Mick Conefrey's 'Fallen' meticulously reconstructs the life and final expedition of George Mallory, the legendary mountaineer who vanished on Everest in 1924. This biography delves beyond the myth to reveal a complex man, challenging long-held perceptions about his character, leadership, and the fateful climb.

Mallory was a captivating figure – athletic, charismatic, and a skilled climber, yet also a risk-taker and a man of contradictions. Conefrey explores his socialist ideals, his connections to the Bloomsbury Group, and his often chaotic approach, which contrasted with his ambition. The book confronts the controversies surrounding the 1922 expedition, marked by the deaths of porters, and the tragic loss of his young climbing partner, Andrew Irvine, in 1924. Drawing on personal diaries, letters, memoirs, and extensive historical documents, 'Fallen' presents a forensic investigation into Mallory's attempts to conquer the world's highest peak. It seeks to unravel the man behind the enigma, questioning why he repeatedly returned to Everest and whether he achieved the summit.

Why You Should Read?

• Uncovers the authentic George Mallory, separating fact from the romanticized legend.
• Provides a deeply researched account of the early Everest expeditions and their human cost.
• Explores the enduring mystery of Mallory's final ascent and the true nature of human ambition.
• Offers insights into early 20th-century exploration and the birth of mountaineering as a cultural phenomenon.