Above All Things

Oct 5, 2024 1:46 PM

Author:Tanis Rideout

Above All Things

Above All Things is a heart-wrenchingly romantic historical novel by Tanis Rideout, based on British mountaineer George Mallory's fatal attempt to climb Everest, and his wife Ruth, who is left at home, waiting for him to return to her.

In the Himalayas two climbers strike out for the summit of the Earth's highest mountain - aiming to be the first to the top, and reclaim a little of Britain's lost glory.

In Cambridge, a wife collects the milk, gets three children out of bed and waits for a letter, a telegram - for news of her husband.

It is 1924 and after months of setbacks and failures, George Mallory and Andrew "Sandy" Irvine are attempting to be the first to conquer Everest. Alone on the mountain they struggle against inhuman cold, violent winds, thin air - but climbing, putting one foot falteringly after another, they reach for the cloud-shrouded peak.

At home Ruth Mallory goes about her day; visiting friends and comforting children she longs for news of George. She considers her marriage - the passion, the fights, the bitter absences, the loving reunions, all the snatched moments during the war and between expeditions. . She hides her doubts and the uncertainty about the future with or - god forbid - without him.

A powerful, moving story of a husband driven to extraordinary lengths by his ambition and a wife terrified she will lose him to a cruel and pitiless rival, Above All Things is a timeless story of one of the great tragedies - and love stories - of the last century.

'Above All Things has it all: adventure, tragedy, mystery, and a deeply moving love story. It's gorgeously written and beautifully paced. I could not put it down. Prepare to be dazzled' Alison Pick, author of Far to Go

'A love story, a tale of adventure, and a study in obsession all at once, Above All Things is simply breathtaking. With Tanis Rideout's debut, a major new voice in Canadian fiction arrives' Joseph Boyden, author of Through Black Spruce

'Timeless romance, an unflinching love story that touches the very core of the human condition. Rideout leaves readers holding the book close to their chest, knowing that the purpose of life, above all else, is love' Telegraph

'A must-read for Everest buffs with a sensitive side, and for those who want to understand the anatomy of climbing accidents. It is also the perfect summer read for anyone lured by the romance of adventure, as the story goes well beyond the vast summit of Everest into much trickier terrain: the unmapped topography of the heart' Globe and Mail

Tanis Rideout's work has appeared in numerous publications and been shortlisted for several prizes, including the Bronwen Wallace Memorial Award for Emerging Writers and the CBC Literary Award. In 2006, she was named the Poet Laureate for Lake Ontario by the environmental advocacy group Lake Ontario Waterkeeper and joined Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip on a tour to promote environmental justice on the lake. Born in Belgium, Tanis grew up in Bermuda and in Kingston, Ontario, and now lives in Toronto. She recently received her MFA from the University of Guelph-Humber. Above All Things is her first novel. www.tanisrideout.com.

Reviews

Arrestingly original and beautifully written

—— John Gray , Literary Review

Studious and fascinating… A smart, enjoyable book

—— Doug Johnstone , Big Issue

Fascinating and instructive… This is an excellent and subtle book – part biography, part intellectual history – that tells us about the difficulties of trying to understand ourselves

—— Henry Marsh , The Times

A rich and stimulating account of the first truly modern attempt to understand the mysteries of the mind

—— Orlando Bird , Financial Times

The book gives a powerful sense of human science being forged

—— Charlotte Sleigh , BBC History Magazine

A stimulating and intellectual biography of a group of scholars

—— Jonathan Eaton , Times Higher Education

An entertaining elegy for an era that has vanished... An era in which smart, ambitious scientists could cross disciplines with greater ease than they could cross oceans. For most modern scientists it is now the other way round

—— Lancet

Lively and engaging... An important account of the first steps towards the creation of a science of the mind

—— Chris Nancollas , Tablet

A remarkable and panoramic view of how civilization actually works

—— Roger Highfield of the Science Museum

This book is useful if civilization collapses, and entertaining if it doesn't. After the cometary impact it may save your life, and if it doesn't at least you'll know why you perished

—— S. M. Stirling

Even if you don't believe the end is nigh, it's a completely fascinating manual of practical knowledge most of us woefully lack. I might keep the proof to hand, just in case

—— Bookseller

It’s the end of the world, and you feel fine. It’s what comes next that should worry you… The Knowledge will ensure you and your fellow survivors have the know-how to reboot civilization from scratch

—— Science Uncovered

An amazing book with all the information you need to rebuild society after a major catastrophe. It's not a daft survival manual but a highly intelligent description of all that makes our lives normal. Every household should have a copy

—— Bookseller

A breezy how-to guide to the rebuilding of civilisation... Admirable

—— Bryan Appleyard , Sunday Times

A whistle-stop tour of the history of science and technology… Full of those "oh!" moments when you think, "well, I never thought of that before"… Fascinating

—— Tom Chivers , Daily Telegraph

Replete with tips and illustrations and fascinating factoids

—— Patrick Freyne , Irish Times

This book is an extraordinary achievement... It is a great read even if civilisation does not collapse. If it does, it will be the sacred text of the new world – Dartnell that world's first great prophet

—— Tom Whipple , The Times

Armed with Lewis Dartnell's new book, I should be able to stride confidently into a post-apocalyptic future... Dartnell's guide to surviving the apocalypse is as breezy and engaging as it is informative

—— John Preston , Daily Mail

Engaging, thought-provoking and (mostly) accessible… Readers will certainly come away better informed, more knowledgeable about, and hopefully more interested in the fundamental science and technology necessary to rebuild a civilised society

—— Alison Stokes , Times Higher Education

A fascinating and fun read

—— UK Press Syndication

The Knowledge impresses as a condensed history of scientific progress, and will pique curiosity among readers who regret daydreaming throughout school chemistry lessons. Like this reviewer, some will be troubled by their ignorance of the basics, and how useless that could render them if the lights do go out

—— Iain Morris , Observer

A hymn to human ingenuity… Essential reading

—— Michael Brooks , New Statesman

If the world ends with a bang or a whimper make sure you have a copy of this book to hand, or you won’t have a clue how to survive or kick-start the new civilisation

—— Good Book Guide

An engaging and wide-ranging discussion of the scientific discoveries and technological innovations that underpin our lives… Littered with fascinating facts and an infectious enthusiasm for science and technology shines through in the accessible and lively writing… An absorbing thought experiment which celebrates the insight and ingenuity which has made this habitable planet into a civilized world

—— Olivia Johnson , BBC Sky at Night Magazine

There is no better guide to the basic science and engineering that underlies our everyday life than this clear and fascinating book

—— Lord Martin Rees

A great idea for a book… Excellent and intriguing

—— William Leith , Evening Standard

The conceit that this is a handbook for rebooting modern civilization is really just a cute way of framing what turns out to be a terrifically engrossing history of science and technology

—— Steven Poole , Guardian

There is great depth and insight in The Knowledge, which is brilliantly imaginative and thorough in its study of science and technology

—— Antonia Charlesworth , Big Issue

This book should be on everyone’s bookshelf, just in case the worst happens… The one guide you need to rebuild civilisation

—— Sally Hewitt , UK Press Syndication

an eye-opening dose of fantastical reality

—— Roisin Kiberd , Totally Dublin

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