travelled route, where peaks meet sky, the summits of the landscape whose lower reaches were made famous by Wordsworth. Lee's photographs are compelling, and stunningly rendered in a large format book that carries its panoramic power to the eye.' (Steven Ross Smith, Director of Literary Arts, The Banff Centre). 'Some of the photographs in this collection of landscapes of the high Lakeland hills are sumptuous beyond words, and offer quite staggering detail. I've seen little else that captures what it's like to be high on the fells with the same expansive pleasure.' (Ed Douglas, calmandfearless.com).

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Book SynopsisOutwardly, 'Britain's most experienced teenage Alpinist' is a brave young mountaineer. But he's not experienced at all, at least not in the way he really wants to be. Behind his death-defying climbs there lurks a great deal of fear - fear of the opposite sex, fear of failure, fear of not being 'man enough'. He seeks manhood in the mountains, yet he believes he will only truly gain it by losing something. Harrowing escapades in Scotland, the Alps and Alaska are interspersed by excruciating sexual encounters and unsettling hitch-hiking rides. When the mountains fail him, he seeks meaning with a religious cult in Colorado. Eventually he succeeds in his quest, only to find that he's lost more than he bargained for. Virgin on Insanity by Steve Bell is a coming-of-age story of high adventure, youthful insecurity and immature love. The situations might be extreme, but the deeper issues will be familiar to many.

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Book SynopsisKangchenjunga is the third highest mountain in the world and a notoriously difficult and dangerous mountain to climb. First climbed from the west in 1955 by a British team comprising Joe Brown, George Band, Tony Streather and Norman Hardie, it waited over twenty years for a second ascent. The third ascent, from the north, was made in 1979 by a four-man team including the visionary British alpinist Doug Scott.Completed before his death in 2020, and edited by Catherine Moorehead, Kangchenjunga is Doug Scott’s final book. Scott explores the mountain and its varied people – the mountain sits on the border between Nepal and Sikkim in north-east India – before going on to look at Western approaches and early climbing attempts on the mountain. Kangchenjunga was in fact long believed to be the highest mountain in the world, until in the nineteenth century it was demonstrated that Peak XV – Everest – was taller. Out of respect for the beliefs of the Sikkimese, no climber has ever set foot on the very top of Kangchenjunga, the sacred summit. Scott’s own relationship with the mountain began in 1978, three years after his first British ascent of Everest with Dougal Haston. The assembled team featured some of the greatest mountaineers in history: Scott, Joe Tasker, Peter Boardman and Georges Bettembourg. The plan was for a stripped-down expedition the following spring – minimal Sherpa support, no radios, largely self-financed. It was the first time a mountain of this scale had been attempted by a new and difficult route without the use of oxygen, and with such a small team. Scott, Tasker and Boardman summited on 16 May 1979, further consolidating their legends in this golden era. Kangchenjunga is Doug Scott’s tribute to this sacred mountain, a paean for a Himalayan giant, written by a giant of Himalayan climbing.

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Book SynopsisWINNER: Boardman Tasker Prize for Mountain Literature 1997Paul Pritchard's Deep Play is a unique, stylish and timeless commentary reflecting the pressures and rewards of climbing some of the world's hardest and most challenging rock climbs.Pritchard started climbing in Lancashire before moving to join the vibrant Llanberis scene of the mid-1980s, at a time when the adventurous development of the Dinorwig slate quarries was in full swing. Many of the new slate routes were notable for their fierce technical difficulty and sparse protection, and Pritchard took a full part in this arcane sub-culture of climbing and at the same time deployed his skills on the Anglesey sea cliffs to produce a clutch of equally demanding wall climbs.Born with an adventurous soul, it was not long before Pritchard and his friends were planning exotic trips. In 1987, paired with Johnny Dawes, Pritchard made an epoch-making visit to Scotland's Sron Ulladale to free its famous aid route, The Scoop. Pritchard and Dawes, with no previous high altitude experience, then attempted the Catalan Pillar of Bhagirathi III in the Garhwal Himalaya in India, a precocious first expedition prematurely curtailed when Pritchard was hit by stonefall at the foot of the face. In 1992, Pritchard and Noel Craine teamed up with the alpinists Sean Smith and Simon Yates to climb a big wall route on the East Face of the Central Tower of Paine, Patagonia. Pritchard followed this with an equally fine first ascent of the West Face of Mount Asgard on Baffin Island.Other trips – to Yosemite, Pakistan and Nepal as well as returns to Patagonia – resulted in a clutch of notable repeats, first ascents and some failures. The failure list also included two life-threatening falls (one on Gogarth, the other on Creag Meaghaidh), which prompted the author into thought-provoking personal re-assessments, in advance of his later near-terminal accident on The Totem Pole in Tasmania.A penetrating view of the adventures and preoccupations of a contemporary player, Deep Play stands alone as a unique first-hand account of what many consider to be the last great era in British climbing.Trade Review"It is a remarkable book. It is a love letter to the mountain, an obituary for lost friends, a Joycean study of a community. Most of all, in its roughshod description of thrills and achievement, adventure and comradeship ... it's an explanation of a way of life." (Sabine Durrant, The Guardian.) "Not since The Hard Years has the social background of a leading protagonist been so effectively drawn. Touching on themes of economic deprivation, failing education standards and the brutish myopia that affected Britain, but especially England, in the 1980s, Pritchard illustrates how climbing was, at least then, a rare way to escape from monochrome to glorious Technicolor." (Ed Douglas, Climber Magazine.) "It is bold, experimental, innovative in its narrative and descriptive material in a way which is entirely in keeping with the spirit of the prize." (Peter Gillman, Boardman Tasker Prize Chair of Judges.)Table of ContentsContents AcknowledgementsForeword by John Middendorf Preface to the 2012 Edition Introduction – Playing the System CrackFire-Starter Rubble Merchants, Slateheads and Others Lost in the Broccoli Garden A Piece of Driftwood On the Big Stone Bhagirathi Diary Outside the AsylumCentral Tower of Paine: El Regalo de Mwono Paine North Tower: El Caballo de Diablo Just Passing Through The Doctor and the Witch A Game One Climber Played AdriftHyperborea A Survivor’s Affair Making Castles in the Sand Deep PlayersOn the Shark’s Fin with Philip Lloyd Accidental Hero – Silvo Karo A Lesson in Healing from Andy Parkin Author’s Glossary Notes about the Essays

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Book SynopsisA mountain peak above the Monastery of St Catherine in Egypt, Mount Sinai is best known as the site where Moses received the Ten Commandments in the biblical Book of Exodus. This book brings this rich history to light, exploring the ways in which the landscape of Mount Sinai s summit has been experienced and transformed over the centuries, from the third century BCE to World War I. As an important site for multiple religions, Mount Sinai has become a major destination for hundreds of visitors per day. In this multifaceted book, George Manginis delves into the natural environment of Mount Sinai, its importance in the Muslim tradition, the cult of Saint Catherine, the medieval pilgrimage phenomenon, modern-day tourism, and much more. Featuring notes, a bibliography, and illustrations from nineteenth-century travelers books, this deft blend of historical analysis, art history, textual criticism, and archaeological interpretation will appeal to tourists and scholars alike.

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Book SynopsisTHE NEW AWARD-WINNING INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER BY THE AUTHOR OF THE MOUNTAINTrade ReviewFull of folklore and history as well as descriptions of astonishing hardship, Sanctuary is also a study of character and what happens to people's minds when they have to find a way to make sense of intolerable circumstances . . . -- Natasha Cooper * Literary Review. *With his first book, he was compared to Stephen King and the David Lynch of Twin Peaks. Here, D'Andrea will go even further into the depths of evil -- Alessia Rastelli * Corriere della Serra. *A clever, twisty and chilling page-turner. * Choice Magazine. *This immensely enjoyable chiller/thiller is a superb follow up to last year's bestseller, The Mountain. This novel demonstrates that D'Andrea has no problem at all with 'second album syndrome', Sanctuary is a brilliant piece of storytelling. * New Books Magazine. *D'Andrea's a name to add to your Eurocrime list. -- David Hewson, author of the Nic Costa novels and The KillingD'Andrea is a real master. -- Sergio Pent * La Stampa. *Pulsatingly exciting and astonishingly grisly in equal measure. * Irish Independent. *

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Book SynopsisThough it remains by far the world's most famous mountain, in recent years Everest's reputation has changed radically, with long queues of climbers on the Lhotse Face, lurid tales of frozen corpses and piles of high altitude trash. It wasn't always like this though. Once Everest was remote and inaccessible, a mysterious place, where only the bravest and most heroic dared to tread. The first attempt on Everest in 1922 by George Leigh Mallory and a British team is an extraordinary story full of controversy, drama and incident, populated by a set of larger than life characters straight out of Boys Own and Indiana Jones. The expedition ended in tragedy when, on their third bid for the top, Mallory's party was hit by an avalanche that left seven men dead. Using diaries, letters, published and unpublished accounts, Mick Conefrey creates a rich character driven narrative, exploring the motivations and private dramas of key individuals and detailing the back room politics and bitter rivalries that lay behind this epic adventure.Trade ReviewThe 1922 expedition was perhaps the most exciting of all Everest ventures. One hundred years ago virtually nothing was known about the effects of extreme altitude and those brave pioneers were making it up as they went along, pushing the boundaries of human possibility. With his usual forensic analysis and keen eye for the previously untold anecdote, Mick Conefrey re-illuminates one of the greatest mountain adventures of all time. * Stephen Venables *A gloriously British failure: The lost story of the tweed jacket-wearing and Kendal mint cake-eating band of eccentrics who were the first to try to conquer Everest is finally told 100 years on ... The story of that first attempt on the mountain is one history has largely erased. Failure tends to be forgotten. But in its centenary year, that 1922 expedition is celebrated in a gripping new book by mountaineering historian Mick Conefrey. Yes, it was a failure - but a glorious one. * Daily Mail *Table of Contentsi: Dramatis Personae ii: Introduction 1: Himalayans at Play 2: No Place for Old Men 3: The Hardest Push 4: Larger than Life 5: Oxygen Drill 6: News from the North 7: We May Be Gone Some Time 8: The Gas Offensive 9: Summit Fever 10: Trouble in the Sanctuary 11: A Terrible Enemy 12: 2020 Hindsight iii: Bibliography and Sources iv: Acknowledgements v: Index

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Book Synopsis‘Mountains have given structure to my adult life. I suppose they have also given me purpose, though I still can’t guess what that purpose might be. And although I have glimpsed the view from the mountaintop and I still have some memory of what direction life is meant to be going in, I usually lose sight of the wood for the trees. In other words, I, like most of us, have lived a life of structured chaos.’Structured Chaos is Victor Saunders’ award-winning follow-up to Elusive Summits (winner of the Boardman Tasker Prize in 1990), No Place to Fall and Himalaya: The Tribulations of Vic & Mick. He reflects on his early childhood in Malaya and his first experiences of climbing as a student, and describes his progression from scaling canal-side walls in Camden to expeditions in the Himalaya and Karakoram. Following climbs on K2 and Nanga Parbat, he leaves his career as an architect and moves to Chamonix to become a mountain guide. He later makes the first ascent of Chamshen in the Saser Kangri massif, and reunites with old friend Mick Fowler to climb the north face of Sersank.This is not just a tale of mountaineering triumphs, but also an account of rescues, tragedies and failures. Telling his story with humour and warmth, Saunders spans the decades from youthful awkwardness to concerns about age-related forgetfulness, ranging from ‘Where did I put my keys?’ to ‘Is this the right mountain?’Structured Chaos is a testament to the value of friendship and the things that really matter in life: being in the right place at the right time with the right people, and making the most of the view.Trade Review'In his unique, conversational style, Victor Saunders has taken us on a wonderful journey; sometimes heart-breaking, often hilarious. His observations are surgically precise, his evocative descriptions are skilfully penned and his personal reflections are unstintingly honest. From his early awkward years to his many impressive climbs in the Great Ranges, what stands out above all in Structured Chaos is the value he places on friendship.' – Bernadette McDonald, 2021 Book Competition Jury‘Victor is a fine writer, with a vivid authenticity to the narrative of his mountaineering adventures.’ – GRAHAM LITTLE, Scottish Mountaineering Club Journal‘Saunders is a remarkable man who has survived all his life’s mishaps to write his autobiography.’ – STEPHEN A. CRAVEN, The Himalayan Journal‘Whether you are a seasoned alpinist or just starting out, this book sparks the imagination and leaves you psyched to go out there and find your own adventure!’ – GARETH JONES, The Professional Mountaineer

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Book SynopsisOn 30 January 1981 Joe Tasker and Ade Burgess stood at 24,000 feet on the West Ridge of Mount Everest. Below them were their companions, some exhausted, some crippled by illness, all virtually incapacitated. Further progress seemed impossible.Everest the Cruel Way is Joe Tasker's story of an attempt to climb the highest mountain on earth – an attempt which pushed a group of Britain's finest mountaineers to their limits. The goal had been to climb Mount Everest at its hardest: via the infamous West Ridge, without supplementary oxygen and in winter. Tasker's epic account vividly describes experiences that no climber had previously endured. Close up and personal, it is a gripping account of day-to-day life on expedition and of the struggle to live at high altitude.Joe Tasker was one of Britain's best mountaineers. He was a pioneer of lightweight, alpine-style climbing in the Greater Ranges and had a special talent for writing. He died, along with his friend Peter Boardman, high on Everest in 1982 while attempting a new and unclimbed line. Both men were superb mountaineers and talented writers.Trade Review'If any writer has expressed the essence of winter climbing in the Himalayas, it is Joe Tasker.' – Reinhold MessnerTable of ContentsAcknowledgementsForeword by Chris Bonington ‘A Great Partnership’Chapter 1 A Step FurtherChapter 2 The Idea and the TeamChapter 3 Going to the Widow MakerChapter 4 Attacking the RampartsChapter 5 The Lho LaChapter 6 Progress and PunishmentChapter 7 ChristmasChapter 8 Grim NightsChapter 9 ‘In the mountains one forgets to count the days’Chapter 10 Attrition and the Turning PointChapter 11 Straight TalkingChapter 12 The Wind Up

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Book Synopsis'A full and fascinating portrait of one of the great figures of mountaineering.' – Michael PalinAt dusk on 24 September 1975, Doug Scott and Dougal Haston became the first Britons to reach the summit of Everest as lead climbers on Chris Bonington's epic expedition to the mountain's immense south-west face.As darkness fell, Scott and Haston scraped a small cave in the snow 100 metres below the summit and survived the highest bivouac ever – without bottled oxygen, sleeping bags and, as it turned out, frostbite. For Doug Scott, it was the fulfilment of a fortune-teller's prophecy given to his mother: that her eldest son would be in danger in a high place with the whole world watching.Scott and Haston returned home national heroes with their image splashed across the front pages. Scott went on to become one of Britain's greatest ever mountaineers, pioneering new climbs in the remotest corners of the globe. His career spans the golden age of British climbing from the 1960s boom in outdoor adventure to the new wave of lightweight alpinism throughout the 1970s and 1980s.In Up and About, the first volume of his autobiography, Scott tells his story from his birth in Nottingham during the darkest days of war to the summit of the world. Surviving the unplanned bivouac without oxygen near the summit of Everest widened the range of what and how he would climb in the future. In fact, Scott established more climbs on the high mountains of the world after his ascent of Everest than before. Those climbs will be covered in the second volume of his life and times.Trade Review'"Up and About" is an understatement. In this book are clear and comprehensive accounts of some of the most dangerous things it's possible to do. From winning a baby show in Nottingham to taking on the most perilous rock faces in the world this is a full and fascinating portrait of one of the great figures of mountaineering. A man for whom no challenge went unanswered.' – Michael Palin'As well as relaying the literal ups and downs of the biggest walls and highest mountains in the world, Scott writes with honesty about the emotional and personal peaks and troughs of a life where family relationships are put under strain and life itself is so often at risk.' – Allan Tunningley, The Westmorland GazetteTable of ContentsPreface; The First Age; Chapter One: Wildchild; Chapter Two: The Canal; The Second Age; Chapter Three: Empires; Chapter Four: History Lessons; The Third Age; Chapter Five: Jan; Chapter Six: Atlas; Chapter Seven: Dolomites; Chapter Eight: Tibesti; Chapter Nine: Hindu Kush; Chapter Ten: Strone; The Fourth Age; Chapter Eleven: A Changing World; Chapter Twelve: Yosemite; Chapter Thirteen: Baffin; Chapter Fourteen: Don; Chapter Fifteen: Everest Again; Chapter Sixteen: Changabang; Chapter Seventeen: Tragedy in the Pamirs; Chapter Eighteen: Strategy and Tactics; Chapter Nineteen: Everest Regained; Epilogue; Acknowledgements; Bibliography; Index.

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Book SynopsisThis book is unique in providing a global overview of alpine (high mountain) habitats that occur above the natural (cold-limited) tree line, describing the factors that have shaped them over both ecological and evolutionary timescales. The broad geographic coverage helps synthesise common features whilst revealing differences in the world''s major alpine systems from the Arctic to the Tropics. The words barren and wasteland have often been applied to describe landscapes beyond the treeline. However, a closer look reveals a large diversity of habitats, assemblages and individual taxa, largely connected to topographic diversity within individual alpine regions. The book considers habitat-forming factors (landforms, energy and climate, hydrology, soils, and vegetation) individually, as well as their composite impacts on habitat characteristics. Evolution and population processes are examined in the context of the responsiveness / resilience of alpine habitats to global change. Finally, a Trade Review[A] Unique global overview of alpine habitats. * Arctic, Antarctic and Alpine Research *[A] comprehensive introduction into the biology of alpine habitats. * Basic and Applied Ecology2009 *Table of Contents1. Introduction: what is alpine? ; 2. High mountains in latitude life zones - a worldwide perspective ; 3. Elevation gradients ; 4. The alpine environment - energy and climate ; 5. Habitat creating factors: landforms, hydrology, and soils ; 6. Alpine terrestrial habitats and community types / assemblages ; 7. Biogeography, adaptation and evolution of alpine organisms ; 8. Temporal and spatial dynamics ; 9. Global change impacts on alpine habitats: climate and nitrogen deposition ; 10. Land use and conservation of alpine landscapes, ecosystems, and species ; 11. Concluding remarks ; References ; Index

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Book SynopsisMountains cover a quarter of the Earth''s land surface and are home to about 12 percent of the global population. They are the sources of all the world''s major rivers, affect regional weather patterns, provide centres of biological and cultural diversity, hold deposits of minerals, and provide both active and contemplative recreation. Yet mountains are also significantly affected by climate change; as melting and retreating glaciers show. Given the manifold goods and services which mountains provide to the world, such changes are of global importance. In this Very Short Introduction, Martin Price outlines why mountains matter at the global level, and addresses the existing and likely impacts of climate change on mountain, hydrological and ecological systems. Considering the risks associated with the increasing frequency of extreme events and ''natural hazards'' caused by climate change, he discusses the implications for both mountain societies and wider populations, and concludes by emphasizing the need for greater cooperation in order to adapt to climate change in our increasingly globalized world.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade Reviewneat little book, perfect for carrying in a pocket or in hand luggage ... I would certainly recommendthis as a suitable text for pre-A level or undergraduate reading lists, or for anyone with a wider interest in mountains. * Jane Terry, GeographyMountain Research and Development *The text is packed with information and details on mountains and gives an easy-to-read insight into many facts about mountains and people's interaction with them. It is highly recommended for anybody interested and its small light-weight format allows taking it along to read at the top of a mountain. * eco.mont *Even if your interest in mountains stops short at the Cheviot, you should find food for thought in these pages. * Mike Merchant, Scottish Mountaineer *conveys a vivid impression of the many ways in which mountains are important to us. * Network Reviews *Table of Contents1. Why do mountains matter? ; 2. Mountains are not eternal ; 3. The world's water towers ; 4. Living in a vertical world ; 5. Hotspots of diversity ; 6. Protected areas and tourism ; 7. Climate change in the mountains ; Further Reading ; Index

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Book Synopsis''The smaller we come to feel ourselves compared with the mountain, the nearer we come to participating in its greatness.''Philosopher, mountaineer, activist and visionary, Arne Naess''s belief that all living things have value made him one of the most inspirational figures in the environmental movement. Drawing on his years spent in an isolated hut high in the Norwegian mountains, and on influences as diverse as Gandhi''s nonviolent action and Spinoza''s all-encompassing worldview, this selection of the best of his writings is filled with wit, charisma and intense connection with nature. Emphasizing joy, cooperation and ''beautiful actions'', they create a philosophy of life from a man who never lost his sense of wonder at the world. ''Arne Naess''s ideas ... inspired environmentalists and Green political activists around the world'' The New York TimesTrade ReviewArne Naess's ideas about promoting an intimate and all-embracing relationship between the earth and the human species inspired environmentalists and Green political activists around the world * New York Times *

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Book SynopsisNo matter where they are located in the world, communities living in mountain regions have shared experiences defined in large part by contradictions. Trade ReviewGlobal Mountain Regions is an outstanding addition to the inventory of the interdisciplinary field of montology, the study of mountains. For any scholar or student interested in the human dimensions of mountain regions, many if not all of the essays will be valuable references. * American Ethnologist *Table of ContentsContentsSong Lyrics by Si Kahn: "Hard Times" 1: Introduction: Listening to Voices across Global Mountain Regions Ann Kingsolver and Sasikumar BalasundaramSong Lyrics by Si Kahn: "Mother Jones' Farewell (I Was There)" 2: After Coal, through FilmTom Hansell and Patricia Beaver Song Lyrics by Si Kahn: "Wigan Pier" 3: Mountains, Coal, and Life in British Columbia and West Virginia Paul S. Ciccantell4: Black Diamonds Crystal Good5: Historicizing Poverty and Marginalization in the Southern Mountain Regions of Malawi Tony MilanziSong Lyrics by Si Kahn: "Momma Was a Union Woman" 6: Voices for Community Rights in Amazonia Monica ChujíSong Lyrics by Si Kahn: "Blue Ridge Mountain Refugee"7: Indigenous Social Movements in Mountain RegCarmen Martinez Novo, Shannon Elizabeth Bell, Subhadra Mitra Channa, Annapurna Devi Pandey, and Luis Alberto Tuaza CastroSong Lyrics by Si Kahn: "People Like You"8: Rebuilding Mountain Communities after Natural and Human-Made DisastersJude L. Fernando, Lina Maria Calandra, Stephanie McSpirit, Pam Oldfield Meade, Jeremy Paden and Shaunna L. ScottSong Lyrics by Si Kahn: "The Border Line"9: Moving Heaven and Earth behind MountainsDaniel JosephSong Lyrics by Si Kahn: "Black Gold"10: Environment, Health, and JusticeMary K. Anglin, Gregory V. Button, and Dolores Molina-RosalesSong Lyrics by Si Kahn: "When the Morning Breaks"11: Circulating News in Rural China and AppalachiaAl Cross and You You12: Thinking About the FutureJane Jensen, Marco Pitzalis, Mir Afzal Tajik, and Alan J. DeYoung13: Jirga: Everyday Peace-Building in Rural Mountain Communities of PakistanSajjad Ahmad Jan14: Mapping and Measuring Digital Divides in Mountain RegionsStanley D. Brunn and Maria ParadisoSong Lyrics by Si Kahn: "My Old Times"15: Artifacts of HomeSaakshi Joshi16: Resonating with the TreesJasper Waugh-QuasebarthSong Lyrics by Si Kahn: "Traveler"17: Appalachian and Carpathian ExchangesJessica Murray and Iryna Galuschchak18: Appalachian and Columbian Connections through Cerulean Warbler MigrationRegina Donour19: Experience and ExpertiseLisa B. Markowitz20: Sustainable Livelihoods in Extreme LandsDipak R. PantSong Lyrics by Si Kahn: "Aragon Mill"21: Comparing Rural Livelihood Transitions in the Catalan and Sardinian Regions of Europe and the Appalachian Region of the United StatesDomenica Farinella, Ann Kingsolver, Ismael Vaccaro, and Oriol BeltranSong Lyrics by Si Kahn: "Wild Rose of the Mountain"22: Honey Corridors in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and Appalachian Coal Production Areas Tammy Horn Potter and Kunal SharmaSong Lyrics by Si Kahn: "The Gap ($8,825) an Hour"23: Agricultural Sovereignty and Arabica Coffee Production in EthiopiaAklilu RedaSong Lyrics by Si Kahn: "The Flume"24: Creating Sustainable Post-extraction Livelihoods in the Central Appalachian CoalfieldsNathan HallSong Lyrics by Si Kahn: "Gone, Gonna Rise Again"25: Reforestation Can Contribute to a Regenerative Economy in Global Mining RegionsChristopher D. Barton, Kenton Sena, and Patrick N. AngelSong Lyrics by Si Kahn: "We're Still Here"26: Palestinian Responsible Tourism for Cross-Cultural UnderstandingAsma Jaber and Michel AwadSong Lyrics by Si Kahn: "A Time for Us All"27: Conclusion: Looking Toward the Future in Global Mountain RegionsFelix Bivens, Sasikumar Balasundaram, and Ann KingsolverIndex

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Book SynopsisNo matter where they are located in the world, communities living in mountain regions have shared experiences defined in large part by contradictions. Trade ReviewGlobal Mountain Regions is an outstanding addition to the inventory of the interdisciplinary field of montology, the study of mountains. For any scholar or student interested in the human dimensions of mountain regions, many if not all of the essays will be valuable references. * American Ethnologist *Table of ContentsContentsSong Lyrics by Si Kahn: "Hard Times" 1: Introduction: Listening to Voices across Global Mountain Regions Ann Kingsolver and Sasikumar BalasundaramSong Lyrics by Si Kahn: "Mother Jones' Farewell (I Was There)" 2: After Coal, through FilmTom Hansell and Patricia Beaver Song Lyrics by Si Kahn: "Wigan Pier" 3: Mountains, Coal, and Life in British Columbia and West Virginia Paul S. Ciccantell4: Black Diamonds Crystal Good5: Historicizing Poverty and Marginalization in the Southern Mountain Regions of Malawi Tony MilanziSong Lyrics by Si Kahn: "Momma Was a Union Woman" 6: Voices for Community Rights in Amazonia Monica ChujíSong Lyrics by Si Kahn: "Blue Ridge Mountain Refugee"7: Indigenous Social Movements in Mountain RegCarmen Martinez Novo, Shannon Elizabeth Bell, Subhadra Mitra Channa, Annapurna Devi Pandey, and Luis Alberto Tuaza CastroSong Lyrics by Si Kahn: "People Like You"8: Rebuilding Mountain Communities after Natural and Human-Made DisastersJude L. Fernando, Lina Maria Calandra, Stephanie McSpirit, Pam Oldfield Meade, Jeremy Paden and Shaunna L. ScottSong Lyrics by Si Kahn: "The Border Line"9: Moving Heaven and Earth behind MountainsDaniel JosephSong Lyrics by Si Kahn: "Black Gold"10: Environment, Health, and JusticeMary K. Anglin, Gregory V. Button, and Dolores Molina-RosalesSong Lyrics by Si Kahn: "When the Morning Breaks"11: Circulating News in Rural China and AppalachiaAl Cross and You You12: Thinking About the FutureJane Jensen, Marco Pitzalis, Mir Afzal Tajik, and Alan J. DeYoung13: Jirga: Everyday Peace-Building in Rural Mountain Communities of PakistanSajjad Ahmad Jan14: Mapping and Measuring Digital Divides in Mountain RegionsStanley D. Brunn and Maria ParadisoSong Lyrics by Si Kahn: "My Old Times"15: Artifacts of HomeSaakshi Joshi16: Resonating with the TreesJasper Waugh-QuasebarthSong Lyrics by Si Kahn: "Traveler"17: Appalachian and Carpathian ExchangesJessica Murray and Iryna Galuschchak18: Appalachian and Columbian Connections through Cerulean Warbler MigrationRegina Donour19: Experience and ExpertiseLisa B. Markowitz20: Sustainable Livelihoods in Extreme LandsDipak R. PantSong Lyrics by Si Kahn: "Aragon Mill"21: Comparing Rural Livelihood Transitions in the Catalan and Sardinian Regions of Europe and the Appalachian Region of the United StatesDomenica Farinella, Ann Kingsolver, Ismael Vaccaro, and Oriol BeltranSong Lyrics by Si Kahn: "Wild Rose of the Mountain"22: Honey Corridors in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and Appalachian Coal Production Areas Tammy Horn Potter and Kunal SharmaSong Lyrics by Si Kahn: "The Gap ($8,825) an Hour"23: Agricultural Sovereignty and Arabica Coffee Production in EthiopiaAklilu RedaSong Lyrics by Si Kahn: "The Flume"24: Creating Sustainable Post-extraction Livelihoods in the Central Appalachian CoalfieldsNathan HallSong Lyrics by Si Kahn: "Gone, Gonna Rise Again"25: Reforestation Can Contribute to a Regenerative Economy in Global Mining RegionsChristopher D. Barton, Kenton Sena, and Patrick N. AngelSong Lyrics by Si Kahn: "We're Still Here"26: Palestinian Responsible Tourism for Cross-Cultural UnderstandingAsma Jaber and Michel AwadSong Lyrics by Si Kahn: "A Time for Us All"27: Conclusion: Looking Toward the Future in Global Mountain RegionsFelix Bivens, Sasikumar Balasundaram, and Ann KingsolverIndex

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"This collection of essays provides an evocative look into the somewhat exclusive climbing world. Stevenson’s prose is lively, and his references to other prominent climbers and climber-authors may serve as a jumping-off point for further research in the field." -- Lucy Hereford * Pacific Northwest Quarterly (PNQ) *Table of ContentsIntroduction Warnings against Myself 1. Speaking in Code: Conversations and Reflections on Climbing, Language, and the Religion of the French 2. The Purposes of Ascent: Episodes and Conversations on Adventure, Climbing, and What It All Might Mean; An Account of Twenty Years in the West 3. Climber as Writer: From the Armchair to the Tetons Last Dance of the Wu Li Master: A Distanced Appreciation of Terrance “Mugs” Stump Virga 4. Untethered in Yosemite: A Report from Paradise in the Last Summer of the Millennium 5. Short Walks with McInerney: Three Classic Pilgrimages 6. Superstitious: Mont Blanc, French Alps 7. Struck: Longs Peak, Rocky Mountains 8. In the Bugs: In the Canadian Rockies 9. Axe of Contrition 10. Byron Glacier, June 24, 2009 11. Eros on the Heights 12. The Tower and the Riddle 13. Lives of the Volcano Poets 14. Here Comes Ol’ Flattop 15. A Short Cultural History of the Ice Axe in the Twentieth Century 16. Three Dreams of Mountains, Late Fall 2004 17. Whillans, Haston, and Me: A Distanced Appreciation with a Couple Trip Reports, Contextualized 18. In the Very Big Ice House: Travels on the Harding Icefield List of Illustrations Acknowledgments

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Book SynopsisExplore the wonders of wild Mongolia through the eyes of a distinguished field biologistTrade Review“Schaller is driven by his vision of what must be done if wild spaces and rare species are to persist. . . . He is eloquent in his condemnation of what he deems gross mismanagement by the nation’s current political leaders, who allow oil drilling, mining and road-building in crucial protected areas.”—Tom McCarthy, Nature“George Schaller’s genius has been to bring the style of the best nineteenth-century natural histories together with solid present-day science. Into Wild Mongolia is a superb example of this combination.”—Edward O. Wilson, University Research Professor Emeritus, Harvard University“With great dedication to wildlife in all of its manifestations, George Schaller explores the vast steppes and other habitats of Mongolia. His revelatory explorations will undoubtedly aid the conservation of this unique ecosystem.”—Frans de Waal, author of Mama’s Last Hug: Animal Emotions and What They Tell Us about Ourselves“Traveling in remote and unpredictable regions, George Schaller conveys the thrill of sitting near snow leopards, the beauty of vast glowing grasses, and the discovery of thousands of wandering gazelles.”—Amy Vedder, author of In the Kingdom of Gorillas: The Quest to Save Rwanda’s Mountain Gorillas“Luminously written, Into Wild Mongolia introduces us to remote, often cold, and desolate landscapes, animals such as the Bactrian camel, and local characters, richly rendered. We learn to read the wordless movements of elusive creatures like the snow leopard, communicated in the oldest writing on earth, their footprints in soil and snow. George Schaller is an icon; for his dedication to conservation and his love of biodiversity we can only be grateful.”—James Prosek, author of Trout of the World and Eels.“George Schaller, a true giant, is essentially the original field biologist. His words are living history. This astonishing, vivid book describes a region that has changed, but must never be forgotten.”—Carl Safina, author of Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel

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Book SynopsisA “sublime” and “radically original” exploration of the Sierra Nevadas, the best mountains on Earth for hiking and camping, from New York Times bestselling novelist Kim Stanley Robinson (Bill McKibben, Gary Snyder). Kim Stanley Robinson first ventured into the Sierra Nevada mountains during the summer of 1973. He returned from that encounter a changed man, awed by a landscape that made him feel as if he were simultaneously strolling through an art museum and scrambling on a jungle gym like an energized child. He has returned to the mountains throughout his life—more than a hundred trips—and has gathered a vast store of knowledge about them. The High Sierra is his lavish celebration of this exceptional place and an exploration of what makes this span of mountains one of the most compelling places on Earth.Over the course of a vivid and dramatic narrative, Robinson describes the geological forces that shaped the

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Book SynopsisMountains cover a quarter of the Earth's land surface and a quarter of the global population lives in or adjacent to these areas. This title gives students a foundation for understanding the geographical processes occurring in the world's mountains and the overall impact of these regions on culture and society as a whole.Trade Review"This book is a very easy read... Recommended." ChoiceTable of ContentsForeword Jack D. Ives Preface to the Second Edition Alton C. Byers Acknowledgements Chapter 1 Introduction to Mountains Alton C. Byers, Larry W. Price and Martin F. Price Chapter 2 Origins of Mountains John F. Shroder, Jr. and Larry W. Price Chapter 3 Mountain Climate Andrew J. Bach and Larry W. Price Chapter 4 Snow, Ice, Avalanches and Glaciers Leland R. Dexter, Karl W. Birkeland, and Larry W. Price Chapter 5 Mountain Landforms and Geomorphic Processes Jason R. Janke and Larry W. Price Chapter 6 Mountain Soils Larry W. Price and Carol P. Harden Chapter 7 Mountain Vegetation Keith S. Hadley, Larry W. Price and Georg Grabherr Chapter 8 Mountain Wildlife Larry W. Price and Valerius Geist Chapter 9 Attitudes Towards Mountains Edwin Bernbaum and Larry W. Price Chapter 10 People in the Mountains James S. Gardner, Robert E. Rhoades, and Christoph Stadel Chapter 11 Agricultural Settlement and Land Use in Mountains Stephen F. Cunha and Larry W. Price Chapter 12 Sustainable Mountain Development Martin F. Price and Thomas Kohler Index

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Longlisted for the Runciman Award, Anglo-Hellenic League""Shortlisted for the London Hellenic Prize, London Hellenic Society""A Choice Outstanding Academic Title of the Year""[An] enchanting love letter, a sonorous ode to nature. . . .This thorough, meticulous, and excellently written book informs the reader on basically every aspect of Greek and Roman imagination and experience of mountains."---Andrej Petrovic, Greece and Rome"One need look no further than König’s The Folds of Olympus for what is surely the most readable, comprehensive account of mountains in ancient Greek and Roman culture. Based on firsthand experience, wide-ranging research, and profound insights, the book takes readers on a journey up slopes, atop summits, and across vistas of mountain geographies around the Mediterranean and beyond." * Choice *"[W]onderfully rich and stimulating."---John Taylor, Classics for All"The Folds of Olympus shows König’s mastery of material vast enough to be the subjects and substance of countless seminars in Classical studies. This grasp of ancient history and culture is matched by König’s knowledge and love of the physical side of his subject."---Gerald Lalonde, The Past

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Jerry Frank’s environmental history of Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park is an admirable presentation of how two competing visions of the area over the past century worked together to make and remake the park."—Montana The Magazine of Western History"Frank’s writing is lively and engaging, and his arguments are clear. . . . [A]n accessible case study of national park policy that will appeal to thoughtful part visitors and to students of environmental history."—Journal of American History"Help[s] us to understand not only the individual park but also the total park system."—Pacific Historical Review"Succinct, well researched, clearly written, and accessible to anyone interested in learning more about this particular park and the national park idea more generally."—Environmental History"Frank’s book is a valuable addition to our literature on the histories of Colorado, the NPS, and the western environment. Throw a copy in your back seat or backpack the next time you visit the RMNP; Frank’s narrative will help explain the complex history behind much of the seemingly pristine natural world you encounter."—Western Historical Quarterly"This book is as beautiful as its subject. . . . A landscape so many of its visitors love and which, by reading Making Rocky Mountain National Park, they will now better understand."—Journal of Tourism History"Frank has added to our understanding of how Rocky Mountain National Park came to be the place and experience it is today."—New Mexico Historical Review"A highly readable volume that will be of interest to park visitors and scholars interested in environmental history of the United States, national parks and protected areas, wildlife conservation, the American West, tourism, outdoor recreation, and natural resource management policy."—H-Net Reviews"This well-researched, engaging, and visitor-center worthy study traces the first century of Rocky Mountain National Park. Refreshingly, the author proceeds thematically rather than chronologically, devoting a cleverly titled chapter each to cars, trails, trees, elk, fish, and ski slopes."—Kansas History "America’s national parks may be the best idea we ever had, but as this book powerfully argues, the idea of what a park should be has had many different answers. With remarkable research and crystal-clear prose, Frank has tracked those answers through the history of one of our most beloved parks. After reading his story of conflicts and interventions, we will never again be able to say with naÏve assurance that a park is where nature is protected."—Donald Worster, author of A Passion for Nature: The Life of John Muir"It is tempting to see the preservation of a national park as a singular and heroic act. But as Frank shows us, park landscapes are not simply preserved; they are constantly made, unmade, and remade in a series of novel ecological experiments that tell us as much about our own desires as they do the needs of nature. Making Rocky Mountain National Park is an unflinching account of this complex history and essential reading for anyone interested in the future of national park preservation."—Paul S. Sutter, author of Driven Wild: How the Fight against Automobiles Launched the Modern Wilderness Movement"Here is Rocky Mountain National Park as a living example of human, animal, cultural, and environmental interaction. An excellent book and one to match the scenery—beautiful and thought-provoking."—Annie Gilbert Coleman, author of Ski Style: Sport and Culture in the Rockies"Rocky Mountain National Park deserves this thoughtful environmental history for its centennial. Frank presents an eye-opening look at the extensive human intervention that has created this ‘natural’ wonderland."—Tom Noel, Director of Public History, Preservation & Colorado Studies, University of Colorado Denver

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Book SynopsisThis book is also a work of nonfiction about all the important aspects of the mountains - their genesis by volcanic activity and the collisions of continental tectonic plates; their role in the emergence of ecological diversity; their function for the weather and climate, their susceptibility to natural catastrophes, their.

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Book Synopsis The Patagonian Sublime provides a vivid and cutting-edge investigation of the green economy and New Left politics in Argentina. Based on extensive field research in Glaciers National Park and the mountain village of El Chaltén, Marcos Mendoza deftly examines the diverse social worlds of the many actors involved in the green economy. Trade Review“The Patagonian Sublime is a groundbreaking analysis of the green economy’s contradictory logics in post-neoliberal Argentina. While Mendoza’s book is one of the most important contributions to political ecology in years, it is his vivid and nuanced portrayal of the mountaineers, trekkers, and others who work, play and risk their lives in these Alpine landscapes that will keep you reading." -- Laura Ogden * author of Swamplife: People, Gators, and Mangroves Entangled in the Everglades *“In this compelling book, Marcos Mendoza captures the ambivalent allure both of the imposing Patagonian landscape and of the ecotourism economy nurtured within it by the progressively populist Kirchners. Evocatively written and elegantly argued, The Patagonian Sublime will be of interest to scholars and students in diverse fields including anthropology, geography and political ecology as well as environmental, development and Latin American studies.” -- Robert Fletcher * author of Romancing the Wild: Cultural Dimensions of Ecotourism *"A rewarding and generous book....Its writing style captures different levels of complexity, and the book will therefore be useful for teaching on both undergraduate and graduate courses of anthropology, geography, political ecology and environmental sciences. It is also a pleasure to read if one simply wants to read a good book." * Journal of Latin American Studies *Table of ContentsContents List of Acronyms List of Spanish Terms List of Images Acknowledgements Preface Introduction Part One: The Sphere of Tourism Consumption 1 Alpine-Style Mountaineering: Resolve and Death in the Andes 2 Adventure Trekking: Pursuing the Alpine Sublime Part Two: The Sphere of Service Production 3 Comerciante Entrepreneurship: Investment Hazard and Ethical Laboring 4 Golondrina Laboring: Informality and Play Part Three: The Sphere of the Conservation State 5 Community-Based Conservation: Land Managers and State-Civil Society Collaborations 6 Conservation Policing: Education and Environmental Impacts Part Four: The Politics of the Green Economy 7 Defending Popular Sustainability in la Comuna 8 Kirchnerismo and the Politics of the Green Economy Conclusion Acknowledgments Notes Bibliography Index About the Author

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Book Synopsis The Patagonian Sublime provides a vivid and cutting-edge investigation of the green economy and New Left politics in Argentina. Based on extensive field research in Glaciers National Park and the mountain village of El Chaltén, Marcos Mendoza deftly examines the diverse social worlds of the many actors involved in the green economy. Trade Review“The Patagonian Sublime is a groundbreaking analysis of the green economy’s contradictory logics in post-neoliberal Argentina. While Mendoza’s book is one of the most important contributions to political ecology in years, it is his vivid and nuanced portrayal of the mountaineers, trekkers, and others who work, play and risk their lives in these Alpine landscapes that will keep you reading." -- Laura Ogden * author of Swamplife: People, Gators, and Mangroves Entangled in the Everglades *“In this compelling book, Marcos Mendoza captures the ambivalent allure both of the imposing Patagonian landscape and of the ecotourism economy nurtured within it by the progressively populist Kirchners. Evocatively written and elegantly argued, The Patagonian Sublime will be of interest to scholars and students in diverse fields including anthropology, geography and political ecology as well as environmental, development and Latin American studies.” -- Robert Fletcher * author of Romancing the Wild: Cultural Dimensions of Ecotourism *"A rewarding and generous book....Its writing style captures different levels of complexity, and the book will therefore be useful for teaching on both undergraduate and graduate courses of anthropology, geography, political ecology and environmental sciences. It is also a pleasure to read if one simply wants to read a good book." * Journal of Latin American Studies *“The Patagonian Sublime is a groundbreaking analysis of the green economy’s contradictory logics in post-neoliberal Argentina. While Mendoza’s book is one of the most important contributions to political ecology in years, it is his vivid and nuanced portrayal of the mountaineers, trekkers, and others who work, play and risk their lives in these Alpine landscapes that will keep you reading." -- Laura Ogden * author of Swamplife: People, Gators, and Mangroves Entangled in the Everglades *“In this compelling book, Marcos Mendoza captures the ambivalent allure both of the imposing Patagonian landscape and of the ecotourism economy nurtured within it by the progressively populist Kirchners. Evocatively written and elegantly argued, The Patagonian Sublime will be of interest to scholars and students in diverse fields including anthropology, geography and political ecology as well as environmental, development and Latin American studies.” -- Robert Fletcher * author of Romancing the Wild: Cultural Dimensions of Ecotourism *"A rewarding and generous book....Its writing style captures different levels of complexity, and the book will therefore be useful for teaching on both undergraduate and graduate courses of anthropology, geography, political ecology and environmental sciences. It is also a pleasure to read if one simply wants to read a good book." * Journal of Latin American Studies *Table of ContentsContents List of Acronyms List of Spanish Terms List of Images Acknowledgements Preface Introduction Part One: The Sphere of Tourism Consumption 1 Alpine-Style Mountaineering: Resolve and Death in the Andes 2 Adventure Trekking: Pursuing the Alpine Sublime Part Two: The Sphere of Service Production 3 Comerciante Entrepreneurship: Investment Hazard and Ethical Laboring 4 Golondrina Laboring: Informality and Play Part Three: The Sphere of the Conservation State 5 Community-Based Conservation: Land Managers and State-Civil Society Collaborations 6 Conservation Policing: Education and Environmental Impacts Part Four: The Politics of the Green Economy 7 Defending Popular Sustainability in la Comuna 8 Kirchnerismo and the Politics of the Green Economy Conclusion Acknowledgments Notes Bibliography Index About the Author

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Book SynopsisThe first in-depth ecological treatment of one of the most frequently visited National Battlefield parks in the US. Kennesaw: Natural History of a Southern Mountain provides a comprehensive exploration of the entire park punctuated with humour, colourful anecdotes, and striking photographs of the landscape.Trade ReviewAny visitor to Kennesaw Mountain, whether amateur naturalist or professional ecologist, whether military historian or geologist, whether bird watcher or botanist will want to read this book. Kennesaw melds the mosaic of southern culture and the natural habitat known as Kennesaw Mountain into a fascinating and informational story." - Whit Gibbons, coauthor of Ecoviews Too: Ecology for All SeasonsTable of Contents List of Figures Preface Chapter 1. Unfortunate Rocks Chapter 2. Ancient Forest Chapter 3. Succession (Not to Be Confused with Secession) Chapter 4. How the Forest Works Chapter 5. Plant Adaptations Chapter 6. Webster's Salamander Chapter 7. Copperheads Chapter 8. Unlikely Links in a Web of Interactions Chapter 9. Little Green Eating Machines Chapter 10. Mixed Foraging Flocks Chapter 11. Bird Migration Chapter 12. Kennesaw's Bird Magnetism Chapter 13. Invaders Epilogue: The Future of Kennesaw Mountain References Index

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Book SynopsisTHE NEW AWARD-WINNING INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER BY THE AUTHOR OF THE MOUNTAINCan be compared (with no fear of hyperbole) to Stephen King and Jo Nesbø - Massimo Vincenz, La Repubblica.D''Andrea piles on the action and the atmosphere with the panache of a seasoned writer Marcel Berlins, The Times.Marlene Wegener is on the run. She has stolen something from her husband, something priceless, irreplaceable.But she doesn''t get very far. When her car veers off a bleak midwinter road she takes refuge in the remote home of Simon Keller, a tough mountain man who lives alone with his demons. Here in her high mountain sanctuary, she begins to rekindle a sense of herself: tough, capable, no longer the trophy on a gangster''s arm.But Herr Wegener does not know how to forgive, and in his rage he makes a pact with the devil. The Trusted Man. He cannot be called off, he cannot be reasoned witTrade ReviewFull of folklore and history as well as descriptions of astonishing hardship, Sanctuary is also a study of character and what happens to people's minds when they have to find a way to make sense of intolerable circumstances . . . -- Natasha Cooper * Literary Review. *With his first book, he was compared to Stephen King and the David Lynch of Twin Peaks. Here, D'Andrea will go even further into the depths of evil -- Alessia Rastelli * Corriere della Serra. *A clever, twisty and chilling page-turner. * Choice Magazine. *This immensely enjoyable chiller/thiller is a superb follow up to last year's bestseller, The Mountain. This novel demonstrates that D'Andrea has no problem at all with 'second album syndrome', Sanctuary is a brilliant piece of storytelling. * New Books Magazine. *D'Andrea's a name to add to your Eurocrime list. -- David Hewson, author of the Nic Costa novels and The KillingD'Andrea is a real master. -- Sergio Pent * La Stampa. *Pulsatingly exciting and astonishingly grisly in equal measure. * Irish Independent. *

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsIntroduction1. Mount Rainier: Geologic History and Processes 2. The People: Footprints of Days Past 3. The Nisqually River, From Glacier to Sound 4. Historic Longmire and Surrounding Area 5. The Puyallup River: Watershed under Pressure 6. The Carbon River Area: Land of Moisture 7. The Sunrise Area: The High and Dry East SideConclusion: Messengers for the Future AcknowledgmentsAppendix A: Explore Mount Rainier Appendix B: Steward Mount Rainier Appendix C: Significant Geologic Events at Mount RainierNotes Bibliography Index About the Author

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Book SynopsisA new collection of the seminal writings of America's first naturalist and the founder of the modern conservation movement.AN EVERYMAN'S LIBRARY ORIGINAL.This volume of John Muir's selected writings chronicles the key turning points in his life and study of the American wilderness. The Story of My Boyhood and Youth is Muir's account of his childhood on a Wisconsin farm, where his interest in nature was first piqued; in The Mountains of California, The Yosemite, and Travels in Alaska, we follow him on long journeys into stunning mountain ranges and valleys, where he records native flora and fauna and finds proof of his theories of the effect of glaciers on landscape formation. These four full-length works--along with a selection of important essays--helped galvanize American naturalists, and led to the founding of the Sierra Club and several national parks. In these pages, written with meticulous thoroughness and an impassioned lyricism, we witness Muir's awakening to the incredible beauty of our planet, and the honing of an eye turned as acutely toward the scientific as the spiritual.

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Book Synopsis''John Keay is the master storyteller and historian. This grand narrative of Himalaya is as epic as the mountains and peoples he describes'' Dan Snow''Adds the human element to the hard rock. And what a rich vein it is'' Michael PalinHistory has not been kind to Himalaya. Empires have collided here, cultures have clashed. Buddhist India claimed it from the south, Islam put down roots in its western approaches, Mongols and Manchus rode in from the north, and, from the east, China continues to absorb what it prefers not to call Tibet. Hunters have decimated its wildlife and mountaineers have bagged its peaks. Today, machinery gouges minerals out of its rock.Roughly the size of Europe, the region is one of the most seismically active on the planet. Summers bring avalanches, rainfall triggers landslides and winters obliterate trails. Glaciers retreat, rivers change course and whole lakes quietly evaporate.To some, Himalaya is an otherworldly realm, profoundly life-chanTrade ReviewWonderful … In prose that feels as effortless as it is entertaining, Keay paints a fascinating picture of this magical region, covering everything from geology, glaciers, tectonic plates and botany to the spiritual and religious evolutions of humans -- C P W Gammell * Literary Review *There cannot be any current anglophone writer more knowledgeable about the region. -- Jonathan Buckley * Times Literary Supplement *Adds the human element to the hard rock. And what a rich vein it is -- Michael PalinExcellent -- Michael Dirda * The Washington Post *John Keay is the master storyteller and historian. This grand narrative of Himalaya is as epic as the mountains and peoples he describes -- Dan SnowFrom palaeontology to mysticism, from the East India Company to mountaineers, this is dazzlingly wide-ranging, brilliantly researched and elegantly told -- Ranulph FiennesThe guru of modern writers on Himalaya. Here, after a lifetime’s travel and reflection, is the story of the most important region on earth -- Michael WoodA dazzling collision of storytelling and scholarship, and the culmination of a lifetime’s research and experience, this is surely John Keay’s masterwork. He tackles the epic subject of the entire Himalayan region, through human history, and brings to it his own distinctive style – at once authoritative and colourful, stirring and droll, ambitious yet humble. A compelling portrait of a uniquely vulnerable region -- James McConnachieLet John Keay be your guide: he has decades of first-hand experience in the region, he wears his extensive learning lightly and he is a magnificent storyteller -- Chris BoningtonJohn Keay’s stunning book is meticulously researched and a gripping read. It lays out the long-standing allure of Himalaya, from the geographical and environmental to the archaeological and cultural. -- Kavita PuriA compendium of centuries of outsiders’ quests for scientific understanding of every aspect of the Himalayas — from its geology, topography and natural history to questions of anthropology and social history. No potential angle is left unexplored -- Amy Kazmin * Financial Times *The term ‘tour de force’ doesn’t do Keay's Himalaya justice. A beautiful work by one of the world’s foremost historians, the book is meticulously researched and written with Keay's particular flair. Comparable in its page-turning addiction to a fictional thriller, this will go down as a seminal work on the Himalaya. -- Kenton CoolPoetically written ... A wonderfully digressive read, with rich portraits and stories of those who made their careers and fame from Himalaya -- Maximillian Morch * Asian Review of Books *A wonderful book about an extraordinary place ... Keay's undertaking in print is as vast in its scope as the area it seeks to enclose between the covers of this single, handsomely illustrated volume ... Truly a place of wonder, wonderfully caught -- Peter Stanford * Church Times *A book that is meant to be savoured, not to be conquered. Enjoy the ride -- Mandira Nayar * The Week, India *The appropriate crown for John Keay’s writing on Asia. His study of the Himalaya marks the grand finale to his prodigious twin histories of India and China. Roll over Edward Gibbon. The powerful reimagining of the Himalaya from the structural perspective adds to the mountaineering and mythological lore, while the magisterial style is lightened by marvellous one liners… One of the best and easily the most informed books on the Himalaya -- Bill Aitken, author of Seven Sacred Rivers

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Book Synopsis''John Keay is the master storyteller and historian. This grand narrative of Himalaya is as epic as the mountains and peoples he describes'' Dan Snow''Adds the human element to the hard rock. And what a rich vein it is'' Michael PalinHistory has not been kind to Himalaya. Empires have collided here, cultures have clashed. Buddhist India claimed it from the south, Islam put down roots in its western approaches, Mongols and Manchus rode in from the north, and, from the east, China continues to absorb what it prefers not to call Tibet. Hunters have decimated its wildlife and mountaineers have bagged its peaks. Today, machinery gouges minerals out of its rock.Roughly the size of Europe, the region is one of the most seismically active on the planet. Summers bring avalanches, rainfall triggers landslides and winters obliterate trails. Glaciers retreat, rivers change course and whole lakes quietly evaporate.To some, Himalaya is an otherworldly realm, profoundly life-chanTrade ReviewWonderful … In prose that feels as effortless as it is entertaining, Keay paints a fascinating picture of this magical region, covering everything from geology, glaciers, tectonic plates and botany to the spiritual and religious evolutions of humans -- C P W Gammell * Literary Review *There cannot be any current anglophone writer more knowledgeable about the region. -- Jonathan Buckley * Times Literary Supplement *Adds the human element to the hard rock. And what a rich vein it is -- Michael PalinExcellent -- Michael Dirda * The Washington Post *John Keay is the master storyteller and historian. This grand narrative of Himalaya is as epic as the mountains and peoples he describes -- Dan SnowFrom palaeontology to mysticism, from the East India Company to mountaineers, this is dazzlingly wide-ranging, brilliantly researched and elegantly told -- Ranulph FiennesThe guru of modern writers on Himalaya. Here, after a lifetime’s travel and reflection, is the story of the most important region on earth -- Michael WoodA dazzling collision of storytelling and scholarship, and the culmination of a lifetime’s research and experience, this is surely John Keay’s masterwork. He tackles the epic subject of the entire Himalayan region, through human history, and brings to it his own distinctive style – at once authoritative and colourful, stirring and droll, ambitious yet humble. A compelling portrait of a uniquely vulnerable region -- James McConnachieLet John Keay be your guide: he has decades of first-hand experience in the region, he wears his extensive learning lightly and he is a magnificent storyteller -- Chris BoningtonJohn Keay’s stunning book is meticulously researched and a gripping read. It lays out the long-standing allure of Himalaya, from the geographical and environmental to the archaeological and cultural. -- Kavita PuriA compendium of centuries of outsiders’ quests for scientific understanding of every aspect of the Himalayas — from its geology, topography and natural history to questions of anthropology and social history. No potential angle is left unexplored -- Amy Kazmin * Financial Times *The term ‘tour de force’ doesn’t do Keay's Himalaya justice. A beautiful work by one of the world’s foremost historians, the book is meticulously researched and written with Keay's particular flair. Comparable in its page-turning addiction to a fictional thriller, this will go down as a seminal work on the Himalaya. -- Kenton CoolPoetically written ... A wonderfully digressive read, with rich portraits and stories of those who made their careers and fame from Himalaya -- Maximillian Morch * Asian Review of Books *A wonderful book about an extraordinary place ... Keay's undertaking in print is as vast in its scope as the area it seeks to enclose between the covers of this single, handsomely illustrated volume ... Truly a place of wonder, wonderfully caught -- Peter Stanford * Church Times *A book that is meant to be savoured, not to be conquered. Enjoy the ride -- Mandira Nayar * The Week, India *The appropriate crown for John Keay’s writing on Asia. His study of the Himalaya marks the grand finale to his prodigious twin histories of India and China. Roll over Edward Gibbon. The powerful reimagining of the Himalaya from the structural perspective adds to the mountaineering and mythological lore, while the magisterial style is lightened by marvellous one liners… One of the best and easily the most informed books on the Himalaya -- Bill Aitken, author of Seven Sacred Rivers

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Book SynopsisLeo Houlding started climbing at ten years of age in the Lake District and was the youngest person (and first Briton) to free climb El Capitan in Yosemite National Park in the United States at eighteen years, which cemented his reputation. He has since gone on to summit the world''s toughest peaks and explore the most extreme places on our planet. During such explorations he has had to deal with tragedy when close friends and colleagues have been killed or badly injured, and he will discuss how you deal with such loss and carry on. Honest, raw and exhilarating, Closer to the Edge will be a ''warts-and-all'' insight into the extreme life of one of Britain''s best mountaineer adventurers. What drives him? How does he assess risk and judge what level he''ll take himself to be successful, and how does he balance this with teaching his own children the lessons he has learnt in some of the world''s most dangerous and extreme places.Trade ReviewLeo is an amazing climber and adventurer who's been pushing the limits for as long as I can remember. He's done some of the wildest climbs on earth. -- Alex Honnold

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Book SynopsisHans Florine embodies the genius of andcollaborative and competitive, fast and safe, audacious and disciplined, visionary and quantitative. The themes that run through Florine''s 101 ascents of Yosemite''s most iconic route can benefit people who will never climb a rock, indeed anyone inspired by the idea of a passionate, lifelong quest of any type. Jim Collins, author of Good to GreatHans Florine is a big-wall climbing legend in his own time. He holds the speed record on the Nose route of El Capitan, a 3,000-foot granite cliff in Yosemite Valley that's considered the Everest of the rock-climbing world. Ascending the Nose takes most climbers anywhere from 12 to 96 hours. Florine, along with climbing partner Alex Honnold, does it in an astounding 2.5 hours.But Florine's story is not one of super-human athletic prowess; it's one of persistence and dogged determination. In 30 years of climbing, he''s ascended the Nose a mind-blowing, death-defying 100 times, more tTrade ReviewHans Florine embodies the genius of "and"—collaborative and competitive, fast and safe, audacious and disciplined, visionary and quantitative. The themes that run through Florine's 101 ascents of Yosemite's most iconic route can benefit people who will never climb a rock, indeed anyone inspired by the idea of a passionate, lifelong quest of any type. -- Jim Collins, author of Good to Great

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Book SynopsisIn The Carpathians, Patrice M. Dabrowski narrates how three highland ranges of the mountain system found in present-day Poland, Slovakia, and Ukraine were discovered for a broader regional public. This is a story of how the Tatras, Eastern Carpathians, and Bieszczady Mountains went from being terra incognita to becoming the popular tourist destinations they are today. It is a story of the encounter of Polish and Ukrainian lowlanders with the wild, sublime highlands and with the indigenous highlandersGórale, Hutsuls, Boikos, and Lemkosand how these peoples were incorporated into a national narrative as the territories were transformed into a native/national landscape.The set of microhistories in this book occur from about 1860 to 1980, a time in which nations and states concerned themselves with the frontier at the edge. Discoverers not only became enthralled with what were perceived as their own highlands but also availed themselves of the mountainTrade ReviewThe Carpathians is, in many ways, a pioneering effort, one that will hopefully put the Carpathians back on historians' mental maps and pave the way for further studies. * History:Reviews of New Books *Dabrowski is admirably open-minded and even-handed in explaining the perspectives of different actors and the visions of the highlands that they articulated. While engaging in ongoing, nuanced exploration of the relationship between the local and the national, she is attentive to those, such as the Jewish residents of the region, who could never quite speak on behalf of either local society or the nation but nonetheless played significant roles in the mutual constitution of both * H-net Poland *Patrice M. Dabrowski has written an excellent book on a topic that has been long neglected. With the publication of The Carpathians, this major mountain range is finally beginning to catch up with the Alps and the Pyrenees as another kind of borderland that offers scholars a unique perspective on the development of modern national identities and everyday life. * Slavic Review *Table of ContentsIntroduction Part I: The Tatra Mountains of Galicia 1. Where Freedom Awaits 2. On the Mountain Pass 3. Transforming the Tatras 4. Turn-of-the-Century Innovations Part II: The Eastern Carpathians of Galicia and the Second Polish Republic 5. The Hutsul Region and the Hand of Civilization 6. The Advent of the Railway 7. A New Alpine Club 8. A Poland of Regions Part III: The Bieszczady Mountains of the Polish People's Republic 9. A Novel Wilderness 10. Tourism for the Masses 11. Battling for the Soul of the Bieszczady 12. Power, Ecology, and the Public Sphere Conclusion

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Book SynopsisStretching 1,200 kilometres across six countries, the colossal mountains of the Alps dominate Europe, geographically and historically. Enlightenment thinkers felt the sublime and magisterial peaks were the very embodiment of nature, Romantic poets looked to them for divine inspiration, and Victorian explorers tested their ingenuity and courage against them. Located at the crossroads between powerful states, the Alps have played a crucial role in the formation of European history, a place of intense cultural fusion as well as fierce conflict between warring nations. A diverse range of flora and fauna have made themselves at home in this harsh environment, which today welcomes over 100 million tourists a year. Leading Alpine scholar Jon Mathieu tells the story of the people who have lived in and been inspired by these mountains and valleys, from the ancient peasants of the Neolithic to the cyclists of the Tour de France. Far from being a remote and backward corner of Europe, the Alps are shown by Mathieu to have been a crucible of new ideas and technologies at the heart of the European story.Trade Review‘In the realm of Alpine history, Jon Mathieu is the leading voice – he knows the mountains as Braudel knew the sea. This compact but comprehensive overview of one of the world’s most famous mountain regions stands out for its sophistication, clarity and wry humour.’Donald Worster, author of A Passion for Nature: The Life of John Muir​ ‘If I could recommend only one book about the Alps, it would be this one! Jon Mathieu’s book crosses national borders and historic periods with the greatest of ease. It introduces us to cultural and ecological challenges. And – most importantly – it is a great and enjoyable read. A book full of surprises and insights and wonderful illustrations.’Christof Mauch, Director, Rachel Carson Center for Environment and Society, LMU Munich ‘An engaging, rigorous overview of Alpine history from earliest times to the present. This book represents in some ways the culmination of a life’s work by Mathieu, and offers the most up-to-date account of Alpine history possible, while being at the same time accessible and enjoyable to read.’Tait Keller, Rhodes College ‘Mathieu is a leading authority on the history and culture of the Alps, and it shows.’Stewart A. Weaver, University of Rochester “Mathieu addresses the deep connection between humans and nature in the cultural landscape of the European Alps, ranging from the Mediterranean coast to Slovenia… The Alps is an indispensable book in any Alpine connoisseur’s collection.” Prof. Jörg Balsiger, University of Geneva “Mathieu’s episodic but informative narrative tacks back and forth, from the arrival of hunter-gatherers millennia ago through milestones such as the first recorded ascent of Mont Blanc, in 1786, and wolves’ resurgence in the twentieth century.”NatureTable of Contents Preface Writing a History of the Alps Personal Note and Acknowledgements List of Maps and Figures Timeline 1. The Alps in European History 2. Modern Scholars on the Alps 3. In the Beginning was Hannibal 4. Coping with Life – High and Low 5. Paths to the Nation State 6. Religious Culture, Early Science 7. The Perception of the Alps 8. Which Modernity? 9. Europeanisation and Environmentalism 10. Conclusion Notes References Index

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