The ascent of a Rum Doodle

First published in 1956, The Ascent of Rum Doodle quickly became established
as a mountaineering classic.
As an outrageously funny spoof about the ascent of a 40,000-and-a-half-foot
peak, many thought it inspired by the 1953 conquest of Everest. But Bowman had
drawn on the flavour and tone of earlier adventures, of Bill Tilman and his
1937 account of the Nandi Devi expedition. The book`s central and
unforgettable character, Binder, is one of the finest creations in comic
literature.

This book includes an introduction by Bill Bryson. An outrageously funny spoof
about the ascent of a 40,000-and-a-half-foot peak, The Ascent of Rum Doodle»
has been a cult favourite since its publication in 1956. Led by the reliably
under-insightful Binder a team of seven British men including Dr Prone
(constantly ill); Jungle the route finder (constantly lost) Constant the
diplomat (constantly arguing) and 3000 Yogistani porters set out to conquer
the highest peak in the Himalayas.»