New York, 1997, 1st edition. 256 pp, color photos, maps. Hardcover with dust jacket. Fine-New.
No storm could be as devastating as that in May 10, 1996 on Everest that robbed eight climbers of their lives. However a ferocious literary storm was unleashed when the survivors and spectators of the disaster began to publish their testimony
When Jon Krakauer published his superb account Into Thin Air, some read into it a possible suggestion that Anatoli Boukreev, the lead guide on Scott Fischer’s expedition, had forfeited the safety of his clients to add to his already considerable climbing achievements and had also not acted like a proper guide e.g., descending to Camp IV before his clients.
The overall effect was to demonstrate that Boukreev's role was heroic, not opportunistic. Initially when it first came out there was a suggestion that the purpose of the book was to salve Boukreev’s conscience whereas now it is genuinely recognized that Boukreev performed a truly heroic role and his superhuman efforts saved lives. The result is a detailed, day-by-day description of a disaster as it happened.
Sadly, Boukreev did not live long to enjoy the restoration of his reputation. In the winter of 1997, Boukreev was attempting to climb the south face of Annapurna I when he was swept to his death in an avalanche.
