THE SWISS AND THEIR MOUNTAINS

by Sir Arnold unn ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A

Commissioned by The Swiss Foundation to observe the centenary of the Swiss aipine Club in 1963, this unusual little book is definitely for devotees of mountains and the climbing art. Sir Arnold Lunn expounds on the independence, actually earned through war and of the spirit, bastioned by the mountains. He goes on to pay respects to pioneers in climbing, whether for science or pleasure, but with marked preference for the amateurs. Von Haller, Rousseau, De Saussure and Mont Blanc, prickly Father Placidus who climbed into his seventies for love of it, Louis Agassiz (delightfully presented in quick portraiture) who measured glacial flow are here. So are other early climbers, Alpine guides of a professional variety and their contribution, the artists, in particular the Kleinmeisters, who ainted the mountains (after 1850 this art gave way to more pretentious, less particularized renditions). The volume is satisfyingly illustrated with Kleinmeister drawings, 8 in four-colors and 16 in half-tone. A view of the heights for those who love them.

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Rand McNally

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1963

Categories: NONFICTION