In search of the truth about the American condition, the author examines the latest social, economic, attitudinal, and demographic data.

In 2003, the world will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary and tenzing Norgay Sherpa's historic ascent of Mount Everest, an event which became the defining moment in 20th-century adventure and delivered fame and glory to the men who took part in the expedition. All, perhaps, except tenzing, who, after a brief honeymoon period with the world's media and political leaders, returned to his humble home in the hill station of Darjeeling, India, and never properly received the credit and plaudits he so richly deserved. In 1986 he passed away, having touched the hearts of all those he came across, and having done so much for his people. tenzing and the Sherpas of Everest is the inspiring story of this poor and illiterate man who left his small ancestral village in a remote part of the Himalaya and through grit, courage and sheer determination climbed the world's highest mountain and become a hero around the globe. But it is also a tribute to tenzing's family and the Sherpa people who have contributed so much to exploration in the Himalaya over the last hundred years.

Focusing on some of the most famous climbs of the Himalayas, the author tells the story of his grandfather, Tenzing Norgay, who guided Hillary on the first successful ascent of Everest. He also explores many aspects of Sherpa society and history.

In 2003, the world celebrates the 50th anniversary of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa's historic ascent of Mount Everest, an event which became a defining moment in twentieth-century adventure and delivered fame and glory to the men who took part in Colonel John Hunt's expedition. All perhaps, except Tenzing, who, after a brief honeymoon period with the world's media and political leaders, returned to his humble home in the hill station of Darjeeling, India, and never properly received the credit and plaudits he so richly deserved. Written by Tenzing's mountaineer grandson Tashi, who himself has also conquered Everest, and his wife Judy, Tenzing and the Sherpas of Everest uncovers one of the greatuntold stories of the world of mountaineering, and pays long-overdue homage to the Sherpas, without whom the summit of Everest would have remained an impossible dream for climbers the world over.

In 1953, Tenzing Norgay was at the heart of the successful British Everest expedition as leader of the Sherpas whose hard work brought victory and as one of the two lead climbers to reach the top. But behind Tenzing’s radiant smile is an untold story of courage, tragedy, and ambition, of a man who overcame incredible odds just to reach the bottom of the mountain. Born in a sacred Tibetan valley in the shadow of Everest, Tenzing’s long journey led him from life as an illiterate yak herder to become the friend of Nehru, feted by monarchs and presidents all over the world. Set against the backdrop of one of the greatest chapters in the history of exploration, Tenzing: Hero of Everest recounts the jubilant moments at the summit: “Tenzing was effusive, putting an arm around Hillary’s shoulders, and thumping him on the back with infectious delight. Hillary joined in.... Now all below them...the valleys where Tenzing had grown up. ‘It was such a sight as I had never seen before,’ he said, ‘and would never see again—wild, wonderful, and terrible. But terror was not what I felt. I loved the mountains too well for that. I loved Everest too well.’” Mountaineering historian Ed Douglas reveals for the first time Tenzing’s long climb from obscurity. Drawing on extensive interviews with family members, climbing partners, and members of the Sherpa community in Darjeeling and Nepal, the book chronicles his rise to fame and the aftermath of his triumph. The result is a wealth of new material about a man who made his people famous and whose life was the stuff of legend.

In the late morning of May 29, 1953, the sun was shining brightly and a gentle breeze was blowing on the highest elevation of the world--and two men were there to witness it for the first time ever. Their names were Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, and they had ascended Everest. This is the breathtaking story of how two very different, yet equally determined, men battled frost-biting temperatures, tumbling ice rocks, powerful winds, and death-defying ridges to reach the top of the world's highest mountain. Combining fresh and contemporary illustrations by Joe Todd-Stanton with Alexandra Stewart's captivating writing, this unique narrative tells the story of how Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay made their mark on the world from birth right up to their final days and the impact they've had on Nepal today.