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lilbanne's review against another edition
5.0
I read Touching the Void in the 1990s after reading Into Thin Air. While the later is written by a professionally trained journalist, Touching the Void is written by Joe Simpson and his climbing partner, who contributed about 15% of the book from his perspective. Neither had professional writing experience up until the point of this book.
The book recounts an accident on an Andes climb the two made from the summit of the Siula Grande in Peru that nearly left Joe dead. The story in itself is thrilling, but it sometimes can be hard to follow. A lot of climbing lingo was used, and lots of googling had to be done. While I couldn’t put Into Thin Air down, Touching the Void required breaks during the reading sessions. The last 1/3 of the book is very moving and when you think the worst is over, things just keep getting worse for Joe, who shattered his knee from the impact of a fall.
Touching the Void is an excellent read if you like mountaineering stories. Spoiler alert, well not really as Joe wrote the book, Joe lives! But it is hard to understand how he could survive when you read it. It is the power of a will to live and very inspiring.
The updated version I read also included an article that talked a lot about the PTSD he discovered he suffered from.
The book recounts an accident on an Andes climb the two made from the summit of the Siula Grande in Peru that nearly left Joe dead. The story in itself is thrilling, but it sometimes can be hard to follow. A lot of climbing lingo was used, and lots of googling had to be done. While I couldn’t put Into Thin Air down, Touching the Void required breaks during the reading sessions. The last 1/3 of the book is very moving and when you think the worst is over, things just keep getting worse for Joe, who shattered his knee from the impact of a fall.
Touching the Void is an excellent read if you like mountaineering stories. Spoiler alert, well not really as Joe wrote the book, Joe lives! But it is hard to understand how he could survive when you read it. It is the power of a will to live and very inspiring.
The updated version I read also included an article that talked a lot about the PTSD he discovered he suffered from.
leftyphive's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Wow! What a crazy and compelling story of survival that ACTUALLY happened. This book makes you understand how much fight the human mind has in the face of adversity and makes you reevaluate the everyday troubles presented to you.
"Ultimately, we all have to look after ourselves, whether on mountains or in day to day life. In my view that is not a license to be selfish, for only by taking good care of ourselves are we able to help others." - Simon Yates
"Ultimately, we all have to look after ourselves, whether on mountains or in day to day life. In my view that is not a license to be selfish, for only by taking good care of ourselves are we able to help others." - Simon Yates
ncteisen's review against another edition
4.0
Not as theatrical or grandiose as Into Thin Air, but just as harrowing, if not more so. Be warned, descriptions of the Joe's leg will make you wince.
m_klevenberg's review against another edition
5.0
Incredibly well written, I felt like I could feel what they were feeling.
ellie_cripps's review against another edition
3.0
Definitely a gripping read, but not for anyone not already familiar with mountaineering and climbing terminology. You don't have to be an expert, but some knowledge would go a long way as the author is very thorough in explaining the trip up and down the mountain.
However it's still exciting and shocking, and a true example of human endurance.
However it's still exciting and shocking, and a true example of human endurance.
pjjames's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
4.25
cody240fc's review against another edition
4.0
A great survival story and I was impressed with Simpson's writing. If you have ever enjoyed a mountaineering book, you will enjoy this one. It's a quick read too. Deserving of its classic status. This folio edition sure is pretty too. Low four stars.