The author uses several passages from Ms. Boskoff’s diary, as well as passages from her partner, in life and climbing, Charlie Fowler. Together with first hand interviews Ms. Garton paints a picture of Christine Boskoff which the record books can’t tell.

The strength of the book is in the way Mr. Krakauer tells the story, combining an adventure with social commentary without resorting to dry timeline lists. Some environmental issues, government bureaucracy (mostly Nepalese) and significant historical accounts are also weaved into the book, however they do not take away from the main storyline, but only add context.