Best Adventure Travel Books for Mont Blanc

MT Sobek is proud to partner with Bay Area independent bookstore Book Passage, a lively meeting point for authors and readers. Launched in 1976, Book Passage became known for hosting hundreds of author events each year, including the annual Book Passage Travel Writers & Photographers Conference, beginning in 1991. With an always-intriguing selection of titles on hand, we are delighted to work with them to create reading lists for our guests.

This first edition celebrates Mont Blanc, one of our most popular destinations and the tallest mountain in Europe, spanning parts of Italy, France, and Switzerland!

Pick up one of these books and ignite your imagination before embarking on one of our Mont Blanc trips this season!

Discover our book recommendations for Mont Blanc below:

Overview

1. First On the Rope by Roger Frison-Roche
2. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
3. The Ancestor by Danielle Trussoni
4. Solo Faces by James Salter
5. The Alps by Stephen O’Shea
6. Killing Dragons: The Conquest of the Alps by Fergus Fleming
7. A Tramp Abroad by Mark Twain
8. Mont Blanc Lines: Stories and Photos by Alex Buisse
9. Trekking the Tour du Mont Blanc by Kev Reynolds
10. Tour du Mont Blanc by Jim Manthorpe
11. Tour du Mont Blanc Map Booklet

Best Adventure Travel Books for Mont Blanc

Fiction

1. First On the Rope by Roger Frison-Roche

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A French classic, this novel follows an ascent of Mont Blanc and a brutal storm. An immersive experience in the high Alps! Plus, the gorgeous cover image depicts the mountain.  

2. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

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This classic has some scenes around Mt. Blanc, and Mt. Blanc references relate to both the physical mountain, which makes a big impression on Victor Frankenstein, and to Percy Shelley’s poem, “Mont Blanc”. 

3. The Ancestor by Danielle Trussoni

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After a DNA test reveals that Alberta “Bert” Monte is the sole heir of a wealthy noble family in the Italian Alps, she leaves New York to visit the family estate: Montebianco Castle, a centuries-old compound isolated in the mountains. What appeared to be a fairy tale inheritance, however, soon turns into a nightmare as Bert begins to uncover the dark legacy of her family. 

4. Solo Faces by James Salter

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Solo Faces exposes the obsession that draws climbers away from civilization to test themselves against the most intimidating and inaccessible mountains in the world.  

Non-Fiction

5. The Alps by Stephen O’Shea

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A Human History from Hannibal to Heidi and Beyond by Stephen O’Shea: The title says it all – a solid overview of the broader Alpine region. 

6. Killing Dragons: The Conquest of the Alps by Fergus Fleming

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This riveting narrative of daredevils and eccentrics gives us the breathtaking story of some of history’s greatest explorers as they conquer the soaring peaks of the Alps. 

7. A Tramp Abroad by Mark Twain

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Cast in the form of a walking tour through Germany, Switzerland, France, and Italy, A Tramp Abroad includes among its adventures a voyage by raft down the Neckar and an ascent of Mont Blanc by telescope, as well as the author’s attempts to study art. 

8. Mont Blanc Lines: Stories and Photos Celebrating the Finest Climbing and Skiing Lines of the Mont Blanc Massif by Alex Buisse

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Stories and photos celebrating Mont Blanc’s climbing and skiing lines, by photographer and alpinist Alex Buisse – new in April 2024; larger format, with gorgeous photography. 

Guides & Maps

9. Trekking the Tour du Mont Blanc by Kev Reynolds

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Guidebook for hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc, a 170km route that is recognized as one of the world’s classic walks. The guidebook is packaged with a map booklet containing official 1:25,000 IGN mapping that covers the entire TMB route. 

10. Tour du Mont Blanc by Jim Manthorpe

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Guidebook which includes 50 large-scale maps and guides to 12 surrounding towns and villages; covers hiking, walking, public transit, lodging, dining, and much more! 

11. Tour du Mont Blanc Map Booklet by Jonathan Williams

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Map booklet with 1:25,000 IGN mapping for hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc, one of the world’s classic treks. 

Come explore the world with us!

MT Sobek takes travelers on thrilling adventures that have you exploring, experiencing nature, and immersing yourself in the local culture, that are perfect for solo travelers, couples, and families! Learn more about our popular trips.

Want further inspiration? Our 2024 adventure travel catalog is here! Request your FREE catalog here and start planning your next adventure.

Further reads…

• 5 Things to Know About Hiking Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks
• MT Sobek Staff Picks: Best Adventures for 2024
• Top New Hiking Trips for 2024