The Ledge by Jim Davidson and Kevin Vaughan
by Jenners • 11/10/2011 • 4 Stars, Adventure, D Authors, L Titles, Memoir, Non-Fiction, V Authors • 49 Comments
The Ledge by Jim Davidson and Kevin VaughanPublisher: Ballantine Books, 2011
Pages: 288
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir, Adventure/Survival
Where I Got It: Amazon Vine
Why I Read It: I’m a huge fan of real-life survival stories, especially ones that take place on mountains.
My Rating: 4 stars
Book Description
The Ledge tells the story of Jim Davidson and Mike Price’s ascent of Mt. Rainier and the accident that left them trapped 80 feet down a crevasse after a snow bridge collapsed (Price did not survive). The first part of the book sets the stage for the fall into the crevasse and provides background on Davidson and Price. We then move to the heart of the book, which is the ascent of Mt. Rainier (in which Davidson and Price tried a risky new ascent route) and the accident that takes place after they summit. As they are descending the mountain, Davidson stepped on a snow bridge that collapsed and plunged him and Price 80-feet into a crevasse. Landing on a small ledge (in what turns out to be a “one in a million” bit of luck), the fall, Price’s death, and Davidson’s extremely technical climb out of the crevasse with limited equipment and under extreme duress occupies about two-thirds of the narrative.
My Thoughts
The Ledge is a fine addition to the mountaineering/survival book canon. Written by Jim Davidson and his co-writer (journalist Kevin Vaughan), The Ledge provides a “you are there” feel that all the best adventure/survival books have. The writing and pacing is first-rate, and I found myself breathless and tense as Davidson dealt with Price’s death, his dawning realization that he had to climb or die, and his subsequent struggle to climb out of the crevasse.
Like all good survival books (such as Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air and Sebastian Junger’s The Perfect Storm), The Ledge fills the reader with adrenaline, tension and fear. You really feel drawn into Davidson’s dilemma and struggle as he tries to keep himself together and attempt a climb that he feels is far beyond his capabilities. Davidson doesn’t hold anything back—sharing all his doubts, fears, grief, and despair as well as his strength, inspiration and will to live. I also found it interesting that one of the things that helped push Davidson to soldier on was his remembrance of another mountaineering survival book, Touching the Void by Joe Simpson (which details Simpson’s account of his near-death experience in the Peruvian Andes.)
The final part of the book deals with Davidson’s struggles to come to terms with the accident and Price’s death after his rescue. I was glad that Davidson included this in the book as I think it provides meaningful insights into grief, getting your life back on track after a major tragedy and a glimpse into the type of life that Davidson leads today (he is an inspirational speaker).
The only drawback might be some of the technical climbing terms and equipment that are referenced throughout the book. Although the authors do their best to explain everything in layman’s terms, I didn’t fully appreciate what Davidson managed to do as much as my brother (an experienced climber). However, I don’t think this should keep you from reading what is a very accessible book.
Recommended For
Fans of real-life survival stories, climbers and mountaineers (I gave my ARC to my brother, who ended up going out and buying his own copy so he could see all the photos) and readers who enjoy inspirational books that illustrate how people can dig deep and find hidden reserves of strength in times of great duress.
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I really enjoy books like this – thanks for the info on it!
If you’re a fan of this genre, then this one would be a great read for you. I’ve got another review of a survival book coming up soon too.
i am such a scaredy cat, that it is hard to even
read of a terrifying story like this. you, however,
made me want to!
warning: mushy stuff coming.
of all the blogs i follow, yours is my favorite. i
have learned a great deal from reading your
insightful, funny, and heartwarming posts. it
brings me joy that you even bother to visit my
frumpy old blog. well done!
You’re too sweet! Thank you for the mushy stuff. It totally made my day … and don’t sell your blog short!
I wouldn’t call myself a fan of this genre, but Jason likes it a lot so maybe I’ll get it for him. We listened to Into Thin Air on a car trip and we both did enjoy, so that’s a possibility. I love that the ARC made your brother go out and buy the book. The publisher made his money back
I did feel good about my brother buying the book. It helped lessen the guilt I felt for letting him read my ARC. Now I want to see the photos!
I like to watch survival stories on TV or in the movies. So it may be interesting for me to jump into this genre as well. Sounds like an interesting read.
Jenners, thanks so much for your friendship and prayers. It means so much to me. Hope you and your family are doing well
Hugs! Kelly
I just hope you are hanging in there. You already had an awful lot on your plate and then to have two such difficult things added might push most people over the edge. Hang in there. Hugs!
I think I would like this one. I’ve always had a fascination with climbing and I read Into Thin Air a long time ago and loved it.
This sounds like it would definitely be a good fit for you then.
I am not usually a huge non-fiction person but this sounds awesome!
It is one of the more “thrilling” non-fiction genres out there.
Sounds like a really interesting book. I haven’t read a book on the subject of mountain climbing or surival before. But I’m sure for the enthusiast this would be an excellent book.
This genre has always been big in my family since my dad and brother both climb. My dad got me into reading these types of books … but since he died in a mountaineering accident, the genre has an emotional impact on me that it never used to have before.
I am also a fan of such books, because they are so inspirational. Very nice and concise review, Jenners.
If you enjoy these books, this is must read. And the author now makes his living as an inspirational speaker.
This is exactly the sort of book I love! I haven’t heard of this one yet either, so I’m off to add it to the wish list.
I thought you were a fan of this type of book. This would be a must read for you. I’d send you my ARC but my brother has it and the chances of me getting it back are slim!
So, we can see Mt. Rainier most days from our neighborhood near Seattle (not from our house though). Just the other day, Z finally decided to notice it. He looked up as we were driving down the road and said “wow. that’s a big mountain.” It’s 100 miles away, btw. I’m a bit scared of ever seeing it up close!
Funny that Z just noticed it! It is a pretty major mountain from what I can tell from the book. Imagine struggling for your life when you’re so close to a major city!
I am drawn to survival stories. It always amazes me what people can make it through. This sounds like a good one.
This one did a great job in presenting his story and all that he had to do to survive and then deal with the aftermath. Very well done.
I know little about climbing but I read, for some reason, Outside magazine. yesterday I read an article there about all the people killed this year on Mt. McKinley. Dangerous stuff….
It is dangerous stuff … and Outside tends to feature a lot of these stories before they get turned into books.
I remember this story in the news. I love reading stories of survival like this. It always reminds me how minor my day to day issues are and that we all have tremendous inner strength and fortitude which often only comes out when we most need it.
Books like this always make me wonder if I would have what it takes in a real emergency situation or if I’d be someone who falls apart or panics.
I might have to try this one, it sounds good.
It was a good “you are there” type of read.
I like real-life survival stories too, this sounds like a fascinating one. great review
If you’re a fan of this genre, this is definitely worth checking out.
Now that sounds like a good book. I have been to Rainier, and I used to be a climber, so I can totally appreciate the danger that comes with a very thrilling and active sport. I loved reading your thoughts on this one.
Sounds like you’d probably appreciate this book more than the average person and have a better feel for what he experienced.
I haven’t read many books that deal with this subject, but it sounds as if I would really love this one. It seems like there was a lot of action and craziness, though I might not get it all if there was climbing terminology included. I think that I may risk it anyway and try to check this one out. This was a great review, and I enjoyed reading your thoughts. I am not sure I would have picked this book up on my own, but after reading your thoughts, I think I will!
For me, the gold standard of this genre is Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air. I’d recommend that over this one if you’re just “starting out” in the genre.
Real survivor stories…I don’t remember ever reading a book with this theme, although a friend tried to convince me to give “Into Thin Air” a chance but for some reason I declined. Maybe I should try it, just so I can decide if I like this genre or not.
P.S. I loved “The Perfect Storm” – the movie.
“Into Thin Air” was the first book that really amazed me and made me feel like I was really “there” living the experience. It kind of hooked me on these types of stories ever since.
I can’t believe you can read this particular genre! But I guess the coming to terms with stuff is good?
I know … it is a genre that you’d think I’d shy away from. But my dad was one of the reasons I read this books in the first place. He was a big fan and got me into reading them. I’m sure he never expected that they would have a different feeling to them for me now.
Not a big fan of this genre but I can’t but help admire people like these.
It just amazes me what people are able to do when they are pushed to their limits and have no choice but to do the “impossible” in order to live.
Sounds like another great read!
If you’re a fan of these types of books, it was a worthwhile read.
I think my life is harrowing enough, thank you…I guess I’m not an adrenaline-junkie.
I can see that you might not need to seek out this kind of book!
This is a genre I’ve just never been able to get into for some reason.
It is a bit of a niche genre, I will admit.
I know nothing about climbing, but I do like real-life survival stories, so I imagine I’d like this one.
You really don’t need to know about climbing to appreciate what he went through. He really makes you feel like you are there with him struggling to get out.