I could not put this book down. I am not into mountaineering, I don't really enjoy hiking, but for some reson I love reading books by people who do. Really well written, and great expierences retold.

This is a fantastic book that starts to explain the allure of high places and dangerous hobbies. Its a journey of self-knowledge as he puts it. This book shows another point of view from the Everest tragedy in 1996. I liked the fact that he doesn't spare his pride in the recounting of events - in many examples explaining that he was a fool to do things the way he'd done them. I admire that, I also admire his artistic vision in bringing the beauty and passion for the outdoors to those whom wouldn't be able to experience it otherwise.

Spectacular read!

A fascinating look at mountain climbing, culminating with the ill-fated Everest season of 1996. David Breashears has a gift with words, and makes climbing seem almost fun. Crazy and dangerous, but fun.

David Breashers presents an entertaining and informative chronicle of the climb that continues to be his life. Whether sharing about his childhood discovery of himself as a "climber" or about all the people whose paths he crossed on his way up Mt. Everest, his descriptions gripped me. The account of his time as an oil rigger in Wyoming was hilarious and exhausting. His honesty about his personal life convinced me that he is no thrill seeker and is deeply reflective. He respects the dangers inherent in exploring the edges of human experience. Throughout the book, I felt the massive effort it takes to reach the "unforgiving places" of the world. I also felt the loss (as much as I stranger from the flatlands can) of those who did not make it back. The book led me to research facts and view videos on the Web (High Dome, IMAX Everest). I don't figure that I will ever get to the "third pole" but this book is a great way to feel the amazement of this planet.

David Breashears has had an interesting life, and we can share in it in this autobiography. From his life as an army brat moved about the U.S. and Europe (notably Greece), to climbing and filming Mt. Everest (several times!), he culls interesting stories of himself and others. It is brutally frank at times, especially when talking about his abusive father and failed marriage. At other times, we are swept away into the mountains with him and share in his joy of climbing. One of the minor surprises of this book is that Breashears wrote it himself, and wrote it well. The narrative is smooth and well-written. There are a number of photos and schematic drawings that give us an idea of the shape, size, and routes of the mountains he's climbing. Only a very small amount of climbing knowledge is required (if you don't know what a crampon is, you'll probably not be interested in this book anyways!), so climbing neophytes like myself are never bogged down in technical terms.

Especially fascinating for me are the chapters on Everest, which is the main reason I bought the book. Having seen his IMAX-format film on Everest (highly recommended), I was very interested in the behind-the-scenes aspects. He also discusses his other movies, e.g., Cliffhanger (his role in this was minor) and Everest, the Death Zone (unseen by me), and it's interesting to compare the three different filming modes (documentary/standard, documentary/IMAX, and studio blockbuster).
Finally, his take on the Everest disaster in 1996 is written from the point of view of someone who was on the mountain, but not in imminent danger, as opposed to the Boukreev and Krakauer accounts. Of course, it's not as detailed, but still very interesting, and a good compliment to the information that made it to the screen in his IMAX film.

If you read "Into Thin Air" and were left wondering why anyone would risk their life to climb Everest you need to read this book. David sets the stage for the difference between an ethical climber who loves the sport and a climber for ego. Watched his IMAX movie before reading the book and so glad I did. Could really picture his descriptions and the challenges they faced to film it.
For me the most inspiring tale of all the tragedy is his description of Beck Weathers attitude coming down from the mountain. "He didn't complain. He was so thankful. He had a profound effect on me. After all that death, after being judged dead himself, not once but three times, this mans spirit was transcendent. He was a gift for all of us from that tragedy. Out of all that horror emerged this great spirit......The stresses of high-altitude climbing reveal your true character; they unmask who you really are....And if I can be one tenth of what Beck was that day, I will have been a worthy man."

Sicher muss man sich generell für Bergsteigen, Höhenkletterei und das Drehen von Filmen dort interessieren, um von der Autobiographie David Breashears gefesselt zu werden. Natürlich ließ er sich wie andere seiner Kollegen beim Schreiben unter die Arme greifen, aber das Überprüfen nach Richtigkeit betrieb er sicherlich mit der gleichen Sorgfalt wie die Leitung seiner Expeditionen. Was mir besonders an seinem Buch gefällt, ist die Art und Weise, wie dem Laien Fachbegriffe und anderes Bergsteiger-Latein erklärt werden, ohne jemals überheblich oder langweilig zu wirken. Zudem scheint Breashears ein sehr diskreter Mensch zu sein, der ungern seine Schmutzwäsche in der Öffentlichkeit wäscht. So sind geäußerte Kritiken gegenüber gewisse Personen, gerade im Bezug der 1996er Mount-Everest-Besteigung, zurückhaltend und respektvoll. Stattdessen scheut er sich nicht, eigene Handlungsweisen selbstreflektiert zu betrachten. Einziger Beschwerdepunkt meinerseits betrifft die sehr detailierte Funktionsweise diverser Kameras, was nicht unbedingt mein Interessengebiet streift, aber durch seinen Beruf logisch ist. Ich hätte mir außerdem noch viel mehr Fotos zu sehen gewünscht.

An enjoyable memoir by one of the foremost high-altitude filmmakers.

David Brashears occupies a unique place in the mountaineering realm, that of someone who can actually direct and film AND climb like a champ at the same time.

In High Exposure, he takes us through various vignettes of his life, from his role in the 1996 Everest tragedy to helping make the movie Cliffhanger.

Nothing too mind-altering, but it’s a decent read.

Sometimes there’s a fascination that pulls you, and since last summer for me it’s been the 1996 Everest disaster of a season. This is the last of the first hand accounts for me to read. It’s interesting to compare each of the psyches of those who climb, but the shear volume of experience here is well worth the read.

I read this book after "Into Thin Air". It sucked in comparison. Seeing as he was on the mountain the same year, I was thinking he'd have a different perspective, but his writing was the worst disaster.

This was an awesome book about a guy (David Breashears) who followed his passion and became a world-class mountain climber and cinematographer. He helped film Cliff Hanger with Sylvester Stallone in the 1990s. He climbed Mount Everest many times and has seen it all, including the death of close friends while doing these adventures. I would love to climb Mount Everest someday, but it's off my bucket list after reading this book. He made an IMAX movie that showcased Mount Everest. I saw this movie a few years ago and was in awe of the majesty of Mount Everest, since I'll probably never see it in person. Near the end it had me gripped as he described a rescue effort he was instrumental with. I recommend this book to anyone who likes to hike, rock climb or enjoy high adventure.