Return to the Scene of the Climb

The most recent book I’ve worked on wasn’t one of my own novels but the collected writing of my late father, James T. Lester (1927-2010). Called Return to the Scene of the Climb, it comprises three of my otherwise rather quiet dad’s adventures: his participation in the first American Everest expedition in 1963, a two-month road-trip across the US with five of the principal Sherpa climbers from that expedition the summer right after the climb, and his return to Nepal, 35 years later, to see what had become of them. It also includes 78 color photographs from these trips, forwards from Dr. Pasang Yangjee Sherpa and Tom Hornbein, and an introduction by me.

We launched the book in Estes Park, Colorado, on May 24th, right on the edge of the Rocky Mountains. I couldn’t be more thankful to the Estes Valley Library, the wonderful attendees both in the room and online, and Kathy Hornbein, for the warm reception.

Here is the link to the video of the talk-slideshow from that evening. Enjoy the trip!

And here is where to buy the book in the UK, and in the US.