Freedom Climbers - Softcover

Bernadette McDonald

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1906148449 ISBN 13: 9781906148447

Publisher: Vertebrate Publishing, 2012

Synopsis

"Freedom Climbers" is the multi award-winning book by Bernadette McDonald, now available in the UK and Ireland thanks to Vertebrate Publishing. "Freedom Climbers" tells the story of the extraordinary Polish adventurers who emerged from under the blanket of oppression following the Second World War to become the world's leading Himalayan climbers. Although they lived in a war-ravaged landscape, with seemingly no hope of creating a meaningful life, these curious, motivated and skilled mountaineers built their own free-market economy under the very noses of their Communist bosses and climbed their way to liberation. At a time when Polish citizens were locked behind the Iron Curtain, these intrepid explorers found a way to travel the world in search of extreme adventure - to Alaska, South America and Europe, but mostly to the highest and most inspiring mountains of the world. To this end, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan and Nepal became their second homes as they evolved into the toughest Himalayan climbers the world has ever known. In her most engaging book to date, renowned and award-winning author Bernadette McDonald weaves a passionate and literary tale of adventure, politics, suffering, death and - ultimately - inspiration.

About this title

Review:

"One of the most important mountaineering books to be written for many years." (Winner - Boardman Tasker Prize) "Painstakingly researched and well crafted, this remarkable book acknowledges the significance of Polish mountaineers during the golden age of Himalayan exploration. Fascinating." (ANDY CAVE)"

About the Author:

Bernadette McDonald is the founding vice president of Mountain Culture at The Banff Centre in Canada and author of seven books on international mountaineering, including: Tomaz Humar (Random House UK, 2008); Brotherhood of the Rope: The Biography of Charles Houston (The Mountaineers Books, 2007) and I'll Call You in Kathmandu; The Elizabeth Hawley Story (The Mountaineers Books, 2005). In addition to the prizes scooped by Freedom Climbers, McDonald is the winner of numerous awards, including Italy's ITAS Prize for mountain writing (2010) and is a two-time winner of India's Kekoo Naoroji Award for Mountain Literature (2009 and 2008). She has also received the Alberta Order of Excellence (2010), the Summit of Excellence Award from The Banff Centre (2007), the King Albert Award for international leadership in the field of mountain culture and environment (2006), and the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal (2002).

About this edition

• Publisher: Vertebrate Publishing
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1906148449
• ISBN 13: 9781906148447
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 256