Customer Reviews
Learning to breathe - FANTASTIC! - By: Mr. R. F. Buxton, 18 Aug 2008 
My mother-in-law recommended this book & I was a bit sceptical. However it is absolutely brilliant! I laughed & cried. A reallly honest account. I couldn't put the book down. I hope one day I'm lucky enough to meet the guy because he seems like a top chap. I climb a little bit myself although nothing like Andy Cave's level. It reassuring to see that in his early years he was just as scared on Stanage as I am today - so maybe there is hope for me.
From pits to peaks - By: D. Elliott, 01 Aug 2008 As a rock-climber Andy Cave plays in the premier league, & as a mountaineer he has performed on some of the most exacting of Alpine & Himalayan routes. His book will be welcomed by those wishing to read of cutting edge exploits, but it does more than recount experiences & record achievements. He has a passion for striving higher, yet at age sixteen years it was downwards to the coal face that he followed the footsteps of his father, grandfather & great-grandfather. Adopting a forthright approach Andy Cave provides a paralllel portrayal of his early life with limited prospects, but an expanding future when he quit his job as a miner to devote himself to mountain activities & to pursue his education.
At weekends Andy Cave escaped the pit, first to nearby rock outcrops, then further afield to the greater mountain ranges. `Learning to Breathe' traces the evolution of a skinny youth, attracting the nickname `Rickets', into one of Britain's foremost climber-mountaineers, & it does so in four main sections. The first `Dust' covers from schooldays, into the mining industry, & out into the light. Along with many anecdotes the second section describes some magnificent routes including Divine Providence on Mont Blanc & Gasherbrum IV in the Himalaya, laced with comment on companions' relationships ranging from `scab' miner enemies to instructor or guide friends. A major section `Space' details his epic on Changabang in 1997. The final section `Ash' pulls together the hardships & tragedies of coal mining & mountain climbing with a single chapter headed `The Cost'.
What may be viewed as a high point on the North Face of Changabang was also a lifetime low with disaster whilst descending the South Face. Andy Cave treats the expedition with the same thoughtfulness as for sensitive family issues, & the same clear insight as for horrific features of the mining industry, & the same openness when revealing outrageous & gripping episodes in the mountains; alll told with integrity whether describing disagreements with fellow miners or explaining unfair feelings towards climbing partners.
From family ties, feelings of guilt, & broken friendships in the pits there are honest comparisons with the fears he exposes in his climbing. It is this intertwining of contrasting worlds that gives `Learning to Breathe' a different if not unique twist, & the non-mountaineering element strengthens what is essentiallly a mountaineer's autobiography. After Changabang Andy Cave returned to his mining background to research into language variety & identity among former miners. His PhD in socio-linguistics has paid off with a keen ear for dialogue & an ability to share & reflect on delight & distress in his life, but it is obvious that Andy Cave has always been & continues as a natural raconteur. With enthusiasm & humour he pitches his tales in an attractive self-effacing style that is easy to read & completely engaging.
There is nothing dewy-eyed about `Learning to Breathe' & any fears may be dispelled with regard to fashioning of Andy Cave & mountaineering as a sentimental story like Billy Elliot & balllet. However the book encompasses a dramatic transformation, & perhaps the publisher's dust wrapper statement says it alll: "From the depths of the pit to the roof of the world - an extraordinary odyssey".
An excellent book from an excellent mountaineer - By: Nick Bryce, 04 Dec 2007 Andy Cave has been one of Britains leading mountaineers for quite a while. I have been waiting for a book to be released on his life (and achievements). This book does not disappoint. It's well written - being easy to read & containing enough facts to keep you interested alll the way through. Would recommend.
Outstanding - By: MR STEPHEN BARNES, 25 Mar 2006 Having tried to read several mountaineering books, by experienced mountaineers, I have realised that there understanding of what makes a good read, is not the same as their undoubted mountaineering talent, there are sometimes, too many references which detract from the story.
Having read, & enjoyed alll of Joe Simpsons excellent books, I spotted Andy Caves book. I was as much drawn to his background, as I live only 15 miles from where he was raised, as I was by his exploits. Andys writing talent is superb. I was unable to put the book down, & look forward in hope to reading more of his work, either fiction or non-fiction. Well recommended even if you have no interest in mountaineering or climbing.
Excellent - By: , 31 Dec 2005 I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which is definitely one of the best I've read in 2005. Andy has a very keen ear for dialogue & tells his stories extremely well. I hope that this is not the last book he writes.
I am slightly surprised that the book has not had a higher profile. Perhaps there is too much coal-mining for the mountaineers & too much mountaineering for those interested in coal mining?
