About this ebook
On the night of 10-11 May 1996, eight climbers perished in what remains the worst disaster in Everest's history. Following the tragedy, numerous accounts were published, with Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air becoming an international bestseller. But has the whole story been told?
A Day to Die For reveals the full, startling facts that led to the tragedy. Graham Ratcliffe, the first British climber to reach the summit of Mount Everest twice, was a first-hand witness, having spent the night on Everest's South Col at 26,000 ft, sheltering from the deadly storm. For years, he has shouldered a burden of guilt, feeling that he and his teammates could have saved lives that fateful night. His quest for answers has led to discoveries so important to an understanding of the disaster that he now questions why these facts were not made public sooner.
History is dotted with high-profile disasters that both horrify and capture the attention of the public, but very rarely is our view of them revised to such devastating effect.
A Day to Die For reveals the full, startling facts that led to the tragedy. Graham Ratcliffe, the first British climber to reach the summit of Mount Everest twice, was a first-hand witness, having spent the night on Everest's South Col at 26,000 ft, sheltering from the deadly storm. For years, he has shouldered a burden of guilt, feeling that he and his teammates could have saved lives that fateful night. His quest for answers has led to discoveries so important to an understanding of the disaster that he now questions why these facts were not made public sooner.
History is dotted with high-profile disasters that both horrify and capture the attention of the public, but very rarely is our view of them revised to such devastating effect.
Ratings and reviews
4.1
31 reviews
M M (Booo)
- Flag inappropriate
May 9, 2024
OMG- YOU GOT TO READ THIS !! A little laborious & hard work at times, but be patient. The authour takes you by the hand, step by step, into a story you think you know. Just as you think theres nothing new that can be offered in the inquest & actions of 10th May 1996, a shock find hits the author & reader in turn like a sledgehammer (dont worry, no spoiler). Those who should have known better, paid the ultimate price, now a warning marker for those that follow & may think know better. Be sure the mountain will take every chance to exploit any chink of weakness against you. She has thousands of years experience & you matter little - she"ll still be there thousands of years from now. Your names just those who underestimate her might - think long & hard before you take the challenge, prices can be varied in cost, fingers or toes, a hand or nose; a hard won reputation maligned to safeguard those of others. Then the ultimate, as visible today as in 1996. Pride doesnt always go before a fall, but when the bill arrives be sure youre prepared to pay.
Diranne Lee-Renwick
- Flag inappropriate
February 19, 2016
I certainly feel for Graham Ratcliffe's pain of 1996 but reading the path to his conclusion is obsessive to say the least... ... yes the facts are very clear in the end; but it's just a shame the book repeats itself so many times to get to the final conclusion.
1 person found this review helpful
Connie Herrera
- Flag inappropriate
November 26, 2015
A little obsessive, but I wasn't there. So, how could I get his intense search for absolute truth. Great read
About the author
Married with two daughters, Graham Ratcliffe now divides his time between his homes in North Shields and the south-east of France. In 1998, he was awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.
Rate this ebook
Tell us what you think.
Reading information
Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
eReaders and other devices
To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.
