MOUNTAIN HOLIDAYS

London: J.M. Dent and Sons, Limited, 1946. First Edition and the copy of famed climber Eric Roberts. Illustrated with maps and a profusion of fine photographic full-page images on coated paper. 8vo, publisher's original blue cloth, lettered in gilt, with the colour illustrated dustjacket. [xii], 194, photographs pp. A very well preserved copy, the book strong and tight, the dustjacket with a bit of wear to the head and tail of the spine panel. FIRST EDITION and a fine work on climbing in Arran, the Bernese Oberland, the Dolomites, Tarentaise, Courmayeur and Zermatt. Described are the huts, the food, the strength and weakness of the party, weather, psychology and Alpine amusements, guides and the great successes and occasional failures. Smith's writing is noted for her elegant prose, her penetrating judgement, her independence of mind – and her deep love of mountains and mountaineering.
Leonard Miall wrote, “Biographer, mountaineer, critic, literary editor, textual scholar, comic versifier, visiting professor, hostess, anthologist, traveller – there seemed to be nothing at which Janet Adam Smith did not shine. And she shone with an intensity that made others glow in response.”