The Naked Mountaineer

October 1, 2014

Author and lawyer Sieberson enjoys his hobby, which has taken him around the globe and to the top of many of the world's mountains. His mountaineering trials and tribulations provide ample fodder for this informative and amusing book. This is not an in-depth description of climbing or near-death experiences but rather one of opportunities found and missed alike. Sieberson's writing style is conversational, and even someone with no knowledge of mountaineering can enjoy his experience of triumph and woe (which often prove to be the same story when there's local water or bad weather involved) while attempting to scale some of the grandest peaks. He makes his adventures seem possible, and his account might even convince some readers to put on a pair of hiking boots. VERDICT Fans of Bill Bryson and anyone who has thought about climbing a mountain will enjoy this charming account of one man's trek to various parts of the world, though it is unlikely to impress anyone who is a professional climber.--Sara Miller Rohan, Archive Librarian, Atlanta

Copyright 2014 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from September 15, 2014
Among a small but growing segment of our population, mountain climbing by amateurs is on the rise, provided the climbers have the necessary physical and financial assets. Even Everest and other Himalayan peaks are now the target of increasing hordes of climbers. Sieberson has a successful career as a lawyer and academician, but he is hardly an amateur climber. He has been climbing challenging peaks for more than 40 years and has led rescue teams in the Pacific Northwest. Yet, in his absorbing and often humorous memoir, he conveys the sense of wonder, enthusiasm, and pure love of mountain climbing characteristic of a newcomer to the sport. Sieberson goes beyond the technical aspects of climbing, although there is still enough of that to interest serious climbers. He also provides charming observations of both the physical and cultural characteristics of the towns and regions he visits. As he moves from the Swiss Alps to Wales, Greece, and Indonesia, Sieberson offers a series of vignettes that combine the genres of history and travel narrative, and then returns to his enduring passion for the ascent of the mountain. For climbing and travel enthusiasts, this will be a treasured read.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)