This exciting new book relates the story of the first explorers to reach the top of the world. Sir Edmund Hillary, a veteran New Zealand climber, and Tenzing Norgay, a Tibetan Sherpa or mountaineering guide, reached the top of Mount Everest, the world's highest mountain, on a British expedition in 1953. The achievement was hailed around the world and launched a 20th century obsession with climbing ever higher. Details include
• how other climbers tried and failed to reach the top of Everest
• how hard, dangerous, and difficult mountain climbing can be
• the mountain's history and a history of colonial conquest
• the job of the Sherpa as a guide to western mountaineering expeditions
• how climbing expeditions changed the way of life of the people who live near the mountains
• later Everest expeditions and their impact on the environment
Teacher's guide available.