Mountains of the Mind: Adventures in Reaching the Summit (Landscapes)
Product ID: 77912707
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The basis for the new documentary film, Mountain: A Breathtaking Voyage into the Extreme. Combining accounts of legendary mountain ascents with vivid descriptions of his own forays into wild, high landscapes, Robert McFarlane reveals how the mystery of the world’s highest places has came to grip the Western imagination—and perennially draws legions of adventurers up the most perilous slopes. His story begins three centuries ago, when mountains were feared as the forbidding abodes of dragons and other mysterious beasts. In the mid-1700s the attentions of both science and poetry sparked a passion for mountains; Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Lord Byron extolled the sublime experiences to be had on high; and by 1924 the death on Mt Everest of an Englishman named George Mallory came to symbolize the heroic ideals of his day. Macfarlane also reflects on fear, risk, and the shattering beauty of ice and snow, the competition and contemplation of the climb, and the strange alternate reality of high altitude, magically enveloping us in the allure of mountains at every level. Review: awsome] - it compels u to dream about climbing the stunning peaks and warn u about them at the same time . lovely book and beautifully written Review: the most literary book about mountains up to now - A sensitive and rather poetic book about the evolution of man's view on mountains. Far from being the history of climbing, or of man's success over height, the book narrates, in a brilliant and inspired style, the tremendous changes of man's feelings about mountains: from perilous, hopeless and sterile places towards exhilarating, romantic and challenging surroundings. Those readers that would look for dramatic stories of bravery and self commitment might be disappointed. The reader is instead taken for a pleasant journey throughout literature, geology, poetry, philosophy... Nonetheless, in the end the question remains unanswered: why becoming fascinated by these empty desolated summits?
| Best Sellers Rank | #244,448 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #35 in Climbing & Mountaineering (Books) #217 in Geography Books #513 in Earth Sciences Books |
| Customer Reviews | 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,072 Reviews |
Y**H
awsome]
it compels u to dream about climbing the stunning peaks and warn u about them at the same time . lovely book and beautifully written
E**R
the most literary book about mountains up to now
A sensitive and rather poetic book about the evolution of man's view on mountains. Far from being the history of climbing, or of man's success over height, the book narrates, in a brilliant and inspired style, the tremendous changes of man's feelings about mountains: from perilous, hopeless and sterile places towards exhilarating, romantic and challenging surroundings. Those readers that would look for dramatic stories of bravery and self commitment might be disappointed. The reader is instead taken for a pleasant journey throughout literature, geology, poetry, philosophy... Nonetheless, in the end the question remains unanswered: why becoming fascinated by these empty desolated summits?
P**S
A Classic
Well, having finally got round to reading Mountains of the Mind, I wasn't left disappointed and never have been by any of Robert Macfarlane's works. This one is written in typical Macfarlane style. The sub title of the book is 'A History of a Fascination' and that is very much what it is, a history of humankind's fascination with mountainous areas. It is of course much more than a history, containing many interesting facts about individuals and their idiosyncratic behaviors adventures and discoveries, geological interest and information about the author's own treks into the mountains. The prose is wonderful and especially so when describing wilderness and mountainous areas. The chapter concerning George Mallory's failed attempts on Everest is especially good and brings the book to a fascinating climax. The reader can decide if Mallory was a selfish adventurer or as legend has it, a heroic explorer. Although I have always enjoyed fell walking I am no mountaineer, and I tend to frown upon some of the risk takers, but I did find that this book helped me understand better why so many are tempted to the heights. Great read, and I look forward to receiving Robert Macfarlane's next book, out soon.
A**R
Awesome.
An awesome literary tribute to the Earth and to the history of mankind's fascination with mountains. A very inspiring read.
M**N
Five Stars
The author takes you there and back again, clearly and safely.
M**Z
una belleza de libro
¡Una belleza de libro! No volverás a ver las montañas de la misma manera. Las piedras tampoco. ¡Me encantó este libro !
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