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Savage Arena

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Savage Arena

By: Joe Tasker
Narrated by: Stewart Crank
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About this listen

Joe Tasker lies, struck down by illness, in a damp, bug-infested room in the Himalaya, wondering if he will be well enough to climb Dunagiri, his first venture to the "big" mountains. One of Britain’s foremost mountaineers and a pioneer of lightweight climbing, he is about to attempt one of the first true "Alpine-style" climbs in the Greater Ranges.

The Dunagiri attempt forms part of Tasker’s striking tale of adventure in the savage arena of the mountains. A superb writer, he vividly describes the first British winter ascent of the North Face of the Eiger, the first ascent of the West Wall of Changabang - considered a "preposterous" plan by the climbing world - and his two unsuccessful attempts on K2, the second highest mountain on Earth.

Savage Arena is both moving and exciting, an inspirational tale of the adventuring spirit which follows its own path, endlessly seeking new challenges, climbs and difficulties to overcome. It is not reaching the summit which counts, it is the journey to it. It is also a story of the stresses and strains of living for long periods in constant anxiety, often with only one other person, and of the close and vital human relationships which spring from those circumstances.

©1982 The Estate of Joe Tasker (P)2019 Vertebrate Publishing Adventure Travel Climbing & Mountaineering Earth Sciences Outdoors & Nature Science Outdoor Adventure

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All stars
Most relevant  
super chronology of Joe's life provides great insight into his mindset, friens, rivals and challenges

great authentic story telling

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One of the best mountain books. Superb writing of real mountaineering, and a great performance, real thought and emotion in all the words. Ultimately sad in the knowledge of the authors plight.

excellent reading of a brilliant book

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The narrator did a wonderful job bringing the story alive. I was able to dip in and out of this book easily. A great book for your commute or looking for inspiration to go pn an adventure.

A true mountaineering classic.

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This was a great listen but I felt the cringeworthy accents were totally unacceptable, particularly the stereotypical Asian Subcontinent and French ones which were from an era thankfully in the past.

Great story but ditch the ridiculous accents

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First audiobook as I'd always thought that I would struggle to 'keep listening' and have to rewind every five minutes. No chance of that with this book, stories that flowed and painted evocative pictures in the mind to keep you involved and focusing on what was happening and where it would go next. Dark images of suffering and the thought processes of either escaping it or going even deeper into the suffering gave thoughts towards what I think I may do in a similar situations and gives heed to the mental strength of the author and Co to continue on it such times!

Gripping stories from the mountains

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Loved it, most of it, and due to much of the personal analysing, got to know what makes climbers tick

Gripping

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I have read or listened to dozens of mountaineering books and this is certainly one of my favourites.

The detail of day to day privation, rather than the technicalities of the various routes, made it come alive for me.

One quibble, the narration was pretty good, especially as the narrator voiced the various participants so well. But I have to question that mispronunciation of certain words suggest poor editing or lapses in attention.

For example pronouncing "Bass" the brewing company to rhyme with "Base" is quite wrong. Also "demure" - shy and reserved - in place of "demur". And finally although this may be a mistake in the text, a Frenchman is "Gallic" not "Gaelic" !

A must listen, even for the 'mountained out'!

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Incredible tales from a special group of mountaineers. Their sense of adventure really comes through.
RIP

Fantastic story

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i discovered joes name on youtube climbing doc on everest seen him name on a memorial glad i tracked brilliant listen

wow 👏 what a book great listen

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brilliant writing - very exciting and honest - well narrated. can listen to again and again.

just excellent

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