Marking the 50th anniversary of the first ascent of Everest, National Geographic presents the first full-length biography of Tenzing Norgay, the Tibetan-born Sherpa who climbed to the summit of the world with Sir Edmund Hillary. of photos. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

U.K.-based writer, editor and mountaineer Douglas has written what his publisher is touting as "the first full biography of Tenzing Norgay," the Sherpa leader who accompanied Sir Edmund Hillary in 1953 on their pioneering 29,028-foot climb to the top of Mt. Everest. Douglas follows in the snow-covered path of last year's books by Tenzing's son, Jamling Tenzing Norgay (Touching My Father's Soul) and grandson Tashi Tenzing (Tenzing Norgay and the Sherpas of Everest). An illiterate yak herder, Tibetan-born Tenzing grew up in the shadow of Chomolungma (the Sherpa name for Everest), and in 1935 was chosen for his first expedition, although "he couldn't yet speak a word of English and had to gesture that he had no certificate from the Himalayan Club." When he reached the summit in 1953 he became "a role model for ordinary people, someone of humble birth who had made headlines around the world." Douglas weaves numerous Everest adventurers into this tapestry of Tenzing's life, and the author's extensive mountain-climbing experience gives the book an authoritative solidity. He enumerates tragic deaths, compares contradictory passages in various written accounts and examines cultural misunderstandings, commenting on political issues triggered by Tenzing's triumph. He also covers Tenzing's later years, which were darkened by drinking and depression. This is an honest, inspiring look at one of history's great adventurers. Map and photos not seen by PW. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Introduction	XI
Prologue: Behind the Mask	XV
Chapter 1 The Sherpas of Darjeeling	1
Chapter 2 The Lap of his Mother	25
Chapter 3 Life as a Khamba	47
Chapter 4 To Everest	63
Chapter 5 Triumph, War, and Loss	87
Chapter 6 Return to Darjeeling	105
Chapter 7 The Brink of Fame	129
Chapter 8 I Have Brought a Bear	149
Chapter 9 A Tall White Dream in the Sky	173
Chapter 10 The Jackals of Fame	207
Chapter 11 Tiger of the Snows	229
Chapter 12 Daku	249
Endnotes	275
Bibliography	287
Index	291
Glossary	295
Acknowledgments	297

Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.