Rating: 
Summary: A Chilling Account of Another World
Review: This was a well-written account that was very informative for someone like myself, who knows little about Mountain and Ice climbing. Descriptive of the environmental conditions and elements, safety protocols, and climbing history, Krakauer tapped into the drive and determination of the Alpinist in general, and in particular those that he ascended Everest with that day, that ended in tragedy for many. I liked learning more about the Sherpas, who are vital to any expedition if it was going to reach the top. Writing this book was Krakauer claims, a cathartic experience. Possible causes that led to the deaths were explored. The hurricane force winds in subfreezing temperatures, the thin air, which makes one mentally delusional, and the raw physical strength required has claimed the lives of many climbers over the last 70 years. Climbers often aid a struggling companion suffering from a lack of oxygen, frostbite, hypoxia, and physical exhaustion. There are several different serious ailments that can result from the high altitude. Even the most accomplished, safe, and physically fit climbers remain on the mountain today as their resting place. When the climbing expedition had to ascend over the Khumbu Ice falls, crossing extremely deep crevasses on flexible aluminum ladders, it made me cringe. The author described how one climber, when squatting to relieve himself outside his tent in the morning, slipped down an embankment of ice, and later, died. Minor mishaps can and do lead to death. Other climbers have fallen 7,000 feet, off of the "Kangshung face." Krakauer also noted the recent commercialization of Everest as well. (Pittman made me sick.) There are tons of garbage at the base camp of Everest remaining from several expeditions over time. Recently, wealthy dilettantes have been lured to climb Everest, and the culture is different than that of the traditional alpinist community. Why did Hall and Fischer remain high on Everest well past their pre-determined descent time, considered a very serious safety protocol? One possibility, is that the two ran separate competing expedition companies at Everest, and wanted as many members of their individual teams to reach the top as possible. There were business pressure as well as the media coverage in several countries during and after this climb. Media exposure, marketing, and future clientele may have been in the minds of these two men. Also possible competition in general. This is only a possibility. Had the storm arrived 2 hours later, everyone would have most likely lived. Had it arrived 3 hours earlier, many more lives could have been lost. I respect people who'd attempt such a feat. Kraukauer and Fischer were from Seattle as well which makes me feel good. I loved "Into the Wild," and "Into Thin Air," was very intense for me. Gotta read it
Rating: 
Summary: Jon Krakauer: An Epic Coward
Review: You don't have to read "The Climb" to see that Jon Krakauer is an epic coward. You can read it between the lines right here in his book. The truths he distorts and the truths he completely leaves out--it comes through in this book. No wonder he can't sleep at night. "The Climb" is much better. The story of Anatoly Boukreev--it's much better written, and Boukreev was awarded the American Alpine Club's highest honor, the David A. Sowles Memorial Award for his heroic actions on the Everest in 1996. Krakauer distinguished himself for his cowardice. This book left me feeling sickened, sickened not as much by the deaths of the climbers at Everest, but by the thought that some of it would have been different if Krakauer had lifted a finger. Boukreev's book is much better.
Rating:
Summary: completely absorbing
Review: I've always been interested in the tales of Everest. I have always been interested in rock climbing, but never had done any mountaineering. Wow, I just could not put this book down - Just imagining myself there on top of that mountain during this tragic series of events.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding reading
Review: Outstanding..simply outstanding. Krakauer is a master story teller. I enjoy contrasting his account with others who were present. Most notable would be the account of Anatoli Boukreev, as told in THE CLIMB with G. Weston Dewalt. Quite interesting reading. I did the math for anyone interested... breathing without supplemental oxygen on the top of Everest would be the same as breathing 7% oxygen at sea level. When you consider that we normally breathe 21%, you can get an idea of the hypoxia suffered. Without acclimatizing, that oxygen level would be fatal. To work (climb) at that reduced level of oxygen is incredible! Enjoy the book.
Rating:
Summary: Left me Gasping for Breath
Review: When reviewing "The Perfect Storm", I saw that if you liked that particular book, then you might enjoy "Into Thin Air", by Jon Krakauer. I didn't like "The Perfect Storm" (see review), but the summary of "Into Thin Air" greatly intrigued me, so I bought it. I could not set this book down. From beginning to end, I was filled with wonder, awe, and fascination as to why a person would risk his life at a chance to be "on top of the world", and this book deftly gives his reasons. The expedition of eleven people led by Hall set out towards the summit from Camp four on May 10, 1996. Half never returned. Little did they realize that a thunderstorm was headed their way trapping them in the 25,000 feet+ 'Danger Zone'. Luckily a quick few, including the author, were able to escape, and get back to Camp four safely, and awaited news of their ill-fated teammates. The reader knows what's going to happen in the end because the word "Disaster", is in the title of the book, however, that didn't diminish the fact that this is a remarkable novel of one man's story of survival, and possible redemption for having left his teammates to die on the summit of Everest. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: A fabulous read!
Review: I read this in a day and a half, staying up the first night because I was unable to put it down. Jon Krakauer has a way of telling a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat and then haunts you long after you've finished reading it. The book had the same effect on my husband who is not a big reader. I've gone on to read several of the other accounts to gain a different viewpoint, given the backlash from this book. Whoever you believe, hands down, Krakauer is the better storyteller. A must, even if you haven't the slightest interest for mountaineering. I also recommend Into the Wild.
Rating: 
Summary: Surprisingly interesting, moving, engaging
Review: Knowing nothing about Everest or mountain climbing in general, I approached this book with a great deal trepidation, but ended up enjoying the second half. I expected this book to be dry and boring, and the first 150 pages are. However, once Krakauer and his team start their summit run, Into Thin Air becomes an exciting, engaging read. The events related in this book are shocking and horrifying, especially when you consider that they really happened. Krakauer tells with feeling of the deaths of his team members and the haziness of his mind as he approached the 29,028 foot summit of Mt. Everest. The end of this book is excrutiating, and leaves you with a deep understanding of how much the climbers' lives must have changed since the incident. While not one of the most enjoyable books I've ever read, I feel it would be worthwhile reading for anyone, not just mountain climbing experts, as long as you can get through the first 150 pages.
Rating:
Summary: Thrilling and Unforgettable
Review: I found Into Thin Air, as well as Krakauer's excellent Into the Wild, to be two of the most gripping, emotional, unforgettable reads of my life. Into Thin Air tells a fascinating story of hardship, tragedy, heroism and perhaps lack of respect for nature, and unlike virtually all books of the genre the author was there, suffering through the storm and watching his comrades fall. Sebastian Junger, in his compelling book The Perfect Storm, pieced together information to try and imagine what it was like on the Andrea Gail out in the North Atlantic. Krakauer was actually on the summit of Everest in May 1996, and he takes the reader on one helluva ride. Most of you who have gotten this far in the reviews knows the basic premise. Krakauer was sent to Everest by Outside magazine to join New Zealand guide Ron Hall's expeedition in the spring of 1996. He was there to write an expose about how anyone who is reasonably in shape, has some (and not a lot) of climbing experience, and who can fork over more than $60,000 could be taken to the summit of Everest while Sherpas and yaks carried most of your supplies, cooked your meals, and carried you when you collapsed. One climber even brought an espresso machine. He also wanted to comment on how Everest has become a virtual junk yard, with empty oxygen cannisters strewn all over the face of the mountain. What he found changed his life forever. Krakauer was caught up in a deadly storm, that appeared virtually "out of thin air", leaving members of his and other teams stranded on the summit and on Hillary Step (a ledge just below the summit) with little chance of making it down. The story is gripping, suspenseful and ultimately deeply moving. The reader may think humans, especially those with pregnant wives at home, have no business at the summit of Everest, but you cannot help being deeply moved as you read about Rob Hall talking to his wife on the other side of the world, via satellite phone, to discuss the name of their unborn child while Hall is stranded on the mountain. The book kept me up nights as few others ever have. A point about the "feud" with Anatoli Boukreev is worth mentioning, since, in my opinion, this has been blown out of proportion by others. Krakauer recognizes that each climber has his own way of doing things, but he took some shots at the Mountain Madness expedition led by Scott Fischer, and at his guide Boukreev in particular, for climbing without supplemental oxygen and for descending ahead of the group's clients. I think he made some good points there. Boukreev was no doubt a great climber, and his death in an avalanche the next year makes the whole debate a little pointless, but I think a client if I were to fork over $60,000 I have the right to expect that the guide will be out on the mountain with me as I descend, not warming up in the hut drinking tea. Boukreev is credited by Krakauer with a heroic trip back up the mountain during a blizzard to reach Fischer, and he may have been told earlier by Fischer to descend (we'll never know for sure), but those tactics are surely open to debate. Some reviewers here on Amazon have taken personal shots at Krakauer's actions during the storm, but he was no paid guide, and he rightfully takes some blame himself in his book for abandoning Beck Weathers and for giving some false info to the family of one of his guides, Andy Harris that added to the confusion in those first days of the incident. In any event, if you want to get caught up in the whole Krakauer v. Boukreev debate, be my guest - you can read both of their accounts of what happened on that fateful trip. For my money, Krakauer's account is the definitive, well-written story, which should at the very least be used as a starting point for anyone interested in the 1996 Everest tragedy. And for most people (like myself) with little or no interest in climbing, read Into Thin Air on its own as a gripping, unforgettable account of a very public tragedy which you will not soon forget.
Rating:
Summary: A compelling and thrilling documentary
Review: The tragic loss of life on Everest was due to a number of reasons, all of which are detailed to great length by Jon Krakauer. I read this book already fairly well informed on the events from following the story in the newspapers and on TV as it was happening and thereafter, but the way Krakauer reveals the different personalities and complexities involved in climbing Everest brought a whole new level of understanding and amazement to me. The hardships endured, the friendships made, the terrible personal tolls, all of these things are illuminated in this book. A totally fascinating, horrifying, and revealing story.
Rating:
Summary: The Illustrated Edition Is Worth Buying
Review: I had previously read and reviewed (very highly) the original hardback, which had some pictures. This illustrated edition is worth the second purchase. The newly added photos, which Krakauer obtained from various sources, incuding the cameras found on two dead climbers, and other members of his expedition, give the book an added dimension. I would highly recommed that fans of climbing books, and of Into Thin Air, add this terrific book to their collections.
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