K2, Triumph and Tragedy: Amazon.ca: Jim Curran: Books

Product Description

From Amazon

Before the 1996 Everest disaster made that mountain synonymous with tragedy at 8,000 meters, there was K2. More technical in most routes than Everest, the world's second-highest peak is considered the ultimate achievement by many mountaineers. In 1986 K2 claimed the lives of 13 climbers in nine different parties attempting its summit. Author Jim Curran was on the mountain during the ordeal, and through narrative and photographs, Curran documents the sagas of success, failure, and tragedy in a fateful year that captured the world's attention. Alongside the terror of avalanches, crevasses, and horrific storms are stories of bravery and the indomitable human spirit.

From Publishers Weekly

In the summer of 1986, nine expeditions, representing 10 nationalities, attempted to conquer K-2, the world's second-highest mountain, located in Pakistan. Twenty-seven people reached the summit; 13 perished. Climber-photographer Curran has "told a gripping story that belongs with the classics of mountaineering," praised PW. Photos.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Customer Reviews

23 Reviews

5 star:		(4)
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3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(7)
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3.2 out of 5 stars (23 customer reviews)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The title says it all -- and Heartfelt Account, Feb 16 2004

By

Anton (Summit, NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: K2, Triumph and Tragedy (Paperback)

Aside from being a great account of the tragic 1986 season at K2, Curran's book has the quality of masterfully weaving the author's sense of humor with his deeply felt emotions about lost friends.

While some may argue that Curran was not at the forefront of leading the climbing on any of the expeditions, his keen sense of a filmmaker allows him to tell a very human story. In the great tradition of English mountaineering tradition he tells with wit and humor about the scrambles in putting the expedition together. His storytelling about the trials and challenges in the walk-up to base camp is equaled in its jovial spirit perhaps only by Greg Child (see "Thin Air").

When true drama begins to unfold with the death of Casarotto, Curran does not simply "recount" the casualties -- his voice is full of passion, heartache and doubt. His reflections upon the dangers of mountain climbing are deeply felt.

A highly recommended read!

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4.0 out of 5 stars Good short story, Mar 9 2003

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Denis Benchimol Minev "Amazonia" (Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil) - See all my reviews

This review is from: K2, Triumph and Tragedy (Paperback)

This book is about the 1986 season on K2 when there were several casualties. It is written in a funny and self-deprecating tone, which is refreshing given the usual self-aggrandisement tone of mountaineering adventures. Of course, the author is not an accomplished mountaineer, but rather an observer who happens to be on the mountain.

He does spend a bit too much time going through the full description of characters on the mountain that season, the first since Pakistan allowed climbers back after a long hiatus. However, I guess it is best to err on the heavier side of character development, so it is okay. It is a quick fun read, if not life-changing like many mountaineering books seem to try to be.

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2.0 out of 5 stars Who's Who on K2, Summer of 1986, Dec 9 2002

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Book Junkie "clubhouse9" (Salt Lake City, UT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: K2, Triumph and Tragedy (Paperback)

I bought this book because many of the reviews gave it 4-5 stars. I personally found it boring and was tempted more than once halfway through to stop reading it. The first half of this book reads more like a Who's Who Amongst Mountain Climbers, mostly describing the different teams and climbers (and which mountains they've climbed) at Base Camp and climbing K2. I was hoping for more in-depth insight into well-rounded and interesting characters, rather than just a running commentary (full of pure speculation) of who is on the mountain and what is supposedly going on up there. It was confusing keeping track of everyone and which team they were with, etc.

I was also curious about the author's somewhat dismissive attitude toward Reinhold Messner's achievements. Curran dismissively attributes that Messner's ability to climb the high peaks without oxygen is due to his choosing the easiest route. Whether true or not, who is Curran to knock the achievements of one of the best climbers out there? This guy (Curran) doesn't seem to write any better than he climbs, either.

On a more positive note, my interest was captured after most of the British team disbanded, leaving only Al Rouse and Jim Curran. The story picked up a bit after that. While the events that unfolded were tragic, this is not the most gripping mountaineering account out there.

I would not recommend buying this book unless you are intested in a running commentary and general speculation of the various expeditions to visit K2 during the summer of 1986 from someone who spent the bulk of his time at Base Camp.

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Most recent customer reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Who's Who on K2, Summer of 1986
I bought this book because many of the reviews gave it 4-5 stars. I personally found it boring and was tempted more than once halfway through to stop reading it. Read more

Published on Dec 9 2002 by Book Junkie

5.0 out of 5 stars An interesting perspective
Although I am sure I do not have the perspective of an Allison Pennington, as an armchair mountaineer I can say that I have read this book numerous times, and never tire of it... Read more

Published on Jan 19 2002