Left for Dead

By Beck Weathers & Stephen G. Michaud

Left for Dead - Beck Weathers & Stephen G. Michaud
  • Release Date: 2000-04-25
  • Genre: Mountaineering
Score: 4
4
From 113 Ratings

Description

With a new preface by the author • As featured in the upcoming motion picture Everest, starring Jason Clarke, Josh Brolin, John Hawkes, Robin Wright, Emily Watson, Keira Knightley, Sam Worthington, and Jake Gyllenhaal
 
“I can tell you that some force within me rejected death at the last moment and then guided me, blind and stumbling—quite literally a dead man walking—into camp and the shaky start of my return to life.”
 
In 1996 Beck Weathers and a climbing team pushed toward the summit of Mount Everest. Then a storm exploded on the mountain, ripping the team to shreds, forcing brave men to scratch and crawl for their lives. Rescuers who reached Weathers saw that he was dying, and left him. Twelve hours later, the inexplicable occurred. Weathers appeared, blinded, gloveless, and caked with ice—walking down the mountain. In this powerful memoir, now featuring a new Preface, Weathers describes not only his escape from hypothermia and the murderous storm that killed eight climbers, but the journey of his life. This is the story of a man’s route to a dangerous sport and a fateful expedition, as well as the road of recovery he has traveled since; of survival in the face of certain death, the reclaiming of a family and a life; and of the most extraordinary adventure of all: finding the courage to say yes when life offers us a second chance.
 
Praise for Left for Dead
 
“Riveting . . . [a] remarkable survival story . . . Left for Dead takes a long, critical look at climbing: Weathers is particularly candid about how the demanding sport altered and strained his relationships.”USA Today
 
“Ultimately, this engrossing tale depicts the difficulty of a man’s struggle to reform his life.”Publishers Weekly

Reviews

  • 5 stars

    5
    By macteooenmckinkey
    Well written! I appreciated the descriptions of the areas, mountains, the sherpas and their living environment. I ended up loving you and your family. I don’t like the nickname think. It won’t take any of mine. Giving an Alias…
  • Left for Dead

    1
    By hofjanie13
    Really enjoyed this book until the author decided to insert his personal political views - and not in a subtle manner! - into the details of his amazing journey. Just ruined it for me. I’ve experienced this before, as have others who have had to put a book down for this same reason. So frustrating and what a waste of money!
  • Left to Die, but New Life to come

    5
    By TXOilman
    What an excellent book this is! Five Stars is certainly not enough! Dr. Weathers, Peach, Meg, and Beck II have taken the risk to open their hearts and lives for all to see. The honesty is amazing and extremely moving - I found myself in tears many times as I "felt" the pain being shared, especially the emotional pain of an unloved wife. While Beck "loved" her, he for so many years wasn't Loving her, and no wonder, as he was preoccupied with learning how to escape from his Kingdom of Self. It took almost perishing on Everest, and intervention (I believe) from his Creator, who had, and still has, a plan for his life to redeem him to true humanity, teach him what is truly important, and help him find Truth. Thank you, Beck Weathers and all who contributed to this work - there are great lessons in it for all of us!!! --Steve Jobe, Shady Shores, TX
  • Powerfully Inspiring

    5
    By Mike the Van Driver
    I never heard of Beck Weathers until the movie Everest, was released. Of course I heard about the 1996 tragedy, but I never truly understood what it entailed. Releasing this book and opening up his life to the world by admitting he suffered from depression, was very brave! This is a topic people still have difficulty talking about, and will never admit having because of fear of losing their jobs or friends. Terrible social stigma attached. Beck's story reminds me of the movie, "It's a Wonderful Life."
  • Human & Self Deprecating In the Best Way

    5
    By LLandCL
    This book is so good! It's a page turner. Just read it. Human and self deprecating, Beck tells his story. It's impossible to read a story about mountain climbing that isn't exciting. The whole ordeal is dramatic, whether or not it is supposed to be, just due to the sheer extreme nature of the task. On top of the mountaineering, the psychology behind the mountaineering is very interesting. I really enjoyed his story.
  • Fantastic

    5
    By Aboyer1
    Woaw ... Really a great human story ...
  • Must Read to Comp,eye The Story

    5
    By 2Boxersmom
    I read Into Thin Air written by Jon Krakauer...it was riveting. But the book left me wanting more, especially more about Beck Weathers. This incredible mountaineer returns from the brink of death off Everest...there is no way I wouldn't find out more about this man. Google to the rescue...two minutes later I downloaded Left For Dead by Beck Weathers. Beck takes us on a journey to understand why he climbed mountains, why he took chances. But more than that, he reminds us all that we can change, we can be inspired at unlikely times and places. He reminds us what is important in life...family and friends that so many of us take for granted and assume they will always be there. Beck pays a high price for this lesson. But in telling his story, might we learn from him so that our journey to become a kinder, better, caring person comes at a much lower price...just the cost of his book. Thanks Beck for being so strong in every way possible, physically, mentally and spiritually. Thanks for having the strength to tell us your story. It doesn't matter if you prefer fiction or nonfiction, this is a book everyone should read. It definitely must be read if you have read Into Thin Air.