Into Thin Air

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Summary: Into Thin Air
Review: I thought that INTO THIN AIR was a fantastic book. I read it during the school year and had a lot to say about it to my teacher. The way the author, Jon Krakauer, tells of his adventure atop Mount Everest sent a chill through my body, as if I was climbing along the mountain, right next to him. Not only did I learn things about the mountain and its history, I learned what it's like to attempt to climb to the highest point on the face of the Earth. It's pretty amazing when you think about it. INTO THIN AIR is also amazing -- READ IT!!! :-)

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Summary: Into Thin Air Rises to Dizzying Heights
Review: You'll want to read this with an oxygen mask on, because Krakauer's immediate and bracing writing will put you feeling and tasting the peril of that fateful '96 Everest expedition in which 8 people perished. I can honestly say that I have never been so completely absorbed by a book as I was with "Into Thin Air." I picked it up and held on tight for the horrifying, and all together engaging, ride up Everest and really didn't put it down until I was finished a day and a half later. It was that good. What puts this book above the rest of the fray of wilderness adventure writing is Krakauer's personal and extremely knowledgeable take on the sport of Mountain Climbing. In addition to that, he is just a plain good writer. He tenders and cultivates his trade as a writer much as he does his love for the skill of climbing. Krakauer's cautionary tale in "Into Thin Air" should have kept recreational climbers far away from the overcrowded, life-taking, and littered slopes of Everest; however, it was followed by the Breshears' IMAX expedition of the film "Everest" that again put the wanderlust of high altitude into arm chair climbers across the globe. That doesn't lessen Krakauer's socially conscious effort to keep the mountains pristine and discourage inexperienced climbers from getting in over their collective vulnerable heads before they have had time to gain experience in their sport. This book made my "15 best books that I wouldn't have wanted to miss reading in a lifetime list" (that's quite a long title for that list). But the point is, "Into Thin Air" is that good. I plan to read it again when my breathing returns to normal, my feet warm up, and I can resupply my oxygen bottles.

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Summary: MAJESTIC TRAGEDY ON THE ROOF Of THE WORLD
Review: I don't know if sorrow, exhaustion or agony can be pictured. However, in this book, they are surely worded. Jon Krakauer, one of the survivors of the tragedy, reveals the rise of death above 8000 meters with a most vivid, candid language spoken through his heart. He makes the reader gasp for air, ask for help and pray for a peaceful end. But there's no way, because the reader is trapped in the death zone, wondering why he has come so high and looking for a way out of this total white out.

I'd advice anyone interested in Himalayan mountaineering to read this book. It gives a most gruesome yet truthful insight of what goes on above daily ground. It is a majestic tragedy on the roof of the world mistified by the jet winds and sense of death.

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Summary: NOT AS GOOD AS I THOUGHT, BUT IT HAD TO BE TOUGH
Review: THIS BOOK DIDNT REALLY REACH OUT TO ME AS IT WOULD HAVE TO MABYE OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS THAT LOST THERE LOVED ONES. INTO THIN AIR JUST WASNT A BOOK THAT CAUGHT MY ATTENTION BUT I COULD NEVER IMAGINE WHAT THOSE CLIMBERS WERE GOING THROUGH UP ON EVEREST.

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Summary: Captivating
Review: I agree with most people that have reviewed this book. It is absolutely captivating as well as horrifying. Krakauer helps you to strap on your crampons and take the climb with the expedition. As the horror evolved, I found myself not able to put down the book. Especially once the climbers found themselves struggling for their lives during the decent. Definitely a book for adventure/nature people!

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Summary: A spellbinding must-read
Review: This is one of the better books I've read recently. Krakauer takes the reader with him to the slopes of Everest for the doomed expedition in May of 1996, carefully reconstructing the events in consultation with other survivors of the catastrophe. The result is a volume that really captivates the reader; I could barely put it down. A must-read for anyone.

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Summary: A "Can't put it down" read
Review: I was glued to Jon Krakauers, Into Thin Air. I am an armchair adventurer. After reading his book I have read every other account of the events on Everest that tragic May. I did like, "The Climb" equally. But, the more I read the more I do feel Anatoli Boukreev did not act in the best interest of his clients. I think Jon Krakauer wrote as honest an account as her could especially when you consider the stresses of the situation. Beck Weathers book could be a bit silly (His cat talks to him) but I still liked it and him. Lene Gamelguards book sympathizes with Anatoli. I can't wait to read the Norgay book. But Jon Krakauer gives the best overall accout

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Summary: Totally engrossing read, a story that leaves you shaken.
Review: I read this book in one sitting and afterwards couldn't stop thinking about it for days. I found it to be completely compelling, honest and raw. Imagining oneself in Krakauer's shoes, as both an observer (he was on the trip as a journalist) and fellow climber, one cannot help but succumb to the awesome grip of Everest. The presence of the mountain can be felt in this book; it is the central character. The hypnotic sway it has on those who seek to master it, and the deaths that result as forfeit from those who fail in the attempt. And while I understand people's criticism's of Krakauer's actions both on the mountain and in his accounting of those events in this book, I cannot imagine the profound physical and psychological stress that would accompany the experiences he chronicles. Therefore, I cannot agree with the reviews that seem to have genuine personal reproach for Krakauer. You know the old saying; you can't judge someone until you've walked a mile in their shoes. There's only a few people who can claim to have walked where Krakauer has. I have nothing but sympathy and admiration for the people described in "Into Thin Air", including Krakauer. A great book for anyone interested in the adventure or real-life account genre.

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Summary: One of the best adventure books
Review: Into Thin Air is an excellent, intriguing book, which will leave you at the edge of your seat. It is written by Jon Krakauer, who describes his personal involvement in the Mt. Everest disaster. The reader will see the disaster through his eyes. Based on a true story, this book takes place on Mt. Everest in 1996. The story describes two groups of climbers, one led by Rob Hall and the other led by Scott Fisher; both of these groups are trying to climb to the top of Everest. While doing so many people get sick from the thin air, from diseases in the air, and the cold. Many people were taken back down because they were too sick to walk, but other stubborn people that also were sick, wanted to get to the top for their first time, and decided to keep on going. This incredible book tells of tragedies, and hardships. Read this book to find out what events happen on the deadly mountain. I would recommend this book because it's a great adventure book, which no one could possibly put down. Many people that climb the mountain get sick from the coldness, and how thin the air is. Many people die from falling off cliffs, because they couldn't see where they were going, diseases, the thin air, and sudden storms. People that climb the mountain have waited their whole lives to climb the treacherous mountain, they even had worked two jobs to get the 60,000- dollar fee (which includes the equipment.) Some of the people don't even know if they'll make it alive spending all that money, wondering if it's a mistake to spend 60,000 dollars like that! This story is also very descriptive, and gives every bit of detail that makes it seem as if you are actually there. He makes you actually seem as if you are there witnessing deaths and tradigies. The author also makes you seem as if you're climbing the mountain breathless are extremely tired. A sudden storm that comes to the peak of the mountain, and has driving snow and high winds of up to 60 knots, making it a much more terrible condition to climb the mountain than before. The book tells you what happens to the people that are still climbing the mountain, because of a sudden storm. This story will make you think twice about life, and shock you beyond all belief. It will show you how truly dangerous and deadly Everest can be. One reason that I might not recommend this book would be that the author sometimes gets off topic and talks about incidents on Everest that happened a long time ago. It could be really confusing and some readers would wonder if he was talking about the past or the present. Although I thought the book was good, another reason that this book bothered me was because of the profanity he put in it. Even though it is an adult book and they probably said that stuff on the mountain when it occurred, I didn't think that it was necessary. All in all, I think that this book was exceptional, even if the author did get off topic some, and use profanity! I would give this book five out of five stars! I encourage you to read this book, because believe me, you most definitely won't regret it.

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Summary: Thrilling story that's stranger than fiction
Review: This the first book I've read about the Mount Everest disaster in May 1996. Jon Krakauer was paid by Outside magazine to join a guide assisted expedition to the summit of Mount Everest lead by renowned guide Rob Hall with his assistant Doug Harris. But once Jon and the rest of the gang get past Camp 4 and head up the south col, the balcony and then the summit, it's literally downhill from there. He'll lead you step by step through his journey up the mountain, describing every pertinent event he witnessed or was told afterwards through interviews with survivors.

To me, Krakauer comes across as honest without being too cocky. Sure, he's an experienced mountain climber who was in better shape and more qualified for the climb than some of the other clients, but he certainly doesn't "trash" his fellow climbers with nothing but negativity. I think he made an honest attempt tell both sides of the story. For example, he gave Beck Weathers his props when he realized the incredible effort he was exerting.

And the other issue was how he "blamed" Anatoli Boukerev for the disastrous outcome of the expedition. Well, if some people actually read the book, he clearly puts the blame on many people, including himself. Sure Boukerev was foolish to be working as a guide without using oxygen, but Krakauer could have stopped a clearly exhausted and oxygen deprived Doug Harris from continuing up the mountain. He could have also convinced Beck Weathers to descend with him instead of leaving him to wait for Doug Harris, who never returned, leaving Beck stranded with a group of other climbers and eventually left for dead. You can tell that Krakauer feels much blame for much of the tragedy that occured.

Other "reveiwers" say Krakauer took advantage of the tragedy by "cashing in" by writing the book. Well, the guy is a writer, after all folks, and he has to make a living somehow, doesn't he? He has also donated a portion of his profits to charities, which should quiet those critics.

From what I could tell, it was an unfortunate accident that didn't have to happen if so many people didn't try to "summit" at the same time. Also, it would have helped if the guides actually stuck to their pre-determined turnaround time like they swore they would. But up there at 29000 feet, where the oxygen is 1/4 of sea level and your mind is reduced to a 6 year old, and you have climbers with bigger egos than the mountain itself, it's a wonder that more people don't return alive. Alas, like he states, "Climbing Everest is an extremely irrational action". Indeed.

Overall, this is an extremely well written book that should be read by sports and adventure seeking readers for years to come. It's an incredibly story that had to be told.