Seven Summits

Rating:
Summary: The synopsis of an amazing mountaineering feat!
Review: A very good book detailing the high adventures of two men bonded by a common goal. I hope I'm still climbing mountains when I'm Dick Bass' age (in the book). It took an increbible amount of energy, time and courage to make it all happen. The book is 336 pages long and contains some good photographs from their adventures. If you enjoy reading about the exploits of adventurers, you should also read TJ Burr's "Rocky Mountain Adventure Collection," which is also available through Amazon.com. Anyway, thumbs up for "Seven Summits."

Rating:
Summary: True heroes but lousy author
Review: After reading "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer, I was eager to read more about the experience of climbing the tallest mountains. While I admire Frank and Dick's success, particulary considering their age, I couldn't help get the impression that this book was one long accolade to the men rather than the accomplishment. It felt like two very ego-driven, very successful men had manipulated a two-bit author into writing about how wonderful they were. I never once got the sense of loneliness and fear of being above 26,000 feet (the "Death Zone") that Krakauer wrote about so well.

Rating:
Summary: True heroes but lousy author
Review: After reading "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer, I was eager to read more about the people who climb the tallest mountains. While I admire Frank and Dick's success, particulary considering their age, I couldn't help get the impression that this book was one long accolade to the men rather than the accomplishment. It felt like two very ego-driven, very successful men had manipulated a two-bit author into writing about how wonderful they were. I never once got the sense of loneliness and fear of being above 26,000 feet (the "Death Zone") that Krakauer wrote about so well.

Rating:
Summary: A must read that captures the true human spirit
Review: Anyone interested in pushing their mental and physical performance should read this book. Ridgeway does a super job in making us feel like we've know Dick and Frank for years. The evolvement of Frank from a clumsy executive to a true mountaineer is incredible. Even more incredible is the spirit and determination of Dick Bass. These are two men who's inspiration will guide me through all of the difficult summits in my life.

Rating:
Summary: What an adventure
Review: As I read this book, I was struck by the thought that perhaps Frank and Dick had no business going to these mountains to try to climb them. But as I read on, I was caught up in Dick's attitude, willpower and energy. It then struck me just how much he DID deserve to be there, if for no other reason than to support the idea that a dedicated amateur with a true climber's spirit (if not skill) should always have a place on an expedition. I'm sure that there are professional climbers who disagree, but some (like Marty Hoey and Rick Ridgeway) seemed to have felt he belonged. What is also entertaining is that in the years following Dick's achievement, "true" climbers have tried some revisionist history by claiming that some other Pacific Rim peak is the true seventh summit, even though it is in Asia, NOT in Australia (which, if my atlas is correct, is still actually a separate continent). I say give Dick the credit he is due. I know that I would love to meet him, if only to high five him and pat him on the back.

Rating:
Summary: Dick Bass and Frank Wells are Unreal
Review: Dick Bass and Frank Wells are truly inspirational whether you climb or not. The descriptions of climbing each mountain are so real as to frighten and move the reader. I think it may be as good if not better than Jon Krakauer's recently published Into Thin Air. A must read!

Rating:
Summary: Writing is weak, but the story is a good one
Review: easy reading

Rating:
Summary: Two Determined Guys
Review: Frank Wells and Dick Bass had a dream of summiting the highest peak in each of the seven continents. The good news was they were rich and very determined. The bad news was they were middle-aged and novice climbers.

The seven summits vary in difficulty. Australia's Koscuisko is only 7,310 feet and families regularly hike to the top. Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa is not a dangerous challenge. But there is also Mt. McKinley, known for its vicious storms; Mt. Vinson in Antarctica, mind-numbingly cold and a logistical nightmare, and then the one Dick Bass christened "The Big Mother," Mt. Everest.

This is their story, and it is inspiring. Before it is over, you feel as if Dick Bass is one of your best friends. He combines high good humor, tenacity and perseverance. The man is a modern miracle. Frank Wells is a more reserved, executive type, an excellent organizer with will power to spare.

Rick Ridgeway, a writer and world-class climber, tells the story. The pace is good while they are on the mountains, and the book has excellent descriptive sections on the difficulties of the ascents. Unfortunately, Mr. Ridgeway does not have an ear for dialogue. Direct conversations have all the informality of a voice mail menu. There are unbelievable frustrations and red tape when preparing and mounting an expedition. I could have done with fewer blow-by-blow accountings of each and every hurdle that had to be overcome before the expedition could take place. This was especially true of Everest and Mt. Vinson. The last chapter is the successful summiting of Mt. Everest by only one of the pair. It is beautifully written and very satisfying. "Seven Summits" is a motivating read.

Rating:
Summary: Two Determined Guys
Review: Frank Wells and Dick Bass had a dream of summiting the highest peak in each of the seven continents. The good news was they were rich and very determined. The bad news was they were middle-aged and novice climbers.

The seven summits vary in difficulty. Australia's Koscuisko is only 7,310 feet and families regularly hike to the top. Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa is not a dangerous challenge. But there is also Mt. McKinley, known for its vicious storms; Mt. Vinson in Antarctica, mind-numbingly cold and a logistical nightmare, and then the one Dick Bass christened "The Big Mother," Mt. Everest.

This is their story, and it is inspiring. Before it is over, you feel as if Dick Bass is one of your best friends. He combines high good humor, tenacity and perseverance. The man is a modern miracle. Frank Wells is a more reserved, executive type, an excellent organizer with will power to spare.

Rick Ridgeway, a writer and world-class climber, tells the story. The pace is good while they are on the mountains, and the book has excellent descriptive sections on the difficulties of the ascents. Unfortunately, Mr. Ridgeway does not have an ear for dialogue. Direct conversations have all the informality of a voice mail menu. There are unbelievable frustrations and red tape when preparing and mounting an expedition. I could have done with fewer blow-by-blow accountings of each and every hurdle that had to be overcome before the expedition could take place. This was especially true of Everest and Mt. Vinson. The last chapter is the successful summiting of Mt. Everest by only one of the pair. It is beautifully written and very satisfying. "Seven Summits" is a motivating read.

Rating:
Summary: Adventures on Mountaintops with Money to Burn
Review: Frank Wells, the Walt Disney exec, and Dick Bass, a top entrepreneur set out to climb the continent's seven highest summits in a logistical challenge of peak bagging. The writing doesn't really capture the magic of the mountains and envelop you in the high altitude mystique.

The book does have it's moments, like the challenging endurance journey of climbing Aconcagua, and the suspense of if they even climbed the right summit for Mt Vinson in Antarctica. Since it is a book about climbing mountains, it's a worthwhile read, but there are far better mountain climbing books out there..."Into Thin Air" by Krakauer...anything by Heinrich Harrer. Frank Wells died shortly after the book came out from a helicopter accident while heli-skiing. The movie "The Lion King" is a far better and moving tribute to a great man than this book. Skip this book and resist the urge to climb mountains above your head for the sake of peak bagging and go out and get "Into Thin Air" and be caught up in the altitude.