Left for Dead

My Journey Home from Everest

By: Beck Weathers, Stephen G. Michaud

Narrated by: Roger Wayne

Length: 7 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

In 1996, Beck Weathers and a climbing team pushed toward the summit of Mount Everest. Then a storm exploded on the mountain, ripping the team to shreds, forcing brave men to scratch and crawl for their lives. Rescuers who reached Weathers saw that he was dying and left him. Twelve hours later, the inexplicable occurred. Weathers appeared, blinded, gloveless, and caked with ice - walking down the mountain.

In this powerful memoir, now featuring a new preface, Weathers describes not only his escape from hypothermia and the murderous storm that killed eight climbers but the journey of his life. This is the story of a man's route to a dangerous sport and a fateful expedition, as well as the road of recovery he has traveled since; of survival in the face of certain death, the reclaiming of a family and a life; and of the most extraordinary adventure of all: finding the courage to say yes when life offers us a second chance.

©2000 S. Beck Weathers (P)2018 Tantor

Extraordinary

I learned about myself through Beck's explanations of his experiences.
Thanks Beck, Peach and family.

Maybe you have to be older to appreciate it.

It’s a good read.

Though it’s less about Everest, it’s a decent examination, from a first person perspective, of the drive and obsession that gets some people to the point of death on a high mountain. Beck’s life was in shambles while he sought the peak. Beck’s survival on Everest, while miraculous and celebrated, masked a neglected family life in need of rehabilitation almost as much as his physical wounds.

I think understanding this story may require some age and experience. I see all the reviews about how the story isn’t about Everest, and I think “yes it is, it’s just that Everest is only the symbol of unhealthy obsession that was only one stop on Beck’s journey home.”

Overall it was worth the time spent and a good companion read to Into Thin Air.

First third of the book was great. The rest...No.

I came here to listen to Becks trial and tribulations on Everest. The first third of the book, did just that. The rest of the book was on family life and quite boring actually. If you want a good book on climbing Everest, with no drama. Read the book titled 'The Third Pole". Fantastic read.

Great Read

Totally changed my perspective on Beck. It was a great read and book! Definitely recommend.

Not bad

All in all, ended up being a decent book. The best parts were when he talked about the Everest disaster, his injuries/rescue and his other mountain climbing experiences. The family stuff dragged a bit. I get that was the point of the book, but maybe could have been edited down a bit.

Interesting story

Amazing story. But, what a self centered, self absorbed man only caring about his needs and wants. Always putting himself first, he’s lucky God gave him a second chance!

Enjoyed the book

It was a good account of Beck's life and personal realizations and family. It wasn't as much about the climb to Everest as the events leading up to it and a little about the aftermath. Beck is a good story teller and I appreciated his humor and intelligence.

So incredible.

This hit home. Speaking of such an intense experience is one thing, but to speak from the things which framed it made it so brilliant. Thank You!

A fantastic listen about bis personal journey

4.3 stars. If you want to read a novel about that fateful day on Everest, there are so many to choose from. (Personally, I loved Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer). This is the story of Beck Weathers. Who he is, what lead him to climb Everest, and the toll it took on his family and himself. It’s an introspective look at his selfish choice to put mountaineering and the challenge ahead of everything else. I enjoyed learning more about who he is, his motivations, as well as some of his other climbing adventures. Overall a great listen if you’re familiar enough with the disaster and want to know more about his life.

Great story.

I read Into Thin Air when it first came out and have listened to it at least three times on Audble. It was great to hear the whole story from Beck, it really shows a different perspective from what I expected. Listening to this makes every day struggles seem minuscule.