Arrogance was his motivator.

It’s hard to appreciate or empathize on his stories of ‘adventure’ thru his ocd and narcissistic behavior. What a schmuck. Or a study on mental illness. But relieved he finally discovered his humanity. Narration was rather robotic.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Gripping

Wow, what a story. Left for dead, miraculously living, losing much of his face and his hands, on top of his already compromised vision, Beck finds reasons to live and reinvents himself. A self acclaimed former thrill seeker and emotionally distant man goes within and finds his heart. Powerful stuff.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

A different take on Everest

Less about the technicalities of the climb and the challenges to summit (although there is a fair bit in there to keep the audience happy), but more about the ripple effect the tragedy on Mount Everest had in Beck Weathers' life and for his family. Heartfelt and honest, I can feel the authenticity of the entire family's experience.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Incredible story, and very well told.

A few years ago, on Goodreads, I read some reviews of Beck Weathers' "Left for Dead", and many of them were disappointed with the fact that the entire book wasn't specifically about Beck's miraculous survival above Camp 4 in one of the worst disasters in the climbing history of climbing Earth's tallest peak.

Last month, as part of my 30 day trial of Audible I stumbled upon this audiobook and decided to give it a listen, wanting to judge for myself how Beck's book shaped up compared to other survival stories, and I have to be honest - Beck's decision to focus on how the evolution of his life led him to depression, which then led him to climbing mountains to escape that depression, and how his growing distance from his wife and kids led him to Everest and back home a new man led to one of the most intelligent, poignant, and emotional stories of loss and recovery you'll ever read - or listen to.

Beck's story deeply resonated with me, and has given me a deeper appreciation for how intertwined our lives and inner demons are with the people who love us the most, and how sometimes it takes an act of God - or hubris - to lead us to the truth not only about ourselves, but also the meaning and value of life and love.

I highly recommend this audiobook to anyone who seeks a deeper meaning that goes beyond telling a story. 5/5

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

More autobiography than anything

if you are interested in the personality of someone who sought to climb the 7 summits and died (mostly) on Everest you might enjoy this book. part 1 is about what happened to Weathers on Everest in 1995. Stop here if you're interested in his version of events.
Parts 2 & 3 are essentially autobiographies of Weathers and his wife. Part 4 is about Weathers climbing the 7 summits prior to attempting Everest. (Spoiler: His 1st climb was Denali where he turnedback before the summit. Then he summitted Kilimanjaro, Mt. Elbrus, Aconcagua, Vinson Mountains, and Carstenz Pyramid before attempting Everest.) Part 5 includes some information about his year long recovery and amputations.
Mostly, Left for Dead is the story of a self-centred man who never considered the impact of his decisions on anyone else, especially his family. it took a near death experience for him to change.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Not what I expected/Lame and boring

This story had so much potential. It lacked emotion and it fell flat. Even the Narrator that I usually enjoy sounded bored.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful