
In the Shadow of the Mountain
A Memoir of Courage
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Narrated by:
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Silvia Vasquez-Lavado
“In climbing the Seven Summits, Silvia Vasquez-Lavado did nothing less than take back her own life—one brave step at a time. She will inspire untold numbers of souls with this story, for her victory is a win on behalf of all of us.”—Elizabeth Gilbert
This audiobook is read by the author.
"Through her narration, Vasquez-Lavado, whose first language is Spanish, conveys a lifetime of warmth, humor and steely determination."—Bookpage
"Complex and compelling, Vasquez-Lavado’s quest to heal herself from the deep wounds of patriarchy is also a vibrantly feminist celebration of female resilience."—Kirkus Reviews
"Making history is nothing new for adventurous mountaineer, explorer, entrepreneur, author, and activist Silvia Vasquez-Lavado."—Out Magazine
Endless ice. Thin air. The threat of dropping into nothingness thousands of feet below. This is the climb Silvia Vasquez-Lavado braves in her pulse-raising memoir following her journey to Mount Everest.
A Latina hero in the elite macho tech world of Silicon Valley, privately, she was hanging by a thread. Deep in the throes of alcoholism, hiding her sexuality from her family, and repressing the abuse she’d suffered as a child, she started climbing. Something about the brute force required for the ascent—the risk and spirit and sheer size of the mountains and death’s close proximity—woke her up. She then took her biggest pain as a survivor to the biggest mountain: Everest.
“The Mother of the World”, as it’s known in Nepal, allows few to reach her summit, but Silvia didn’t go alone. She gathered a group of young female survivors and led them to base camp alongside her. It was never easy. At times hair-raising, nerve-racking, and always challenging, Silvia remembers the acute anxiety of leading a group of novice climbers to Everest’s base, all the while coping with her own nerves of summiting. But there were also moments of peace, joy, and healing, with the strength of her fellow survivors and community propelling her forward.
In the Shadow of the Mountain is a remarkable story of heroism, one which awakens in all of us a lust for adventure, an appetite for risk, and faith in our own resilience.
A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt and Company.
©2022 Silvia Vasquez-Lavado (P)2022 Macmillan AudioListeners also enjoyed...




















Critic reviews
2022, BookPage Best Books of the Year, Long-listed
Featured Article: Latino Stories in Biographies & Memoirs
In modern America, the interchangeable use of the words "Hispanic" and "Latino" blends two identities that are inherently unique in their own right. While Hispanic refers to those who speak Spanish, Latino generally denotes geography, referring to people of Latin American descent. This collection seeks to embody a few Latino narratives from authors descended from Latin America. Press play on these inspiring listens.
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Felicidades…
Raquel M
Wow…
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Renetta Ann Trujillo
Thank You Silvia
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Amazing autobiography and tale of climbing!0
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Andie using Aaron’s account
A Inspiring Story of Overcoming Trauma
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Next?
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Amazing Journey!
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Thanks for an amazing book!
Beautiful and courageous!
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This would be a great listen to any young person encountering difficulties, or older individuals who assist those with difficulties or who have lived through difficulties of their own.
This is not my normal genre, but I am sure glad I picked this book as one to listen to!
Inspirational
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starts with a exciting story follow up by the reality of a traumatic story while holding you and making you feel tight,.
great story
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Excellent inspiring memoir on survival
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