Annapurna, Arlene Blum
Annapurna, Arlene Blum
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Annapurna
A Woman’s Place

Author: Arlene Blum, Maurice Herzog

Narrator: Eileen Stevens

Unabridged: 9 hr 59 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 11/20/2018

Synopsis

In August 1978, thirteen women left San Francisco for the Nepal Himalayas to make history as the first Americans—and the first women—to scale the treacherous slopes of Annapurna I, the world’s tenth highest peak. Expedition leader Arlene Blum here tells their dramatic story: the logistical problems, storms, and hazardous ice climbing; the conflicts and reconciliations within the team; the terror of avalanches that threatened to sweep away camps and climbers.On October fifteenth, two women and two Sherpas at last stood on the summit—but the celebration was cut short, for two days later, the two women of the second summit team fell to their deaths.Never before has such an account of mountaineering triumph and tragedy been told from a woman’s point of view. By proving that women had the skill, strength, and courage necessary to make this difficult and dangerous climb, the 1978 Women’s Himalayan Expedition’s accomplishment had a positive impact around the world, changing perceptions about women’s abilities in sports and other arenas. And Annapurna: A Woman’s Place has become an acknowledged classic in the annals of women’s achievements—a story of challenge and commitment told with passion, humor, and unflinching honesty.

About Arlene Blum

Arlene Blum, PhD, biophysical chemist, author, and mountaineer, is the executive director of the Green Science Policy Institute and a chemist at UC Berkeley. Her scientific and policy work has prevented the use of flame retardants and fluorinated chemicals in consumer products worldwide. She co-led the first women’s team to climb Denali; completed the Great Himalayan Traverse across the mountain regions of Bhutan, Nepal, and India; and hiked the length of the European Alps with her baby daughter on her back.

About Maurice Herzog

Maurice Herzog (1919-2012) was one of the foremost mountaineers in history. He gained international fame in 1950 as the leader of the expedition that summited Annapurna I, the first eight-thousand-meter peak ever climbed by man. Born in France, Herzog distinguished himself in World War II, winning the Legion d'Honneur and Croix de Guerre, two of his nation's highest military honors. After the war, he took to adventuring, where he found his calling climbing the highest mountains in the world. After leading the Annapurna expedition, which cost him his toes and most of his fingers, he dictated his account of the experience from his hospital bed. His mountaineering days finished, Herzog turned to politics, serving his country as a minister of sport.

About Eileen Stevens

Eileen Stevens is a voice-over actress whose voice can be heard on cartoons, promos, programs for English-language learners, and audiobooks. An Earphones Award–winning narrator, she is also an audiobook director and producer.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Nigel on September 15, 2018

That certainly goes down as one of the best climbing books I've read. Even on a simple basis it is a powerful story of a very challenging climb of one of the world's 8000 metre summits. The fact that Arlene had access to fellow climbers diaries allows the narrative to reflect various views. The tell......more

Goodreads review by Joanna on April 22, 2020

I haven't read a book I couldn't put down in forever. I was reading this as often as I could and even woke up early (I eagerly sacrificed sleep as a mother of two toddlers-- a testament to its quality). I did not know the story of this climb before reading and recommend that you go in blind if you d......more

Goodreads review by Marie on May 29, 2023

Denne beretningen berører. Kanskje ikke så mye på grunn av sin prosa, men heller med sin øyeåpnende fortelling om et lag med kvinnelige klatrere på 1970-tallet, som mot de fleste odds sammen bestiger ett av verdens høyeste og farligste fjell 🏔️ Klatring i store høyder er fremdeles en mannsdominert i......more

Goodreads review by Barbara on December 20, 2014

Long story, short – read this book for inspiration. I didn’t even know there had been a new release of this book. I just happened to pick up my copy from my bookshelf –of the first release in 1980 – to re-read. And I am glad I did. For what’s it’s worth my husband and I summited Mt. Kilimanjaro in ou......more

Goodreads review by Kyle on January 29, 2021

My favorite of all the mountaineering books, Annapurna: A Woman’s Place is worthwhile for many reasons. At this time in my life, Arlene Blum’s introspective account of leading the first all-female American expedition to the Himalaya registers. Though not everyone is in this position, she provides a......more

Quotes

“This is a book about working together under extraordinary conditions where the temperature in your tent can drop to ten degrees below zero and a tiny hole in a glove can mean the possible loss of a finger. It is about making decisions while an avalanche rushes by you with a wind that knocks you over. It is about risking death knowing that you have a daughter, a partner at home…The compelling story of thirteen very different women…each determined to get women to the top of a mountain.” Erica Bauermeister, reviewed in 500 Great Books by Women

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