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Title: Left for Dead : My Journey Home from Everest by Beck Weathers ISBN: 0-440-23708-4 Publisher: Dell Pub. Date: 06 November, 2001 Format: Mass Market Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $7.50 |
Average Customer Rating: 2.84 (68 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Excellent Read!
Comment: I was fortunate enough to hear Beck Weathers speak at our national convention (Medical Library Association) in Dallas last month. The story he tells his extremely compelling. When he tells the details of the climb and rescue, he does not mention the more personal anguish of depression and the derailment of his homelife. This is very integral to the major event of the climb, so I was glad to have the opportunity to get to know Beck Weathers through this book in addition to his personal tale of the struggle of life and death on Everest. I know that many reviewers thought this was extraneous, but it's not! And that's the whole point. To understand the psyche of this man who was overpowered with the idea of climbing the "Seven Summits", one cannot ignore the personal drive and journey that Beck Weathers took, virtually "solo" with the concomitant neglect of his wife and children. While this might seem very egregious and selfish, it appears that the author was so driven by depression and the need for concrete achievement, that he was almost unaware of the impact of the toll that this path would finally take. It's interesting that his children were always forgiving; the greater impact was on his wife who, although very angry (and justifiably so), never waivered (at least on the unconscious level) in her faithfulness and love towards him. The most poignant part of the book deals with Beck's relationship with his dying brother-in-law. Peach (Beck's wife's) brother is the role model for Beck's children. He was always there when Beck wasn't. The irony is that Beck is there for him at his time of need - out of genuine love and insight into what this man did for his family - and also as a means to demonstrate to Peach that he indeed loves her and this is one way to genuinely show it.
The mountain cost him plenty. He will never "undo" what he did to his family. But he does have a second chance to engage in a life where he knows the true value of his family. How many people get to realize this even once in their lifetime!
Bravo for bringing all the pieces of the puzzle together in this book. If you ever have a chance to hear Beck Weathers speak, don't miss it! During his speech, he mentions how against all odds, he made it back to camp after being left for dead, and told the audience that everyone has the "metal" to go on and do what he did. I went up to him afterwards and told him that "no, not everyone has that ability". It's sometimes easier to give up than to go on. And this is what makes this true story so very powerful. Hats off to Peach, too, and their two terrific children.
Rating: 2
Summary: Not much of an Everest book
Comment: I read this book and was severely disappointed in the story. I've read a lot of the accounts from the 1996 tragedy and Beck Weathers story was particularly fascinating. I truly expected someone who came back to life to really have something good to say, lessons learned, but that was not what I got out of the book. He does not seem contrite that he left his family alone most of the time for years for his climbing pursuits, comes back half dead needing them desperately. The book makes me think he'd do it over again and did not learn much from his ordeal. His wife seems extremely bitter (probably not unjustified).
Rating: 2
Summary: High Expectations, Low Returns
Comment: The subtitle is "My Journey Home From Everest" which should actually be the title. By page 99 out of page 340, Mr. Weathers is out of the mountains trying to cope with being back in civilization after going through lleh.
I didn't read the subtitle when I was buying the book and was expecting most of the book to be about his time on Everest. Unfortunately it wasn't to be. By page 160 when he is battling with his psychological demons, a problematic family life, etc., it was time for me to put the book down and move on to other books. While he was successful with most of his battles and no doubt is inspiring, he uses his Mount Everest experience to springboard into his personal spiritual battle.
If you want to read this book, read it as a spiritual conquest by someone who happens to climb mountains.
Do not read this book as a mountaineering book.
I have listened to a speech that Mr. Weathers gave to the American Bar Association and think the world of him and what he went through on the mountain. Unfortunately I think very little of his book here. :-(
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Title: The Climb: Tragic Ambitions on Everest by Anatoli Boukreev, G. Weston DeWalt ISBN: 0312965338 Publisher: St. Martin's Press Pub. Date: 15 July, 1998 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: High Exposure: An Enduring Passion for Everest and Unforgiving Places by David Breashears ISBN: 0684865459 Publisher: Touchstone Books Pub. Date: 17 May, 2000 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
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Title:Everest (Large Format) ASIN: B00001U0E2 Publisher: Miramax Home Entertainment Pub. Date: 03 June, 2003 List Price(USD): $19.99 Comparison N/A, buy it from Amazon for $16.39 |
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Title: Into Thin Air : A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster by JON KRAKAUER ISBN: 0385494785 Publisher: Anchor Pub. Date: 19 October, 1999 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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Title: Eiger Dreams : Ventures Among Men and Mountains by Jon Krakauer ISBN: 0385488181 Publisher: Anchor Pub. Date: 19 May, 1997 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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