Into Thin Air : A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster

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Summary: riveting
Review: I read Into Thin Air in one sitting. I could not put it down. In the end I was very disturbed by the actions of the author and some of the others on the mountain. I've thought about it for days wondering what I would have done, I would hope I would have acted differently. I think I would rather have died myself,as Hall did, then not do all I could do to save the others. It seems Jon thought little about is comrades on the mountain on that day. The author seemed to be a strong climber and the most capable to rescue the others. He didn't. If he were in battle he might have been court marshalled for cowardness. I do however give him an A for candor and I now wonder if my lack of experience in such overwhelming situations has made my judgements too harsh. And I continue to wonder. A must read

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Summary: Excellent on-scene account of the tragedies on Everest.
Review: "Into Thin Air", is an excellent recounting of the events on Mt. Everest in 1996. Starting with John Krakauer's reason for being there as well as the entire trek to the mountain and back. While you read, you feel like you're with the group as they travel to the summit. I couldn't put the book down. My husband and I both read it at the same time and we both didn't want to give it up. I'm ready for another book about Mt. Everest.

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Summary: The REAL heroes
Review: This is a great book and a compelling story of human survival. Unfortunately, Jon Krakauer is being much maligned in many circles, especially for his tough but honest criticism of Anatoli Boukreev. The latter has also written his own book about the Everest 96 tragedy, but it mostly serves to defend his own reputation and ego against Krakauer's charges of his poor performance as a professional climbing guide. Many so-called "real" climbers are siding with Boukreev, claiming that his early descent made it possible to rescue many of the group stranded on the South Col. It is surprising, however, that none of Boukreev's defenders mention the fact that this group would never have made it to within a couple of hundred yards of camp without the aid of Neal Beidleman and Mike Groom, guides from Fischer's and Hall's teams, respectively. They performed courageously, leading the group from the upper mountain to the South Col and nearly back to the safety of their tents. Little is said of Neal and Mike in the myriad discussions on various online newsgroups and chat forums, but these guys are the heroes, not Boukreev. If they deserted their clients high on the ridge as Boukreev did, the death toll would have been far greater. Indeed, Boukreev's assistance perhaps would have expedited their descent and given them a few extra crucial minutes that would have allowed them to return to camp before whiteout conditions enveloped them on the Col. I really detest playing this blame game, but I find the criticism of Krakauer and blind defense of Boukreev to be unfair. Krakauer does not blame Boukreev or anyone else, he merely asks relevant questions about his performance as a guide that need to be asked. Many times he alluded to Boukreev's heroism and courage late in the day and he is to be commended for his actions. However, the important questions that Boukreev (and other "real" climbers) for some reason object to are: Should a client who has paid upwards of $65K have any reasonable expectation of being assisted up and down Mt. Everest by professional guides? And if not, should Boukreev have accepted the job (and the $25K) as a guide if he felt he had no obligation to stay with the clients and make sure they descended safely? Having said this, I recommend Boukreev's book ("The Climb") as well as Coburn's "Everest: Mountain Without Mercy" to anyone who enjoyed "Into Thin Air" and desisres more information about the tragic events of April 96. My only complaint with "Into Thin Air" is the lack of quality photos; in this respect, Coburn's book is stunning, everything one would expect from a National Geographic publication.

Rating:
Summary: Stunning page turner-MUST READ
Review: I could not put this book down. Your emotions run the gamut. This first-person account of the challenge of his time spent on the earth's most unforgiving location is a must read. From beautiful scenery to human tragedy Krakauer does his best to describe the his story of the confusing and excruciatingly difficult experience that he and his fellow travellers experienced trying to reach the highest point on earth-Mt. Everest. I could not put it down, each page brought another spine tingling tale of events that challenged each climber each day.

Rating:
Summary: The best Ever
Review: I felt as if I was on the mountain with Krakauer, Rob Hall and the rest. I don't think that anyone person was to blame for anything that happened on the mountain. All the negative comments that were directed towards Krakauer after he wrote the article for Outside magazine were unjust. The only person that could have saved those people that tragically died that spring were themselves.

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Summary: A WONDERFULLY WRITTEN REAL LIFE DRAMA !
Review: Krakauer brings you with him to the mountain and lets you feel the excitement, agony, chaos, and ultimate despair of this tragic journey to the top of the world. You will believe you have travelled into thin air as this fascinating tale of death and survival unfolds. The frailties of the human mind in the "Death Zone" (above 24,000 feet) have never been described better. And the unbelievable story of one man, Beck Weathers, will give you the chills! Don't miss this book.

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Summary: Left at a loss for words
Review: I read this piece cover to cover without putting it down once. So many mistakes were made on this journey that you had to wonder how anyone, except Beck Weathers, survived. The thought that he was left for dead on two occasions makes me sick to my stomach, yet what an incredible will to survive through it all. ( I have to wonder if Weathers would have waited in his tent while other members of his party died a slow death? )You, Krakauer, concerned only with saving yourself, make me wonder if you will feel the guilt for your dead companions for the rest of your life. Any profits made from this book should go to the families of the deceased. I believe you truly feel guilty for the loss of some of the members of your party, however, I hope you never let this feeling go away. It concerns me, that once again your climbing mountains, instead of staying at home with your wife and raising your children. If Everest taught you anything at all, you might think it had something to do with your priorities in life.

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Summary: A great account of Everest
Review: This book really makes you feel as if you are on the mountain. After reading Into Thin Air I have an eurge to get out there are try it myself. I wish i could find another book of this calibur to get me hands into.

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Summary: Spiritual Nature attributed to Mt .Everest
Review: Enjoyed the book, and story. I have read hundreds of reviews, but have read little related to the spiritual "possession" of the mountain, which Jon Krakauer explains so elequently in his book. The Sherpas are very religous people, and Buddahism requires many, many ceremonial and sacraficial kinds of acts to have good presence in this world. In the story, Mt. Everest is that world, she is the "goddess" who demands reverential respect. In no way am I evaluating the book or story's factual evidence related to the tragedy. I find interesting though, from a biblical perspective, that God, who created all things (Psalm 24), including Mt. Everest, made them all for himself. I would dare not go up that big hill without God's blessing, and as well, would abide by the His established authority for my climb, in this case Rob Hall. Hall commanded one young Sherpa to come down immediately to avoid HAPE, but Krakaur explained the cultural/religious forces that may have led to the Sherpa denying Rob's advice. Without further ananlysis of the spiritual role upon the climbers, I will say that it seemed to play a huge roll in how the support team felt about and reacted to events in their climb; especially as the "goddess", became real angry with these teams, eventually killing some. To realize 1 mountain part of God's creation, I feel badly that the Buddahist "spriritual" covering had to rest so heavily on the teams. A Christian view of this endeavor is very freeing in that its common sensable. As in PS. 24 and others, this big mountain sits there, and is by nature high, and fierce, and its attributes can kill a man. Mt. Everest is "possessed" by God, in storm and in peace. There are no other gods up there.

Rating:
Summary: Made My Heart Pump
Review: Great read; bring it on your next trip. Gets into the minds of these amazing (and crazy) people.