Page 45 - 2019 AMA Winter

QUEST FOR ADVENTURE
CHRIS BONINGTON
This is a reprint and update of Bonington’s 1981 classic adventure book. However, this is slightly different to his other published works which focuses on his own story and achievements. This describes other people’s exploits and Bonnington has selected some of, what he considers to be, the most daring or ground breaking in their fields - not just mountaineering. Many of the 17 stories are in fact books in their own rights and have their own wonderful and colourful back stories. His story telling is masterful and he has the ability to bring to life the situations these individuals were under. I imagine this is because he has been in a few of them himself and understands them better than most. As Wally Herbet famously said,
‘Those who need to ask, will never know the answer – Those who understand the answer, will never need to ask’.
Wally Herbert, British Trans-Arctic Survey
It is Bonington’s rich and detailed under- standing that provides the backbone for this spectacular book. I thoroughly enjoyed this updated version that includes additional feats in the forty or so years since it was first published. If you haven’t read it before I would fully recommend it - not only will it entertain, but it will also give you a further reading list of great mountain books that you will want to get stuck into.
I am a huge fan of Bonington and really enjoy the clear no-nonsense approach that he takes to mountaineering, and it was gratifying to see him also bring this quality to his writing. His mountain credentials are faultless, and he is a former officer in the Royal Tank Regiment and a Sandhurst alumnus, . His greatest exploit must be how instrumental he was in setting up the Army Mountaineering Association and being one of our Honorary Presidents though...
THE MOUNTAINS OF CALIFORNIA
JOHN MUIR
Muir is famous for his long-dis- tance treks, exploration and rock climbs in California. He is often
described as a free spirit who ‘had’ to be in the mountains with the wide open spaces. This is a reprint of one of his ten books that helped him rise to prominence and become the ‘Father of the National Parks’.
Muir’s writing is of its time and you often feel like you’ve had a literary meal, with some of his rather lengthy and tender descriptions. It won’t appeal to everyone,
with the majority of the focus being on the natural world rather than the journey or exploits of the great man. It is most certainly not a biography, but I would call this a connoisseur’s book and an absolute must for anyone visiting the Californian national parks.
Vertebrate Publishing have been supporting the AMA for quite a few years now and produce some of the best mountain books in the world. Some of its newest titles are definitely worth seeking out and adding to your collection. Check out the members zone at armymountaineer.org.uk for the 30% discount code on these titles and more.
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