Joe Simpson didn't anticipate experiencing, again, the events described in "Touching the Void". A fall in the Himalayas crippled and almost broke him. Forced to test his nerve he struggled on crutches to 20,000 feet on Pumori only to hear the news of the death of yet one more friend in the mountains. In an attempt to find a catharsis for his confused emotions, he wrote this memoir of the signposts that have directed him since childhood to live as an adventurer.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
This Game of Ghosts
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Product Description
From Amazon
In his second memoir, climber Joe Simpson reveals a lifetime of flirtation with danger, from risky childhood stunts to an astonishing number of near-death climbing accidents. Simpson revisits his many brushes with death while climbing: a 2,000-foot fall in the Courtes, the collapse of a bivy ledge on the Dru, a 150-foot fall on Nepal's Pachermo, and his nearly fatal climb in the Andes, covered in his Boardman Tasker Award-winner, Touching the Void.
Simpson writes in an effort to understand his own reasons for taking such risks. He describes what it is like to face death, and works through the guilt of being spared so many times when other climbing friends and mentors were not. Simpson also copes with the frustration of having his climbing ambitions cut short by injury and the resultant feelings of uncertainty. Complete with photo documentation of key events in the author's life, This Game of Ghosts is a gripping account of honesty and fortitude that will keep both mountaineers and outdoor enthusiasts in suspense.
Review
This Game of Ghosts continues Joe Simpson's story, following Touching the Void, in which he described a fall in the Himalayas which crippled and almost broke him. This is a memoir of the signposts that have directed him since childhood to measure fear and embrace the unknown.
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As the follow-up book to 'Touching the Voids' Simpson details his life with the emotion and detail you would expect from a truely remarkable individual. From his early childhood to his most advanced expeditions this book takes you on a journey through the highest and lowest points of Simpsons life. Truely blessed with the ability to write with a fine balance of humour and compassion 'This game of ghosts' captured me with three basic emotions; extreme happiness, sadness and a great deal of despondency to finish the book, Perfect!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By "bx"
Format:Paperback
Being I mountaineer myself, I have found "Touching the Void" absolutely rivetting and transcanding. I was therefore full of expectations when I bought "This Game Of Ghosts" and although Mr Simpson has a nice writing, I could not take his fascination about death. His constant reminder of all his friends who have died. This book could put off some mountaineers-to-become by its harsh, black view of the world and the Mountain. Mountain has a price yes but it is not all black; it has so many beauties and so much life.
Format:Paperback
From Simpson's introduction to this book we realize that it is perhaps fear, and overcoming fear and the accompanying exhiliration that drives him. Or is it?
Touching the Void was a brilliant book, detailing a horrific climb and fall in the Peruvian Andes. But at the end, you do wish you could know more about this guy. This Game of Ghosts fills in the blanks. Beginning with his upbringing as the youngest of 5 children, we get to come along as he is introduced to climbing, and adopts it more as a lifestyle than a hobby. Simpson comes of age literally and figuratively in this book. His writing is more polished than in his first book, he is older and wiser, and has gone on to experience more peaks, more true friends, more loss. He explores these things in an effort to describe the allure climbing holds for him, while admonishing us not to assume all adrenaline junkies are the same.
Don't worry, this isn't a philosophy book. It's chock full of fantastic adventures and once again we get to accompany him to dangerous places where we feel the cold, the fear, and the companionship of like minds. This is a must read for anyone who liked Touching the Void. Highly recommended.
Touching the Void was a brilliant book, detailing a horrific climb and fall in the Peruvian Andes. But at the end, you do wish you could know more about this guy. This Game of Ghosts fills in the blanks. Beginning with his upbringing as the youngest of 5 children, we get to come along as he is introduced to climbing, and adopts it more as a lifestyle than a hobby. Simpson comes of age literally and figuratively in this book. His writing is more polished than in his first book, he is older and wiser, and has gone on to experience more peaks, more true friends, more loss. He explores these things in an effort to describe the allure climbing holds for him, while admonishing us not to assume all adrenaline junkies are the same.
Don't worry, this isn't a philosophy book. It's chock full of fantastic adventures and once again we get to accompany him to dangerous places where we feel the cold, the fear, and the companionship of like minds. This is a must read for anyone who liked Touching the Void. Highly recommended.
Want to see more reviews on this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 21 reviews
4.4 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
A thoroughly enjoyable read
Although the story is not as dramatic as his "Touching the Void", the writing style is better and Joe gives us an inside on his life and his climbing. Read more
Published on Oct 13 2000 by iamcdn
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good reading
This is a delightful book. Not that the writer's more well-known TOUCHING THE VOID is badly written; it isn't, and it remians on my short list of the best mountaineering/adventure... Read more
Published on Jun 30 2000 by Bryan Moore
5.0 out of 5 stars
This Game of Ghosts
As the follow-up book to 'Touching the Voids' Simpson details his life with the emotion and detail you would expect from a truely remarkable individual. Read more
Published on Jun 1 2000 by Christian Huxley
5.0 out of 5 stars
Confusion
The honesty of the author in "This Game of Ghosts" is startling, and refreshing. Joe looks at the experiences that have shaped his life, both before and after the... Read more
Published on Dec 1 1998
5.0 out of 5 stars
A challenging but often funny insight into Joes life & mind
After being stunned by "Touching the Void", I read this book with keen interest to understand why and how he survived, and if he had progressed in his life. Read more
Published on Oct 14 1998 by N. Down
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable, more thorough look at Simpson's climbing life.
Prepare for a switch in gears if you read this after "Touching the Void". It details not one rivetting account, but several harrowing events that possibly give the... Read more
Published on Sep 6 1998 by Robert Hayes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic
"This Game of Ghosts" is about 10 times better than "Touching the Void". The writing is so much better, it's hard to believe that it's the same author. Read more
Published on Aug 26 1998
5.0 out of 5 stars
An amazing insight into a climbers mind
Thought it was great. The desire to climb and face risks, is often hard to discribe. Simpson address those thoughts - and looks at some of the psychological reason why people... Read more
Published on Aug 23 1998
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
About 10 times better than "Touching the Void", the writing is so much better, it's hard to believe that it's the same author. Read more
Published on Aug 22 1998
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book, a fitting sequel to Touching The Void
If you read "Touching The Void" and finished in record time like most people you might have felt it ended a bit quickly, that there was clearly more to say about the trek... Read more
Published on July 26 1998
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
