No Shortcuts to the Top

Climbing the World's 14 Highest Peaks

De: Ed Viesturs, David Roberts

Narrado por: Ed Viesturs

This gripping and triumphant memoir follows a living legend of extreme mountaineering as he makes his assault on history, one 8,000-meter summit at a time.

For eighteen years Ed Viesturs pursued climbing’s holy grail: to stand atop the world’s fourteen 8,000-meter peaks, without the aid of bottled oxygen. But No Shortcuts to the Top is as much about the man who would become the first American to achieve that goal as it is about his stunning quest. As Viesturs recounts the stories of his most harrowing climbs, he reveals a man torn between the flat, safe world he and his loved ones share and the majestic and deadly places where only he can go.

A preternaturally cautious climber who once turned back 300 feet from the top of Everest but who would not shrink from a peak (Annapurna) known to claim the life of one climber for every two who reached its summit, Viesturs lives by an unyielding motto, “Reaching the summit is optional. Getting down is mandatory.” It is with this philosophy that he vividly describes fatal errors in judgment made by his fellow climbers as well as a few of his own close calls and gallant rescues. And, for the first time, he details his own pivotal and heroic role in the 1996 Everest disaster made famous in Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air.

In addition to the raw excitement of Viesturs’s odyssey, No Shortcuts to the Top is leavened with many funny moments revealing the camaraderie between climbers. It is more than the first full account of one of the staggering accomplishments of our time; it is a portrait of a brave and devoted family man and his beliefs that shaped this most perilous and magnificent pursuit.©2006 Ed Viesturs and David Roberts; (P)2006 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Ed Viesturs is not merely one of our strongest mountaineers; he’s also one of the most remarkable. He’s demonstrated that it’s possible to climb the world’s highest peaks without taking reckless chances, and without sacrificing one’s honor or integrity. He has never hesitated to help other climbers in need, even when it meant putting himself in danger or sacrificing his own opportunity to achieve a summit. Ed, simply put, is a genuine American hero.” —Jon Krakauer

"From the drama of the peaks, to the struggle of making a living as a professional climber, to the basic how-tos of life at 26,000 feet, No Shortcuts to the Top is fascinating reading."
—Aron Ralston, author of Between a Rock and a Hard Place

"Ed Viesturs—the first American to climb all fourteen 8,000 meter peaks without bottled oxygen—is an animal. A human animal blessed with enormous strength balanced by intelligence, honesty, and a heart of gold. And besides, HE IS A NICE GUY.
This is a great read for those of us who climb, those who want to learn to climb and live to tell about it, and those who like great adventures." —Jim Whittaker, first American to climb Mount Everest

“Ed Viesturs was an inspiration to me personally and to the Seahawks team in 2005. I highly recommend reading this account of one of America’s heroes.” —Mike Holmgren, coach of the Seattle Seahawks

Great

Amazing story narrated by the author. Very inspiring and actually going to now listen to the unabridged version.

Good book

Really enjoyed the fact that Ed was the narrator. He telling his own story was nice.

Fantastic Story About Mountaineering & Challenges

If you could sum up No Shortcuts to the Top in three words, what would they be?

Gripping, engaging, motivating

What did you like best about this story?

I love that Ed Viesturs read the audiobook - the authors always do a much better job. I've read all of Krauker's books, so this was a really nice perspective on mountaineering and it was thoroughly enjoyable.

Have you listened to any of Ed Viesturs’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, I haven't. I will listen to more.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It did make me laugh at times, and there were moments when I felt like crying. It's a great book.

Any additional comments?

Great audiobook! Perfect for anyone interested in climbing, mountaineering, or fans of Krauker.

I love that this book is read by the author

The author lived these experiences and to hear him tell of them makes it all the more meaningful. His achievements were remarkable, and I could hear in his voice that he would make a good friend.

Ed's voice

what an incredible book. listening to Ed read his own book was wonderful. I remember watching the IMAX movie about Everest that he narrated and I love his voice. that is my favorite documentary of all time.