Chessler Books
Rock Climbing - Mountaineering - Exploration
New - Used - Collectible - Signed
Chessler Books Accepts PAYPAL Chessler Books Accepts VISA Chessler Books Accepts MASTERCARD Chessler Books Accepts DISCOVER CARD Chessler Books Accepts AMERICAN EXPRESS
All Orders Shipped via United States Postal Service   Chessler Books Ships Via USPS
Author:
Title:
Keyword:
Item #:
A B C D E F G H I
J K L M Mc N O P Q
R S T U V W X Y Z
Item #: BK1280-8817
TRUE SUMMIT: WHAT REALLY HAPPENED ON THE ASCENT OF ANNAPURNA David Roberts 2000 1st ed Hardcover DJ Near Fine-Fine Multiple Copies Available
By Roberts, David
Price: $9.95

List Price: $54.00
You Save $44.05 (82%)



Add to wish list


Detailed Product Description

New York, 2000, 1st edition. 239 pp, photos. Hardcover with dust jacket. Near Fine to Fine.

We all know the story of the first ascent of Annapurna... or do we? The conflicts of the team, the sacrifices of the unsung heroes: Terray, Lachenal and Rebuffat, finally have their true story told.

The first conquest ever made of an 8,000-meter peak occurred in June 1950, when a French team reached the summit of Annapurna in the Himalaya. The achievement was a source of great pride in postwar France, and the expedition leader, Maurice Herzog, became a national hero. His account of the expedition, Annapurna, remains to this day the best-selling mountaineering book ever. But there is more to this story than Herzog's book reveals.

Annapurna is one man's version of a triumph that came at a tragic cost, as Herzog lost all his fingers and toes to frostbite, his partner Louis Lachenal all his toes. The book describes a valiant effort by a unified, self-sacrificing team. The reality, however, was otherwise. The expedition was torn by dissent. The honors heaped on Herzog were not shared by the other climbers, some of whom deserved them as much as their leader. In truth, the triumph of the expedition was all the more remarkable, and the story of what really happened is far richer than Annapurna suggests.

In place of Maurice Herzog's idealized version of the conquest, David Roberts offers in True Summit the real story of the Annapurna expedition. Drawing on original manuscripts and letters, some of them unpublished, as well as books recently published in France, he gives the three superb climbers who accompanied Herzog -- Lachenal, Lionel Terray, and Gaston Rébuffat -- long overdue recognition for their achievement. At the same time, he has interviewed Herzog, the lone survivor among the climbers, and puts his account of the climb in proper perspective.

Annapurna fired the imaginations of millions of readers, including thousands of young climbers, the author among them. Roberts writes about the effect that the book had on him and other climbers he knew. He explains why it has taken nearly fifty years for the full story of this famous expedition to emerge and how the revelations will change forever the way we think about this victory in the mountains and the climbers who achieved it. The climax of Maurice Herzog's mountaineering classic, Annapurna, is at the moment of descent, when Herzog and Louis Lachenal tumble from the 26,493-foot frozen summit. Herzog loses his gloves and the two barely reach camp with dead hands and feet.

This is also the point where Herzog's tale falls apart, writes David Roberts, and it has taken nearly 50 years to uncover the real story behind the nationalist-tinged French expedition in 1950. Roberts, himself a climber of some accomplishment who admits to worshipping the heroics of the Annapurna team as a youth, traveled around the world interviewing friends and family of the team members (all deceased, save for Herzog), and chasing down original manuscripts and diaries of the three team members to get the story straight. His findings do not reveal the fearless, selfless leader Herzog painted himself to be in his famous book and subsequent writings.

Roberts reconstructs the trip to Annapurna beginning on the Heathrow runway: as the widowed Francoise Rebuffat recalls, Herzog required his highly experienced teammates--Louis Lachenal, Lionel Terray, and Gaston Rebuffat--to sign a contract that granted him full leadership of the expedition, along with rights to publish any and all accounts of the trip for five years following their return. Conflicting stories to Herzog's 'official' account begin from that moment. Herzog writes of his team's indefatigable support and loyalty to their leader, but in reality discord nearly crippled the success of the climb. In order to preserve the reputation he built for himself in Annapurna, Herzog, throughout his life, censored any account of the trip authored by the other team members, even 'editing' Lachenal's posthumously published climbing memoir, Carnets de Vertige.

While the dissection of Herzog's ego here is expected, Roberts discovers that none of his heroes are what he thought they were. 'More rounded,' he surmises, and ultimately better for it. Equal parts memoir, climbing lore, investigative journalism, and biography, Roberts provides the missing dimensions of the climb and the three extraordinary climber's lives--Lachenal, Terray, and Rebuffat--that Herzog so tirelessly strove to conceal.

David Roberts continues to write award-winning books and articles that are published worldwide. He made several pioneering, significent first ascents in Alaska including the Wickersham Wall on Mt McKinley, Kachatna Spire, East Face of Mt Dickey, etc. He co-authored with Bradford Washburn the magnificent book, Mount McKinley, The Conquest of Denali and is in 2006 ghost writing Ed Viesturs story of his 8000 meter climbs.


Other Items You Might Like

  • Similar Items Available
  • Items From This Author
  • Items From This Category
ALPINE JOURNAL 100s OF INDIVIDUAL ISSUES LISTED HERE! PAPERBACK, WRAPPERS or HARDCOVER ISSUES 1863-1986
By: Alpine Club UK
Price $10.00
- Item # JR207B
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
SUMMIT MAGAZINE BACK ISSUES 1960-1969 See This List
By: Summit Magazine
Price $10.00
- Item # JR154J-893
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
MAZAMA BULLETIN Individual Back Issues 1905 - 1975 New issues recently added
By: Mazama Bulletin
Price $5.00
- Item # JR225-127
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
ESCAPE FROM LUCANIA David Roberts 2002 1st US ed Hardcover DJ Fine Multiple Copies Available [Not Signed]
By: Roberts, David
Price $9.99 ~ Regular $23.00, You Save $13.01 (57%)
- Item # BK1854-95738
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
ESCAPE FROM LUCANIA 2002 1st US ed Hardcover DJ Fine INSCRIBED by David Roberts
By: Roberts, David
Price $35.00 ~ Regular $159.95, You Save $124.95 (78%)
- Item # BK1854F-881
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
ON THE RIDGE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH: A CLIMBING LIFE REEXAMINED David Roberts 2005 1st ed Hardcover DJ Fine 2 Copies Available [Not Signed]
By: Roberts, David
Price $4.99 ~ Regular $26.00, You Save $21.01 (81%)
- Item # BK2036A-9572
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
SUMMIT MAGAZINE BACK ISSUES 1959; See List
By: Summit Magazine
Price $15.00
- Item # JR154F-936
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
MOMENTS OF DOUBT, AND OTHER MOUNTAINEERING WRITINGS 1st ed Hardcover DJ Fine INSCRIBED by David Roberts 2 Copies Available
By: Roberts, David
Price $45.00 ~ Regular $159.95, You Save $114.95 (72%)
- Item # BK1276A-1582
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
CLIMBER and CLIMBER AND RAMBLER MAGAZINE UK (Not a set) $5 per issue As available
By: Climber and Rambler Magazine
Price $5.00
- Item # JR251-121
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
POINTS UNKNOWN: A CENTURY OF GREAT EXPLORATION 2000 1st ed Hardcover DJ Fine SIGNED by David Roberts
By: Roberts, David
Price $95.00 ~ Regular $160.00, You Save $65.00 (41%)
- Item # PL1277-883
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
ESCAPE FROM LUCANIA David Roberts 2002 1st US ed Hardcover DJ Fine Multiple Copies Available [Not Signed]
By: Roberts, David
Price $9.99 ~ Regular $23.00, You Save $13.01 (57%)
- Item # BK1854-95738
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
ON THE RIDGE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH: A CLIMBING LIFE REEXAMINED David Roberts 2005 1st ed Hardcover DJ Fine 2 Copies Available [Not Signed]
By: Roberts, David
Price $4.99 ~ Regular $26.00, You Save $21.01 (81%)
- Item # BK2036A-9572
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
ESCAPE ROUTES: FURTHER ADVENTURE WRITINGS David Roberts 1997 1st ed Hardcover DJ Fine [Not Signed] Multiple copies available
By: Roberts, David with Foreword by Jon Krakauer
Price $24.00
- Item # BK1273C-9473
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
THE MOUNTAIN OF MY FEAR 1968 1st UK ed Hardcover DJ Fine INSCRIBED by David Roberts
By: Roberts, David
Price $75.00 ~ Regular $99.95, You Save $24.95 (25%)
- Item # OP234C-883
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
POINTS UNKNOWN: A CENTURY OF GREAT EXPLORATION 2000 1st ed Hardcover DJ Fine SIGNED by David Roberts
By: Roberts, David
Price $95.00 ~ Regular $160.00, You Save $65.00 (41%)
- Item # PL1277-883
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
MOMENTS OF DOUBT, AND OTHER MOUNTAINEERING WRITINGS 1st ed Hardcover DJ Fine INSCRIBED by David Roberts 2 Copies Available
By: Roberts, David
Price $45.00 ~ Regular $159.95, You Save $114.95 (72%)
- Item # BK1276A-1582
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
THE LAST OF HIS KIND: THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF BRADFORD WASHBURN, AMERICA'S BOLDEST MOUNTAINEER David Roberts 2009 1st ed New Hardcover 3 Copies Available
By: Roberts, David
Price $15.99 ~ Regular $25.99, You Save $10.00 (38%)
- Item # BK2431-9473
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
ESCAPE ROUTES: FURTHER ADVENTURE WRITINGS 1997 Advanced Reading Sample SIGNED by David Roberts and Jon Krakauer
By: Roberts, David with Foreword by Jon Krakauer
Price $95.00 ~ Regular $150.00, You Save $55.00 (37%)
- Item # BK1273A-947
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
ESCAPE ROUTES: FURTHER ADVENTURE WRITINGS 1997 1st ed Hardcover DJ Fine SIGNED by David Roberts and Jon Krakauer
By: Roberts, David, Foreword by Jon Krakauer
Price $150.00 ~ Regular $250.00, You Save $100.00 (40%)
- Item # BK1273B-927
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
ESCAPE FROM LUCANIA 2002 1st US ed Hardcover DJ Fine INSCRIBED by David Roberts
By: Roberts, David
Price $35.00 ~ Regular $159.95, You Save $124.95 (78%)
- Item # BK1854F-881
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
EPIC: SURVIVAL FROM THE WORLD'S HIGHEST PEAKS Willis 1997 Softcover Very Good
By: Willis, Clint
Price $9.99 ~ Regular $17.95, You Save $7.96 (44%)
- Item # BK2064-958
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
MOUNT EVEREST OCH ANDRA ASIATISKA PROBLEM [MOUNT EVEREST AND OTHER ASIAN PROBLEM] Sven Hedin 1922 Scarce 1st ed Softcover Very Good
By: Hedin, Sven
Price $9.99 ~ Regular $45.00, You Save $35.01 (78%)
- Item # OP4467-936
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
ALIVE IN THE DEATH ZONE: MOUNT EVEREST SURVIVAL Lincoln Hall 2009 Hardcover Very Good-Near Fine 2 Copies Available, ALIVE IN THE DEATH ZONE: MOUNT EVEREST SURVIVAL Lincoln Hall 2009 Hardcover Very Good-Near Fine 2 Copies Available
By: Hall, Lincoln, Hall, Lincoln
Price $24.95 ~ Regular $40.00, You Save $15.05 (38%)
- Item # PL4460-9482p, PL4460-9482p
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
MIRRORS IN THE CLIFFS: A HUNDRED MOUNTAINEERING ARTICLES Jim Perrin 1983 1st UK ed Hardcover DJ Fine 2 Copies Available
By: Perrin, Jim
Price $9.99 ~ Regular $35.00, You Save $25.01 (71%)
- Item # OP1178A-9412
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
A GUIDE TO TREKKING IN NEPAL Stephen Bezruchka 1981 4th ed Softcover Near Fine Multiple Copies Available
By: Bezruchka, Stephen
Price $4.99 ~ Regular $10.95, You Save $5.96 (54%)
- Item # GB321C-9613
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
EVEREST THE TESTING PLACE John West 1985 1st ed Hardcover DJ Fine Multiple Copies Available
By: West, John
Price $5.99 ~ Regular $35.00, You Save $29.01 (83%)
- Item # OP392-9383
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
DER VERZAUBERTE BERG [THE ENCHANTED MOUNTAIN, MESSNER MOUNTAIN MUSEUM: ENCOUNTERS WITH THE MOUNTAINS IN THE WORLD AND THE PHILOSOPHY OF MOUNTAINEERING] Reinhold Messner, Georg Tappeiner 2006 1st ed Hardcover DJ New 3 Copies Available [Not Signed]
By: Messner, Reinhold and Georg Tappeiner
Price $25.00
- Item # BK2277-9503p
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
A LIFE ON THE EDGE: MEMOIRS OF EVEREST AND BEYOND 1999 1st ed New Hardcover DJ SIGNED by Jim Whittaker and Jim Wickwire
By: Whittaker, Jim
Price $85.00 ~ Regular $95.00, You Save $10.00 (11%)
- Item # BK1680C-881
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
NO SHORTCUTS TO THE TOP: CLIMBING THE WORLD'S 14 HIGHEST PEAKS Ed Viesturs, David Roberts 2006 1st ed Hardcover DJ Fine Multiple copies available
By: Viesturs, Ed and David Roberts
Price $9.99 ~ Regular $23.95, You Save $13.96 (58%)
- Item # BK2105-8946
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
ANNAPURNA Maurice Herzog 1953 Paperback Very Good
By: Herzog, Maurice
Price $4.99 ~ Regular $8.95, You Save $3.96 (44%)
- Item # OP5403-936
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart