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Summary: The best book i have ever read
Review: This harrowing tale of disaster on Mount Everest left me lying awake at night wondering how this could have happened. I have never been drawn into a story like I was with this book. The book gives excellent background information on Mount Everest, giving someone who is not acquainted with climbing a sense of what it is like to ascend a mountain. The development of the plot and the characters is masterfully done. I spent four nights reading this book until 1:00 am. I consider this to be the summit of all non-fiction.
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Summary: The definition of a page turner.
Review: I recently finished 'Into Thin Air' by journalist Jon Krakauer. I was skeptical of reading a 380 page book about a group of climbers climbing Mt. Everest. I feared I would read a good half of the book before discovering that the book would be like reading the transcript from a Discovery Channel special on mountain climbing. I was impressed with how quickly the book managed to capture my full attention. Prior to reading this book I had little knowledge of the tragedy that happened on Everest. I remember maybe hearing a short news clip on CNN or reading the headline from an article in the World News section of the local paper. I think knowing so little of the incident made reading the book a great deal more interesting for me. I never knew what was coming. From looking over the book I knew disaster would strike but I didn't know when, where, or how bad. After reading this book on something I had little to no knowledge of, I now find I have a great deal of interest in the incident as well as the mountain. Since I finished reading the book a few hours ago I have already started making plans to see the IMAX film made by the crew present in the book, and I also have begun making plans to read the book "The Climb" by Anatoli Boukreev, the Russian climber who saved so many lives on the mountain. I have read from other customer reviews, that this book will offer a different view on the tragedy, most pointedly on Boukreev's role in the incident. Because Boukreev was portrayed by Krakauer as ignoring the needs of the clients in order to reach his own personal goals, I am very interested in what Boukreev has to say in response to what seem to be pretty harsh accusations. I'm also curious to see how Boukreev's version of entire episode on top of mountain compares to Krakauer's. At 29,000 ft. under such harsh conditions the entire group was in poor condition. How any one man, especially one who lacks experience at such an altitude can recall certain events so clearly is beyond me. The fact that he interviewed so many of the survivors to make his book makes it more understandable, but Krakauer still makes accusations and detailed observations that were his own. He can remember entire conversations high on the mountain, but yet when he was on the mountain he couldn't even distinguish Andy Harris from someone with much different features. If any one can recommend any other good books on incident or a similar subject please feel free to e-mail me your suggestions. As for me, I give Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air five stars and strongly recommend everyone read this book. It's 380 pages but it's a very, very quick read.
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Summary: An extremely riveting and fascinating book
Review: One of my favorite books ever... I usually like science fiction, but this real-life adventure is just impossible to stop reading... you can't put it down.And in response to the person who gave the book three stars because they don't agree with the whole premise of mountain climbing: Your review should be removed. You don't see me reading books on rugby and then giving them bad reviews because I think rugby is a dumb sport. You didn't rate the book; you rated mountain climbing, and they are two different things. Go review something you understand. I don't mountain climb, and thanks to this book I never want to, but I can enjoy reading this tale of drama in real life. A good story is a good story. No exceptions.
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Summary: First hand account of a tragic climbing season
Review: Krakauer delivers an excellent account of the events leading to the most tragic climbing season on Everest. These events along with the history of the mountain and it's climbers are absolutely fascinating reading. I strongly reccommend the illustrated version as the pictures add immeasurably to the fascination and mystique.
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Summary: A Great Read for Students that Hate to Read
Review: As a frustrated teacher, I ask my disenchanted learners to pick reading material that interests them. A student recommended this book and it made the circuit with several more students and even their parents. Not only is this a high action adventure book, there are issues of ethics, morality, spirituality, courage and general life lessons. The lessons/discussions that ensued from reading this book were invaluable for myself and my students. This book also made an excellent resource for research papers.
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Summary: A fairly well written book on an unnecessary subject
Review: Why is it of interest to know about people who artificially create a dangerous situation in order to feel important? There would be no need for these "heroes" if one didn't feel the need to climb Mt. Everest. There re plenty of worthwhile endeavors to benefit mankind such as policework and firefighting, just to name two. This was a terrible tragedy, but one that could have been avoided. Climbing Mt. Everest is a personal decision fraught with known dangers and an activity that benefits no one except the climber.
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Summary: Thought provoking and haunting, yet an astounding read!
Review: Attempting to take the reader out of the comfortable ambience of home and pluck them down where it's only the self against the elements. Krakauer's candid recount is eloquently told from start to finish. Each team member is explained so as to get the full effect of their personality, what drives them and what force will chant inside their heads urging survival. Not only does Krakauer try to report the facts; he sculpts the book to read as a novel. If a team member has shortcomings, they are revealed, not in malice but in an effort to convey to the reader who they really were. Krakauer has taken criticism for this choice he made in his writing, yet it truly adds depth to the character. Remember: this is a "Personal Account" and Krakauer should be commended for calling it as he saw it, not because he sugar coated anything and tried to make everyone appear heroic. Krakauer has also taken criticism for choices made on the fateful journey. Had they chosen to assist someone physically unable to assist himself or herself, would that person be alive today? Who knows? But the ill choices tended to have domino effects. Trying to save one person at that time might have led to two dead later. A lack of resources at that altitude had to be a factor in the decision making process. No one was wished harm at the onset of this journey and each member knew the risks. The risks were acknowledged as that---risks, not guarantees, but the end result can still go either way. Some should have never wagered a gamble. At that altitude and with the impairments they experienced, all the concentration one could muster could barely save oneself. There are many underlying lessons to this tale. Beck Weathers is an emotionally moving story on his own and is a living example of the human drive to live. At times I couldn't believe the honesty and raw emotion Krakauer reveals to the reader. The individual is broken down into the simplest of elements yet faces a complex issue or task at every turn. If you haven't read the book yet, it has my highest recommendation. And if you don't have the luxury of reading it all in one sitting, definitely make notes to help yourself recall points about the team members; it'll help you as the book goes on.
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Summary: Couldn't put it down!
Review: Incredible tragedy! The writing made it so easy to understand and "see" what was unfolding that fateful trip! Thought processes at 8000 meters are so impaired, I wonder how anyone lived! He does a great job at revealing the type of leaders & the type of people who attempt this deadly feat, and it's a real eye opener! Please remember this though, this is Krakauer's version of the trip, his awesome experiences & traumas. A great book!
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Summary: Jon K. creates vivid images with his words.
Review: The author is very skilled in the craft of writing. He truly paints a vivid picture of climbing Mt. Everest. I couldn't put this book down.
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Summary: This is the greates book I have ever read.
Review: This is definetly the best book I have ever read. John Krakauer truly shows the raw emotion and difficulty of climbing Mt. Everest. Before this book I thought that climbing a major peak was just like climbing up a steep hill, but now I know how much preperation is taken and how the altitude takes affect on a climber. I absolutely recommend this book, especially if your not into mountaineering.
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