I agree with Brian, read both for sure. If you really want to get a perspective on Everest climbing and where it has degenerated to, read Americans on Everest from the 1963 Expedition, Everest, the West Ridge, Everest, North Face and the book on the 1953 expedition Conquest of Everest. Today it is fashionable and there are "guide" services that will do the logistics to get nearly anyone to Everest for a price. While I can totally understand the desire for a person to want to reach the summit of Everest, I also feel many do not earn the right to get there by years of hard work learning mountaineering techniques and being invited to be on an expedition. Many mountains are available to "climbers" today, all for a price and not much emphysis on skills and ability.
Many that attempt Everest today pay around $70K plus the puchase of personal equipment to get there. Consider also that most novice ( and many expert) mountaineers are not always in any physical or mental state to be helpful to a stranded climber when they are at 27,000 ft plus. It is amazing to me how someone can even consider a rescue at those altitudes with little or no help. Not to mention the loss of their own chance which they paided a considerable sum to attain.
To understand the evolution of high-altitude climbing, read the 1953 and 1963 books, then read a current one such as Into Thin Air. The periods of acclimitization and the oxygen provided to modern Everest climbers is way below the levels that the original climbs were accomplished. Sure, there have been many now that have been to the top of the world without any oxygen but to someone that has been over 20,000 feet without oxygen, I cannot imagine going 9,000 feet higher over more techincally challenging terrain!
If you really want a perspective on Himalayan climbing, read some books on Annapurna and K2, both far more techincally difficult than Everest. Thankfully, no one offers climbs of those peaks for a price. They have maintained their appeal as mountains for true mountaineers.