Seriously, the best book about Everest. Maybe one of the best books ever, at least if we're judging by its re-readibility score. Full of gloom and inauspicious omens, it transcends the mountain climbing or outdoor adventure genre. Pretty much the ultimate horror memoir.

Jon Krakauer

The "villian" of Into Thin Air felt he needed to defend himself in book form, so here's his account of the 1996 expedition. Better than I thought it would be, but it's certainly not as good as ITA. This book is more an extended criticism of Scott Fischer than anything else, but definitely spills some hot T about Mountain Madness.

Anatoli Boukreev

The coffee table book about Everest. Still interesting and has great pictures, but not the first book I would read if you're interested about the 1996 disaster. From the perspective of the IMAX expedition, so not as close to the action, but has some good details that the other books lack.

Broughton Coburn

Beck has the most interesting story of all the survivors, but I still haven't been particularly enticed to read this book. I've heard it's not well-written, but the story makes it worth the read anyway. Perhaps next time I pull out ITA, I'll grab this instead.

Beck Weathers