Ben will win Survivor Nepal

I'm bookimic. Or, readimic. I go for long spells of not reading because, when I do, I'm consumed by it. Utterly and totally consumed. I can't think of anything else. I get caught up in the world of it, and reality pales in comparison. Which, actually, is bullshit because most if not all of what I read is non fiction, so it's still reality, but, you get the jist.

I'm in a gorging stage at the moment. Which suits me to a T because I've finally found the bus. No more gropes in the Metro for me. Guaranteed quiet reading time. Brilliant.

And so, I've just finished Convergence Culture. Which, thank god. Don't get me wrong. It's insightful. It's really interesting. In parts, it's amazing. But it's also full of examples. Specific, deep, unique examples. Which, at times are fascinating but, at times, for me anyway, go on a little too long. It could have been the music I was listening to at the same time though.

That said the whole collective intelligence, a participatory culture and users as creators thing is really very interesting. It is very good, but I perhaps didn't quite love it as much as others have appeared to.

I am however dead set keen on becoming a professional Spoiler.

Back to a less work oriented read now in my normal genre: Everest and other mountain climbing disasters. Could someone else please fall down a crevasse and stumble home in absolute agony over four days, because I'm running out of things to read.

Comments

[Paul H. Colman]

What Everest/climbing books have you read, I might be able to recommend a few.

[Angus Whines]

Hrm, where to begin. I've read many, but will try and list them out in case there's something I've missed:

- Into Thin Air
- The Climb
- Touching the Void
- Miracle in the Andes
- Eiger Dreams
- Between a Rock and a Hard Place
- Left for Dead - My Journey Home From Everest
- The Beckoning Silence
- Everest - The West Ridge
- Touching My Father's Soul
- View From the Summit
- Where the Mountain Casts its Shadow
- Everest (first oxygen free ascent)
- Alive
- Dark Shadows Falling
- Fear No Boundary - The Road to Everest
- Holding On

That's all I can remember... I'm sure there's been some others but nothing that stands out. I've done many other 'amazing survival' books too in other categories...

What's your favourite?

[Paul H. Colman]

Wow. Impressive list.

I really liked Into Thin Air and The Climb. And the different perspectives on the '96 Disaster. (Which camp are you in?)

This is pretty interesting, not disaster based, though there are some hairy moments...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/High-Exposure-David-Breashears/dp/1841953903/sr=8-1/qid=1168515207/ref=sr_1_1/026-6441488-3754013?ie=UTF8&s=books

And this is a classic...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/White-Spider-Heinrich-Harrer/dp/0007197845/sr=1-1/qid=1168515338/ref=sr_1_1/026-6441488-3754013?ie=UTF8&s=books

Great climbing book...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Villain-Life-Don-Whillans/dp/0099416727/sr=1-1/qid=1168515386/ref=sr_1_1/026-6441488-3754013?ie=UTF8&s=books

[Angus Whines]

Yep, the 1996 disaster accounts make for really interesting reading, over and over again. I am a big Jon Krakauer fan and some of his comments about Anatoli are damning, but I stand by Anatoli in so far as believing he acted in a way he felt was best for others, even if it wasn't conventional. Whilst Jon might be right about some things during the actual disaster period, you also have to consider the way the whole thing was set up and what Anatoli would have done differently or was concerned about. You?

I just had a look at those three links and they ALL look fabulous, thank you so much!

[Paul H. Colman]

Agree with you Kirsty. Also Krakauer assumes too much about peoples thoughts and intentions.

Another perspective on '96...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Doctor-Everest-Sir-Edmund-Hillary/dp/1841196274/sr=8-1/qid=1168521461/ref=sr_1_1/026-6441488-3754013?ie=UTF8&s=books

And another good climbing / disaster book...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Learning-Breathe-Andy-Cave/dp/009947266X/sr=1-1/qid=1168521554/ref=sr_1_1/026-6441488-3754013?ie=UTF8&s=books

[Angus Whines]

Oh yes, I've read Learning to Breathe, but not the Doctor one, fabulous, thanks so much Paul.

[Tim Gregory]

Tim here, long time listener, first time caller to your show

Thought I'd write and say Hello! And add another take on scaling Everest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQJIDI6HMX8

I know it's simple, but as a Kiwi kid I liked it. Sir Ed's one-liners became famous in the playground. Then learning that Aussie kids are Weetbix kids too - oh the betrayal!

I have enjoyed your whines since first stumbling upon them a few months back. I look forward to more and wish you all the best for 2007.

Tim - another antipodean planner in europe - brussels to be precise

[Angus Whines]

Tim, hi! Lovely to hear from you and I'm thrilled to hear someone reads this site, thank you so much.

Nice to know there is another antipodean planner nearby too... I bet we could trade a few tales if the opportunity ever arose...

The ad is fabulous, I have never seen it before. Those seventh day adventists really do know what they're doing. Either that, or their agencies do.

I can still remember first hearing 'kiwi kids are weetbix kids' and having a very hearty chuckle...

[Stan Lee]

Kiwi kids are Weetbix kids!!!!
Can't be true.
If it was Daniel Vetori wouldn't need to wear his Harry Potter specs when he plays cricket.

[Angus Whines]

But he sure does look good in them Stan....