Annapurna, a Woman's Place

Book excerpt: This is the 20th-anniversary edition of team leader Arlene Blum's best-selling account of the history-making 1978 ascent of Annapurna by the American Women's Himalayan Expedition.A classic story in the annals of women's achievements, "Annapurna" was the first account of mountaineering triumph and tragedy to be told from a woman's perspective. A huge critical and commercial success, the original edition sold more than 65,000 copies. Updated now with a new foreword by the author to mark the 20th anniversary of the harrowing ascent, Annapurna is as timely and as riveting today as when it was first published. It is a story of challenge and commitment, told with passion, humor, and honesty.