Touching My Father's Soul: A Sherpa's Journey to the Top of Everest

I've read probably 6 books and have seen all of the documentaries available on the 1996 Everest climbing season. This is the only one that is told from a sherpa's perspective and for that alone it's worth a read. But if you needed more convincing, it offers a unique perspective on westerners who climb it (without being judgmental of them) and an even better perspective on how the native people and sherpa community view the mountain. Notably, it highlights how strong Jamling felt a pull/lure of the mountain as his father and many others have, partly because of an "because it's there" attitude but more importantly because he believed it would help him get closer to understanding his father (Tenzing Norgay). I've also been to Mt. Everest with sherpa support, and despite talking to the sherpa team on a daily basis, I found that this book provided so much more information on the culture and spirituality on the mountain than I got from the locals. Really a beautifully done story that is inspiring and made me think differently about the mountain.

I was interested in the book after seeing the IMAX movie, the film version of what went on. This fills in all the things the camera didn't see and provides something the film, which is Touristy, lacks: insight. Until reading the book, I just regarded Mt. Everst as the highest mountain in the world, and while not the hardest one to climb, plenty tough. Jamling's book had such a penetrating effect on me I incorporated the real names into my vocabulary and now think of the mountain in terms of these names, not the English naming "Mt. Everest." The mountain is "Chomolungma," and the spirit who oversees destiny on the mountain is "Kiyolangsangma." The Sherpa is not a "Job," it's the name of a People and a culture attending it. There is more, much much more to all of it, and anyone who's interested in it should see the IMAX movie and THEN read the book, then watch the movie again.

I listened to the book on tape. The story is an honest, humble first-person narrative of Jamling's journey to fulfill the dream of a lifetime. The story follows his spiritual and physical journey. The story has both exciting parts and reflective/thoughtful parts. I found it a good mix, which kept me hooked for the action, but also left me thinking deeply about life, belief systems, humility, and achievement.

Iike.

Loved reading the point of view of a Sherpa as most books are written by "Western" members of expeditions usually. And after reading (not only books) about the Everest tragedy of 1996, in this book I have discovered Tenzing insight and his own way of preparing to the expedition which I couldn't really read anywhere.

I enjoyed this book and have had more of an appreciation for the sherpa"s role in mountain climbing since reading it.

Great insights to the minds of the Sherpas who rarely get the acknowledgment they deserve. A refreshing view of the forces that drive those who climb Everest.

This book gives insight about the life of Tenzing Norgay, Jambling's father and the first Sherpa to summit Everest. If you are interested in Sherpa life and climbing expeditions on Everest, this is a great book to read. Could hardly put it down.

Starts of rather slowly, but gathers your interest as the air gets thinner. In the course of his own personal journey, Tenzing Norgay identifies the different approaches, outlook and beliefs between the western climbers and their buddhist sherpas (who are unashamedly there for the money - it has be worth their while. One climber dies for every five who make it to the top, and the greatest casualties involve sherpas who are required to confront danger more often by dint of having to make many repeat journeys carrying supplies to and from the various camps). The sherpas' culture sees them hold a much greater respect for the mysteries and dangers of the world's highest mountain.Also, for the non climber, the book is and woman's a considerable insight into the incredible logistics and hazards involved in meeting the western man's obsession to be able to say they conquered Everest. However, as Norgay quotes 'you don't so much conquer Everest, as sneak up on it when it is not looking and then get down as fast as you can'.A worthy book, stay with it through the early plod.

The style is a little pedestrian compared to other mountain literature.

This is a very easy to read book and a must for anyone interested in Everest---the author faithfully follows in his fathers footsteps and describes the great dangers and hazards in climbing Everest.

Bought for my wife just after seeing on T.V. about Jamling leading a strike to get fairer deals for his Sherpa guide friends on any mountain. The Everest trips were cancelled for the rest of this years season. Well done Jamling your father would be proud of you. Showing the real hero's of mountaineering.

I have little interest in mountain climbing, but I loved this very well written book. It enables the reader to gain an insight into Buddhism, the life of a Sherpa, the difficulties of scaling Everest and the relationship between Jamling Norgay and his very famous father.