Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining, but...
Review: Krakauers account of the 1996 Everest disaster is a one sided, egotistical tirade. While his writing style is easy and fluid, it is the underlying tone of Krakauers story that I found offensive. Too be sure, I could not put the book down as Krakauer is an expert weaver of tales, but upon reflection, the book was nothing more then one mans attempt to assign blame for the events on Everest in May 1996. Read the book, but realize all the time that there are two sides to every story. "The Climb" by the now deceased Anatoli Boukereev is the rebuttal to Krakauers "In to Thin Air". Read back to back, you are assured of many entertaining hours.
Rating: 
Summary: a startling account written with brutal honesty
Review: ...a thoroughly well written book that portrays the tragic events of 1996 on Everest. The author has been extremely honest as to what happened on the mountain and about his own failings and those of others. He has received some severe criticism but from an outsider's view he is beyond reproach unless you were there. Much pain is probably still carried around by those who lost loved one's on the mountain and it is not surprising some have let their anger be focused at this book and author. You can't read this book and not be moved.
Rating:
Summary: the novice climber should read before the real action
Review: I like this book very much, make me sleep over midnight for 5 days. Please keep on reading "Everest-no mercy" and you'll understand how the "Khumbu Icefall" looks and the great mountains are. I praised the IMAX team rescurers and many unlucky guides sacrificed their lives for the clients.
Rating:
Summary: Spellbinding.
Review: Into Thin Air, is a captivating and truly mesmerizing, first-hand account of the deadliest season in the history of climbing Mount Everest. On assignment from Outside magazine, Jon Krakauer, is to report about the commercialization of the world's highest mountain. He would attempt the daunting mountain under the supervision of Rob Hall and the rest of his team. As Krakauer struggles towards the summit of Everest it feels as though you, yourself are climbing side by side with Krakauer and the rest expedition. Finally, on May 10, 1996, in the early afternoon, Krakauer reaches the summit of Everest suffering from the brain-altering affects of oxygen deprivation and several sleepless nights. As he begins to descend from the top of the world, 29,028 feet, 20 other climbers were still pushing themselves to the summit. As the 20 other climbers struggled towards the top, the sky had began to fill with dark clouds. Six hours later the storm unleashed its colossal powers, in already extrem conditions, onto the dangerous slopes of Everest. This journey of triumph and utter disaster is recreated masterfully as he takes the reader through an emotional rollercoaster. Into Thin Air is a must read.
Rating:
Summary: Do not judge Krakauer least ye be judged!
Review: While the book is deftly written and an engrossingly dramatic read, its real value lies in the fact that it forces us to ask the questions that are at the root of our humanity. Specifically, would we be capable of the courage necessary to do what others seem so RIDICULOUSLY comfortable criticizing Jon Krakauer for not doing. And beyond that, would many of us really have the courage to openly admit to our own entirely human behavior as he does. The risks he took on the mountain and in this writing go beyond anything many of us would ever consider, and beyond that, when the human situation has gotten to such a state, it is not up to us to judge his actions. We do not have that divine authority. He has been criticized for factual and journalistic errors. But again, to really understand the full scope of the story refer to the Outside Magazine site to see his responses to both Boukreev's and Lapsang Jangbu Sherpa's concerns. It is so easy to judge, and so much harder to act!
Rating: 
Summary: worth reading
Review: not terrific writing, but the facts are very interesting, and make this worth reading
Rating:
Summary: An chilling account of disaster expirenced first-hand
Review: It took me a long time to actually purchase this book and read it. I, like many people, was captivated by the story of the climbers stranded on Everest. I kept up with news as it was unfolding via traditional media and I was left to wonder what was happening to the poor souls trapped on that mountain. After reading Jon Krakauer's article and subsequent blasts by other surviving climbers I decided to stay away from the book but something drew me back to it. I was impressed with Jon Krakauer in that he attempted to right some wrongs brough out in his article. It's always hard to admit you we not right, espically when you caused a family unnecessary heartache. Into Thin Air takes you right into the heart of the Everest tragedy and makes you thank God you were not a part of it.
Rating:
Summary: Frustratingly engrossing
Review: Read this with my girlfriend during long drives. Defintely heped pass the time. I would recomend it to anyone. I would especially recomend it along with "Climb" to journalism students. The author clearly made mistakes in not talking to some of the very people he criticised.
Rating:
Summary: somebody has to say it ...
Review: Well, as a piece of fiction I would give it 5 stars ... it is compelling, one of those books that you can't put down. But as non-fiction, it fills me with anger and revulsion towards the author. Here's the Krakauer strategy -- if I can make everybody, even the good guys, look bad, then maybe I don't look that bad. This man just doesn't get it ... the amount of misery for which he is personnally responsible (I think of the 'friend' he left to die, and then, finding he's not dead, being 'terrified' to think that he might not have made it -- come on Jon, which way do you want it?). Courage and loyalty abound in this book, they cost good men their lives. Unfortunately it appears that neither will ever be understood by the author. That he profits in any manner by this book is nothing short of a crime.
Rating:
Summary: A well written, thrilling, and captivating adventure story
Review: This book is excellent! I can not believe how Mr. Krakauer took such a horrible event, and were able to turn it into something positive. I was also impressed by his ability to portray the climbing experience in such a dramatic fashion, yet saving the integrity of the climbers themselves which the story is written on.
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