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Summary: Get comfortable 'cause you wont want to put it down!
Review: At least I coudn't. Great read. Krakauer is easy to read and you felt like you were there with him the whole way. I have so much respect for what these people go through for their sport. As for the 'Guided Tour' debate on these mountains, it makes an interesting conversation starter.
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Summary: Top of the Mountain
Review: I bought this book because there was nothing but pulp fiction on the market bookrack and I desperately needed something to read on vacation. I already knew the story, having seen it on one of the television newsmagazines. But the cover said it was great---"one of the great adventure books of all time." Yeah, sure. All I need is a book to send me off to dreamland, right? Wrong. It IS one of the greatest adventure books of all time. I couldn't put it down. I stayed up two hours after my wife fell asleep and woke up before dawn and continued reading it by the dim glow of a penlight. Krakauer is a magnificent writer and storyteller, and what a story he has to tell. Blending mini-biographies of the fascinating people who choose to ascend Mt. Everest with the drama of their doomed encounter with the forces of nature--all set against Everest's exotic locale--Krakauer draws us up onto the mountain with him, giving us a primer in the lore and politics of alpine climbing as well as a a gripping recount of death's relentless and sometimes capricious assault on mortality. It will take your breath away.
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Summary: wish I hadn't waited...
Review: Who knows why I waited to read this book...perhaps a kind of perverse obstinacy that precludes rushing to read 'what everyone is reading' and 'what everyone is talking about.' My loss. Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down--knowing from the outset who would die and who would live did little to diminish the tension and emotion of the roller-coaster ride. Next time, I may be quicker to trust 'group think' on book selection.
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Summary: The book was borderline addictive.
Review: The book was written with obvious deep insite- Jon's mixture of emotion and technical writing made this book a real treat.
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Summary: An entertaining yet frightening account of man vs. mountain
Review: About halfway through INTO THE WILD, it's hard to tell whether this book is meant to be cathartic or merely one man's account of the tragedy on Everest in 1996. The detail that Krakauer uses to describe the mundane and ordinary to a climber, like how to fasten crampons onto boots, gives the average reader a much closer perspective on climbing. The depth that he uses to detail the wind and temperature felt at 26,000 feet turns this book from non-fiction to prose. By the end of the book, I didn't care what his purpose was....I was so wrapped up in the drama and details of climbing Everest in May of '96 that it was a shame to realize I'd reached the last page.
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Summary: The story has lingered, haunting me.
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I don't know a thing about mountain climbing, but now I find myself haunted by the events I've read about. One thing I feel is sadness that some of the people involved feel compelled to point fingers and "blame" one another. How could you possibly judge someone's actions when they are freezing, oxygen depleted, and incoherent? It's hard enough to (emotionally) let go of these experiences. People do what they can in the circumstances. It's a sad thing to see these survivors bickering over who didn't do enough, who did more, etc... They should just be glad they've survived and not lay blame. The photo book "Mountain Without Mercy" with the photographs of David Breashears is also beautiful.
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Summary: It will take your breath away!
Review: I'm the 1st to admit I'm no literary expert, but ,I do know what interests me.And this book,I couldn't put down.I don't think you need to be into mountain climbing,to get hooked on this book.
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Summary: What a great book.
Review: The bottom line here is this is a great adventure story. I havent compared it to other accounts and don't care. Excellent tale. If you like it, try Into the Wild too.
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Summary: A harrowing journey of triumph and disaster on Everest.
Review: Jon Krakauer is not only an excellent climber, but also a gifted writer. He weaves a tapestry of heartwrenching personal tragedy and triumph into his novel; Into Thin Air. The psychological, mental, and physical conflicts are conveyed so clearly, one feels as though they too are on this incredible journey as he describes the ill-fated summit to Everest. The mountain is the main character, and those climbers attempting to penetrate its burly skin are mere pawns. This book scares and excites. It ellicits every emotion imaginable and challenges us to look within ourselves, and surmount our own fears. It also deals with the delicacy of human life and man's eternal desire to overcome the impossible; in this case to tame the unconquerable beast, nature. It is clear that we are infinitessimal in comparison to the power and strenght of Everest. This book invites us in and quickly envelops our hearts, minds and senses, and anyone who picks it up will not be able to put it down. The emotional rollercoaster that Krakauer so poignantly conveys in this book along with his own personal insight makes this powerful novel a must read; especially for fellow outdoor enthusiasts.
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Summary: What a poor book...
Review: I do not agree with the majorities of reviews: 1. Krakauer is no good writer - compare him to other classics of mountaineering 2. Just by reviewing articles and other books on the tragedy on May 10th you will find out that he keeps A LOT of events and facts out of the story. The biggest mistake probably is to present Boukreev as the scapegoat... the one guy who did more for the rescue of all the remaining climbers than ANY OTHER PERSON up on the mountain at that time. Sad that he seems to need that to create a Hollywood like drama...
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