Rating: 
Summary: Informative and Descriptive; too Descriptive
Review: The beginning starts out a little slow, and then picks up some speed. Krakauer uses many metaphors which are good to an extent. I almost got lost in the book just trying to keep up with the names, and the things people were doing. I did like the fact that Jon keeps us updated; not missing a second of the action from cover to cover. Unfortunatly, I dont like it in books when a lot of people die. This book kept my attention about as much as when someone gets hit in the face with a snowball, it's great for about 15 seconds then goes away, and is fun to think about nothing much more. I give Krakauer 3 stars on this one
Rating: 
Summary: What a WASTE
Review: Well...beggining started off slowly...the end was ok but it wasn't really my kind of book I don't recomend it unless your an insomniac and need something to bore you to sleep.
Rating: 
Summary: A sad tale of high dreams and high mountains
Review: I recently read Jon Krakauer's book, upon the recommendation of a friend. Ever since, I have not been able to fully comprehend the major loss of so many lives. The writing itself was outstanding -- it's the sort of book that pulls you into it's pages and won't let go. The only complaint I had -- if you could even call it that -- is that Jon seems a little stoic at times, and some people (Sandy Pittman, Anatoli Boukreev, Lopsangs Jangbu Sherpa) come off as total jerks. Jon writes with the sort of knowledge of climbing and mountains and, in particular, the mountain that the Sherpas call "Chumalunga - Goddess, Mother of the Sky". I like how he is very frank, open, honest about people's emotions and physical health and how much the high altitude affects the human body. Many parts are very graphic and emotional and paint your mind with vivid pictures: When Jon reached the summit, I nearly found myself gasping for air and dizzy with oxygen depletion as well, right along with him. Or when he describes the frostbite of Beck Weathers' face - "like ink-black splotches on his nose and hands and face". And I actually cried when Rob Hall -- considered to be the best mountain guide of the century -- talked to his pregnant wife via satellite phone as he lay dying, stranded on Everest. Overall, this book rules -- the highest mountain in the nonfiction survival/adventure bookshelf. Granted, I am no climber, and have only scaled one peak -- Mt. Shasta -- but this certainly deepens my reasons not to go climb Everest! Well, for those of you who still want to do it, good luck. The greatest mountain lies withing, my friends. Climb on. Peace.
Rating: 
Summary: Good flow and well written, though not sure of accuracy
Review: This book is one of the best reads I have had in a long time. Read it really quickly, and was very inspired to try out mountaineering, despite the tragic nature of the book. Krakauer takes the reader through a very entertaining tale of valour and foolishness that cost 7 lives.However, I have a few negative comments on the book. 1st, a lot of people seem to think there are many inaccuracies, so I am not really sure what happened, especially as it refers to Anatoli Boukreev. Boukreev actually wrote a rebuttal "The Climb" which is also popular, but it seem that the two were on two different mountains. My second comment is that Krakauer does not respect people's privacy, as he mentions tales of love affaris among the group's members (some of whom were married). I know sex sells, so that's probably why he did it, but I really did not see the need in what is an otherwise enthralling book.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Book
Review: "Into Thin Air" is one of the best books I've ever read. Jon Krakauer is an awesome author and I love his style. He uses a lot of names during the book, and sometimes it's hard to get it straight, but he writes so you can almost feel the bitter conditions of Everest. I definately recommend this book to anyone considering buying it, but I have one suggestion. If you don't know all about the disaster and who dies, don't read the middle pictures section until you read about them. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: What a story!
Review: Very good book. It was a great discover to find this book at home. I picked it up without expectations, but it was a real surprise. Krakauer writes in a very good way, it is simple and quite concise. It gets to the point. But it also gives you a lot of 'parallel-info'; information you really apreciate while reading. I found myself many times going back trough the pages looking for a particular description, either of a place or somebody. What happened that year on Everest is a big tragedy. Of course there are worst things almost everyday in Africa, India, Indonesia or Bangladesh, but the surroundings, the whole story is the sort of thing that makes you wonder about what we are, what we do, and in particular, why we do it. By the way, you must read 'The Climb' by Anatoly Boukreev after or before this (preferably after). Krakauer's words make you think the other climber was irresponsible, but in reading the russian's book you start thinking in a different way. Maybe it was just a matter of different cultures, maybe it was just that the clients did not understand the way Boukreev lived and feeled the mountain. In any case, the best way to get into it, is reading both books.
Rating:
Summary: Mesmerizing
Review: This is a cd that will have you wishing your commute were longer, or that traffic jams were more frequent -- you won't want to get out of your car. Krakauer reads in a matter-of-fact tone, which, rather than being dull, is riveting. He gives you not only an event-by-event account of the disaster on Everest, but an interesting historical context -- of the mountain, of climbers, of Nepal, of the people who live there. It's extremely well-written, with a true plot that makes you fell lucky to be living below 3,000 feet, and in a home with running water. You'll shiver with cold, and with emotion. I've listened to it three times. A friend has listened to it twice. It's the best book on cd I've listened to yet.
Rating:
Summary: Climb It
Review: INTO THIN AIR, by Jon Krakaur the author of INTO THE WILD. Ever wonder what it would be like to ascend the tallest mountain in the world. In this book you feel like your up there with them. Climbing the mountain with twelve others, he encounters many challenges. In the book, you also learn the lifestyles and past of many other climbers on the team. This would be a great book to read if you like the outdoors and enjoy reading. It's a rather long book but you'll find yourself done reading quickly as you never want to put the book down. In this book, there are so many details that you might miss some in the first read. After reading, INTO THIN AIR I guarantee you will think differently about mountain climbing. I would recommend purchasing this book.
Rating:
Summary: A Captivating Story--5 Miles High
Review: Want to climb a really tall mountain? This book vividly describes high altitude mountaineering and offers a safe way to mentally experience the horrors that can happen when things go terribly wrong in thin air. The writer, a survivor of the single worst Everest climbing tragedy in terms of lives lost, chronicles events that took place in May 1996. Other survivors and observers may see things differently, but this saga will certainly keep your interest.
Rating:
Summary: Increadible story, which is also well written
Review: The Amazon review of this book gives you the basic idea of the storyline, but in my opinion does not prepare you for the drama that is contained within the book. I've found Krakauer to be a responsible author whose views I can identify with. This becomes important because there is much contraversy as to the account of the 1996 climbing season on Everest. The author gives his first hand account of what happened on the mountain and his views of the actions of others without being overly judgemental. Rather, he educates the reader as to mountaineering protocol and to difficulties associated with high altitude climbing. I had seen a couple of documentaries about the '96 season on TV, but was still excited to turn the pages to find out what happened next. I recommend this book based on the extremely strong story and the writing, which I feel is well done. However, I believe that Jon Krakauer's finest writing is in the book Into The Wild. I highly recommend it as well.
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