The Lonely Victory: Mt. Everest '78

Rating:
Summary: A well-written captivating first oxygenless Everest summit
Review: This is supposed to be a first person account of the first oxygenless ascent of Mt.Everest by one of the two protagonists. However, it is much more as Habeler is a wonderful storyteller. The style is fluid, the anecdotes about his practice runs in the Himalaya with Messner really funny. Habeler is fascinating because he's always precise, captures well the dangers and difficulties of the very high. As the author reveals the success of the expedition from the start, one understands that the suspense doesn't lie in the final outcome, but in the stages, and the action doesn't fail to rebound. One reads the book as a classic thriller, with a good dose of humor, and humanity. This book is an absolute must-read for anyone fascinated by the Everest and Himalayan mystique. It is a wonderful addition to those of you, that maybe like me felt for more after "Into Thin Air" or Hillary's autobiography.