Leif Whittaker - "My Old Man and the Mountain"

n 1963, the world followed the first American Mount Everest Expedition, and watched as "Big Jim" Whittaker became the first American to stand on top of the world. He returned home a hero. My Old Man and the Mountain (Mountaineers) is Leif Whittaker's engaging and humorous story of what it was like to "grow up Whittaker," as the youngest son of Jim Whittaker and Dianne Roberts, and amid an extended family of accomplished climbers.

Daniel James Brown appears with Leif Whittaker tonight.

 "Whittaker writes as he climbs mountains, with courage, grace, and a dash of humility. The result is an utterly compelling tale of a young man who bravely tackles two great challenges--one made of rock and ice and one made of doubts and fears. It's a great read."--Daniel James Brown, author of The Boys in the Boat.