Adventurer of our times

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33917, 9 August 1975, Page 10

Adventurer of our times

Nothing Venture, Nothing Win. By Edmund Hillary. Hodder and Stoughton. 308 pp. Index. N.Z. price $9.95. (Reviewed by R.W.C.) Older readers will find the preEverest part of Hillary’s autobiography of the greatest interest. Younger readers, for whom the ascent of Everest and the Commonwealth TransAntarctic Expedition are in the remote past, will approach the book differently, and no doubt Hillary will be well-satisfied if a few are inspired by his example. Their elders, too, may be inspired by a man who at 56 can end his story like this: “Most of all I am thankful for the tasks still left to do — for the adventures still lying ahead. I can see a mighty river to challenge; a hospital to build; a peaceful mountain valley with an unknown pass to cross; an untouched Himalayan summit and a shattered southern glacier — yes, there is plenty left to do.” As might be expected the book is full of action, described in the straightforward, unpretentious style typical of the man. And he has an engaging ability to laugh at himself. Hillary’s restless urge to press on is ever present. Why did he go on to the Pole after completing his allotted task of laying depots to support Fuchs in his crossing? This decision aroused much controversy, and has- many aspects from logistic to diplomatic. But Hillary cuts through all this: “For me the decision had been reasonably straightforward. I would have despised myself if I hadn’t continued — it was as simple as that — I just had to go on.”

Hillary found little in common with Fuchs on their first meeting, and their relationship was never entirely

satisfactory. He joined Fuchs on the Theron expedition which sailed into the Weddell Sea with the advance party. The role of observer, excluded from decision making, did not suit him. He was unhappy about the expedition, which he describes as “amateurish.” The word is interesting. Hillary himself is an amateur par excellence; from his mountaineering to his hospital building he has been an enthusiastic and happy amateur, and it has been his strength. A professional explorer would not have tried to drive farm tractors to the Pole. No bureaucrat would attempt to build and staff schools and a hospital in one of the most remote places in the world with such small resources. But as explorer, author, lecturer, fund raiser and diplomat he has succeeded. Amateur, yes, but amateurish? No. Hillary has succeeded by setting out to learn what was required to meet each fresh challenge, and by attracting and retaining friends who could help, Unfortunately these friends remain names in a book although he is generous in acknowledging his debt to them. The reader will infer that they share his delight in physical action, but their personalities are enigmas. Their descriptions are brief, and not very illuminating — v] ar g e> ” “strong,” or “tough” — and their conversation is rarely quoted. It is well known that they are all characters in their own right; we do not learn this from the book. The tributes to Louise, Hillary’s wife, make poignant reading in the light of the tragedy earlier this year. Now he faces a new challenge. His friends will be needed more than ever. There is no doubt they will.be there.