Winner of the Boardman Tasker Prize for Mountaineering Literature
UK, 2006, [1985], 2nd edition. 347 pp, b/w illustrations. Softcover. Fine.
Biography of a leading British climber of the 1930's, who was an extraordinary character in many respects. Jim Perrin explores the life of a tragic hero from the early days of British Climbing. Menlove was an inspired climber, and Perrin lovingly explores his life from birth to tragically early death. The writing style is highly literary, with frequent analysis of Menlove's writings used to illustrate his intellectual development and eventual self defeat. Fascinating and touching. With an appendix of his writings.