London, 1955, 1st UK edition. 224 pp, 22 ill. Hillary's principal book on his Everest climb. Includes description of the 1951 Reconnaissance expedition, the Cho Oyu attempt, and his Everest success. This is his first book. Hardcover, chipped DJ, Near Fine.
This is Ed Hillary’s first book. It is a record of his climbing experiences through the first ascent of Mount Everest where Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reached the summit. This is a good book. Hillary’s excitement, energy, and drive for mountaineering are apparent here. The passages relating his first encounter, and then climbs, with Eric Shipton are delightful. Also, his high esteem for George Lowe, Tenzing, and John Hunt is apparent. The book includes Hillary's adventures in the Nepal Himalaya prior to the 1953 Everest expedition: Sola Khumbu reconnaissance with Shipton and Ang Tharkay, Cho Oyu and crossing the Nup La.
