Tap Dancing on Everest: A Young Doctor’s Unlikely Adventure

Mimi Zieman was born to immigrant parents who had horrifying pasts due to the war. Her father was the only survivor in his family, as everyone else died in the war. A prominent figure in her life was her grandmother, fondly referred to as Amama. She was a confident woman who wasn’t afraid to express herself at any time. Her confidence and poise were very admirable. Mimi’s parents eventually separated, which was a turning point in her life.

Growing up, Mimi had a passion for dancing and wanted to pursue it as a career. Her mother, fearing for her future and her inability to make money from dancing, discouraged her and put a stop to further aspirations in this line of work. After several attempts at different jobs, she found herself in medical school. Life is unpredictable, and a series of events that don’t seem to be linked could be what propels you to a certain fate. The story reflects the lives of survivors of the Holocaust. They are scarred forever and carry everlasting memories of lost loved ones. Her father helped people with disheartening pasts through his work as a psychotherapist.

Mimi’s family had many expectations for her, and the pressure was great. No matter what she did, it wasn’t good enough. So it was a surprise when she, a medical student in New York City, finds herself ascending the Himalayas. The book details her journey to the top of Mount Everest to become the medical officer for the 1988 Kangshung Face Everest Expedition, one that was risky and dangerous.

Tap Dancing on Everest: A Young Doctor’s Unlikely Adventure by Mimi Zieman, MD, will open your eyes to the numerous challenges of attempting to climb Mount Everest. Although it looks appealing to any climber, it takes a lot of preparation, courage, and grit to be able to make the climb. Mimi demonstrates that she is brave and intelligent during the climb. She was the rope that held the team together. I’m impressed by her ability to maintain calm even amid chaos. She tackles challenges head-on and cares for the well-being of those around her, no matter how difficult the situation is.

The ’88 team made a name for themselves, and Mimi and her colleagues will forever be remembered, especially among climbers. This is an inspiring memoir, and it is packed with a lot of adventures. The book will elicit different emotions from you; it’s touching, thought-provoking, and makes you ponder about humanity. I highly recommend the book to readers of memoirs.