Perspective

The book is written in the first person, most of the time from Joe's point of view and sometimes from Simon's. It is important to note that the sections written from Simon's point of view are actually written by Joe. Joe has written those sections in first person as if he were Simon. As a prologue to the book, Joe includes excerpts from Simon's book that offers approval of Joe's book as being "true" to the story.

The perspective expressed seems true to the story. The emotions expressed are complicated. Joe says in the prologue that he and Simon know what happened on the mountain and they are both satisfied with their actions.

Tone

The book is written in straight-forward language and should be easily understood by any adequate reader. The one exception is that there are a number of climbing terms not commonly known. In some cases...