This was a fascinating and gripping read. Viesturs does a great job - he connects mountaineering history with personal insight, and makes the tec4.5/5
This was a fascinating and gripping read. Viesturs does a great job - he connects mountaineering history with personal insight, and makes the technical stuff accessible without dumbing it down. The book describes the most dramatic and tragic attempts on K2, and it’s packed with tension, reflection, and respect for the mountain and those who climb it. You really feel the danger, the obsession, and the cost. It’s thoughtful, fast-paced, and genuinely absorbing. I couldn’t put it down....more
The Climb gives a different perspective on what went down during the 1996 Everest disaster.
Unlike the guided clients, Boukreev wasn’t there to chase The Climb gives a different perspective on what went down during the 1996 Everest disaster.
Unlike the guided clients, Boukreev wasn’t there to chase a personal dream - he was working. In Into Thin Air Jon Krakauer painted him as reckless for climbing without supplemental oxygen, but Boukreev’s version makes it clear: he was strong, he was fast, and when things hit the fan, he was the one actually saving lives. The writing is straightforward, more focused on logistics and decision-making than dramatic flair, but it’s gripping nonetheless.
I appreciated its level-headedness. Boukreev doesn’t whine, doesn’t point fingers - he just lays out the facts and lets you decide. If you’ve read Into Thin Air, this is essential reading for balance. If you haven’t, well, expect to come away questioning why people ever attempt Everest in the first place :)
So. If you've ever wondered if the Thing has a thing or if Wolverine’s healing factor can keep his swimmers immortal, this book is for you. It's hilarSo. If you've ever wondered if the Thing has a thing or if Wolverine’s healing factor can keep his swimmers immortal, this book is for you. It's hilarious, a little awkward, and full of strange insights.
McCallum marries legitimate science with comic book canon, and comedy and it mostly works. Some chapters are genuinely funny. Others veer into actual science lessons, which are surprisingly informative.
That said, the humor can get repetitive, and not every essay lands. A little hit-or-miss, but when it’s good, it’s a blast.
It resembles a potent blend of horror, action, suspense, and existential drama. And it’s all based on real events, the heart-wrenching 19Devastating.
It resembles a potent blend of horror, action, suspense, and existential drama. And it’s all based on real events, the heart-wrenching 1996 Mount Everest climb. Krakauer’s first-hand account adds an intense layer of authenticity, making it a gripping read.
The author takes readers on a journey up Everest, its history, soul, and colorful people obsessed with climbing it. He reflects on motivations that drive individuals to sacrifice everything—time, money, family, health, and even life itself—for the chance to stand on top of the world.
Krakauer’s personal experience during the 1996 Mount Everest disaster is the stuff of nightmares. Imagine eight climbers losing their lives and others being left stranded amid a merciless storm.
As an avid hiker with a passion for mountains, I can empathize with their obsession, although my long-distance section hikes pale compared to the extreme challenges Everest climbers face.
Into Thin Air provides a deeply personal account of tragedy. It’s about pushing through insane exhaustion and dealing with real-life grief. It’s a gripping tale that had me hooked from start to finish. ...more
I've been practicing Qigong for 6 or 7 years. Mimi Kuo-Deemer is a wonderful teacher and this book, while not the most in-depth, is a perfect companioI've been practicing Qigong for 6 or 7 years. Mimi Kuo-Deemer is a wonderful teacher and this book, while not the most in-depth, is a perfect companion for those willing to get into Qigong....more
If you ever wondered why an electric eel doesn't electrocute itself, that's the book for you. It offers an informative and entertaining look at the inIf you ever wondered why an electric eel doesn't electrocute itself, that's the book for you. It offers an informative and entertaining look at the intersection of biology and electricity. Well worth a read/ a listen....more
I’m a keen swimmer. I love to immerse myself in water, especially in natural water reservoirs. Tsui’s book caught my attention, and I think it’s 3.5/5
I’m a keen swimmer. I love to immerse myself in water, especially in natural water reservoirs. Tsui’s book caught my attention, and I think it’s a worthwhile read. It doesn’t break new ground (hence the rating) but it does a good job of showing and discussing the benefits of water sports....more
An excellent book for those who would like to better understand the current world and the precarious balance of power between China and America. 4.5/5
An excellent book for those who would like to better understand the current world and the precarious balance of power between China and America. The author gives great insights into Xi Jinping's vision of China's development and goals and possible scenarios of shifts in geopolitics in the 2020s. Whatever happens, we'll be living dangerously in the decade to come....more
An excellent look at history and what makes certain nations successful and others struggling.
The main idea is that "extractive" societies tend to faiAn excellent look at history and what makes certain nations successful and others struggling.
The main idea is that "extractive" societies tend to fail in the long run. This is because one part of society is busy grabbing wealth and resources away from the remaining part. As a result, no one cares about long-term development or improving the overall quality of life.
On the other hand, "inclusive" nations focus on power-sharing, productivity, education, technological advances, and the country's well-being as a whole.
I have no doubts which model appeals to me more :)
The authors share many historical facts and vignettes from history to prove their point. I feel they may oversimplify things, but I found the book fascinating anyway.
A fascinating book about atrocities committed by scientists to satisfy their intellectual curiosity. The uncomfortable truth is their misdeeds moved tA fascinating book about atrocities committed by scientists to satisfy their intellectual curiosity. The uncomfortable truth is their misdeeds moved the world forward. Not an easy read, quite terrifying in places, but worth attention....more
Listening to Entangled Life has left me with the feeling of discovery. Sheldrake passion is contagious and his knowledge of fungi is impressive. An exListening to Entangled Life has left me with the feeling of discovery. Sheldrake passion is contagious and his knowledge of fungi is impressive. An excellent and informative read that goes well beyond biology....more
Tibetan Monks can raise the temperature of their fingers, toes, and other extremities through meditation alone. The Bajau sea nomads can hold their brTibetan Monks can raise the temperature of their fingers, toes, and other extremities through meditation alone. The Bajau sea nomads can hold their breath for 13 minutes. The world of professional freediving is competitive and dangerous but those with the right attitude get closer to nature and meditative states.
I loved Nestor's take on the subject of freediving. The book contains fascinating science presented in an accessible way and shows we're FAR from understanding the limits of human physiology....more
Love the method, but I think the book was too short and not as in-depth as I wanted it to be. Worth checking out if you don't have a lot of time and wLove the method, but I think the book was too short and not as in-depth as I wanted it to be. Worth checking out if you don't have a lot of time and want to get a quick overview of WHM. That said, it's vague and poorly written....more