Accidents in North American Mountaineering 2001: Issue 54

A detailed and sobering series of reports on how people die in the mountains. Cautionary tales from one of the the most dangerous environments on the planet. A must for people who are impatient to get to the summit, No Matter What. The editor's comments are especially informative.

Arrived as promised.

This is the second book in this annual series I have read. I don't have much different to say about this edition. If you are a climber, especially one who climbs in North America, I imagine these books would be required reading. It presents details and analysis of all the climbing accidents that result in injury or worse. They aren't written to entertain or - needless to say - amuse, though occasionally there is areport that does just that. Mostly they are straightforward reports on accidents with just a touch of wry comment at times. As someone who does not climb but who has read dozens of books on the subject, it is interesting to me in the alternate viewpoint it gives, as opposed to the more personal books by or about mountaineers and/or expeditions. I have two more to read before I will have to decide whether to buy more!