Because It's There

Book excerpt: According to the record books, the highest mountain on Earth was finally conquered by Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing in 1953 from Everest's south side. However, there remains the enigma of the attempt by the mercurial George Mallory and his companion Andrew Irvine over three decades earlier from the north. After their disappearance on 8 June 1924 it was usually assumed that they had perished during their ascent. However, the discovery of Mallory's body in 1999, a mere 2,000 feet from the top, has reopened speculation as to whether they died on the way up or the way down ... The puzzle as to whether Mallory was the first man to conquer Everest is vividly presented in this, the first biography of the man to be written since the discovery of the body. Containing images of both Mallory and Everest that have not been featured in a mainstream title before, and with a poignant foreword by John Mallory, the son of George, this book is a significant contribution to this evocative subject. -- taken from back cover.