Where the River Went Next

Latest wanderings in the world of books:

Mountains:

I'll Call You in Katmandu: The Elizabeth Hawley Story:

The Mountaineers Books publishes such obscurities as the biography of Elizabeth Hawley, Katmandu-based American and self-appointed archivist of Himalaya climbing.

Before and after an expedition goes to climb its leaders meet in Katmandu with Hawley. She is at once their auditor and publicist, her files a record of Himalayan mountaineering. Surprisingly Hawley is not a mountaineer.

I'll Call You in Katmandu: The Elizabeth Hawley Story is a fawning but enjoyable biography. Ms. Hawley lived life on her own terms.

Nanga Parbat Pilgrimage: The Lonely Challenge:

Austrian Herman Buhl made the first ascent of Nanga Parbat in 1953 (and later Broad Peak in 1957) before dying young in the mountains.

Buhl's pioneering climb of Nanga Parbat was not only a great feat in its own right but also facilitated Messner and others later.

It spends far too long setting the scene, but Nanga Parbat Pilgrimage: The Lonely Challenge is still worth reading.

Last Climb: The Legendary Everest Expedition of Mallory and Irvine:

After mentioning how bored I've become with anyone who ever writes a book on Everest including an obligatory chapter on the Mallory expeditions, I go buy a book on them.

Written by David Breashears and Audrey Salkeld and published by National Geographic as a big glossy hardback bonanza with loads of great photos, Last Climb is a pleasure. Well researched, it really recreates the 1920s world of those underprepared and underprotected Everest pioneers.

Running:

The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer:

Inspiration for the new blog, this book is a combined approach to mental and physical training and health.

ChiRunning: A Revolutionary Approach to Effortless, Injury-Free Running:

Ultramarathoner Danny Dreyer's tai-chi infused approach to proper running form, written as an antithesis to power running. The Kenyans, Dreyer says, don't have muscular calves because they don't need them. They run from their centre and their form is efficient.

Economics:

I've decided to get my head around this economics stuff.

Naked Economics: Undressing the Dismal Science:

Former midwest correspondent for the Economist Charles Wheelan's enjoyable introduction to economics. I learned and had fun. Intelligence is explaining difficult concepts simply.

The Accidental Theorist and Other Dispatches from the Dismal Science:

While Wheelan is lucid and entertaining, Accidental Theorist's author Paul Krugman is smug, facetious and up himself. You'd like to hit him with a wrench.

Krugman employs crude stereotypes throughout this myth-breaking polemic. Ironically he reinforces one too: The world of economics and finance is full of small-minded, self-important twats.

Work Related:

The Fall of Advertising and the Rise of PR:

The message of this book is advertising lacks credibility. Moreover, its creativity and shock value don't improve sales. PR on the other hand is not perceived as a sales pitch so it's more effective. I could have told you that without reading this sharply-written book.

Understanding Financial Statements:

To all things a chance but accounting is dull.

Posted by Setsunai at March 7, 2006 10:28 AM