Edge of the Map

The Mountain Life of Christine Boskoff

By: Johanna Garton

Narrated by: Emily Durante

Length: 8 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's Summary

Edge of the Map is equal parts inspiring, dramatic, and heartbreaking. One of America's greatest high altitude mountaineers, Christine Boskoff was at the top of her career when she and her partner perished in an avalanche in 2006. Principled and humble, Boskoff was also a deeply loved role model in the climbing community.

Edge of the Map traces the sharp twists and turns in Boskoff's life, from her early years as a Lockheed engineer, through her first successes in the climbing world, to her purchase of Seattle-based Mountain Madness after owner and climber Scott Fischer was lost in the 1996 Everest disaster. Her life was one of constant achievement mixed with personal tragedy. 

The story follows Boskoff as she perseveres and moves on to even bigger peaks, earning acclaim as a world-class mountaineer, then later as she finds an alpine partnership with legendary Colorado climber Charlie Fowler.

©2020 Johanna Garton (P)2020 Tantor

No Personality

The book was simply a recitation of facts without any depth to Christine or Charlie besides "great gal" and "great guy." There was no edge. By the end, I felt these people were selfish, entitled Americans who did whatever they wanted and I didn't sympathize with their experiences. They went to a foreign country, refused to purchase the required permit or hire the required liaison to hike a sacred mountain they were asked by locals not to climb, then chose a more dangerous route to the top of their final peak to save time instead of hiking the slower, safer trail. The end was the worst part as the author seemed self-satisfied when American authorities pushed the Chinese authorities around in order to discover the couple's final resting place. In my twenties, I was an avid hiker and I usually enjoy these kinds of books, but this one left a bad taste in my mouth. I wish the author had given us people and obstacles to care about.

Great story BUT

This story was so poorly read that it made it almost impossible to listen to. The narrator sounded as if she was reading a fairy tale-I just don’t get it. The story was not terribly well written but the life of Christine Boskoff is well worth writing about!

Beautiful story about love faith and endurance

The narrator is outstanding. She clearly articulates all difficult names of Chinese mountains and places. It is so interesting to hear, and I'm going to listen to it again. I also live in the area where Chrissy grew up so I know the places that are talked about in the story.

Gripping story of determination and loss

I really enjoyed this audible book about climbing. I had previously read the book “Into Thin Air” a few years ago and I was excited to see this was recommended by a friend on the same topic. I feel that the author really does submerge you in her research and tells the story very eloquently. Her vivid description of what happened to these climbers and the journey that took them to these mountains is pretty unbelievable. I found myself wanting to hear the rest of the story so I just kept pushing through and listening to the whole book in a few days. I find the story of the author that took over 10 years of her mothers research of Chris after she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease is wonderful. I highly recommend this book. You don’t have to know a lot about climbing to love this story.