Coronation Everest

Description

Published by Faber and Faber, London, 1958, 1st UK Edition, Bookplate, D/w (a few small tears, small piece missing at top of spine, library mark written on spine), V.G.   Jan Morris (then James Morris) was the London Times’ official reporter, and the only journalist, on the 1953 British Everest ascent expedition. This is a well written and very readable account of the events surrounding the historic first ascent of Everest by Hillary and Tenzing.  Morris first broke the news to the world, news which fortuitously reached England on the eve of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation on June 2, 1953, and was the cause for much nationalistic pride. The book is reflective of the time in which it was written and evokes a feeling of an era long gone. Therein lies its charm. It records Morris’s personal experiences and observations while on Everest, and while waiting to break the story of the successful historic climb.