My Old Man and the Mountain
A Memoir
Book - 2016
In 1963, the world followed the first American Mount Everest Expedition, and watched as "Big Jim" Whittaker became the first American to stand on top of the world. He returned home a hero. My Old Man and the Mountain is Leif Whittaker's engaging and humorous story of what it was like to "grow up Whittaker," as the youngest son of Jim Whittaker and Dianne Roberts, and amid an extended family of accomplished climbers. Readers learn of his first adventures with family in the Olympic Mountains and on Mount Rainier; his close, yet at times competitive, relationship with his brother Joss; his battle with a serious back injury; and his efforts to stand apart from his father's legacy
Publisher:
Seattle, WA : Mountaineers Books, [2016].
ISBN:
9781680510683
1680510681
9781680510690
168051069X
1680510681
9781680510690
168051069X
Characteristics:
284 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm


Opinion
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Book Buzz review
Review of My Old Man and the Mountain in Cascadia Weekly (Wednesday, December 27, 2017) by WCLS Executive Director, Christine Perkins. (more)
From Library Staff
recommended by Emily Henson
Enjoyed November 2019
Leif will be here November 16!
Paul says: "Our book club selection for October! Join us for treats and discussion at 6:30 PM, Wednesday, 10/23/19. Also, Leif will be stopping by the Everson Library in November. Check our events calendar (https://wcls.libcal.com/event/5529279) for more details."
From the critics

Comment
Add a Commentsuperb author: Leif Whittaker
I loved this book! It's all full of surprises. If you're looking for a "these are the stories my dad told me while I was growing up" trudge, or "bittersweet memories of growing up in my dad's shadow" memoir, do NOT pick up this book. It's fresh and funny, written from a thoroughly original viewpoint. Leif Whittaker mixes history with stream of consciousness, journal entries with bursts of you-are-there newsreel narratives. Don't read ahead, just enjoy where Leif leads you. Too bad the waiting list is so long for this book; I'm so ready to share it!