Savage Arena

By: Joe Tasker

Narrated by: Stewart Crank

Length: 13 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's Summary

Joe Tasker lies, struck down by illness, in a damp, bug-infested room in the Himalaya, wondering if he will be well enough to climb Dunagiri, his first venture to the "big" mountains. One of Britain’s foremost mountaineers and a pioneer of lightweight climbing, he is about to attempt one of the first true "Alpine-style" climbs in the Greater Ranges.

The Dunagiri attempt forms part of Tasker’s striking tale of adventure in the savage arena of the mountains. A superb writer, he vividly describes the first British winter ascent of the North Face of the Eiger, the first ascent of the West Wall of Changabang - considered a "preposterous" plan by the climbing world - and his two unsuccessful attempts on K2, the second highest mountain on Earth.

Savage Arena is both moving and exciting, an inspirational tale of the adventuring spirit which follows its own path, endlessly seeking new challenges, climbs and difficulties to overcome. It is not reaching the summit which counts, it is the journey to it. It is also a story of the stresses and strains of living for long periods in constant anxiety, often with only one other person, and of the close and vital human relationships which spring from those circumstances.

©1982 The Estate of Joe Tasker (P)2019 Vertebrate Publishing

Decades of inspiration

For thirty years now I have come back, and back again and again to this wonderful tome of inspiration. Many adventures have been spawned by this literary fuel.

Unbelievable story of K-2

One of the best book Audio book I have listing two, check this out, it is great.

wow 👏 what a book great listen

i discovered joes name on youtube climbing doc on everest seen him name on a memorial glad i tracked brilliant listen

Someone I’d liked to have met

The author told the story of gruelling torture and agony, which must have involved much boredom, into a compelling climbing classic.

I love the way he explains his feelings for his climbing partners in the context of how he felt at the time . If you take a while to get to know someone your initial impression may be unfavourable. Tasker writes honestly about his feelings at the time and admits if he doesn’t actually know how he feels about some aspects of life as there is conflict.

The man clearly had more books in him if had survived Everest

Gripping stories from the mountains

First audiobook as I'd always thought that I would struggle to 'keep listening' and have to rewind every five minutes. No chance of that with this book, stories that flowed and painted evocative pictures in the mind to keep you involved and focusing on what was happening and where it would go next. Dark images of suffering and the thought processes of either escaping it or going even deeper into the suffering gave thoughts towards what I think I may do in a similar situations and gives heed to the mental strength of the author and Co to continue on it such times!

Gripping

Loved it, most of it, and due to much of the personal analysing, got to know what makes climbers tick

A must listen, even for the 'mountained out'!

I have read or listened to dozens of mountaineering books and this is certainly one of my favourites.

The detail of day to day privation, rather than the technicalities of the various routes, made it come alive for me.

One quibble, the narration was pretty good, especially as the narrator voiced the various participants so well. But I have to question that mispronunciation of certain words suggest poor editing or lapses in attention.

For example pronouncing "Bass" the brewing company to rhyme with "Base" is quite wrong. Also "demure" - shy and reserved - in place of "demur". And finally although this may be a mistake in the text, a Frenchman is "Gallic" not "Gaelic" !

just excellent

brilliant writing - very exciting and honest - well narrated. can listen to again and again.

Superb

Brilliant narration outstanding book describing horrifying hardship and risk. Describes aspects of human relationships in this context which ring so very true. Astonishing listen felt like listening to the author who is now sadly deceased. I enjoyed this to the max .

excellent reading of a brilliant book

One of the best mountain books. Superb writing of real mountaineering, and a great performance, real thought and emotion in all the words. Ultimately sad in the knowledge of the authors plight.

Very good book.

I liked the reading of the book. The reader is very good. However, his pronunciation of Germanic place names in Switzerland , such as Wengen and Lauterbrunnen, is dodgy. I didn't like his French accent much either. Otherwise well read.
A really good book for anyone interested in mountaineering.

A true mountaineering classic.

The narrator did a wonderful job bringing the story alive. I was able to dip in and out of this book easily. A great book for your commute or looking for inspiration to go pn an adventure.