The public debate as to whether George Mallory and Sandy Irving actually reached the summit of Everest in 1924 - and if they did was this a successful attempt as they died before they left the mountain - was re-opened in 1999 when Mallory's body was found on Everest. This biography explores the complex man behind the headlines, the writer, teacher, husband and father, who was friend of poets - Rupert Brooke and Robert Graves - and on the fringes of the Bloomsbury Group. It also goes some way in explaining why, after taking part in two previous expeditons to Everest, as well as one previous attempt on the Summit during the 1924 Expedition, Mallory decided to push on for the summit in his last, fatal, climb. This is a fascinating account which tries to reach the truth behind the headlines. ( )