Joe Simpson, Touching the Void Review

Overall Rating

Well written, descriptive.
True story.

I get the feeling that in some parts the technicalities of ice climbing are not clear (ie. Simpson needs to add a little more explanation to some terms to help non-climbers).

Touching the Void is "that famous story" of mountaineering. To sum it up quickly: two young climbers successfully scale the unclimbed face of Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes. One the way down, in dangerous conditions, Joe Simpson severely fractures his leg. Climbing partner Simon Yates tried to help him down, but ends up needing to cut Joe's rope to save his life. Joe survives a drop of at least 100 feet into a crevasse, and spends days crawling across snow fields and glaciers to get back to camp.
The book is interesting that Joe, who wrote the book, is brutally honest about his own thoughts and experiences in a situation that would make anyone struggle. The good thing is that he seems to avoid using cliches or being overtly philosophical about "greater forces" or anything. Clearly the book was written very soon after the incident when Joe Simpson must still have struggled with his experience.
The book has some distinct advantages over the movie (which I have on DVD): you get a better feel of Joe's experience in his own words rather than an "interpretation" by film makers. Plus, one thing that is not explained in the film were Joe's feelings towards Simon, the "man who cut the rope". Joe makes it very clear in the book that he has no anger towards Simon, and seems to be trying at every opportunity to defend Simon and his decision, stating that he would have done the same.
The nice thing about the edition I have is that Joe adds a follow up, not only of a later expedition, but also his experiences of making the film. In addition, the great Sir Chris Bonnington has penned a foreword to the book, which is clearly a big priviledge to any climber.
This book is an autobiography I'd recommend to anyone.