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Summary: Who has the right to judge?
Review: This is an extraordinary book. I know nothing about mountaineering, and yet had no problem understanding what was going on, or keeping the sequence of events straight. I can't understand why people feel they have the right to judge Krakauer. Probably none of us has ever been in such a dire, horrible situation. To say that we would have acted more heroically is pure speculation. Personally, I don't blame anyone who acted first to save themselves. Also, I think Krakauer went easy on some of the bozos who were up on that mountain. It was obvious to me as a reader that it was not easy for him to criticize the climbers.
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Summary: Into Thin Air is Spectacular!!
Review: I bought this book as a Christmas present for myself and was not at all disappointed. After only a few pages, I was unable to put the book down and finished it within three days. I thought this was a tremendous account of personal desire to accomplish a lifelong goal, as well as an eye-opener to the commercialization of the world's tallest mountain. I was very impressed with the clarity of detail, the stories behind the climb within the team and other teams ascending the mountain, and the history of climbing given throughout. I commend Jon Krakauer for bringing to light this tragedy from first hand experience and congratulate him for accomplishing a truly remarkable feat.
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Summary: I felt as if I was up there freezing and short of oxygen!
Review: Great account of the disaster!
It is also a great book to introduction into mountaineering.
I only hoped that the author give a little account on how climbers eat, shit and sleep up in the mountain.
Rating:
Summary: Gripping, facinating adventure turned (foreseeably) tragic
Review: I have never been interested in mountain climbing or the people who do it, and my impression of the Everest tragedy was pretty much that of a bunch of rich amateurs getting what they deserved. Krakauer, writing from his unique perspectives as one of the few skilled mountaineers on the trip, wholly draws one into the drama, tragedy, and (for some) triumph of the grueling endurance the Everest parties waged at 28,000 feet. At the end of this book, you will marvel at the stupidity and arrogance of the tourists who paid for a guided walk to the top of the world, the failure of judgment of the expedition leaders, whose ambition exceeded their and their clients abilities, and the sheer will power, determination, and combination of luck and skill possessed by the survivors. Gripping, riveting, narrative! Since reading this book, I have absorbed every related article on the subject and look forward to the IMAX film, when it comes out.
Rating: 
Summary: A riveting account of the May '96 tragedy on Everest
Review: I brought "Into Thing Air" just after it came out. I couldn't put the book down and read it straight through. Jon Krakauer has been the butt of quiet a bit of criticism concerning his conclusions about the root causes of the May '96 tragedy on Everest. As far as I am concerned, he hit the nail on the head. The mixture of ill-prepared amateur climbers, hypoxia, failure to enforce strict turn-around times and a total lack of teamwork both within and between the various climbing "Teams" all contributed to the deadly outcome. I'm looking forward to reading Broughton Coburn's "Everest: Mountain Without Mercy"
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Summary: An Epic Adventure of Physical and Emotional Self-Discovery
Review: Before I read this book, the closest I'd ever come to mountain climbing was walking gentle trails at the foot of Pike's Peak -- but Jon Krakauer took me to the Everest Summit and back in this amazing novel. "Into Thin Air" arouses the morbid curiosity inherent in most everyone learning of a great tragedy. We have a first-hand account of the immense undertaking that climbing Everest entails, and the progression of minor mistakes that lead to the Everest disaster of May, 1996. Krakauer takes us on an emotional journey as well as he bravely recounts his pain and grief over the events that occured in the "Death Zone." It is a thrilling read for anyone, whether you're a climbing enthusiast or, like me, would hardly know a monuntain from a mole hill.
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Summary: An Armchair View of a Harrowing Experience
Review: Jon Krakauer, author of the equally enthralling "Into the Wild", writes a riveting account of his part in the disasterous Mt. Everest climb that claimed the life of many fellow climbers, including premier guide Rob Hall. Reading this book is a chilling experience, as Krakauer makes the reader feel the physical depletion, mental exhaustion and eventual anguish he felt as he realized the extent of the disaster. Krakauer makes no excuses for his own part in the tragedy, and leaves the reader questioning if he, or anyone else, could have done more. The larger question of the wisdom of these types of excursions, expensive adventures with under-experienced participants, also comes under scrutiny. This is a armchair traveler's view of a most harrowing experience, and leaves the reader amazed, fascinated, and enlightened. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Riviting account of a pointless endeavor
Review: The folly of life threatening mountain climbing struck me as never before. Why squander resources on such a thing? Even worse is the fact that the native culture in near by areas is being devastated by rich people enticing poor people to get them to the top of the mountain. Why not spend all the treasure and committment on something worthwhile!
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Summary: Rough around the edges, but I couldn't put it down!
Review: Having known little about climbing, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Krakauer presented a story, often relying on technical aspects, in a lucid manner. This book is a quick and exciting read. Much better than the made for TV show. As long as you overlook a few typos and grammatical errors the book reads well. I will say that the book did not answer all of the questions that arose as I read, but I am not sure there are any answers.
Rating:
Summary: Super, I made everybody I know read it.
Review: An honest and soul searching account of a tragedy written by a mountaineering expert. Full of interesting characters. Heroes, (imagine Rob Hall's dilemma sitting at the top with his dying friend and client. He chose to die rather than leave him) and villians (the author does not try to hide his own instinct for self preservation. No heroic tendencies here)
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