Into Thin Air

Rating:
Summary: WAITING TO INHALE
Review: WOW!!!! YOU'LL NEED AN OXYGEN-BOTTLE TO READ THISBOOK......ABSOLUTELY BREATHTAKING. JUST LIKE AN AVALANCHE ACCUMULATINGMASS ON ITS WAY DOWN A MOUNTAIN, THIS EXPEDITION WAS LIKE AN AVALANCHE GOING UP THE MOUNTAIN WITH ITS ARRAY OF ERRORS AND MISJUDGEMENTS ONLY TO CULMINATE AT A HORRIFIC END........I FINSHED THE BOOK A WEEK OR SO AGO BUT I'M STILL HAUNTED BY THE CHARACTERS. I CANT REMEMBER A BOOK HAVING THIS MUCH IMPACT ON ME EVER. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE INTERESTED IN THE HUMAN PSYCHE.

Rating:
Summary: I had to stop and take deep breaths to continue reading
Review: Only twice in my life have I been terrified by a book. Bothprevious occasions were works of nonfiction: In Cold Blood and TheBoston Strangler. In each of these books, the author brilliantly lures you into an environment that is both fascinating and terrifying. Although you cannot escape the sense of foreboding, you also cannot put the book down. I felt exactly this sensation while reading "Into Thin Air." I had to stop repeatedly to take deep breaths, reminding myself that, although the story was true, I was not experiencing it personally. I have never read a book more evocative of the dangers and beauty of nature. In one sense the book explores a strange terrain, the minds and hearts of mountain climbers. On another level, the book explores the longing for accomplishment, the most common human experience. I've had to stop myself from remembering too clearly the experiences catalogued in this brilliant book.

Rating:
Summary: Breathtaking... you'll need oxygen while reading it!
Review: I'm not sure how many postive reviews a book needs, but afterreading this one, I feel that the least I can do is join in thepraises. This is one of those rare books that will make you feel the strange attraction man has towards achieving feats that seem impossible and dangerous. After reading the book I have this unrelenting urge to visit the place that has caused Mr. Krakauer and his colleagues so much agony. I must be insane...

Rating:
Summary: I read this book in four hours
Review: Wow! Since you already know the ending, what can he do to keepyou awake? Plenty: There are a plethora of facts about climbing,altitude sickness/difficulties, geographical rivalries and politics. Then, there are the personalities and the greed -- Sandy Pittman wasn't the only fool on the hill -- and all that hubris. Finally, there's the evocation of the tragedy itself, meticulously dissected and flawlessly tracked. This book doesn't rate a "10" (I can't think of many that would) but, by sheer dint of his courage and art, Jon Krakauer creates wonderful literature out of snow and ice.

Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: Amazing, factual account of a phenomenal experience. I couldimagine myself in the predicaments which were described, although Ihaven't been anywhere close to 29K feet altitude (outside a plane). I found myself thinking and re-thinking certain some of the more nightmarish circumstances and awaking in the night thinking about them even more (but for just a few nights). I highly recommend this book to anyone with a taste for outside adventure. Ben Bell

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Summary: A brilliant and detailed account of a world's disaster
Review: First off, I have been a fan of Krakauer for a while. I've readInto the Wild and have Eager Dreams on order with Amazon right now. Iread his article in Outside magazine after the incident first happened and was totally captivated by it. When i heard he was writing a book about it I was really happy, because he has a such a brilliant way of writing that he would for sure write the best account of it ( besides the fact that he was actually there!). He brings you face to face with one of the worlds biggest and most dangerous temptations, while at the same time taking you into the mankinds desire to push everything to the limit. The writing of this horror seems to flow through the entire book, twisting and weaving it's points and opinions into your mind. In the end you come out breathing hard, on the verge of tears, and in total shock from the harshness of this encounter with natures beast. The intensity of this book is unsurpassed and the emotions flow from it like rivers to the ocean. Jon Krakauer is one of the most brilliant wilderness writer's of all time. He captures the essence of peoples fascination with the wild and molds it into some of the most interesting accounts of the unknown world. Into Thin Air is one of my favorite books and I urge anyone with a strong heart to read it.

Rating:
Summary: A great read that will literally take your breath away!
Review: The mark of a good book is that even though you know whathappened, you enjoy it anyway.For me it was especially gripping as Ihave a fear of heights and cannot imagine how determined, skilled and fearless these climbers must be.How must it feel to be cruising at 29,000 feet in an airplane and look out the window to the summit of Everest and think that you will be on the roof of the world if you can get to the top. I think Mr.Krakauer's story is an honest account and represents his way of coming to terms with what happened on the mountain.The only drawback for me was that not enough of the other climbers characters.were fully drawn. I would have liked to better understand what makes people want to put themselves in this life or death situation.I 'm ready for the IMAX movie.

Rating:
Summary: I felt as if I were there
Review: I felt a part of Jon Krakauer's climb - I could feel the excruciating cold along with all the emotions he experienced on this climb - the exhileration that turned into fear and survival and the painful, emotional frustration that no one but the mountain was in control. Mr. Krakauer's book gave incredible insight into the climbing "industry" and the driving force behind the climbers themselves. The book was excitingly informative and definitely left me with the feeling that I wanted to learn more about the hold Mt Everest has on its climbers - and also wanting to read MORE of Mr. Krakauer's books!.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Engrossing . . .
Review: Not since reading "The Power of One" have I enjoyed a book so much about a subject that I knew so little. You cannot read this book without being in utter awe of those who subject themselves to so much pain while engaging in high altitude mountain climbing. The author's sensitive and humble approach to the subject is quite moving. Highly recommended

Rating:
Summary: Suspense at its best
Review: Since we already know the outcome of this disastrous adventure,getting there becomes the absorbing aspect of the book. Reading aboutthe characters play out the inevitable is both wrenching and compelling. He brings the reader along, and I felt exhausted by the end. As a sedentary person, my eyes were opened to the extremes some people are willing to go to for a thrilling adventure. Krakaur seems sincere in his desire to purge himself of survivor's guilt.