Over the Edge

The True Story of Four American Climbers' Kidnap and Escape in the Mountains of Central Asia

By: Greg Child

Narrated by: Armand Schultz

Before dawn on August 12, 2000, four of America's best young rock climbers were sleeping in their portaledges high on the Yellow Wall, in the Pamir-Alai mountain range of Kyrgyzstan, in central Asia. By daybreak, they would be taken at gunpoint by militants of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), which operates out of secret bases in Tajikistan and Afghanistan, and which is linked to Osama bin Laden's Al Qaeda network. The desperadoes intended to use their hostages as human shields and for ransom as they moved across Kyrgyzstan. In a remarkable life-and-death crucible over six terrifying days, they would be forced to choose between saving their own lives and committing an act none of them thought they ever could.

In Over the Edge, the four climbers-Jason "Singer" Smith, John Dickey, Tommy Caldwell, and Beth Rodden-finally tell the complete story of their nightmarish ordeal. In riveting detail, author Greg Child re-creates the entire hour-by-hour drama, from the first ricocheting bullets to the climactic and agonizing decision the climbers had to make in order to gain their freedom and survival. Set in a powder-keg region of narcotics trafficking and terrorism, this is a deeply compelling book about loyalty and the unshakeable human will to survive.

©2002 Greg Child and

Critic reviews

"A charged and unforgettable look into the many faces of international terrorism and human nature itself." (Amazon.com)

Well I liked it..

Yea there were a few parts that seemed to drag, but I listened as though I was in the story doing and being there with Beth and Tommy. There was a lot of comic relief too. Its not the best book I've ever listened to, but I'd still recomend it.

Great story with some dry spells, still worth it.

This is a great story but has some serious dry spells in the middle, but still worth listening. The dry spells are political history of the recent past. Some may find this fascinating. Regardless, this is a great story.

a

very compelling except the chapter where they discussed the local political climates and extremist movements in the area was slow.

The author really did his homework

The author really did his homework on this novel. I think the tepid rating is because he focuses less on the action and more on geopolitics, characterization, and impartiality.

a different world

Rebel forces, revolutionaries, wise guy outdoor types...mix them all together and see what comes out. This is more than a story about kidnapping. It is also a story about the fall of communism and the various parties that saw this change as an opportunity to stake out their role in the new world.

Skip it

Gripping account of the kidnapping but I ultimately did not finish the book. One particular post kidnapping detail that was recounted was offensive and completely inappropriate. Pretty much turned me off to the rest of the story.

Not as exciting as it sounds

I got bored and quit. It didn't keep my interest. My mind kept wondering so I just gave up. Very disappointing.

Less Than Compelling

Subject Matter: A retelling of the brief (6 days), less than harrowing adventure of four American climbers who come off more as spoiled whiners than victimized hostages. Yes, they did endure cold, hunger, thirst, and fear, but not to the degree that makes for a truly compelling narrative. There is so little content that the author seems forced to insert a lengthy recap of the unsettle politics of the region. If you want to explore true heroics, try ?Endurance: Shackelton's Incredible Voyage? by Alfred Lansing. Now that?s an adventure!

Narrator: Greg Child - Excellent; he handles the difficult pronunciations well and provides convincing accents when needed.

Audio Quality: Reviewed-Format 4 Excellent, distortion-free with consistent sound levels

blah blah blah

too much about politics in this story. I ended up fast forwarding a good part of it. The last hour is a little hard to take as well.