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

Fascinating story

Jeffrey Archer's fictional interpretation of George Mallory's life and his heroic assault of Mt. Everest is a fascinating story and the narrator does a great job. The novel's strength is in the historical tale and in its description of the times. It is less successful at bringing Mallory to life but it the plot and history make it a compelling tale.

This book has it all!

Jeffery Archer has been a favorite of mine since "Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less" way back before audiobooks were even thought of. This book is one of his best, combining history, real characters, probably a little fiction, adventure and romance all rolled into a masterful tale of the guy who probably beat Hillary to the top of Everest by 40 years! We may never know for sure, but the end of the book had me wishing there was more, and I had tears in my eyes and a smile on my face. George Mallory sounds like I guy I would have been honored to know. I recommend this book to anyone who has loved, lived and dreamed!

An Enjoyable fun read

I was hoping Archer's new book would have the twists that Prisoner at Birth did, but this was an enjoyable listen. Very informative and factual.

Amazing Story, Wonderful Story Teller

It says it all in the Headline of this review. Jeffrey Archer tells this story of an interesting & inspiring man beautifully. I had trouble putting it down.
An excellent choice of Narrator.

Everyone should read this

Archer is among the best authors. The book is compelling from page one. It has something for everyone. I follows the life of George Mallory, the first man (probably) to top Mt. Everest, but there is much more to it. If you could only read one book this would be a good choice.

Great story

Very interesting tale of great determination. One of Archer's best. Easily held my attention.

Thoroughly fascinating

This book is so well-written - as are all of Jeffrey Archer’s books- but, I am not an avid fan of most of his books. However, Paths of Glory and the question of whether Charles Mallory made it to the summit was so fascinating it inspired me to exhaustively research everything I could on people who choose to climb Mt. Everest or Chomolungma.

never dull

and always full of excitement, this read will keep you wondering and thinking and on the edge of your seat. And being historical now I wonder how we got it wrong. Oh, you can't go wrong with this mountain of a book!

Another awesome J archer book

This was a great book. Entertaining from cover to cover. I have read every archer book and as always this is another good showing from Jeffrey

Too slow for me

I’m a huge fan of this author but 2 hours in and I am bored and waiting for something, anything of real interest to unfold.
Maybe the next one. This one just isn’t for me.