The Maverick Mountaineer

Description

Published by Allen & Unwin, London, 2016, 1st UK Edition, D/w, Fine.    George Ingle Finch (1888-1970) was an Australian Chemist and Mountaineer who was a member of the 1922 British Everest Expedition.  A rebel of the first order who challenged the British establishment, he became one of the world’s greatest alpinists, with his obituary in The Times describing him as “one of the two best alpinists of his time” (the other being George Mallory, a great rival).  A renowned scientist, a World War I hero, and Fellow of the Royal Society, he pioneered the use of artificial oxygen that played a major part in the eventual first ascent of Everest some thirty years after his own attempt, where he reached 27,300 feet with George Bruce in 1922, the highest point anyone had reached at that time.  Acclaimed biographer Robert Wainwright restores Finch to his rightful place in history with this remarkable tribute to one of the twentieth century’s most eccentric anti-heroes.  This, the first full-length biography of Finch, was shortlisted for the Boardman Tasker Award in 2016, and was the winner of The Times 2017 Biography of the Year Award.