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A Life on the Edge

Memoirs of Everest and Beyond

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A Life on the Edge

By: Jim Whittaker
Narrated by: Traber Burns
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About this listen

In May of 1963, Seattle mountaineer Jim Whittaker stepped into world history by becoming the first American to summit Mount Everest. More than 50 years later, he is still regarded as a seminal figure in North American mountaineering, as well as an astute businessman who helped create the outdoor recreation industry.

A Life on the Edge: Memoirs of Everest and Beyond is Jim's courageous, no-punches-pulled autobiography and a look at a peripatetic, sometimes difficult life. Beyond the glory of the Everest summit and his other extraordinary climbing feats, including the first American summit of K2, he openly describes his personal "everyman" experience of social upheaval in the 1960s and '70s, an early divorce, family strife, a passionate new love later in life, near-bankruptcy, and business triumphs and losses. Jim tells it all with verve and honesty and, true to his nature, turns every setback into the stage for new adventure.

This special 50th anniversary edition celebrates the story of Jim's life and features a new foreword by Ed Viesturs, as well as a new final chapter that brings listeners up to date, including details of Jim's trek to Everest Base Camp in 2012 and his son Leif's recent successful summits of Everest.

©1999, 2013 Jim Whittaker (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Adventurers, Explorers & Survival Climbing & Mountaineering Outdoors & Nature Adventure Sports Memoir Extreme Sports

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All stars
Most relevant
A wonderfully written account that held me captivated from start to finish.

I am a huge fan of all things Everest and this provides a different perspective for the armchair climber.

Fascinating

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Interesting and thought provoking. Very different from usual mountaineering interest. Identifies life values and aims in a great way.

Chance read

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This book tells a story of a man who overcomes real hardships but the way how he is talking about them is amazing as all sounds effortless, easy and interesting. Wonderful book for those, who love mountains but also for those who wantto learn about an exceptional life.

Never give up

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Fantastic listen which focuses enough on the climbing whilst also getting personal and truthful to heartbreak and triumph

Inspiring

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I don't know very much about mountaineering but it's been amazing listening to the story of this man's life. I was blown away by the amount of time it takes to get to base camp and then onto the summit.

A really interesting and inspiring book

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