For those familiar with "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer, Anatoli Boukreev's response "The Climb", and other works debating how Everest should be climbed and by whom, this will be an excellent addition to their collection. A "niche" book, a reader interested in this debate should definitely purchase this title, as well as public libraries where there is a demand for books on this topic.

After reading DIXON DESCENDING by Karen Outen, my interest in all things Mt. Everest was sky-high, so I was excited to find this narrative nonfiction account of the Mt. Everest industry. I was not disappointed; this is a gripping and revealing look at the history of Mt. Everest exploration, sherpa guided tours, the fallout from INTO THIN AIR, the rise of sherpa advocacy, and much more. If you're into adventure nonfiction, this is a must read.

Many thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.

I love reading books about Mountaineering and Everest in particular, and this book takes an interesting look at the business of making it to the summit of the world’s most famous mountain. There are a lot of names and companies covered in this expansive text and the first-person accounts enrich the story and make it compulsively readable. That said, there are some organizational issues with the text sometimes jumping ahead in time and then jumping back, making it hard to follow because otherwise the text is chronological. Similarly, the 1980s and 1990s get a significant portion of the text, leaving the early 2000s and 2010s a cursory overview. This feels especially misplaced as the core thesis is that Nepalis - and Sherpas in particular- have not been afforded the respect they deserve for their role in making Everest the business it is today, and it is in the last decade or so that the Nepalis have taken a larger organizational role in leading companies, guiding expeditions, and publicizing themselves and their accomplishments. I still wholeheartedly recommend this book to those interested in learning more about early years on the mountain, and I hope more scholarship follows up on the more recent years.

Great read for the Everest and mountaineering enthusiast about the commercialization of guiding and climbing of Everest and the 8,000 meter peaks that make up the Himalayas.

I love books about climbing and Everest specifically, and overall I think that Everest Inc. is a really interesting addition to the genre. This book is a sweeping history of the rise of the guiding industry of Everest, its ethical implications, and the way it has changed over the past 30ish years.
I thought it was really interesting to read about stories and important players that I am already familiar with, but with more perspective of the business side of the mountain guiding industry. The author successfully covered a wide variety of topics in chronological order, and clearly conducted an insane amount of research.
Because there are so many books in this genre about major tragedies or exhilarating expeditions, I’m glad to have read a book that discusses the future of the industry, especially the rise of key Sherpa players and companies in the space.
I would give this book 4.5 stars because I think it’s extremely well-written and well-researched, but the sheer volume of characters and stories made me want more details about expeditions that only got one paragraph of space.

A very interesting addition to the vast Everest library. I am a fan of this genre and have read many books about the Himalayas, two of my favorites being (perhaps predictably) Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air and Wade Davis’ Into the Silence. Most of these works focus on a particular event (like the disastrous 1996 season) or person (like George Mallory). Everest Inc. takes a different and fresh approach, following the rise of the guiding industry on the world's highest peak, from its unlikely beginnings, when the very idea seemed preposterous, to the current reclaiming of the place by the long-overlooked Sherpa people.

There are many marvelous stories here, and many fascinating characters - sometimes to a fault, as in some instances I got lost in the parade of names. Nevertheless, it is a compelling story that gives a broader perspective to many facts that you may already know, but will now see in a different way. The author deconstructs some of the myths surrounding the business of helping beginners climb and crowded routes. You don't have to agree with his diagnosis, but it is certainly thought-provoking.

Thanks to the publisher, Gallery Books, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

I have studied and written a lot about Mt. Everest, but this is one of the most exciting and accurate books on the topic that I have read.

this was a solid overview of a complex history. it was a lot to cover so some parts i wanted to know more about where dealt with a bi too efficiently. it did come across as very unbiased and neutral as it presented both sides of many issues. i would recommend it to anyone interested in mountaineering.

A must read if you are into reading anything about Everest. It will give you a new perspective of those who are guides to take people to the summit.
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Will Cockrell's "Everest, Inc." is an insightful look into the business of climbing Everest. In many cases, as Cockrell details fascinatingly, the business is as risky and treacherous as scaling Everest. He makes clear the invaluable role of the Sherpa community in all aspects of this. It makes for a compelling read. Definitely worth your time.