More than Everest: He Conquered the Hearts of Men - The Extraordinary Life of Autar Singh Cheema

This is the remarkable story of Autar Singh Cheema – the first Indian to climb Everest. Born in pre-partition Punjab on 15 January 1938, he grew up amidst the idyllic environs of orchards and ancestral homes, spending summers in Jammu and Kashmir. This traces Cheema’s remarkable journey starting from his birth, through school and university, as a highly decorated paratrooper in the Indian Army, as the first Indian to reach the summit of Everest, as a fantastic commanding officer, as a loyal son who gave up an illustrious career to look after his family, as a forward thinking farmer who revolutionized life in the small town of Ganganagar, and finally, as the brave soldier who fought a losing battle with leukaemia. He passed away on 16 November1989.
Cheema’s preparations to climb Everest through 1964, the arduous journey to the summit in May 1965 as well as the fame and glory of the successful climb are described in great detail. Also provided are rare diary entries recorded by Cheema that give a very real taste of the challenges involved in climbing Everest in the 1960s. Written with great sensitivity and attention to detail, this book presents fascinating insights into the life of one of the most respected figures in the Indian Army and mountaineering circles and pays a fitting tribute to a gentleman who truly conquered the hearts of all those he came in contact with. This is a must-read for those who are interested in mountaineering, as well as for anyone who loves the thrill of adventure.