Into Thin Air

Rating:
Summary: EXTRAORDINARY
Review: I don't want to give away the plot, but nobody dies trying to reach the summit. Absolutely highly recommended to all sentient biological life forms.

Rating:
Summary: Into Thin Air
Review: Having never understood why people climb mountains, and after seeing Beck Weathers on television last year, I read Into Thin Air in order to gain more perceptiveness. And Krakauer delivered. Have some time on your hands, because once you begin reading Jon's story portraying the turn of events throughout his journey on Everest in the Spring of '96, you won't be able to stop reading until you've read the last word in his book. This account of ascending Everest is a page-turner even though the outcome is old news. It will leave you wanting to know more about other attempts made on Everest. For those who don't understand why on earth anyone would want to do something as dangerous as climbing Into Thin Air on rock and ice, this book answers that curiosity. Jon introduces his readers to the backgrounds and personalities of the main characters in his book. We can better comprehend the different reasons people spend thousand of dollars and two or more months of their lives in "hell" on a mountain, freezing and injured "just to get to the top." We learn through Krakauer why they continue their rise even though the conditions are pure torture and more life threatening with each step. Why they don't give it up once they've lost feeling in their extremities, separated their ribs, lost their vision, can no longer breathe due to oxygen depleted air. Why they don't turn back even when they see the dead who've attempted to reach the summit on former expeditions. You'll understand because of Krakauer's talent as a writer, his ability to replay his emotions, his thoughts, his experiences, and his opinions through writing. You'll feel the frigid wind, the snow, the ice, the pain, the desperation, the sorrow, and the regrets. The "if only's" will torture your soul just as they have and continue to torture Jon's. He writes in such a way you will have no choice other than to join him on that mountain. You'll meet and get to know the members and guides of Rob Hall's team as well as Scott Fischer, his guides, and some of his team members. Unfortunately, not everyone on the mountain was a "good guy," you'll be living thanks to the dangers the teams encounter due to the inexperience, egos, arrogance, and vengefulness of the few "bad apples." For the survivors, Jon's book is a road in which fathers, husbands, wives, sons, daughters, and other loved ones are portrayed as the heroes they were. Although some of the deceased's relatives were upset with Krakauer, it will seem unjust because of the respectful way in which he portrays his fellow mountaineers and the Sherpas. This was one of the best books I have ever read and I recommend it to anyone interested in Mount Everest, Climbing, or just reading a great book. This story is a symbol of strength, determination, and the will to achieve your goals that almost everyone can relate to. If you have nothing to do and want to get intrigued then read Into Thin Air. I promise this will be a thing you never forget.

Rating:
Summary: A Very Exciting and Thrilling Book
Review: "Into Thin Air" tells the story of a handful of courageous climbers and the disaster of their climb up Mt. Everest. Few have had the courage to face the 29,000 foot mountain, however Jon Krakauer, the author of "Into Thin Air", faced his fear and conquered the mountain. The theme of Jon Krakauer's novel "Into Thin Air" shows to be the willingness to survive and the sense of being heroic. The authors purpose for writing this book is to let everyone know the truth of what happened on his journey up Mt. Everest. Krakauer states that Mt. Everest, the journey and the deaths have been "gnawing away at his guts" and he felt he needed to tell his story in order to ease his conscience. Throughout the novel, the reader can clearly see that Jon Krakauer values life. Through his words, the reader can sense the authors care for those who lost their lives on the mountain. The author's assupmtions are in agreement with those of other professional mountain climbers. This novel has a huge impact on many. A story like the one written by Jon Krakauer has never been told before. Mountain climbers are able to relate to and speculate what the brave climbers went through on Mt. Everest. This novel's originality puts it into a class by itself. Krakauer wrote a day by day account of the climber's tiresome journey. This novel truly reached every person who read its words. "Into Thin Air" is in a class by itself and will leave a lasting sense of value for many generations to witness. The sources of the authors data are simply himself, his fellow climbers, and Mt. Everest. Jon Krakauer's employer sent his on the journey to write a first hard article about the climb up Everest. The sources which have proven to be adequate display the grounds for an outstanding novel. One fact that should be taken into consideration is the times at which he recorded when they reached their designated areas. Although they may only be off by seconds, some of the other climbers may have different times recorded. The author asks how a person with such a hunger for climbing the mountain can rationally think of the consequences. Obviously, someone who does not climb cannot answer this question completely. This novel has been one of the most moving accounts of climbing Mt. Everest ever written. Krakauer wrote this book with huge levels of heart and emotion. "Into Thin Air" is balanced by the arguments Krakauer brings up concerning the excitment and danger of the climb. With great clarity, the author puts to rest many questions people have about Mt. Everest. He tells of the numerous and sudden snow storms which killed so many of his fellow men. He also tells of the beautiful features of "God's glorius creation". The author swiftly makes his point of the danger of the summit on the top of Mt. Everest. Besides the information given about the mountain, the novel may convince the reader not to climb at all. This book is written very well and readable for most people. In response to the authors point of view, I must congradulate the author on a job well done. Not many people would take the risk of climbing such a huge mountain. I am able to see the struggle of the journey through the eyes of a scared but brave man. I believe the greatest strength of this novel to be the accounts of struggle and death and victory of the climbers. Through the books information, I now understand the bravery and contribution it must take to face Mt. Everest.

Rating:
Summary: Into Thin Air: All Time GREAT!
Review: Into Thin Air : A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster, is an outstanding book. Jon Krakauer does a terrific job of bringing the tradgedies on Mt. Everest on May 10, 1996 to life. I read all of the other books about this tradegy, but Into Thin Air : A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster stands out in my mind. It tells a story from Jon Krakauer's perspective who is the only person who published a book on the team with the 5 climbers deaths. Mr. Krakauer allowed the public to read about something that only a matter of people would have known the whole story about if this book would not have been published. Into Thin Air : A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster is a must read for any veracious mountain climber, anyone who is the least bit interested in climbing Mt. Everest and to anyone whop would just like a nice fairly quick pleasent read. Thank you for your time and I hope that i have been helpful!

Rating:
Summary: A very enjoyable book
Review: This is a very well research, well written and a very informative book. Even though I am not a mountaineer, I found this book very interesting. The author has definately shared his experience in this tragedy with us with many different emotions. It has given me a whole lot more understanding of how things happened. I would recommend this book to anyone who has a heart for adventure.

Rating:
Summary: Ascent into Hell
Review: Take Krakauer's advice: stay home and read the book. His crisp journalistic writing and unflinchingly honesty make Into Thin Air an instant alpining classic and certainly one of the most gripping non-fiction books on the market in 1997.

Rating:
Summary: A Book for Climbers
Review: In May 1996, a great tradgedy occured on the roof of the world also known as Mt. Everest. John Krakauer on assignment for Outside magazine, witnessed the darkest time in climbing history and tells about his experiences in his book Into Thin Air. As Mount Everest increases in popularity the commercialization of climbing the mountain attracts more climbers to its base. Unfortunately this also brings many inexperienced climbers to climb the tallest peak which increased the chances of fatal mistakes. This scenario, a freak storm, and turn around times forgotten, all led to the twelve deaths on Mt. Everest in May 1996. As friends are dying at his side, Jon Krakauer questions the need to tackle the undefeatable. It brings into perspective the fragility of human life; is it worth risking at the chance of loosing? Into Thin Air is full of technical jargon and facts which are boring for the average reader. I found myself wanting more of the story, less of the technical information. For serious climbers this book would be interesting and make sense, for those who are amatuers it could be confusing. Into Thin Air takes great concentration to read, but when finished has given the reader a bountiful amount of information.

Rating:
Summary: Characters hard to follow and writing on first grade level
Review: This book was not bad, but it was not what I would call a classic either. The story was interesting, but everything was glossed over so quickly that by the end of the book where the author is talking about characters doing this and that, I did not know who most of them were or were they came from. The writing level of the book is amateurish at best. For those who like simple reading and a quick story this may be a good book for you. For me it was a bit of a let down and I thought the author of the book was a big part of the problem on Everest and ends up profiting from it.

Rating:
Summary: Coldest Book I've Ever Read
Review: That's it. The coldest book I've ever read. I picked it up at the urging of a friend and could not put it down until it was over. What a story.

Rating:
Summary: There is a lot of air down there
Review: This si a graet book. I had to read it for a project on nepla and Mt. Everest and thought i would not like it. bone chilling and sometimes scary, it shows you what being in the worst possible situation is on the highest point in the world. A snow storm with -100 wind chills 29,028 feet in the air with no bottled oxygen. OW! If i were you would vuy the book and read if you wnat something exiting and thrilling but sad and real. Also read Beck Weathers book. It is on the same thing and is even more amzing than this (he was supposed to die 4-5 time in the book). THIS IS GREAT!