Title: Seven Summits
Author: Bell, Steve (ed)
Published by: Mitchell Beazley, London
Year: 2000
Date reviewed: 12.00
ISBN: 1-84000-208-5

This is a mountaineering book that not only has great photos but is also enjoyable to read.

It starts off with a nice little spat – competing forewords from Dick "I did the seven first" Bass and Pat "But I did the REAL seven first" Morrow. The difference being whether you count Kosciuszko in Australia, at 2228m, as representing Australasia or prefer the altogether more challenging Cartensz Pyramid in Irian Jaya, 4884m. And in the interests of balance and completeness, the book naturally belies its title and has chapters on all eight summits.

The format for each chapter is the same – a general introduction to the mountain, its environment and its history, followed by two or more personal accounts of ascents (or just one account, in the case of Kosciuszko). All contributions are by people who have completed the Seven.

This format keeps the book interesting, and as mentioned above, the pictures are excellent. There is, though, a sad side in the number of climbers – writers, their partners or friends – who have lost their lives on these or other climbs.