Into Thin Air
By Jon Krakauer
- Release Date: 1998-04-06
- Genre: Biographies & Memoirs
Description
#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER • The epic account of the storm on the summit of Mt. Everest that claimed five lives and left countless more—including Krakauer's—in guilt-ridden disarray.
“A harrowing tale of the perils of high-altitude climbing, a story of bad luck and worse judgment and of heartbreaking heroism.”—People
A Los Angeles Times Best Nonfiction Book of the Last 30 Years
A bank of clouds was assembling on the not-so-distant horizon, but journalist-mountaineer Jon Krakauer, standing on the summit of Mt. Everest, saw nothing that “suggested that a murderous storm was bearing down.” He was wrong.
In Into Thin Air, Krakauer takes great pains to provide a balanced picture of the people and events he witnessed and gives due credit to the tireless and dedicated Sherpas. He also avoids blasting easy targets such as Sandy Pittman, the wealthy socialite who brought an espresso maker along on the expedition. Krakauer's highly personal inquiry into the catastrophe provides a great deal of insight into what went wrong. But for Krakauer himself, further interviews and investigations only lead him to the conclusion that his perceived failures were directly responsible for a fellow climber's death.
This updated trade paperback edition includes an extensive new postscript that sheds fascinating light on the acrimonious debate that flared between Krakauer and Everest guide Anatoli Boukreev in the wake of the tragedy. As usual, Krakauer supports his points with dogged research and a good dose of humility. But rather than continue the heated discourse that has raged since Into Thin Air's denouncement of guide Boukreev, Krakauer's tone is conciliatory. In a touching conclusion, Krakauer recounts his last conversation with the late Boukreev, in which the two weathered climbers agreed to disagree about certain points.
Reviews
Thank you Mr Krakauer
4By ninemileskidKrakauer’s telling of this sad story is honest and amazing, he put himself up for an assault on his character and his psyche. He has paid the price for being human, not wanting or able to act when the monster is at your doorstep waiting to devour you. Making decisions that were compromised by the environment they were dealing with. I would have given it five stars. But. The story is appalling and hard to read at times because of it. It’s kind of like a song, good or bad. That sticks in your head for days even weeks because it’s struck some chord that resonates our life’s problems, challenges and choices, good or bad we deal with on a daily basis. Hope you are doing well Mr, Krakauer!!!Compelling story
5By QueuemanThis s a compelling story filled with really odd characters. I couldn’t relate to people who want to climb a mountain at great risk, and expense, just to say they did it. That said, it was a well written book that kept my interest throughout.Great book
4By Cali2011paradiseI love reading this authors books. Into the Wild was an amazing and inspiring read. This story shook me in a different way. I couldn’t put it down. The writing painted you directly into the team on the mountain. I could almost picture myself there. The only thing that ever struck me weird and maybe it’s just the times we live in. But when Jon first meets Beck, he makes a statement that he liked Beck despite his political views. Of course you should like people despite their political views. People are multifaceted. He mentioned it again later in the book. It’s an amazing book and I highly recommend it. It’s just when it comes down to being small humans on a huge mountain fighting for your lives, political views don’t really matter.Riveting
5By 1SuzeeI read this book when it was first published and loved it....his honesty and riveting style of writing.LOVED
5By livlovestoreadCould not put this down and the days i was reading it i felt as though i was on everest with Jon. this book is still heavy on my mind after completing it a few months ago and i would read it again 100%Into Thin Air
4By avidreader1000000Meticulously researched and well written. Hard to put down. I would have liked to see photos though and bibliography showing all the first hand witnesses and experts author interviewed.Loved this book
5By sjxc0781Don't care what you say about intentions of critizing Krakauer's climb, this books was well written and I was gripping the pages tightly the entire time.Interesting
3By TulsacohenThe book is easy to read and flows well. Somewhat riveting but was long and a lot of time was spent on guilt. Over all I enjoyed.Good book
5By JahagsunwbwBetter than MIKE'sWell written
5By Tobes88989After watching the movie Everest, I wanted to get a more in depth account of what happen in the spring of 1996. I thought this book was very well written providing details about each climber. I also liked how the author completely describes being on Everest to the point where you feel you are with him on this journey. Great read. Would highly recommend this book.Read THE CLIMB by Anatoli Boukreev instead.
1By SteeltmanBoukreev got the most prestigious climbing award in the effort of saving everyone under his care. Mountain Madness lost no one with the the exception of Fischer, the leader. Rob Hall's expedition Adventure Consultants, lost a great deal of their clients including himself. Where was the author of this book? Whimpering in a tent with no intention of helping. Way to spit on one's grave. How is Anatoli responsible for individuals in your expedition? Answer that and you'll not need to read further, people. This is of course only my opinion, just as it was your speculation as to the events once zipped in the safety of your tent with only your self serving attitude and lack of consideration for anyone in YOUR OWN PARTY!Great banter
5By mbrealeAwesome book. Lots of action. Solid read. Lots of profanity if that bugs yea. Love this bookAmazing Story
5By LLandCLI just read Beck Weathers' account of this same excursion and loved it, so, naturally I wanted to read this next. I am glad I read them in that order. This book was way more journalistic, but, I loved the details. Jon is a wonderful storyteller. I highly recommend this book.Emotional and educational
5By Ktlady1This book taught me a great deal about Everest. I cannot imagine the turmoil the author has had to deal with after such a tragedy. I am grateful to him for showing me what makes these climbers keep going up these dangerous mountains. I too know someone who perished on Everest and was unable to understand what this all entailed. Thank you for sharing this detailed report.Fire starter
5By Cory13evans13Great for starting a fire the pages just burn so greatFast paced and gripping
5By Hiker at heartThis book is outstanding yet unsettling due to the tragedy it documents so well. This book is truly difficult to put down. Krakauer is an excellent writer though this book had to be written for the sake of those who lost their lives - and those who still seek to conquer Everest.You know what it's called
4By JetzalI never actually finished this...Take notes. Hard to keep up.
4By LizzletheawesomeThe story is amazing. You can't put the book down but.. With so many people involved it's very hard to know who is who. Write down the people, first and last name because he uses both when speaking about them or recalling conversations, which team they are on, who their leaders are and their professions. This will help tremendously when it comes to the second half of the book. All in all great read but wish I could really understand who was who so the rebuttal makes more sense but I can't remember and where they were when it comes too forming my own opinion.Into Thin Air
5By gustafson8Great read. Krakauer tends to let his personal bias into his writing but that adds to the book as far as I'm concerned. You feel like you are on the mountain with the climbers.
