In 1936 the North Face of the Eiger was the holy grail for European climbers. This is an account of how two poorly equipped Bavarian pioneers, Toni Kurz and Andreas Hinterstoisser, came to try the ascent up the terrible face itself, where they were joined by two Austrian climbers, and the girl they left behind. It is also a story that inspired thousands, including Joe Simpson, whose retracing of the tragic events can be found in the film 'The Beckoning Silence'. This is a thrilling story, with a brilliant rendition of their crossing of the Hinterstoisser Traverse, and a real period feel.