What's on your bookshelf?

I'm just finishing reading Climb! (the new one) and I'm looking to compile a reading list. I've got Conquistadors of the Useless and Annapurna on hold at the library right now. Anybody got any mountaineering/climbing classics to recommend?

You have no idea how lucky you are that you can find C. of the U. at your public library... that is effen cool.

I have lots of good reads on my bookshelf downstairs, but I am too lazy to go downstairs and refresh my memory... but next time I am down there, I'll try to remember to take a look ;)

Brendan - Here's basically the same thread... a great starting list (and a good place to post further additions):

Favorite Climbing Reads

Thanks, Avery. I figured there had to be another thread, but I did a quick search for "books" and didn't see anything. That's exactly what I'm looking for.

not climbing related, but a damn cool story and read....check out SHANTARAM.

If you read "Annapurna", I highly recommend you follow it up with David Roberts' "True Summit: What Really Happened On the Legendary Ascent of Annapurna"

True Summit takes a critical look at Herzog's highly idealized account of the ascent. Its an excellent study on the style of the golden age of mountaineering, and mountaineering literature.

Also, if you haven't read "Climbing in North America" by Chris Jones, that should be at the top of your list. And Pat Ament's "Wizards of Rock" picks up where CiNA leaves off.

Monomaniac wrote:Also, if you haven't read "Climbing in North America" by Chris Jones, that should be at the top of your list.

Marc Horan wrote:Feeding the Rat by Al Alvarez. It's a funny story about the antics of Joe Brown and other UK climbing legends. Great book; easy read. --Marc

Here's a related thread:

Climbing / Mountaineering Book Must-Haves?

I haven't seen any mention of The Rock Warriors Way by Arno Ilgner. I don't think I go more than two to three months without picking it up and thumbing through it. Maybe I should spend that time out on the rock ;)

Kerouac, On the Road