Book description
Throughout its history the Guardian has had unparalleled
access to mountaineers and climbers, and its coverage of the sport is
second to none. From Edward Whymper's conquest of the Matterhorn in
1865 through to the first ever ascent of Everest in 1953, and on to
the extreme climbing (and associated apparatus) that dominates the
modern-day incarnation of the sport, the paper has chronicled every
development with insight and intelligence.
This beguiling collection draws together a selection of
Guardian writing that is both informative and celebratory,
tracking the sport's history and uncovering how public perception has
changed over time.
- Postings on how cigarettes 'aided breathing' on some of the
earliest Everest expeditions
- Victorian advice to 'lady climbers': 'Small rings should be sewn
inside the seams of the skirt ... [so] that the whole dress may be
drawn up at a moment's notice to the requisite height'
- Articles on scrambling, fell-running, rock-climbing and rambling.
Whether you're a serious mountaineer or a weekend rambler, On the
Roof of the World is packed full of insights and stories that
make it the perfect bedside companion.
Richard Nelsson is chief librarian of the
Guardian
and the
Observer
. He is chair of the Association of UK Media Librarians and has
contributed to two editions of the
British Librarianship and
Information Work
. He lives in Tulse Hill in South London with his partner and two
daughters, swims at Tooting Bec lido all year round and climbs whenever
he can.
