Paths of Glory

A Novel

By: Jeffrey Archer

Narrated by: Roger Allam

Length: 11 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Some people have dreams that are so magnificent that if they were to achieve them, their place in history would be guaranteed. People like Christopher Columbus, Isaac Newton, Florence Nightingale, Thomas Edison, Nancy Astor, Charles Lindbergh, Amy Johnson, Edmund Hilary and Neil Armstrong - their unparalleled success has made their stories into legend.But what if one man had such a dream, and once he'd achieved it, there was no proof that he had fulfilled his ambition?

Jeffrey Archer's new novel, Paths of Glory, is the story of such a man - George Mallory. Born in 1886, he was a brilliant student who became part of the Bloomsbury Group at Cambridge in the early twentieth century and served in the Royal Garrison Artillery during World War I. After the war, he married, had three children, and would have spent the rest of his life as a schoolteacher, but for his love of mountain climbing.

Mallory once told a reporter that he wanted to climb Mt. Everest, "because it is there." On his third try in 1924, at age 37, he was last seen 400 feet from the top. His body was found in 1999, and it remains a mystery whether he and his climbing partner, Andrew Irvine, ever reached the summit.

In fact, not until you've heard the last words of Archer's extraordinary novel will you be able to decide if George Mallory should be added to that list of legends, while another name would have to be removed. Paths of Glory is truly a triumph.

©2009 Jeffrety Archer (P)2009 Macmillan Audio

Aptly named “Paths of Glory’”

Equal to Kane and Abel which I personally consider Archer’s all time best. Treat yourself

Didn't Hook Me Like Other Archer Titles

First book I read of Mr Archer's was the Prisoner of Birth, which I loved.
Then it was Kane and Abel, another great title.

But Paths of Glory, just felt short to me. The narration was excellent.
Guess the content about mountain climbing just wasn't my cup of tea.

However, it did get me to look up info about some of the key part players from the book.

Roger Allam is great and the story interesting

Roger Allam could read the phone book, and I would still listen to it. But this particular story is a bit like Titanic; you know how it's going to end. Even if you're unfamiliar with Mallory's story, the first few minutes of this book inform you of the ending. While it's an interesting story, it doesn't hold any real surprises. But it's a fascinating story nonetheless. If you like listing to Roger Allam aka "Stephen Fry's favourite uncle" I'd also recommend A Prisoner of Birth.

WONDERFUL

I wasn't sure if I would like this or not. It really isn't my genre. But it was very interesting. I had a hard time shutting it off! My only regret was that it wasn't longer. I strongly suggest you give this one a listen. -Mrs. Yancey F.

excellent

loved every moment, a true but fictionalized story of demons, goals, friends and love of course.

Not about surviving the elements

I have read two of Jeffrey Archer’s novels and given them both five stars. I don’t deny he is a great author, however this book was a disappointment. This book is not so much a novel, but a biography of George Mallory. Very little of the book takes place climbing a mountain, which was what I wanted to hear. I wanted to hear a story about surviving the elements, which this book is not.

One Star? No way Jose.

I always wonder when I see a One Star rating against a bunch of Four-Five Stars what that person saw that the others did not. In this case it must have been the whole book because this story is terrific.

I'm a big Archer fan and count this among his best. It is a great story with classic characters and larger than life motives. It does have a bit of a 'Goodbye Mr. Chips' feel, but it is consistant with the period and settings.

In the end, I wonder if he made it.

A Great Book

This is a great read (or listen). As historical fiction, it closely follows the life of George Mallory who may, or may not, have been the first person to climb Mt. Everest. The ending offers one possible explanation of this 90 year old mystery.

Not only is the story exciting; it is also educational.

Only interesting if you’re into Everest history

I hadn’t realized when I purchased this title that it is semi-biographical, about an Englishman who attempted Everest early on in climbing history. So, as Jeffrey Archer can pretty much write about anything, I did finish the book. However, 3+ stars as I had only limited interest in the subject matter.

Entertaining read

I enjoyed this account of George Mallory’s life and obsession with Everest. I thought the first two thirds of the story was a bit slow but still interesting. The last part with his final assault on the summit was gripping story telling.