High Crimes - Michael Kodas

An amazing book. One of the best non-fiction books I have read.

Kodas' writing style is reminiscent of Krakauer's, in that he writes not only from research, but from experience. That being said, he is a fine journalist in his own right. Kodas himself has been to Everest, (and in fact was on Everest at the time his subject Dr. Nils Antezana was there) and uses his own experiences to illustrate his points. A gifted writer, Kodas made the history and facts surrounding mountaineering on Everest so interesting, it was hard to put the book down.

This book primarily focuses on Dr. Nils Antezana's dream to climb to the summit of Mount Everest, and his unfortunate demise almost immediately thereafter.

While most people, both climbers and non-climbers are aware of the dangers the mountain itself presents - extreme cold, oxygen depravation, steep and icey slopes that may cause a person to stumble and fall etc., many people may be unaware of the dangers other people on the mountain present. From immoral and/or inexperienced guides, to cut-rate equipment, and theft - which at that altitude can constitute manslaughter. Kodas examines both these types of dangers in his book "High Crimes".

Bravely shining light on some of the darkest aspects of trekking Everest, and some of it's darkest characters, it should be required reading for anyone considering climbing any major peak, not just Everest.

This book courtesy of HarperCollins Canada Reading Group.