Loved this view of a historic climb told by a doctor on the expedition. It inspired me to read more about Robert Anderson, the climber who initiated the expedition and his life. Her life was also absorbing.

Mimi Zieman, MD, Tap Dancing on Everest A Young Doctor's Unlikely Adventure, Globe Pequot Falcon Guides, April 2024.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.

Mimi Zieman makes an enduring tribute to her family, those who are living, and that of her father who was the only member of his family to survive the holocaust. Her zest for living, packing several significant activities into a short time, her capacity for friendship and love is the underlying theme that resonates through her coming to grips with her faults (as she sees them), her femaleness and propensity to underplay her abilities and the demands, physical and mental she imposes on herself.

Throughout this book an endearing person emerges, in the large figure she sees as herself in the earlier years, to the woman who climbs Mt Everest as a team doctor during her medical studies. Mimi Zieman is strong, thoughtful and not without faults – an ideal figure to follow from her childhood to her married life as a doctor, wife and mother. Paramount is the Mt Everest excursion, but tapdancing has an engaging role too, and her romances round out a character who has the ability to capture the heart of her readers.

There is enough of Zieman’s childhood and youth to provide a background to her motivation to work hard, but to also enjoy life and savour the different courses she pursues, but not so much that we are deprived of the detail of the Mt Everest climb. This is a remarkable account of the journey, physical and mental, that each of the climbers and their support endured from their arrival to the end of the expedition. Although Mimi Zieman’s role as the medical support is a central focus, together with her relationships with group members, individuals’ stories are told with empathy and zest. Each member of the expedition becomes a known figure and provide an explanation for the lure of such expeditions to the uninitiated.

Do I have a yen to have the same experiences? Not if I have to climb a mountain! However, Tap Dancing on Everest provides more than a story of a young woman’s maturing, a Mt Everest expedition and its precursor of several mountain climbs undertaken by Zieman. It is an inspirational story, not only for the Everest achievement, but Mimi Zieman’s personal progress with its bumps and leaps, introspection and concern for others and her abounding enthusiasm for life.

I did not finish this book.

I was really excited to get the ARC for this book but I found it hard to get into. I picked it up and put it down several times.

I've struggled to leave a review of this book because I DNF.

The book did not capture my interest as I expected it to from such an accomplished person.

This isn't just a memoir of another Everest expedition. Instead its a compelling chronicle of how a twenty five year old medical student with no climbing experience wound up as the medical officer on an expedition set on charting a new route up the east face of an unforgiving mountain.

Miriam "Mimi" Zieman grew up in New York, the daughter of Jewish immigrants. Her parents divorced when she was young and she was raised by her mother and her grandmother. Her mother was a hard woman. She cared for Mimi and her brother, but she had little warmth to share. Instead she had high expectations for her children. It often caused friction and led Mimi to search for her center, her inner peace. That search led her far from her New York home.

Mimi offers vivid descriptions of her travels. There is no fancy language. The pictures she paints offer the gritty truth of the indignities she suffered while struggling to conquer the trials she pushed her self to accomplish.. From the ski slopes of Colorado, to the hiking trails in Tibet and Nepal, and ultimately to the base camps of Everest. She carries the guilt, fear, and lack of self confidence learned in her childhood throughout her travels

Despite her often self deprecating attitude, I wish I had Mimi's spirit. She pushed through her fears and insecurities to accomplish things some of us wouldn't dream of attempting. As professional armchair adventurer, I wish I could harness just a piece of her adventurers' spirit to try even half the things I have so often dreamed of doing. I found this story fascinating. And I found myself leaning into many of the lessons she learned and has shared with the readers in this truly memorable story.

This kind of book is why I love memoir—I was transported to a time and place utterly foreign yet found myself relating to the themes—grief and loss, sexism, family trauma, and overcoming adversity. If this had just been the story of this extraordinary trek to find lost climbers, it would have been incredible. But this book offers so much more. An inspiring portrayal of a transformational journey.

I was super excited to get a chance to read this book, but honestly, it just wasn't my cup of tea.

There are a lot of back and forth things in the beginning, I think this would have been better if it was chronological order, for the childhood portion. It just doesn't make sense with the whiplash back to a kid, then back to an adult, all within the same paragraph.

I was really excited about this because this is a book from a female's perspective on Everest, who isn't a 'hiker', or someone who sets out to climb Everest. Not to mention, this is something that was only done once before, so this was a challenging climb. I really really really was wanting to love this book, just based on that alone.

A lot of the beginning really turned me off from this book (see swimming portion... like why is this necessary?), and then when it got to the actual climb, it just wasn't the hype I thought it would be.

Thank you NetGalley for my E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

For more reviews and bookish posts visit: https://www.ManOfLaBook.com

Tap Dancing on Everest: A Young Doctor’s Unlikely Adventure by Mimi Zieman is a memoir of a medical student acting as a team doctor on a climbing expedition. Dr. Zieman is a practicing physician, writer, and speaker.

I enjoy books about mountain climbing and have always been fascinated by Mt. Everest. When I started this book, I didn’t know I’d heard about this specific expedition, attempting to ascend Everest’s East Face by a new route.

What makes Tap Dancing on Everest by Mimi Zieman is that it’s told from the perspective of a support person, not a seasoned climber. Ms. Zieman, a third-year medical student, joined the expedition to hone her skills (with the school’s permission) and have an adventure.

The story is not that of the expedition, per se, but that of a strong-spirited, independent woman alone with a bunch of macho men in the Himalayas. Her journey from the concrete jungle of New York City to Colorado to Nepal is engrossing.

The author’s perspective on being the only woman on the expedition, and that on the human body is very interesting and enlightening. Like many of us (men as well) she had body image issues, but unlike many of us, she also had to deal with crude solutions to serious health issues in a place as remote as another world.

The only thing I found strange is the opening chapter. This is where the young medical student is awaiting the climbers to come back, knowing something went wrong. Her story is interesting enough, there was no need for a “hook” to keep me reading with unanswered questions.

If you want a book about climbing, this isn’t it, but it’s a fantastic memoir of a mountaineer. The support personnel on these expeditions don’t get enough credit and appreciation, which they certainly deserve.

This book really stands out among the many volumes on Everest and the Himalayas that I have read. Written by a woman who is not a professional climber, it has a very different tone and feel. Most accounts of mountaineering expeditions focus on the adventure itself, here the climb is only described in the last part of the book. Instead, the author recounts in detail her unlikely path to it - from a difficult upbringing as a child of Jewish immigrants in New York City, with all the survivor trauma inherited from her parents, to battling her eating disorder and inferiority complex, to studying medicine and training to be a doctor. It can be a painful, emotional read at times.

She doesn't shy away from the gruesome details of trekking in the Himalayas either - I think both her gender and her medical training made her much more open about the realities of high mountains, including the physiological ones. If you felt intimidated after reading Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air, I don't think you'll ever decide to climb an 8,000er after reading this book. Of course, she is writing about a time before commercial climbing began (this shift is well chronicled in another forthcoming book, "Everest, Inc"), so she faced many more challenges than today's tourists.

If you are interested in mountaineering, I think this book will give you a new, original view of the Himalayan experience.

Thanks to the publisher, Globe Pequot, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

Mimi Zieman describes one of the most challenging experiences a person could have on Earth. Climbing Mt. Everest usually has some tragic stories about death and despair. Despite less severe consequences, the climbing team described by Zieman in Tap Dancing on Everest has a better story than others. It is a story about a young woman who is studying to be a doctor. She is invited by her close friend and former intimate partner to join a team as medical support. They travel through rural regions of Nepal and high into the Himalayas. Zieman often refers to her childhood and her family heroes to help her persevere and overcome challenges. With many details of personal trials and developing conviction, she tells of her journey with her team. They experience challenges and have very close calls that could lead them to disaster. But the medical conscience of Zieman seems to choral everyone into soulful and spiritual unity that is so often expressed by pre-climb ceremonies and prayer sessions.

If you like to hear about mountaineers and you can get over the expected consequences, this story uses a different approach for coping and it describes a different approach to reaching the summit.

Thank you to Mimi, Net Galley, and Falcon for this Advanced Reader's Copy.

Facing down Everest, advocating for those lost climbers, Zieman gained the confidence that comes from knowing your own strengths. And that's the message. The author is also a physician, playwright, speaker, women's advocate, and an adventurer. I'd add badass but not sure the review will make it through.

This story makes you want to find your own adventure so that your life can also be a badass through life.

If you have ever bristled when advised to play it safe, plan ahead, ask permission (gag!), and more - this book will help you understand why your gut was right.

When I was reading this book, I kept thinking: I want my daughter to grow up to be like this. To give yourself permission to take a risk and trust that the risk is the adventure. If you feel a calling, you don't need to stop the path you're on.

Extremely interesting memoir of a young mdical student with an amazing passion for the outdoors and excitement. Her story was enthralling and could not be put down. I was mesmerized by this book. This is an amazing story of mountain climbing and her help in assisting the climbers. Incredible read.

Good book with interesting stories inside. I liked the book as a whole and the author did a good job of presenting their story.

This was a good memoir. I liked her talking about her overcoming her own fears and grappling with self-doubt. I enjoyed this book.

Wow! What a beautiful memoir!

This is more than about Mimi’s time at Everest, you get glimpses of her childhood, family and heritage. Transitioning from childhood through adulthood. A true self discovery memoir that I found inspiring.

I find family dynamics and reflection fascinating which I would say was about the first half of the book. The second half was more focused on the climb and how unique for it to be from Mimi’s POV as one who will tend to any medical situations and not as a climber. I felt like I learned a lot in a short amount about climbing/Everest and it sparked a new curiosity for me and I’m already seeking other books in this niche genre.

Thank you Mindbuck Media Book Publicity
Releases 4/2

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I knew I wanted to read this as soon as I saw it. I love the mountains and have always been fascinated by Mount Everest. This was a fantastic memoir. It was gripping, well-written and relatable (not in terms of hiking Mount Everest but in terms of their personal struggles)! This was an inspiring read and I would definitely recommend!

I recently had the pleasure of reading "Tap Dancing on Everest" by Mimi Zieman, and I must say, it was an absolute delight. This memoir takes readers on a captivating journey through Zieman's life, particularly her experiences leading up to and during her trek up Everest in 1988.

Zieman's storytelling abilities are truly exceptional, as she beautifully weaves her personal experiences with introspection and profound revelations. As I read, I found myself laughing, tearing up, and connecting deeply with Zieman's thoughts and emotions. Each supporting character she introduces along the way serves as a touchstone, contributing to pivotal moments in her life.

What struck me the most was Zieman's strength as a woman, which shines through despite the challenges she faced in her youth under the influence of dominant figures like her mother and grandmother. Her determination and character development are deeply rooted in her cultural heritage, and her insights drawn from her Jewish background added an extra layer of depth and relatability.

The preparation and culmination of the Everest expedition were particularly gripping, leaving me invested and yearning for more. Through Zieman's experiences, I felt inspired to embark on my own journey of self-reflection. One quote that resonated deeply with me was, "Now I understand that courage is about moving forward despite fear."

Having read numerous books about expeditions to Everest, I can confidently say that "Tap Dancing on Everest" stands out on multiple levels. Even as someone who is not an avid hiker or climber, I connected deeply with Zieman's story. Her feminine voice, without being overtly feminist, brought a refreshing perspective. I also appreciated her vulnerability in addressing the stigmas women face, such as body dysmorphia. Most importantly, Zieman's authenticity and unapologetic storytelling truly shaped her into the remarkable person she is today.

I wholeheartedly recommend "Tap Dancing on Everest" to anyone in search of an inspiring and thought-provoking read. This is a book that deserves a place on every bookshelf, and one that I intend to gift to the important women in my life. It has undoubtedly earned its well-deserved five-star rating.

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC.

*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free book!*

I'm absolutely fascinated by mountains in general and Everest in particular. I lack the stamina and training for serious mountaineering, but I love climbing mountains and hiking. "Tap Dancing on Everest" is part memoir and describes Zieman's participation in a 1988 Everest summit attempt as the medical professional (and only woman!) even though she was, at the time, still a student. The book also talks about her family, her Jewish heritage, her personal struggles and upbringing - how she ended up on Everest really. With the smart framing device, lots of suspension is created. An absolutely fantastic read I could barely put down. The only criticism I could find was that the last chapter felt rushed and didn't give me the closure I needed after the intense chapters near Everest. I would've liked to know a bit more about the aftermath of the expedition. But maybe it's another book? What a thrilling read in any case.

Wow! What a read. The story that Mimi tells of her childhood and journey toward adventure, exploration and freedom is riddled with tragedy, rampant sin seen throughout the world, beauty, amazing opportunity and a desire to follow the rules and yet also rebel. It is not written in a perfectly chronological way but is easy to follow along with and actually feels a lot like the way you would remember your own story- leaping from one memory to the next, only to go back to another memory from a previous time. Her descriptions of different sights and feelings were compelling and gave a good picture- whether good or terrifying. There is quite a bit of sexual content, most not explicit but there are some strong word pictures. She talks about religion but seems to not adhere to a certain religion but rather relates things to being spiritual. It was interesting to hear of her cultural experiences, the ways in which she experienced nature, and ultimately her journey with the men who climbed the East Face of Mount Everest.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read Tap Dancing on Everest! I always love a good adventure book, especially set in faraway places. As expected, I enjoyed reading about the summit itself, but I also relished in the story of Mimi's self-discovery. As a woman it is always nice to read about other women's moments of finding themselves because it always looks so different.
I think my favorite part of this book is when Mimi found her voice. Albeit loud and demanding, she found it which to me is the most important part of this story. Kudos to you, Mimi!

I normally really love books about Everest, but I just could not get into this one. The flashbacks to her younger days, and the pacing of the story just did not interest me. It was a DNF.