Everest '96

A Compelling Expose of Death and Deceit

By: Ken Vernon

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

The world’s highest mountain can bring out the best in people – and the worst. We usually only read about the bravery, courage and sacrifice of mountaineers who risk life and limb to achieve excellence - but there are others - the charlatans, conmen and bullies who sacrifice others to reach the top.
Everest ’96 forensically examines the impact of a killer storm which swept over the Himalayas, scattering bodies in its wake on the deadliest night in Everest climbing history.
Even before the storm hit, a South African expedition, supported by Nelson Mandela, disintegrated as a web of deceit and deception spun by its narcissistic leader unravelled even as the team trekked to Everest Base Camp.
Ken Vernon was the journalist assigned to cover the SA expedition and in Everest ’96 he dissects an expedition that became a laughing-stock; peels back the layers of deception of the most reviled climber in Everest lore; and delves deeply into the dynamics that have made climbing Everest a tick-box adventure.

Interesting

This was another angle of the story of the famous season on Everest in 1996. It was interesting and did keep my attention. The virtual narrator was a definite negative. Not sure about listening to another such narrator. Overall was a good read.

Lot of repetition, occasionally annoying virtual voice

Nice story with a lot of needless repetition. virtual voice 80% fine but 20% annoying.

Compelling book, terrible (automated) narration

I downloaded this book without noticing that the narrator was 'virtual voice', and didn't realize until I started listening to it on an airplane, at which point I decided to go ahead with it, as I wasn't going to be downloading something new at that point, particularly after the first few minutes showed that the voice wasn't totally artificial/robotic sounding to the extent of being unlistenable. The content was fascinating, having read several other books on the '96 Everest season, but not knowing much about the details of the South Africa expedition. Vernon's account is clear, and he includes other perspectives at several important points in ways that add clarity and demonstrate alternative viewpoints of contentious conversations in which he participated, which is appreciated and gives valuable context.

The narration, however, leaves much to be desired. The 'virtual voice' struggles with things like interjections indicated by commas or parentheses, which become somewhat mangled in the absence of human awareness and tone. Additionally, it pronounces the word "Sherpas" as "Sherpers" every time, which was quite annoying.

Very interesting story. A bit long

Loved the writing. Audiobook of course had no pictures. Seems like there could be a way to include a pdf like the Great Courses do to show the pics.
Kind of a “revenge tour” book. But that was OK. It really pointed out again, stupidity and deception never plays out well in critical events like the sea, aviation, and extreme sports.
Again, maybe a bit long. Could have tightened it up a bit. By the time you get to the end you’re kinda worn out and it’s unremarkable.

Very well written, and documented.

So many of the Questions that I have had after reading the stories about the disastrous expeditions on Everest, have now been answered in the reading of this book. it is always a fascinating topic for me to explore, and live through someone else that has been there. The virtual narrator is better than most of the other virtual voices I have listened to. I would highly recommend this book for anyone. Interested In the stories about Everest. JS.