A Day to Die For

1996: Everest's Worst Disaster

By Graham Ratcliffe

BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY

368 Pages, 5 x 8

Formats: Trade Paper

Trade Paper, $21.99 (US $21.99)

Publication Date: September 2013

ISBN 9781780576411

Rights: US

Mainstream Publishing (Sep 2013)

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Overview

The truth about the 1996 Everest disaster by one of its survivors, uncovering crucial new information

On May 10 and 11, 1996, eight climbers perished in what remains the worst disaster in Everest's history. Following the tragedy, numerous accounts were published, with Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air becoming an international bestseller—but has the whole story been told? This book reveals for the first time the full, startling facts that led to the tragedy. Graham Ratcliffe, the first British climber to reach the summit of Mount Everest twice, was a first-hand witness, having spent the night on Everest's South Col at 26,000 feet, sheltering from the deadly storm. For years, he has shouldered a burden of guilt, feeling that he and his teammates could have saved lives that fateful night. His quest for answers has led to discoveries so important to an understanding of the disaster that he now questions why these facts were not made public sooner. History is dotted with high profile disasters that both horrify and capture the attention of the public, but very rarely is the prevailing view of them revised to such devastating effect.

Reviews

"A blow-by-blow account that puts the reader at the heart of the drama." —News of the World

"[An] incredible story of high-adventure and of a very moving personal journey." —Outdoor Enthusiast

"We were, however, particularly impressed by two books, which though not shortlisted, we believe have made a welcome additions to the history of mountaineering. . . . A Day To Die For . . . though this is a book that will undoubtedly cause controversy in some quarters, we believe that Everest historians, as well as those on the mountain in 1996, will find it an absorbing read." —Boardman Tasker Prize

"The book reads like a detective thriller in places, as he delves deeper and deeper into the quagmire of what some may see as lies and deceit, to eventually unravel the mysteries of that season and shed a very different light on what many thought was an unfortunate bit of bad luck. A book that pulls no punches and tells it how it was." —SA Mountain Sport

"Discovers important omissions, bordering on deception, in a number of authoritative accounts such as Krakauer’s Into Thin Air and Breashears’ High Exposure. . . . provides greater understanding of the key factors behind the decisions made that led to the tragic events." —Wild Magazine

"I was completely engrossed . . . this is pretty serious stuff . . . the writing is forthright and precise and the book gallops along at a riveting pace . . it's a must read" —The Climber, New Zealand Alpine Club

"Graham Ratcliffe has experienced triumph but also tragedy . . . and for the very first time tells of his remarkable journey" —Daily Express

"Throws a whole new light on the disaster." —Weekly News

Author Biography

Graham Ratcliffe is a member of Henry Todd's team who was also on Mount Everest's South Col on May 10, 1996.

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