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The Moth and the Mountain

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The Moth and the Mountain

By: Ed Caesar
Narrated by: Kris Dyer
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'One of the best books ever written about the early attempts to conquer Everest. A fine, fine slice of history by a truly special writer who proves time and time again that he is among the best of his generation' Dan Jones, author of The Plantagenets

The untold story of Britain's most mysterious mountaineering legend - Maurice Wilson - and his heroic attempt to climb Everest alone.

In the 1930s, as official government expeditions set their sights on conquering Everest, a little-known World War I veteran named Maurice Wilson conceived his own crazy, beautiful plan: he would fly a Gipsy Moth aeroplane from England to Everest, crash land on its lower slopes, then become the first person to reach its summit - all utterly alone.

Wilson didn't know how to climb. He barely knew how to fly. But he had pluck, daring and a vision - he wanted to be the first man to stand on top of the world. Traumatised by his wartime experiences and leaving behind a trail of broken hearts, Wilson believed that Everest could redeem him.

This is the tale of an adventurer unlike any you have ever encountered: an unforgettable story about the power of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Maurice Wilson is a man written out of the history books - dismissed as an eccentric and a charlatan by many, but held in the highest regard by renowned mountaineers such as Reinhold Messner. The Moth and the Mountain restores him to his rightful place in the annals of Everest and in doing so attempts to answer that eternal question - why do we climb mountains? Adventure Travel Adventurers, Explorers & Survival Climbing & Mountaineering Historical Outdoors & Nature Sports Adventure Heartfelt Extreme Sports
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The tale of a 'plucky' man, an individual free thinking man that just wouldn't quit.

Loved it..

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Enjoyed this story immensely. Not enough is written about the personal impact WW1 had on individuals. We see the memorials and cenotaphs across the land which is dedicated to the fallen, but of those that returned injured and, or, mentally scarred, what of them? Appreciate this isn't the principle thrust behind the story, however the author covered these areas well, in addition to the main storyline itself. Recommended.

A potential movie on the cards?

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an epic tail, well worth a listen. history and adventure and more than a little dreaming.

they don't make them like that anymore!!

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This is a great story, away from the well known Everest adventures that are frequently written about.
The man is an enigma, and yet at times his voice comes through loud and clear through Ed Caesar’s skilled writing.
I thought the narrator was a bit stiff to start with, but he came to life most when he was bringing Maurice Wilson’s Yorkshire accent into play.
I was very moved by this story, and glad that it has been told.

Untold story

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The story is amazing. You go from feeling sorry for Morris, to not liking him and thinking hes a pompous git, to marvelling at his determination and sheer audacity. The friendships he formed especially with his sherpas (or bootiers I think) speak of quite charming and 'plucky' gentleman who seems to have been left wanting most of his life

Great listening

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