Rating: 
Summary: Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged
Review: When I came to this page on Amazon, I felt at first that I could add nothing to the myriad of reviews that were already here. But then I read this one:
"I am identified as 'an attorney from Florida' towards the end of the narrative. I can only reiterate what I said then. This is an account that need not have ocurred. Mr. Krakauer uses us as his collective therapist, to attempt to assuage his own doubt and uncertainty regarding his motives and morals. "
This disturbed me. Although, in a high-minded way, I might hope to have acted in selfless bravery if put in the same situation as Jon, in reality I probably would not have.
I have little experience with climbing and no experience at high altitude. But I can remember times that I have been deathly sick with a flu to the point where I could barely drag myself from
room to room. I try to think of this feeling compounded by sub-zero temperatures and bone-shattering winds. Gee, I probably would have collapsed in a tent, holding onto the thread of life I had left.
I try to remember that Jon was a client, not a guide. He also did not know the intensity of the tragedy that was unfolding outside of Camp IV. Hindsight is always perfect. I will not be the judge.
The book was compelling, detailed, and thought-provoking. I recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: Why do they bother?
Review: It appears a lot of the comments of people reviewing this book are dealing with the inability to comprehend the sheer silliness of putting your personel safety at risk for no obivious advantage other than an ego trip or a sense of accomplishment. Having just finished Micheal Groom's book "Sheer Will" this afternoon where he gives his own account of the events of 10 May 1996 - the feeling of "why do they bother?" was never very far from my mind. Micheal's account of events do not vary from Jon's in the detail. But in Jon's account we feel more in touch with the emotions of those people involved. Jon goes further and attempts to describe the motivation of all the people involved in the climb and why things went so horribly wrong. I wonder, is it because of the cultural differences between Americans and Australians? A more likely explanation is that Jon is a professional writer. Into thin air was one of my favourite reads this year (so far). I have read few books which were so totally absorbing. I couldn't stop reading until all the members of the climb were accounted for. What is it about this book that does that? Is is the fact it was a true story and it's just a form of voyeurism on our behalf? We can sit comfortably in a warm bed tucked in up with a good book and tut tut about the folly of others who are out there doing it, what ever "it" is.
Rating:
Summary: When you finish the book you're frostbiten and exhausted.
Review: It's sad to think after all your personal torture and physical hell, you have to WAIT IN LINE to reach the top.
Rating:
Summary: The article in Outside magazine was better.
Review: If you want to read a chilling account of this mountaineering disaster, read the article Krakauer wrote in Outside magazine. It's better. It deserves a 10. I read it during a layover in Hawaii, and I think it took six days for me to warm up. The article is chilling, detailed, well written, not bogged down with foot note references, and keeps your attention -- I still read it anytime I want a dose of "your life ain't so bad" reality. The book I was, to be honest, a bit bored with. The best part was Chapter 16 -- all four pages of it, and the local culture Krakauer tried to impart on us. It was easy to learn about the Nepalese and their customs after knowing in intimate detail from the article exactly what happened to each team member, and not feeling like I had to concentrate on that aspect. I am not going to touch what I would or would not have done in Krakauer's situation, I can't forgive Krakauer, only God can. That's for the two of them to work out. END
Rating:
Summary: Cold Hearts at the Highest Point on Earth
Review: I enjoyed the book's detailing of human nature under extreme conditions. I heard the book reviewed by San Jose State University's President, Robert Caret, on 10-23-97 and found his review to be atrocious. Caret naively underestimated the figurative cold-heartedness of the climbers. Mountain climbers do not all climb a mountain just because it's there. One can make over $60,000 a head as a top guide for one climb. The book gives examples of climbers walking over frozen dead and dying bodies on the way to the top. This is a high lesson in business ethics.
Rating:
Summary: Controversy at 29,000 ft
Review: A fascinating account of a controversial activity, guiding unskilled people into a potentially deadly arena for large sums of money. Who is to blame for such great loss of life? Although the author has had to rely on others for periods of time when his own brain was not functioning clearly, he does point out major errors on the part of many. This and other books authored about the same fatal day point the finger. Some blame the presence of print media (this author was doing a magazine article) for excessive risk taking by the guides. The book may leave you with a number of questions about what really happened. Nonetheless, this is an important book for adventure lovers.
Rating:
Summary: Life and Death Decisions above 25,000 Feet
Review: Jon Krakauer takes you with him on a "guided" trip to conquer not only the highest peak in the world, but to slay daring demons within. The true story unfolds as fascinating, educational for us sea level folks, and a composite glimpse of people who we could indentify within our lives. We know them as relatives, friends, and/or collegues with whom we interface each and every day. The trip up to Everest is told with the reader "feeling" as the climbers. The reader is taken back with the descriptions of the climb, its hardships, but most of all the deprivation of life giving oxygen as each step up is taken. The book is truly excellent in describing the expedition. Then the description of things starting to go wrong reminds us of little leaks that eventually take out a dam. People's egos, ulterior motives, and ultimate gain per chosen action are shown to play out in the death zone above 25,000 feet. It is these actions that glue the reader, and I found myself sometimes screaming (in the aftermath) at the climbers not to pursue the course they chose. Why didn't the leaders turn them back at the scheduled times? Why were mere "clients" allowed to pursue the mountain on their own? Why were detailed plans not carried out? How is it that one must make a decision to pass a colleague knowingly that they will surely die? What is it about the inner self that pushes one on to life, when death appears imminent? The answers to these questions are relayed in this riveting book, or left for the reader to ponder of what he or she would do in the life and death grip of the world's highest mountain. A must read!!!
Rating:
Summary: More money than sense.
Review: An interesting insight into the actions of people with more money than sense.Climbing Everest is portrayed as being one of the bigger follies availiable to the "haves" of this world.
The author comes across as a snivelling shit but at least he seems an honest one. What more can be expected of a chronicler?
I found the book itself badly written and confused, but despite these obvious defects, I read it through in one sitting. 7 out of 10 for honesty.
Rating:
Summary: Whet my appetite to know the current mind of some survivors.
Review: Usually I read from the back forward. Not this one; read it straight through. There are three characters I want to hear more about and see if they fit my preconceived conclusions. 1) Sandy Pittman, New York socialite, who was virtually carried both up and down Everest. I see her now a much more humble person. 2) Dr. Seaborn Beck Weathers is now a deeply caring and giving human being. 3) Ian Woodall, South African team leader who I pictured as "Monty" (World War II British General) whose persona remains 100% unchanged. The book could use a glossary rather than scattered footnotes. Also I would like to have seen a more extended bibliography, e.g. Hillary is quoted without source.
Rating: 
Summary: A self Indulgent study of doubt and moral uncertainty
Review: I wrote Mr. Krakauer a letter after his article appeared in Outside. He chose to include that letter in his book. I am identified as "an attorney from Florida" towards the end of the narrative. I can only reiterate what I said then. This is an account that need not have ocurred. Mr. Krakauer uses us as his collective therapist, to attempt to assuage his own doubt and uncertainty regarding his motives and morals.
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