By the dawn of the twentieth century, very few frontiers were left on earth for adventurers to conquer. Explorers set their sights on the world's tallest peak, Mount Everest, simply, as George Mallory once famously said, "Because it's there." The danger of avalanches, inescapable crevasses in the ice, a lack of oxygen, monsoon rains, and unpredictably plunging temperatures did not deter men who devoted their lives to reaching the peak of the mountain that Sherpas called Sagarmatha, or "head of the sky." From the first ill-fated attempts by Mallory in 1924 to the ultimately successful expedition of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay 30 years later, this book chronicles the preparations, setbacks, and often sad misfortunes of climbers in their quest for the summit. The engaging paragraphs weave together exciting descriptions and quotes from notable climbers, while the large font and interspersed photos make this well suited to reluctant readers. A list of records and firsts on the mountain are included in the end matter. This story of perseverance and bravery is equal parts entertainment and inspiration.