The Ascent of Everest

London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1953 Illustrated with 56 photographic plates, 8 in color and 48 in black and white, on coated stock. First edition, first printing. Publisher's blue cloth lettered in gilt, top edge stained dark blue; in the original wraparound pictorial dust jacket with illustration of Mount Everest by W. Heaton Cooper. Near fine book, with light dimming to spine gilt, gentle lean to spine, a hint of staining to top right corner of front board, top corner of rear board lightly bumped, light spotting to fore edge of text block, light offsetting to endpapers, and contemporary gift inscription to front free endpaper; very good unclipped dust jacket, with clean panels, light toning to spine, a few nicks to spine ends, and some wear to upper corners. Overall, a handsome copy. The Ascent of Everest is the story of the 1953 British Mount Everest expedition's successful climb of the mountain, recounted by the leader of the expedition, Colonel John Hunt. This expedition, the eighth attempt in 30 years to make mountaineering history, employed two sets of climbers; the first pair finished just short of the summit, but provided enough extra resources and information to enable the second pair, comprised of New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Nepalese Tenzing Norgay, to successfully reach Everest's summit. The Ascent of Everest is divided into six sections that mirror the stages of the expedition: "Part I: Background," "Part II: Planning," "Part III: Approach," "Part IV: Build-Up," "Part V: Assault," and "Part VI: Aftermath." While the bulk of the text was written by Hunt, Sir Edmund Hillary authored Chapter 16, "The Summit." Hunt wrote this account in only one month to meet public demand for an account of the epic expedition.. First Edition. Hard Cover. Near Fine/Dust Jacket Included.