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Summary: One of the best book I ever read
Review: Krakauer's book is one of the best books that I have ever read. When I finished it I was unhappy because I wanted to know more about the characters that made up the story. I don't believe that there can be a greater compliment to an author.What made the book so readable was the way in which the author chose to tell the story. The attempted climb up Everest, and the resulting deaths certainly created the ingredients for a compelling story. However, Krakauer did not stop with the mere telling of the story. The strength of the book lies in the human story and the tragic waste of human life that took place. Krakauer brings you almost inside the heads of the different players as they ascend Everest and make numerous life and death decisions. You get to the point where know these people intimately and grieve their deaths. Especially painful was the death of Rob Hall, the climb leader. His telephone call to his wife as he was dying on top of the mountain was particularly disconcerting. You almost felt as helpless as his wife must have felt. Krakauer also does a fine job dealing with the causes of the disaster. He doesn't lay blame in the traditional sense, but talks about the general causes and then lets the reader draw his own conclusions. For instance, he writes about the commercialism of the climbs and the money that could be made by taking on inexperienced climbers. Scott Fischer, the leader of the other party that was trapped, clearly fell victim to this greed. Lastly, when reading the book, I got a good picture of why anyone would want to climb Everest. One might expect that this book would turn anyone off, given the tragic results. However, the opposite was true. After the book was done I wished that I was a 21 year old again with the $50,000.00 necessary to explore the top of the world. If you only read one book, Into Thin Air should be on the short list.
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Summary: Fascinating! Humor, fear, adventure and heartache...
Review: For more than a year, my husband pestered me to read "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer. I always promised I would, but honestly, I wasn't really interested. I expected all sorts of bleak descriptions of snow and ice, hunger and fatigue. Krakauer gives this, but he also gives the reader so much more. Although the primary narrative focuses on the ill-fated Everest expedition of spring 1996, Krakauer provides fascinating backgrounds and history. He talks about the history of Everest, of failed attempts to climb the world's highest mountain and of successful expeditions to the roof of the world. Krakauer describes the Sherpa culture and roles, the land he hikes through to reach base camp, and the reasons he chose to climb Everest. I expected a book with characters climbing determinedly, but mutely, toward their goal. But Krakauer tells us about the lives and personalities of his companions, making us care about the people and giving the story incredible life. Maps and photos help the reader keep people and locations straight and really help in understanding what's going on. A list of people on the mountain at that time is a handy (and needed) reference. Even though this is a nonfiction book, it reads like a novel and is a page-turner. Krakauer's writing is so wonderful; I felt like he was telling the story to me, writing this book for me (even though nothing could be further from the truth). His words grip you and won't let go.
Rating: 
Summary: How a 7th grader sees a vacation
Review: As you read this book you feel like a kid on vacation in a station wagon. You keep saying are we there yet. This whole book should have been made into a 6 page pamplet. The best parts are in the final 3 chapters. But like the trip in the station wagon, you're so tired of the trip you've forgot why you're there.
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Summary: WOW!!
Review: I just finished this book. I couldn't put it down. I actually wasn't sure exactly what had happened on Everest in 1996 other than it was not good. It is really quite a sad story since most of the people who perished seemed to be such nice people and some died simply because they didn't want to leave others behind. I am looking forward to reading Boukreev's account and others. I personally didn't think he came across too badly in this book, especially when he risked his life to try to rescue others. He actually seemed to use more sense than most of the others that day which is why he was strong enough to go searching for people. I feel so bad for the families of those who died. Mr. Krakauer brings them to life and makes them seem very down to earth and just regular people who loved to climb mountains. I really don't have any interest in mountain climbing but this is more a human interest story. Along with the heroic acts of some of the climbers and the IMAX crew, there were also some things that seem unbelievable.. like climbers passing by other dying climbers in need of help and not stopping to talk to them, give them water, or help them in any way just because they didn't want to hurt their own chances of reaching the summit. Also, Poor Beck, that's all I have to say! This guy is amazing! I haven't yet seen the IMAX movie but luckily for me it is still playing here in NY and I plan to see it this weekend. The selflessness of the IMAX team and just the fact that they were actually on the mountain when this happened has peaked my interest in seeing the movie a great deal. This is a fantastic read because it really happened. We really can't judge these people because we weren't there, I just wish it had a happier ending.
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Summary: Response for Mrs. Casserly's 1st Period Class
Review: Into Thin Air is an emotional and moving book about a Mount Everest climbing expedition gone terribly wrong. Jon Krakauer's terrifying and shocking experience is artfully portrayed through in-depth descriptions and the use of great detail. Krakauer's beautiful, yet sometimes horrific images draw the reader into the book and giving the sensation of every feeling which Krakauer faces. The reader feels the brutal cold, extreme fatigue, and great pain which Krakauer experiences while upon Everest. Having never experienced the actual sensations of climbing, this book kindled a yearning deep inside, giving even me the desire to want to climb the highest peaks on earth. This sensation is short lived though, due to the riveting depiction of the ends suffered by eight of the climbers who were caught on the mountain during a sudden and terrible storm. The book leaves many loose ends about what could have been done differently. The actions of Rob Hall, one the expedition's leaders, are put into serious question. In addition to this, the actions of everyone present may be questioned. However, many of the answers lay buried forever upon the icy slopes of Mount Everest with the bodies of the fallen victims.
Rating: 
Summary: An Amazing Encounter With Nature
Review: The expedition to the peak of Mt. Everest was a magnificent climb. Mt. Everest's frigid temperatures, low oxygen supply, and unpredictable weather made this trip unbearable. Every year, thousands of people attempt to climb to the summit of Mt. Everest. Standing 29,028 feet high, the mountain allows only the strongest to succeed. In 1996, eight courageous adventurers set out to take on what is known as the mightiest of all mountains. These eight people were selected by "Outside" magazine to participate in a guided expedition to the peak of Mt. Everest. They were also asked to document their experiences when they returned home from their journey. Throughout this story, Jon Krakauer was faced with more conflicts than he knew how to handle. There were many conflicts within himself that he had to overcome. People were dropping like flies as the climb continued. With each fatal outcome of many people, memories of the dead, still to this day, haunt Jon Krakauer. When he completed reaching the peak of Mt. Everest, tantalizing memories would play again and again through Jon's mind. This made it hard for him to concentrate and get himself back together after the hike. He would try to forget these images, but they would stay with him forever. Nature conflicted with more than anything else. A large storm swept across the mountain like wind whipping through trees. Six of Jon's fellow climbers had been reported missing after the storm had hit. Later, Jon found out five of the six climbers had been killed by the violent wispy winds that coated the mountain's surface. The sixth person that was reported missing was fortunately still alive. Though alive, his right hand had been so badly frostbitten, that it had to be amputated. While reading this story, different thoughts were racing in and out of my head. I felt as if I were almost there with the climbers, trudging through the snow right beside them. All of their struggles made my complaints not even worth sharing. The next time I start to complain about how cold the weather is, I will think back to this novel and bite my tounge. Jon Krakauer's hike to the peak of Mt. Everest took a lot of courage. His positive thoughts are my reasoning for him successfully completing his goal. Doing something that requires as much stamina as climbing Mt. Everest, you also need to obtain a strong mental ability to think positively; mental toughness. By having the book written and narrarated by a real life surviver, makes the journey more interesting for the reader. It describes situations in full detail from a first hand experience. Most of these events would be less meaningful to someone who has never experienced it. This is why having a survivor tell the story makes the situations more fascinating. Friendships were very important throughout this encounter. To survive for as long as possible, you needed to know how to work together. By working together, you learn to collaborate ideas with each other. By doing this, you create friendships that last a life time. Whether dead or alive, everything and everyone you encounter during an extravagant experience such as climbing Mt. Everest will always be remembered.
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Summary: Criticism on Into Thin Air
Review: Criticism: Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer The book that I have read I called Into Thin Air, by Jon Krakauer. The main character in the story that sets the plot in motion is Jon Krakauer, or Rob Hall, his leader. He writes, in depth, his accounts of his mountain climbing. Next, the villain, who is against Krakauer, could either be the mountains, or Sandy Pittman. One Antagonist is the mountain. They try to challenge Jon to the best of his ability, and make it so that he doesn't succeed. Or, it could be Sandy, because she kind of makes a mockery of climbing, such as bringing an espresso along on her adventures. Some other important characters are the Sherpas, who are very dedicated, Hall, who completed expeditions in harsh conditions, too. Also Rob, who was in his group, Scott Fischer, Andy Harris, Lene Gammelgaard, Tim Madsen, Charlotte Fox, and Nel Beidleman. Scott Fischer was the leader of the Mountain Madness expedition, Andy Harris was a guide on Rob Hall's team, and Doug Hansen, who was a postal worker, and his dream was to climb. There were also some important places, which were Mt. Everest, Dhera Dun, Pakding, Lobuje, and many others One symbol is I think Mt. Everest. It symbolizes the problems we have today. At first, it hits you head on. While you are trying to overcome it, you have more problems, and hardships, that make it difficult for you to succeed. Then, when you reach the top, you are overjoyed and relieved. This is just like any problem that you will encounter in real life. Each character has a conflict with him vs. nature. They climbs, but the mountains do anything they can to stop them. As they get higher, there is less oxygen. Being very fatigued, it is hard to go on, so it takes even longer. It is very cold, too, which makes your body weaker. The weather is very icy and stormy. On top of all this, they have to climb a mass of land that is vertical. There was also a self vs. society, because sometimes on group leader had to make a decision, which would put the other group members life's' on the line. This book is ad, because thirteen people died in one season, just because they wanted to try to climb a steep mountain. When they are climbing, they are low on oxygen, and some get very ill. But, the different groups are kind of like families, since they are putting their life into someone else' hands, and trusting them with it. The reader also becomes part of their family, feeling bad for the different things that happen to the characters. It is tragic, yet adventurous at the same time. Into Thin Air is adventurous, because first he talks about how steep the mountain is, and how hard it is to climb. Next, when they are climbing it, it talks about all the hardships, such as weather, oxygen, and oxygen depletion. This is the climax of the book, since you are very intense to see what happens to the characters. Lastly, the outcome, or denouement, occurs and some are happy, since the character made it, and some are tragic. The book leaves you like there should be more. When he's talking about how he hasn't slept in a long time, under nourished, and very sick. I know I wouldn't have the energy to climb if I hadn't slept in 57 hours, only eaten soup and candy, and separated ribs with a bad cold. However, I also liked that the book left you hanging, because then you could imagine what happened, good or bad. I liked this book a lot, since it had to sides. It was very visual; you could picture the climbers climbing up the mountain. This book makes you want to look into climbing, but then when you read how hard it is, and how easily you can die, you rethink it. I recommend this book to readers of tragedies, and adventure novels.
Rating:
Summary: Everest Disaster
Review: Into Thin Air by John Krakauer is a book that anyone could immerse themselves in. It was a wonderfully told story. The way Krakauer writes leaves you wondering what is going to happen next. It gives excellent insights into the sport of mountain climbing, and the consequences of mistakes made in such a hostile environment. This novel was about a Mt. Everest climbing disaster that happened in 1996. Krakauer was on this climb which would later be called one of the worst Everest disasters of all time. Krakauer was assigned to write an article for a magazine about the commercialization of Mt. Everest. To experience this first-hand, Krakauer would go meet one of the world's leading Everest guides, Rob Hall, and head out on the ill-fated quest to climb the mountain. Krakauer soon found that climbing Everest would prove to be a very difficult task that would wind up taking the lives of several of his companions including Rob Hall, their experienced guide. One would think that climbing the mountain in the spring when it is slightly warmer would be simple. In actuality it is just as dangerous at this time of year because of violent storms that arise with allmost no notice. At about 25,000 feet up the mountain there is a section called the "death zone" where bottled oxygen is required to stay alive due to the air being so thin. All of the natural problems were there but also you have to factor in the human error associated with making such a large ascent. Combine the human error with the killer storm that swept over this expedition, with ice and freezing temperatures and you have a deadly situation. Every decision that is made by every person during a climb is absolutely critical to the survival of the party. A decision to allow a climber to stay too long near the top cost the climber his life, the life of his potential rescuer, Rob Hall, and others. I do believe this was a very well written story that exposes truths about the tallest mountain ever climbed and how only total cooperation among the group will achieve success and save lives. Krakauer did a very good job of recounting the events of that harrowing day and opens the world's eyes to the dangers associated with trying to climb the world's tallest mountain.
Rating:
Summary: A Book You Must Read
Review: I give "Into Thin Air" book four stars. While I was reading it, it kept me into the book all of the time. I was on the edge of my seat through the many dangerous incidents that happened throughout the climb to the summit of Everest. Definitely read this book if you are into climbing or are looking for a real good book to read. Twenty-six people went up on a mountain to obtain their goal. They all faced many challenges, some became sick, others were not able to acclimate to the harsh conditions and altitude and some were not able to survive the windstorms. The one major challenge was the storm that the team encountered one day while at a camp. Over all, thirteen out of the twenty-six passed away and were not able to tell about their experiences on the mountain. Many people became sick and were not able to obtain their goal, the summit. A select few were able to try for the summit but they did not. This book had astounding imagery that made you feel as if you were standing right on top of the summit. It was very dramatic when people were airlifted and some had separated ribs, which made it hard for them to breathe normally or cough at all. People couldn't eat any thing but soup, M&M's and other freeze dried foods. This book was very inspiring to me and it made me realize that all of my goals could be achieved if I tried hard enough. Krakauer wrote an overwhelming rendition of a true story that is enjoyable reading to anyone. Definitely read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Into Thin Air
Review: The book Into Thin air was very good. I enjoyed reading about the real life account of Jon Krakauer. I disliked the part were he stated facts about Mount Everest. Some of the facts were intresting but after reading a few pages it got boring. After that I highly enjoyed reading it. The Book was very action filled. It contained a great real life experience about a climb to the top of Mount Everest. I didn't know much about mountain climbing untill I read the book. His acounts of climbing down the mountain contain great detail and are very intresting. My favorite part was the very begining when he was talking about his first account at the top of the Mountain. I would recommend this book to anyone. Its tough reading but very exciting and fun to read.
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