Paths of Glory by Jeffrey Archer

Some people have dreams that are so magnificent that if they were to achieve them, their place in history would be guaranteed. People like Christopher Columbus, Isaac Newton, Florence Nightingale, Thomas Edison, Nancy Astor, Charles Lindbergh, Amy Johnson, Edmund Hilary and Neil Armstrong-their unparalleled success has made their stories into legend. But what if one man had such a dream, and once he'd achieved it, there was no proof that he had fulfilled his ambition? Jeffrey Archer's new novel, Paths of Glory, is the story of such a man-George Mallory. Born in 1886, he was a brilliant student who became part of the Bloomsbury Group at Cambridge in the early twentieth century and served in the Royal Garrison Artillery during World War I. After the war, he married, had three children, and would have spent the rest of his life as a schoolteacher, but for his love of mountain climbing. Mallory once told a reporter that he wanted to climb Mt. Everest, because it is there. On his third try in 1924, at age thirty-seven, he was last seen four hundred feet from the top. His body was found in 1999, and it remains a mystery whether he and his climbing partner, Andrew Irvine, ever reached the summit. In fact, not until you've turned the last page of Archer's extraordinary novel will you be able to decide if George Mallory should be added to that list of legends, while another name would have to be removed. Paths of Glory is truly a triumph. Editorial Reviews From Publishers Weekly Veteran actor Roger Allam brings an impressive range and energy to Archer's historical novel. The tale finds its inspiration in the real-life mystery surrounding adventurer George Mallory, who may--or may not--have reached the summit of Mount Everest in 1924 before perishing in the ice and snow. Allam's remarkable accents are the highlight of the audio book, especially in his brief but highly memorable turn as a colorful American agent who organizes a rather exploitative and ethically dubious publicity tour for Mallory. Allam also shines in his portrayal of Mallory's devoted wife, Ruth, who chooses to mask her doubts and fears in order to support her husband's lifelong dream of climbing to the highest point on the planet. Admittedly, Archer's text offers a hero who would rather explore mountains than the depths of moral or psychological complexity, but Allam's performance renders the listening experience entertaining. A St. Martin's hardcover (Reviews, Jan. 5). (Mar.) Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. About the Author Jeffrey Archer was educated at Oxford University. He has served five years in Britain's House of Commons, fourteen years in the House of Lords, and two in Her Majesty's prisons. All of his novels and short story collections--including A Prisoner of Birth, False Impression, and Sons of Fortune--have been international bestsellers. Archer is married with two children and lives in London and Cambridge. Roger Allam is a British actor who has worked extensively for the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre, and in the West End. He played Javert in the original London production of Les Misérables, and Falstaff in the Shakespeare's Globe 2010 production of Henry IV Parts 1 and 2. He has been nominated four times for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor, winning twice, and he has also won the Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actor. His film work includes roles in The Queen, Speed Racer, V for Vendetta, The Wind that Shakes the Barley, Tamara Drewe, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, and the television series The Thick of It. Roger has narrated audiobooks for numerous bestselling authors, including Jeffrey Archer, Ian McEwan, Ian Rankin, and Joseph Conrad. In reviewing the audiobook version of Jeffrey Archer's Paths of Glory, Publishers Weekly declared, Veteran actor Roger Allam brings an impressive range and energy to Archer's historical novel.... Allam's remarkable accents are the highlight of the audio book. Roger lives in south-west London with his actress wife, Rebecca Saire, and their two young sons. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. From the Back Cover A novel about one man's extraordinary quest to climb Mt. Everest from the one writer who could bring such a towering, epic tale vividly to life #1 New York Times bestselling author Jeffrey Archer Some people have dreams that are so magnificent that if they were to achieve them, their place in history would be guaranteed. But what if one man had such a dream...and once he'd fulfilled it, there was no proof that he had achieved his ambition? PATHS OF GLORY This is the story of such a man: George Mallory. He once told an American reporter that he wanted to climb Mt. Everest because it's there. On his third attempt in 1924, at age thirty-seven, he was last seen six hundred feet from the top. His body was found in 1999. And it still remains a mystery whether he ever reached the summit... There isn't a better storyteller alive.-Larry King A storyteller in the class of Alexandre Dumas.-Washington Post Archer is a master entertainer.-Time --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. Excerpt. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. ONE St. Bees, Cumbria, Tuesday, July 19th, 1892 If you had asked George why he'd begun walking toward the rock, he wouldn't have been able to tell you. The fact that he had to wade into the sea to reach his goal didn't appear to concern him, even though he couldn't swim. Only one person on the beach that morning showed the slightest interest in the six-year-old boy's progress. The Reverend Leigh Mallory folded his copy of The Times and placed it on the sand at his feet. He didn't alert his wife, who was lying on the deckchair beside .shine, oblivious to any danger their eldest son might be facing. He knew that Annie would only panic, the way she had when the boy had climbed onto the roof of the village hall during a meeting of the Mothers' Union. The Reverend Mallory quickly checked on his other three children, who were playing contentedly by the water's edge, unconcerned with their brother's fate. Avie and Mary were happily collecting seashells that had been swept in on the morning tide, while their younger brother Trafford was concentrating on filling a small tin bucket with sand. Mallory's attention re.lutely toward the rock. He was not yet worried, surely PATHS OF GLORY the boy would eventually realize he had to turn back. But he rose from his deckchair once the waves began to cover the boy's knee breeches. Although George was now almost out of his depth, the moment he reached the jagged outcrop he deftly pulled himself out of the sea and leaped from rock to .self, and stared out toward the horizon. Although his favorite subject at school was history, clearly no one had told him about King Canute. His father was now watching with some trepidation as the waves surged carelessly around the rocks. He waited patiently for the boy to become aware of the danger he was in, when he would surely turn and ask for help. He didn't. When the first spray of foam touched the boy's toes, the Reverend Mallory walked slowly .mured as he passed his youngest, who was now intently building a sandcastle. But his eyes never left his eldest son, who still hadn't looked back, even though the .end Mallory plunged into the sea and started to swim .tary breaststroke he became more aware that it was much further away than he had realized. He finally reached his goal, and pulled himself onto the rock. As he clambered awkwardly to the top he cut his legs in several places, showing none of the surefootedness his son had earlier displayed. Once he'd joined the boy, he tried not to reveal that he was out of breath and in some considerable discomfort. .serve his wife, standing at the water's edge, shouting desperately, George! George! Perhaps we should be making our way back, my boy, suggested the Reverend Mallory, trying not to sound at all concerned. We don't want to worry your mother, do we? Just a few more moments, Papa, begged George, who continued to stare resolutely out to sea. But his father decided they couldn't wait any longer, and pulled his son gently off the rock. It took the two of them considerably longer to reach .dling his son in his arms, had to swim on his back, only able to use his legs to assist him. It was the first time George became aware that return journeys can take far longer. When George's father finally collapsed on the beach, George's mother rushed across to join them. She fell on .ing, Thank God, thank God, while showing scant interest in her exhausted husband. George's two sisters .etly sobbing, while his younger brother continued to build his fortress, far too young for any thoughts of death to have crossed his mind. The Reverend Mallory eventually sat up and stared at his eldest son, who was once again looking out to sea although the rock was no longer in sight. He accepted .cept of fear, no sense of risk. Excerpted from Paths of Glory by Jeffrey Archer. Copyright 2009 by Jeffrey Archer. Published in December 2009 by St. Martin`s Press. All rights reserved. This work is protected under copyright laws and reproduction is strictly prohibited. Permission to reproduce the material in any manner or medium must be secured from the Publisher --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. Review Veteran actor Roger Allam brings an impressive range and energy to Archer's historical novel.... Allam's remarkable accents are the highlight of the audio book.--Publishers Weekly Read by Olivier Award-winning actor Roger Allam, Paths of Glory penetrates the driven mind of this obsessed and extraordinary British gentleman who represented the spirit of a generation.--Kirkus Reviews Listeners will savor the tonality of British stage actor Roger Allam's voice. --Library Journal Roger Allam's rich, clear voice is an excellent vehicle for the delivery of Jeffrey Archer's novel based on the life and exploits of one of England's greatest adventurers, George Mallory...Allam's British accent and warm tones bring authenticity to the text...Text and presentation meld into a totally satisfying experience. --AudioFile --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. From AudioFile Roger Allam's rich, clear voice is an excellent vehicle for the delivery of Jeffrey Archer's novel based on the life and exploits of one of England's greatest adventurers, George Mallory. Archer's book presents a multidimensional picture of Mallory that goes well beyond his persona as the national hero who was one of the first to attempt Everest. Allam's British accent and warm tones bring authenticity to the text. The listener is not only treated to the intense action and heartbreak of Mallory's career as an early mountaineer, but is also allowed to watch the deeply rewarding personal side of his life unfold. Text and presentation meld into a totally satisfying experience. M.O.B. AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.