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Summary: As Interesting as It Is Tragic
Review: I found the book a fascinating account of the various human and natural factors surrounding a climb to a land which no human belongs. Krakauer's style is well-paced and interesting, and I couldn't help feeling a sense of deep dread as the tragic event unfolded. Reading this story from the opposite end of the world--a coastal town in Hawaii, I was rather dumstruck that sane humans would ignore the obvious warning signs and continue on, as if begging for a final lesson by the whims of nature. I don't share the outrage that some feel towards Jon Krakauer, he certainly has his faults, including the normal human desire to survive. I suspect that once Krakauer emerges from the dark tunnel of this experience, he'll possess something significant for his life ahead.
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Summary: Boring
Review: This book was boring VERY BORING DO NOT READ BAD VERY BA
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Summary: This is exciting and riviting book.
Review: I think this is a great book. It involves real-life and survival, at a place I can only dream of going to.
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Summary: One of the best adventure books in the 1990s
Review: This book toped the charts with me. I would suggest this book to any one who loves the out doors and want a good true adventure story. The book makes you think. It is powerful. You'll be hooked after the first chapter.
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Summary: Absolutely riveting. How could so much go so wrong?
Review: I commend John Krakauer for undertaking the enormity of this book. Not only the writer's aspect of it, but because he must have had to goldmine for the courage to tell the truth and face it all again in the retelling. What a detailed and often horrifying account of a miserable, frozen, and unwelcome place.
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Summary: Hubris As Large As...
Review: The 'Illustrated' version of 'Thin air' is the result of all those readers that wanted more photos. There are some good images here, some never published before, but unfortunately all in BW. Check out 'Mountain Without Mercy' for terrific color images. The 'new' afterword however is a big disappointmet for me and several other people I have spoken to. Instead of taking the opportunity to close gracefully Krakauer doggedly pursues the author of highly-regarded 'The Climb,' DeWalt, and even the maligned Boukreev even as he lies in his icy grave on Annapurna. Far from 'burying the axe' Krakauer is like a mad dog unable to give up his viewpoints. He accuses deWalt of sloppy research by not interviewing every participant directly. But it's clear that Krakauer as a self-described 'journalist' commits much greater sins by blatantly ignoring or warping the firsthand information that he gathered and the accounts of other individuals who were involved. Which do you think is worse? I certainly have an opinion. Krakauer further blames the deceased Boukreev of being unable to admit any mistakes. Gee, doesn't that sound really familiar! Perhaps it's time for Krakauer to come clean on his many 'journalistic' mistakes. How about in his next 'Return to Everest' piece scheduled for Outside magazine. The good news is that Krakauer has come a long way as writer. His strained luke-warm first offering titled 'Eiger Dreams' was reportedly rejected by more than 15 publishers. Read it and you'll know why. The bad news is that all of his loose/ugly handling of the Everest facts makes me wonder how accurate his powerful 'Into the Wild' work was. I initially enjoyed the book but now I have to wonder about this mans' hubris and ambitions.
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Summary: Gripping tale, very enthralling
Review: Extremely well written account of a trek of immense proportions. I couldn't put it down. But don't take my word for it...
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Summary: A Good Story, But Not Great
Review: Krakauer wrote this book too quickly with many regrets. Urgent deadlines dramatically hindered a polished product. If you have read his other books who would know that there were many passages inserted from his previous writings about mountaineering. It was a good book, but not great. His best work by far was "Into the Wild." I give it 5 stars with a "must read" status. If you enjoyed "Into Thin Air" I highly recommend Joe Simpson's "Touching the Void." This book about a mountaineering tragedy is without a doubt 5 stars.
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Summary: Worth Reading if you like adventure topics
Review: Into Thin Air is definately worth reading. I read it after I'd just completed The Perfect Storm, so my disappointment may be attributed to the fact that I thought The Perfect Storm had superior writing. The book as an adventure novel is excellent. However, it is almost too diary like and the background information is just not there. Plus, maps and more vivid discriptions of the landscape would have enhanced the reader's experience. The author often talks about 'nearly walking off the 7000 foot face,' but goes into little detail about the near accident or the geography. It is almost hard to believe that these "near misses" really happened or that anyone was really concerned about them. Plus, there is no emotion in the book. The author tries to show that people were caring and emotional about the tragic things that kept taking place, but it seemed to me that he was describint a bunch of egotistical wackos that were on an expensive suicide mission, and just couldn't care about anyone else, because they didn't even care about themselves....the author included. At any rate, I'm glad I read it, but it could have been better. I was hoping to understand "the climbers rush," but I still don't!
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Summary: A gripping, but sad true life adventure
Review: Jon Krakauer has written such a gripping piece that you begin to think it might be the most important story ever told. I had never read a book that made me care for every aspect envolved: the characters, moral and philosophical dilemmas, and the true art and talent (as well as risk of) tackiling a true wonder of nature such as Everest.
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