Thursday, August 12, 2010

NO WAY DOWN: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
NO WAY DOWN

Life and Death on K2
BY GRAHAM BOWLEY

ABOUT THE BOOK:

In this riveting work of narrative nonfiction, journalist Graham Bowley re-creates one of the most dramatic tales of death and survival in mountaineering history, vividly taking readers through the tragic 2008 K2 ascent that claimed the lives of eleven climbers, severely injured two others, and made headlines around the world.

With its near-perfect pyramid shape, the 28,251-foot K2—the world's second-highest mountain, some 800 feet shorter than the legendary Everest hundreds of miles to the south—has lured serious climbers for decades. In 2008, near the end of a brief climbing season cut even shorter by bad weather, no fewer than ten international teams—some experienced, others less prepared—crowded the mountain's dangerous slopes with their Sherpas and porters, waiting to ascend.

Finally, on August 1, they were able to set off. But hindered by poor judgment, lack of equipment, and overcrowded conditions, the last group did not summit until nearly 8 p.m., hours later than planned. Then disaster struck when a huge ice chunk from above the Bottleneck, a deadly 300-foot avalanche-prone gulley just below the summit, came loose and destroyed the fixed guide ropes. More than a dozen climbers and porters still above the Bottleneck—many without oxygen and some with no headlamps—faced the near impossibility of descending in the blackness with no guideline and no protection. Over the course of the chaotic night, some would miraculously make it back. Others would not.

Based on in-depth interviews with surviving climbers and many Sherpas, porters, and family and friends of the deceased, No Way Down reveals for the first time the full dimensions of this harrowing drama.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Graham Bowley was born near Leicester, England, in 1968.

He studied economics at Bristol University and Oxford University. After working briefly as an economist for HM Treasury, he became a journalist and was a foreign correspondent for the Financial Times and the international Herald Tribune, living in Frankfurt and Brussels and reporting widely from across Europe. He now lives in New York where he is a staff reporter for The New York Times. He has worked for the newspaper’s Website and on the Times’ foreign desk, and has written for sections such as Week in Review and Travel. He now writes regularly about business news for the Times.

Graham is married and has three children, two daughters and a son. No Way Down is his first book. You can visit Graham's website HERE.

MY REVIEW:

Graham Bowley’s NO WAY DOWN: LIFE AND DEATH ON K2 tells the story a group of climbers who in 1980 set out to triumph over the second highest mountain in the world, K2. This story details how in a sequence of accidents, eleven people were killed. A surprising fact is that even though K2 is not as high as Mount Everest, far less people make it to the summit. About 1,000 people have made it to Mount Everest where only about 300 have summited K2. It has been found that out of every four climbers who try to make it to the summit, one will die in their efforts.

Although not a climber himself, Bowley used primary resources to faithfully reconstruct the conditions surrounding this tragedy. Using photographs and interviews with friends and family of the climbers who perished on K2, as well as actual eye-witnesses to the tragedy, he put his heart and soul into telling this story with the dignity it deserved while not sensationalizing it. The people involved were from all over including Norway, South Korea, Italy, the United States and more. Going around to all these places to track down information was a formidable task, to be sure.

Most of the deaths occurred on the way down. The mountain was like a monster as it unleashed avalanches, enveloped them in extreme cold, caused oxygen deficiency while providing only hazardous slopes for the weary and exhausted climbers to cling to. One misstep and they could plunge to their death.

The descriptive narrative that Bowley writes is fascinating. Readers will find themselves immersed in this rugged, frigid world feeling what it was like to walk in the boots of these people at about 26,000 feet. With the bond these climbers build on their way up to each base camp growing stronger, you also get a chance to see some of the more incredible moments they experienced and fun they had with each other. The human element is strong and makes the tragedy that more poignant. As these climbers from all over work together to reach their illusive goal, reaching the top has to be the shining moment that one surely couldn’t put into words. NO WAY DOWN is hard to put down as you become so involved with the real life characters and will cheer their successes but also mourn, quite honestly, the losses.

GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO KYLE AND GOOD PEOPLE
AT HARPER COLLINS PUBLISHING,
I HAVE 3 COPIES OF THIS EXCITING
BOOK TO GIVE AWAY. HERE IS WHAT
YOU NEED TO DO TO WIN A COPY!




--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY:
COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FOUND INTERESTING ABOUT "NO WAY DOWN" THAT WOULD MAKE YOU WANT TO WIN AND READ THIS BOOK. YOU MAY WANT TO CHECK OUT THE VIDEO FOR INFORMATION AS WELL!

+1 MORE ENTRY:
BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND LEAVE A LINK I CAN FOLLOW IN THE ENTRY

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ONE OTHER CURRENT GIVEAWAY OF MINE YOU ARE ENTERED IN. JUST GIVE ONE, PLEASE.

GIVEAWAY ENDS
6 PM, EST,
AUGUST 28!

GOOD LUCK

64 comments:

Kaye said...

With about a 25% survival rate, this trek isn't going on my bucket list, that's for sure, but I would like to read about it. Throw my name in the hat, please.

florida982002[at]yahoo.com

Kaye said...

I'm also entered in your Maid for Murder drawing as I love cozies!

florida982002[at]yahoo.com

Debbie said...

I find it interesting that the author is not a climber. Yet it sounds like he did a great job with this subject material.

fourkidsrgreat(at)gmail.com

Debbie said...

Entered The Writing Circle.

fourkidsrgreat(at)gmail.com

petite said...

What a fascinating book to feature. thanks. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I entered The Vintage Affair. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

Glenn said...

That one in four climbers dies trying to get to the summit of K2. I've read several other true survival books about mountain climbers, most of them about Everest. Thanks for the giveaway.

glenn_pessano AT yahoo DOT com

Glenn said...

Also entered in the Stieg Larsson trilogy giveaway.

glenn_pessano AT yahoo DOT com

Steve Capell said...

I had no idea the survival rate was 1 in 4 would not make it. I would say those odds are odds that would make most people stop and think before climbing. The story sounds very interesting and one that I would like to read. Thanks for opportunity.

steven(dot)capell(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

This book is an adventure to read and learn about. Thanks for this giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered the Writing circle. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Margie said...

This book sounds very exciting...chronicling a true life adventure.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

I entered the giveaway for Seven Year Switch and the Wildwater Walking Club.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Cackleberry Homestead said...

For some reason I am fascinated with extreme sports, mountain climbing of this type, ultramarathons, things that take stamina and ability. I have no desire to mountain climb but stories about it interest me. So I would love to read this.

crystalfulcher(at)ec.rr.com

Shannon said...

I'm too scared to climb mountains, so I have to experience it though others. =)
tiredwkids at live dot com

Shannon said...

I entered the The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest Giveaway.
tiredwkids at live dot com

A Musing Mother said...

Enter me! This sounds fascinating!

ntaylor228 at yahoo dot com

Linda Kish said...

I watched this on Nightline just the other night. This will be an intense story.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I entered the Queen Pin giveaway.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Pamela Keener said...

How scary it must have been for all involved I can only begin to imagine yet still they try.
LOve & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I tweeted.
http://twitter.com/pam4290/status/21052209017
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I entered the Stieg Larssen Triology giveaway.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

+ 5 Swagbucks.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

debbie said...

I didn't know this mountain was so dangerous, you don't really hear much about it. I would like to read this book.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I entered the I know I am, but what are you? giveaway.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Amanda said...

It really sounds like the author did a great job on his research. The fact that two died even before the summit, yet those who made it to the top still felt like celebrating is interesting. I'd like to read about how the survivors pulled themselves through after watching so many fellow climbers die.
winnieayala at yahoo dot com

Amanda said...

I entered the I Hate to Cook Cookbook giveaway
winnieayala at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

I am a follower and email subscriber. Please enter me in contest. I love reading about true stories. The book sounds very interesting. Tore923@aol.com

Benita said...

I'd like to read this because I like narrative works of nonfiction.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I entered White Heat.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Alyce said...

I had no idea that so many people died on K2 or that it was such a high percentage of climbers. I love survival stories, and would love to win this book.

akreese (at) hotmail (dot) com

Ruthie said...

Scary to do...not scary to read about,lol.

ruthiekb72@yahoo.com

Ruthie said...

Entered White Heat

ruthiekb72@yahoo.com

Ruthie said...

FB fan bonus

ruthiekb72@yahoo.com

StephTheBookworm said...

WOW! What an amazing and fascinating story! I would love to read about this and how the people that survived made it through.

stephaniet117 at yahoo dot com

StephTheBookworm said...

I entered the contest for The Writing Circle.

Gina said...

+1 - My something interesting about this book...stories of K2 and other nature adventures have just recently started to captivate me, though they've captivated my mother for many years. This account of one of the more recent "tragedies" sounds as though it's a truly first hand look at what went wrong with time was forgotten and the mission/adventure was put before life. Sounds like a must read.

Thanks for the chance!

grgenius(at)gmail(dot)com

Gina said...

+1 - tweet tweet - http://twitter.com/GRgenius/status/21192337672

grgenius(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

+5swag chirth7@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

+5swag jeff72768@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

+5swag shundelt@yahoo.com

rubynreba said...

Sounds interesting to see what it would be like to be in the boots of these people at about 26,000 ft.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

Entered Mad of Murder giveaway.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

bison61 said...

to walk in the boots of these people at about 26,000 feet, that sounds interesting to read

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Shirley said...

https://twitter.com/Grandmamaof10/status/21829087281

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100001087052807&v=wall&story_fbid=147556268607187&ref=mf

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/shundelt45/review/45058939/

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://bulletins.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=bulletin.read&authorID=540593519&messageID=6679500864&hash

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I entered FORTUNATE HARBOR GIVEAWAY

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I can't believe people die climbing and why would they risk their lives? They must be pretty sure of themselves. shundelt@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://twitter.com/Romantic73/status/21830000880

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100000641625482&v=wall&story_fbid=147301215299081&ref=mf

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/chirth7/review/45059138/

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://bulletins.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=bulletin.read&authorID=533391661&messageID=6680483774&hash

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I entered THE WRITING CIRCLE GIVEAWAY chirth7@yahoo.com

Jenna said...

I love the thrill of mountain climbing, although my experiences are only the peaks that I have hiked in the ADK so I like to read about the other amazing climbs out there!

papajm25{AT}gmail{DOT}com

Jenna said...

Im entered in Dracula in Love as well

papajm25{AT}gmail{DOT}com

Jeff said...

I think its interesting she isn't a climber and wrote the book

I would love to win! Thanks for the giveaway!

jeffintennessee at gmail dot com

Jeff said...

I follow through the blogspot dashboard thingy!

I would love to win! Thanks for the giveaway!

jeffintennessee at gmail dot com

degood said...

I just finished Forever on the Mountain about a group climbers climbing Mt. McKinley. This book sounds just as interesting. I didn't realize that K2 was harder to climb than Everest.

kerrie@mayansfamily.com

Allison said...

The cover itself make me what to read it!

allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

Allison said...

entered writing circle

allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

Misusedinnocence said...

I found it interesting that this is Graham's first book. I'd like to read this.

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Meredith said...

I'd love to read about how tough it was on the mountain!

meredithfl at gmail dot com

CLICK HERE TO
SEE MY POLICY