When 33-year-old New Zealand beekeeper Edmund Hillary and his Sherpa climbing partner Tenzing Norgay reached the summit of Mt. Everest on May 29, 1953, they congratulated each other with a handshake and a hearty embrace. It was the beginning of a lifelong relationship between Hillary and the Sherpa people-a people whose courage, skill, and generosity of spirit made Himalayan exploration possible. Sir Edmund Hillary and the People of Everest is a story of giving back. The book begins with a vivid recounting of the conquest of Mt. Everest and goes on to beautifully chronicle Hillary's humanitarian and environmental efforts over the last half century. His work on behalf of the Sherpas includes raising funds, building schools, setting up two hospitals, and opening 12 medical clinics. His deep love, respect, and concern for the Sherpa people is unwavering, and his commitment shines through in whatever project is at hand.Using personal interviews and intimate photographs, photographer Anne B. Keiser and writer Cynthia Russ Ramsay paint an insightful portrait of an extraordinary man and his unmatched devotion to preserving the culture of the Sherpa people.

In a memoir by the first man to reach the peak of Everest, Hillary discusses the adventures that shaped his life, from the South Pole to the Ganges River.

"The 50th anniversary of the historic climb."

On May 29, 1953, Edmund Hillary and his partner, Tenzing Norgay, stood at the summit of Mount Everest.