Paths of Glory (Archer novel)

Paths of Glory

Author	Jeffrey Archer
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Publisher	St. Martin's Press
Publication date	3 March 2009
Media type	Print (hardcover)
Pages	466
ISBN	978-0-312-53951-1
OCLC	243544580
Dewey Decimal	823/.914 22
LC Class	PR6051.R285 P38 2009

Paths of Glory is a novel by English author Jeffrey Archer based on the story of George Mallory who died attempting to climb Everest in the 1920s. It was published by St. Martin's Press on 3 March 2009. It fictionally supports the claims that George Mallory, an Englishman, was the first to conquer Mount Everest — before Sir Edmund Hillary.

Controversy

The novel caused a controversy in New Zealand, with major newspaper The Dominion Post calling it an insult to Sir Edmund Hillary. The novel contains several significant factual errors, one of the most obvious being that the Grands Mulets mountain hut could be observed from Courmayeur.

Characters

• George Mallory: Professor and climber
• Ruth Mallory: Thackeray Turner's daughter and George's wife
• Reverend Leigh Mallory: George's father
• Annie Mallory: George's mother
• Avie Mallory: George's sister
• Mary Mallory: George's sister
• Trafford Mallory: George's brother
• Guy Bullock: George's best friend
• Mr. Graham Irving: George's teacher
• A. C. Benson: George's teacher at Cambridge
• Geoffrey Winthrop Young: Chairman of the Alpine Club and George's climbing mentor
• George Finch: George's Australian rival at mountain climbing
• Andrew O'Sullivan: Teacher, George's colleague at Charterhouse
• Mr. Thackeray Turner: School governor at Charterhouse
• Marjorie and Mildred Turner: Mr Turner's daughters
• Sandy Irvine: George's final climbing partner
• Mr. Arthur Hinks: Secretary Everest committee
• Brigadier General Bruce: General posted in India
• Sir Edward Norton: Climber
• Howard Somervell: Climber
• Professor Noel Odell: Climber
• Captain John Noel: Climber
• Claire, Beridge and John Mallory: George's children.