This is a novel based on a historical event whose outcome is unknown.
George Mallory loved climbing mountains and he had a lifelong dream of climbing to the summit of Mt. Everest - 29, 002 ft. He also wanted to be the first man to do so. He promised his wife he would only attempt the climb once and if it wasn’t successful, he’d be content to let that "lover" go.
Funded by the Royal Geographic Society of Great Britain, the first expedition led by Mallory in 1921 wasn’t successful. A few years later, in 1924, he led another expedition determined to be successful this time. But, George Mallory and another climber didn’t return to camp as scheduled after leaving to make the last part of the climb to the summit. In fact, Mallory’s body wasn’t discovered until 1999. He died about 1500 ft. from the summit.
The book focuses on his point of view as a young boy to this death on Everest at the age of 37. He was born to climb as indicated, not just by his climbs of famous mountains, but climbing the facades of buildings at Cambridge, Venice and New York City.
The question is, did he and the other climber die before making it to the "top of the world" or did they die after reaching the summit, but were unable to make it back to camp?
Paths of Glory is such a well-researched, well-written and very captivating "based on true events" story. The love of George and Ruth Mallory made the story even more endearing. I got really teary at the end and I don’t do that easily; not even in movies.
History books record Sir Edmund Hillary as the first to make it to the summit of Mt. Everest in 1953. But, was that the truth? I know a great many people despise Archer. I’m not one of them. I don’t know if you’ll enjoy the read, but I know did. Don’t ask me why. I can’t explain it.
I highly recommend reading Paths of Glory!