Ed Viesturs is America's most famous and successful mountaineer and this work is a fascinating and often entertaining account of his exploits. His Himalayan climbing adventures, while exciting, seem foolishly dangerous to a non-climber. The book is dedicated to three of his climbing friends who are no longer around to read it. They are far from the only ones mentioned who died while climbing. One cannot help but wonder what drives individuals to take on such extraordinary risks; one has to be a bit crazy, it seems. Viesturs himself comes off as a hard-charging, highly motivated, but likeable fellow. He proves sensitive and helpful to colleagues in trouble. Unfortunately, his modesty errodes in the book's last chapter when he falls into some bragging about what an inspiration he has been to others. Nonetheless, a fine and interesting read overall.