Reviews Continued

This is from the BBC series of the same name. As one would imagine, with photographs comissioned by the BBC, they are really first rate. We are whisked around the world to six exotic dream locations, the likes of which you or I will most likely never get to see, in the company of some of the worlds greatest climbers. With any book or series that has to work within the framework of providing television in 30 minute slots compromises are inevitably made. Why these six locations? Why these climbers? If you just take eaach program as its meant to be viewed, on an indivdual basis then it probably works. We're taken to vietnam, South Africa, ice-climbing, up rock towers, scrambling in Jordan, the outer Hebrides, its a rich and extremely diverse selection. The books shortfalls are exposed, due mainly to the fact that the program producers were obviously on a tight schedule and needed to produce the goods in regards to action, drama, variation in theme, etc. The previous series was called The Edge and highlighted 100 years of Scottish Mountaineering. Not all of that was dramatic but it had a certain quality which I felt was lacking in The Edge. Having said that, it would be difficult to choose a better group of people to display there chosen skills. Some of these people are literally legends in the moutaineering fraternity, Lynn Hill, probably the best female rock climber in the world (fans of Caherine Destiville may have a different opinion), Aid Burgess, one half of the famous Burgess brothers, Greg Child and Andy Parkin and my own favourite, Joe Simpson, whose exploits and thrilling account in his book, Touching the Void, guaranteed him a place in climbing immortality, something he's probably been trying to come to terms with ever since. All in all a fantastic book despite its tight constraints. Watch the series, buy the book, and enjoy the many diverse characters and aspects of our wonderful sport.

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