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No Shortcuts to the Top: Climbing the World's 14 Highest Peaks Audiobook
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(3.01) - 2,360 listener ratings
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THIS GRIPPING AND TRIUMPHANT MEMOIR FOLLOWS A LIVING LEGEND OF EXTREME MOUNTAINEERING AS HE MAKES HIS ASSAULT ON HISTORY, ONE 8,000-METER SUMMIT AT A TIME. For eighteen years Ed Viesturs pursued climbing’s holy grail: to stand atop the world’s fourteen 8,000-meter peaks, without the aid of bottled oxygen. But No Shortcuts to the Top is as much about the man who would become the first American to achieve that goal as it is about his stunning quest. As Viesturs recounts the stories of his most harrowing climbs, he reveals a man torn between the flat, safe world he and his loved ones share and the majestic and deadly places where only he can go. Viesturs lives by an unyielding motto, “Reaching the summit is optional. Getting down is mandatory.” It is with this philosophy that he vividly describes fatal errors in judgment made by his fellow climbers as well as a few of his own close calls and gallant rescues. And, for the first time, he details his own pivotal and heroic role in the 1996 Everest disaster made famous in Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air. No Shortcuts to the Top is more than the first full account of one of the staggering accomplishments of our time; it is a portrait of a brave and devoted family man and his beliefs that shaped this most perilous and magnificent pursuit.
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"If you've read "Into Thin Air" and are looking for more hiking and backpacking thrill than literature, definitely pick this up. Ignoring Viestur's (and his ghostwriter's) literary stumblings, I absolutely loved this book. It's more memoir and narrative than ITA is, and I particularly enjoyed the span of time and experiences it covered. I don't think it pretends to be anything more lofty or search for more meaning than it does, it's a great, quick read and you'll be torn between either packing up a backpack as soon as you close the book or never leaving your home again. Viestur's is smart and courageous and importantly a responsible climber and hiker, and for what he was able to accomplish in writing, it was gratifying to get to relive his climbs with him."
— Bari (4 out of 5 stars)
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“A compelling story of dedication, desperation, danger, derring-do, and devotion (physical and spiritual). Fans of extreme-sport books, especially tales of high adventure, will want to add this one to their collections.”
— Booklist
No Shortcuts to the Top Listener Reviews
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" Gripping story of one man's quest to climb the 14, but also an interesting perspective on mountain madness/summit fever. Shocking to realize that nearly half of this man's friends died in the pursuit. Yet nothing can hold them back. "
— Brycep, 2/18/2014 -
" This is the story of Ed Viesturs, on how he had lived his own dream as a professional mountaineer. Balancing such a life with a family is already a feat in itself no less than the physical and mental perseverance to summit all 14 of the 8000ers peaks in the world. I wish I have the courage to pursue my own dreams like him. "
— Michaelchan, 2/18/2014 -
" Very interesting book on Viesturs amazing feat - he was the first American to climb all 14 +8000 meter peaks. "
— Osvaldur, 2/14/2014 -
" Possibly the best American mountaineer out there, Ed Viesturs is my new hero. He's climbed all 14 of the highest peaks in the world without supplemental oxygen. Although most people won't aspire to these goals, his philosophies as a climber can also be applied to anyone's life. "
— Amanda, 2/10/2014 -
" The best parts about the book was the discussion of how altitude affects the human body as well as the nuts and bolts of becoming a professional mountaineer. I grew tired of hearing so many stories of how great Ed Viesturs is. None of his claims seem exaggerated (he did climb all of the 8000+ peaks without oxygen with no serious injury) but it's boring to read how great he was at this or that summit attempt with hardly any variation. "
— pseudotsuga, 2/1/2014 -
" This book is really interesting while also boring at times if that is possible while taking about climbing 8000meter peaks. He seems to jump around a lot and I got confused sometimes. All in all very cool stuff, but not the best writing. "
— Janna, 1/19/2014 -
" Awesome. You have not lived until you've made a run to a glaciated summit! "
— T, 1/18/2014 -
" As a mountaineer, it is really enjoyable to read my mountaineering hero's autobiography. "
— Brian, 1/17/2014 -
" Ed Viesturs is an amazing mountaineer. Unfortunately, he's not a very good writer. His account of his attempt and eventual success in climbing the world's 14 highest peaks reads a lot like a very, very long resume. "
— Umachan, 1/13/2014 -
" As a memoir, this book was not too bad, but it lacked the majestic language of Into Thin Air. Viesturs is a courageous guy, no doubt about it. "
— Kiera, 11/24/2013 -
" Great perspective from Ed Viesturs, but choppy and he struggles with linking climbs together vs telling story in chronological order. Worth reading for any outdoor enthusiast. "
— Ariel, 4/12/2013 -
" Good mountaineering book about a legend-in-the-making. "
— Ben, 3/24/2013 -
" I love survival stories. Viesturs is America's greatest mountaineer. I'm blown away by the details of what it takes to climb all the world's 8000 meter peaks without the help of supplemental oxygen. Truly unreal. "
— Jay, 3/18/2013 -
" My palms sweat reading this, as I pondered how safe and predictable my life is. "
— Mike, 12/24/2012 -
" Really enjoyed it. Read it after seeing the IMAX film "
— Kari, 6/28/2012 -
" A fun inspiring account of a climbing legend following his dreams with prudence and conviction. A motto to live by, "the summit is optional, getting down is mandatory" articulates his philosophy on life very well. "
— Utahbrown, 8/15/2011 -
" Remarkable accomplishment, but this book lacks feeling. It is a judgmental travelogue of his own success and commentary on others'. This was a disappointment because I really thought this book had the potential to inspire, but the author didn't seize it. "
— Hans, 7/13/2011 -
" Love this book. Love this man. True American hero. "
— Caroline, 6/13/2011 -
" An inspiring account of a man who never let his obsession for mountain climbing override the welfare of other climbers. Ed Viesturs demonstrates that through hard work, patience, common sense and humanity one can achieve almost anything. Not the best written book, but a joy to read nonetheless. "
— Derek, 5/18/2011 -
" I enjoyed this book--I liked reading about someone who loves climbing but is also very careful in what he does. It was also sobering to read about all of the climbers who died... "
— Cindy, 5/5/2011 -
" It didn't flow quite as well as K2, but still an interesting look into high-altitude mountaineering. "
— Jennifer, 3/27/2011 -
" An honest look at world class mountain climbing. He talks a lot of technical talk and a lot about his failures. The amount of effort it takes does not make me want to climb an 8,000 meter mountain, but I did gain an appreciation for what he does. "
— Jim, 3/7/2011 -
" I will never be a mountain climber, but I have read a lot of books by and about climbers. "Getting to the top is optional, getting down is mandatory." Co-written with Dave Roberts, a well-written book about a master climber who hasn't let success go to his head. "
— Jamie, 3/3/2011 -
" One of the best, most sensible climbing accounts. "
— Denis, 2/5/2011 -
" Love Ed Viesturs, love this book. "
— Megan, 1/24/2011 -
" In a sport that can go dangerous or careless in moments I like Viesturs approach. I love these climbing stories, and this one is so well done. Inspirational. "
— Brandon, 1/19/2011 -
" really liked this book... amazing story of perseverance. very interesting and you feel like you are on his journey and climbing with him. "
— Amy, 11/7/2010 -
" Possibly the best American mountaineer out there, Ed Viesturs is my new hero. He's climbed all 14 of the highest peaks in the world without supplemental oxygen. Although most people won't aspire to these goals, his philosophies as a climber can also be applied to anyone's life. "
— Amanda, 11/5/2010 -
" Ed Viesturs is an amazing mountaineer. Unfortunately, he's not a very good writer. His account of his attempt and eventual success in climbing the world's 14 highest peaks reads a lot like a very, very long resume. "
— Umachan, 9/23/2010 -
" Love this book. Love this man. True American hero. "
— CJMG, 9/9/2010 -
" Straightforward account of a remarkable feat, the simple writing style, understatement and slightly unself-aware tone actually help the book be both enjoyable and moving. "
— Henry, 8/18/2010 -
" I love these mountaineering books. I can't stop thinking about them after reading. "
— Ellis, 8/9/2010
About the Authors
Ed Viesturs is a veteran world-class climber and bestselling author. He is the only American to have climbed all fourteen of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks. Viesturs is a professional mountaineer and works as a design consultant for several outdoor equipment manufacturers. In 2002 he was awarded the historic Lowell Thomas Award for outstanding achievement in the field of mountaineering and in 2005 he was awarded National Geographic’s Adventurer of the Year. He lives on Bainbridge Island, Washington with his family.
David Roberts (1943–2021) was the author of thirty books on mountaineering, exploration, and anthropology. His books won the Boardman Tasker Award for Mountain Literature and the Grand Prize at the Banff Mountain Book Competition.
About Stephen Hoye
Stephen Hoye has worked as a professional actor in London and Los Angeles for more than thirty years. Trained at Boston University and the Guildhall in London, he has acted in television series and six feature films and has appeared in London’s West End. His audiobook narration has won him fifteen AudioFile Earphones Awards.