Athol Yates

Advantages: Incredible story, wonderfully written, genuinely inspiring.
Disadvantages: Only lasts about 3 days on the commute as its so easy to read!

...I picked this up after reading a brief synopsis of the events in "The Dangerous Book for Boys". The book tells of an ill-fated expedition to the summit of Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes in 1985 by Simpson and his companion Simon Yates. Following an accident, Yates found himself forced to cut the rope which suspended Simpson over a hundred foot drop and a huge crevice, an act which has proved controversial ever since. I'm no mountaineer by any standard, but one needn't be in order to appreciate what is essentially a testament to the human ability to survive in the most unlikely of circumstances, and to to repair the damage done by such despair and loneliness as was encountered by Simpson. This incredible story is recounted fantasically by Simpson in this, his first book, as if he had been a professional author for years... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: thrilling, lucid
Disadvantages: painfull to read

...This is an incredible story. Joe Simpson is a climber who was climbing with a colleague, Simon Yates in the Andes when they hit trouble. Left for dead in a cravasse after a huge fall, this is the story of Joe Simpson's fight to survive and drag himself off the mountain. If you don't like to read about pain, anguish and sheer guts, don't touch this book. If you are impressed by real courage without a gun or bomb in sight, this is an absolute must. It is lucid and well written, a real survivor's tale.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average not helpful

Advantages: very well written by a man who was there
Disadvantages: upsetting

...This book is one I would like to be able to recommend but on reading it I really can't, at least not if you are easily upset, not because its badly written but because it made me feel upset and so so mad that Ian Huntley the man guilty of the Soham Murders was in fact able to be near another living sole ever.. The book is about Ian Huntley child abducter and Holly & Jessica's murderer. It is a very factual book about his life and his past history of abusing women, attempted rapes and more... Nathan Yates really gets into his mind and lets us in too... This book is written by "investigative journalist Nathan Yates, who witnessed the murder hunt first-hand and even interviewed Huntley and former girlfriend Maxine Carr." The book reveals how Ian Huntley lied to everyone even on the witness stand about his involvment in the murders... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful