Mountains of the mind
Why do so many feel compelled to risk their lives climbing mountains? During the climbing season, one person a day dies in the Alps, and more people die climbing in this season in Scotland than they do on the roads. "Mountains of the Mind" pursues a fascinating investigation into our emotional and imaginative responses to mountains, and how these have changed over the last few centuries. It is rich with literary and historical references, and punctuated by beautifully written descriptions of the author's own climbing experiences. There are chapters on glaciers, geology, the pursuit of fear, the desire to explore the unknown, and the desire to get to the summit, and the book ends with a gripping account of Mallory's attempt on Everest. "Mountains of the Mind" is a beautifully written synthesis of climbing memoir and cultural history.
Stats for nerds
4recommend
4mentions
4people
2019–2024years
100% recommend
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
- Robert Macfarlane has a fantastic book around this theme. "Mountains of the Mind" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/839157.Mountains_of_the_...
- The entire Landscape series from Macfarlane:
- Mountains of the Mind (a history and first-person account of mountain climbing)
- The Wild Places (a history and exploration of the 'wild' landscapes of the British Isles)
- The Old Ways (a history and exploration of the ancient paths of the world)
are all really excellent (and can be read in any order). He's a fabulous writer, kind of like a Kapuściński for the natural world.
- Mountains of the Mind by Robert Macfarlane
Use the holiday opportunity to read more widely, venture outside of science and ponder more profound matters.
This book changed my reading directions forever.
- Seconded. His 'Mountains of the Mind' is also great reading for hiking/mountaineering-interested people like me.
In fact, I can recommend every book he's written.
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