Blind Descent: Surviving Alone and Blind on Mount Everest

I enjoyed reading this book as it was quite interesting. It went into a lot of details about his climbing of Mount Everest.

I'm an Everest junkie, despite having never climbed any mountain. Just the thought of people willing to give their lives for a few minutes at the summit makes it interesting to me. Mr Dickinson is very lucky to be alive and I'm sure the love of his family, his faith in God as well as his military background have a large part in him being able to overcome what would be a death sentence to most people. At times I felt that he might be a bit full of himself but perhaps he felt like he needed to outline his particular skill set that enabled him to survive. I dropped a star for what seemed like self aggrandizing and irritated me a little but I recommend this book to anyone who is also interested in Everest or just likes a human interest story. As a Christian myself, I enjoyed the author's frequent references to his faith and how that helped him but it may be perceived as too much by those who don't share that perspective. He was also dismissive of the faith of the Sherpas on the mountain. There is one God and although their way may not be the way of the Western Christian, they are every bit as entitled to pray for safe passage as Mr Dickinson was. If not for the Sherpa people, most could not climb the mountain. They deserve some respect. They do intense back breaking and unselfish work to enable climbers to reach the summit of Everest, putting their own lives at risk in the process. Many have died on the mountain helping others achieve their goals. A bit of respect for their faith would have been nice.

First off let me start by saying that I am not a "reader" by default. So for me to pick up a book and push through it cover to cover in a week is saying a lot!The tittle really says what I feel about the book. It is next to impossible to put down for the night. Once you start reading you will want to go to the end in one sitting.There are several VERY powerful moments in the book. I won't tell you any more than that as you need to read it. There were two separate occasions where I found this grown man (me) wiping off a tear from my cheek. I don't think that has happened to me in years.Brian has done a really good job staying in touch with the details of the trip. He recalls in great detail the smells and thoughts he was having as he went thru this journey. It is written in a way where I could picture myself actually there, with the images in my head clear as day.Also being a Christian I had much respect and could relate strongly to the messages, moments and respect being paid to his religion. It was also great to see his respect show in the book of other religions as well.It would be real exciting to see this get picked up as a movie. With the right actor this can be an amazing story for the screen!Well done Brian! Well done! And Congratulations on the accomplishments.

I have just finished reading your book Blind Descent, I gave it 3 stars, the book is well written, though a bit drawn out- (I skipped a lot), what you accomplished under such adverse conditions is to be commended. Why I only gave you 3 stars is because of what you wrote at the end of the book and what it showed me about you as a person.Yes, you acknowledge that God had a large part in your survival, but I’m not sure if it was in your interest he watched over you, as much as it was inconsideration of your wife & children. You kept saying how much you missed them, that doesn't count, you were just thinking of your feelings not theirs. The first thing after your book you wrote how sorry you were to your wife, and children from putting them through it. I was taught when you say sorry, if you really mean it, it works this way, ‘I am sorry, I was wrong, and I won’t do it again’. My point is you aren't and never will be truly sorry, because you have put them through it time and again since then, and I see no signs of you stopping.As I continued to read more in that section; I get the distinct impression that you are very much an ‘I or Me’ type person. What you want takes precedence over your family’s needs, wishes, and your responsibility to them, as you really should as a grown man, with a wife and children. You need to realize you have responsibilities to others besides yourself.Yes your wife says she supports you. She does this because she cares more about you and your wishes than herself. It’s a pity you do not have a little of her same unselfish attitude. My personal feeling about you is, you are a selfish, self centered inconsiderate man, who needs to take a real look at yourself. In other words grow up!!

If you don't like Christian writings, then don't even begin this book. It testifies from beginning to the end. If you don't mind Christian writing, it is a must read for anyone who likes a good book that is about climbing Mt.Everest. For me, the writing about the author's days in the military training as a swimmer in the navy was the most interesting part if the entire book. The factual writing about what it takes to climb Mt. Everest was interesting, and I thoroughly enjoyed the background of what it took financially, physical and mental training, and the psychological aspects. It is a book that I totally recommend to anyone interested in non-fiction adventures. For me, I have never understood the mentality that it takes to do something like this. Having gone to school and having had classes with Jim Whitaker's nephews, I always wondered what it took psychologically to do a climb like Jim Whitaker did. As he was a local hero, he was part of my reasoning to go into psychology as my college major. I had hoped this book would help me to understand WHY someone would do something that I consider so demented. The book didn't answer this question, but it was a book that I am most glad to have read. I thoroughly recommend it to anyone who can accept Christian writings!

This is a well written book which tells the tale of a hunger to succeed and a driven almost selfish view of a rather self obsessed climber.His decision to summit on his own beggars belief and then descend blind is almost impossible to believe. You have to think he stretched the truth as to the severity of his condition.What is even more 'remarkable is that he uses his faith almost justify his selfishness. His wife with the extremely annoyingly spelling of JoAnna comes across as either a superwoman or a bullied door mat I am not sure which but how or why she puts up with Brian I am undecided - not many would? Glad I read it but both Brian and JoAnna would not be on my wish list to meet.

THANK YOU, LORDOctober 20 2014I cannot imagine there is a dry eye in your home since you became aware that your human friend and guide, Pasang, has gone on before you, again, to meet our gracious and glorious Guide.Yet, why weep tears unless of joy?I didn't read of you singing the old redemption hymn " Courage, brother, do not stumble." But the words were never far from my mind as I read this account of your goal-packed years.May God continue to bless you and your family until you meet up with Pasang once moreHelen Bruce ([email protected] ) Bo'ness SCOTLAND EH51 0EH

I did very much enjoy reading this book on my I.pad.I am pleased that Brian talked a lot about God as he would not be here now if God had not been with him all the way on his journey.Thank you Brian for sharing your amazing account &making it so readable.I learnt a lot about Mount Everest which has always interested me. Thank you & God bless you & your family.

I read many mountaineering books and I’m always enthralled. This was an interesting account of an amazing experience. Not the best I’ve read (by some margin) but enjoyable nonetheless.

I read this book by a change in my life circumstances and prompted by someone to read it. So I did. From a personal perspective, I have learned a lot about mountaineering but more about someone's personal struggle and the part God had to play in Brian's life and his summit attempt. A must read for any explorer in whatever situation they may find themselves in to show that through adversity a way can be found. Gripping and interesting, a great read for all.