Into Thin Air - Jon Krakauer

Into Thin Air

ByJon Krakauer

  • Release Date: 1998-04-06
  • Genre: Biographies & Memoirs
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 1,753 Ratings

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

Reeling from the brain-altering effects of oxygen depletion, Jon Krakauer reached the summit of Mt. Everest in the early afternoon of May 10, 1996. He hadn’t slept in fifty-seven hours. As he turned to begin the perilous descent from 29,032 feet (the cruising altitude of an Airbus jetliner), some twenty other climbers were still pushing doggedly toward the top, unaware that a furious storm would soon engulf them from below. . . .

This is the terrifying story of what happened that calamitous day at the top of the world, during what would be the deadliest season Everest climbers had ever seen. In this harrowing narrative, Krakauer takes the reader along with his ill-fated expedition, step by precarious step, from Kathmandu to the summit where—plagued by a combination of hubris, terrible judgment, and bad luck—they would fall prey to the mountain’s unpredictable violence.

With more than three million copies in print, this extraordinary book is considered a paragon of the narrative nonfiction genre. Brilliantly written and supported by unimpeachable reporting, Into Thin Air will by turns thrill and horrify.

Reviews

  • Thank you Mr Krakauer

    4
    By ninemileskid
    Krakauer’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

    5
    By Queueman
    This 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

    4
    By Cali2011paradise
    I 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

    5
    By 1Suzee
    I read this book when it was first published and loved it....his honesty and riveting style of writing.

  • LOVED

    5
    By livlovestoread
    Could 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

    4
    By avidreader1000000
    Meticulously 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

    5
    By sjxc0781
    Don'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

    3
    By Tulsacohen
    The 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

    5
    By Jahagsunwbw
    Better than MIKE's

  • Well written

    5
    By Tobes88989
    After 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.

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