This book looks at the development of climbing on the world's highest mountains - the 14 whose summits stand above the 8000 metre contour. Though concentrating on the new millennium, from 2000 to 2011, with an epilogue on 2011, the book also covers the first ascent of the mountains, and the new routes climbed between the first ascent and 1999. A sequel to "On Top of the World", published in 2000 which dealt with the discovery and early climbing history of the mountains, the book also uses new material which has come to light over the last decade to re-appraise the first ascents on Annapurna, Broad Peak and K2. Illustrated with stunning images for the new routes established during the new millennium, the book also includes archival shots from the early history of the mountains. These archival shots include first ascent shots from two of the mountains which had not been made available for the earlier book. The book is completed with data on the mountains provided by co-author Eberhard Jurgalski, who maintains the world's most up-to-date database on these (and other) mountains.
The data include all climbers who have summitted all 14 mountains (a figure which now stands at an astonishing 28) as well as those who are nearing the complete set. Sadly some of the latter have died in the attempt and will never achieve their goal.