Behind Everest

“Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, ‘The Han-Xiongnu War, 133 BC - 89 AD: The Struggle of China and a Steppe Empire Told Through Its Key Figures’ is an extraordinary and seminal work of historical scholarship and a simply fascinating read from beginning to end … An seminal and unique study, [it] is an unreservedly recommended pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Chinese Military History collections and supplemental Ancient China curriculum studies lists.” – Midwest Review of Books 

“[A] fast-moving, readable narrative history … The book’s narrative readily shifts from personalities to politics, geopolitics, espionage, military clashes, culture, and diplomacy (including marriage diplomacy).” –Asian Review of Books

“The focus here is on personalities. Crawford does an admirable job keeping every general, chanyu, and emperor straight in the mind of readers unfamiliar with the period.” – Historical Miniature Gaming Society 

Kate Nicholson is an historian and a writer. Both Kate and Ruth had three young children when their husbands left to climb Everest from the north. Kate’s husband returned safely. George Mallory died on the mountain on his third attempt in 1924. Kate researched Ruth’s life as a way of making her visible. In order to process her own experience she wanted to understand Ruth’s. She discovered an inspiring woman, a climber, an artist, a lover and a devoted friend. She hopes to bring Ruth out from the wings, from behind Everest, to find out what it was like to be Ruth.