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Andy Cave has been one of Britains leading mountaineers for quite a while. I have been waiting for a book to be released on his life (and achievements). This book does not disappoint. It's well written - being easy to read and containing enough facts to keep you interested all the way through. Would recommend.

Having tried to read several mountaineering books, by experienced mountaineers, I have realised that there understanding of what makes a good read, is not the same as their undoubted mountaineering talent, there are sometimes, too many references which detract from the story.
Having read, and enjoyed all of Joe Simpsons excellent books, I spotted Andy Caves book. I was as much drawn to his background, as I live only 15 miles from where he was raised, as I was by his exploits. Andys writing talent is superb. I was unable to put the book down, and look forward in hope to reading more of his work, either fiction or non-fiction. Well recommended even if you have no interest in mountaineering or climbing.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which is definitely one of the best I've read in 2005. Andy has a very keen ear for dialogue and tells his stories extremely well. I hope that this is not the last book he writes.

I am slightly surprised that the book has not had a higher profile. Perhaps there is too much coal-mining for the mountaineers and too much mountaineering for those interested in coal mining?

Most of us will never venture into the high mountains nor into the pits. This beautifully written book gives a clear and honest picture of life in the collieries in the 1980s and Andy Cave's escape from it via climbing to the roof of the world. I found the description of his family sensitive and moving and I found myself revisiting my own memories of the coalstrike. I have to admit it made me feel uncomfortable but it helped me to understand things more clearly too.What I also liked very much about this book was Andy's honesty about his fears in the mountains as well as his passion for them. It rang familiar bells and made it much easier to feel with him the pain and anguish he must have felt at the death of Brendan Murphy.This is an important book and a great contribution to mountaineering literature. Andy's style is easy to read, often witty and always engaging. His descriptions of the mountains are often elegiac and I loved that.Read this book and listen to the message.

This is a stunning debut which ranks along with Joe Simpson. The development of Cave's climbing career is desribed in an engaging, self-effacing way until the reader is drawn into the climax of the ordeal on Changabang, which forms the last section of the book. This section grabs you and won't let go until you have finished.

The unexpected bonus is the author's description of his brief career as a miner in the early 1980s, which is told alongside the mountain adventures, and, far from detracting from the high-altitude horrors, these chapters are breathtaking, every bit as horrifying.

I have read all of the classics: Boardman, Tasker, Simpson, Harrer and more, and Andy Cave's name is a worthy addition to the list.