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

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Summary: The Death of Romance in Mountaineering
Review: I used to pour over books of great mountain expeditions that romanticized the danger and treated death with a sort of callous accceptance. No more. Krakauer brings home the full horror of death on the mountains.

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Summary: It Was great!
Review: i just finnished the book today and i loved it. he is a great auther. he made me feel as thou i was there. i would recomend it to anybody.

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Summary: An Incredible and emphatic story
Review: The most important aspect of this book that I can relate to readers of this review is the feeling that they will get as they proceed through it. Krakauer writes in a way that makes the reader feel that he, the reader, knows these characters. I felt like I knew Rob Hall, Scott, Harris, and the others. I felt a sense of loss as they each perished. I never knew how difficult it can be climbing a mountain like Everest. This book gave me a tremendous, although vicarious feeling, of what it is really like. While I am sorry about the deaths of the numerous mountaineers, I am especially sorry about Rob Hall. In my opinion he died a hero up there and that is how he should be remembered. I truly think that this book is worth reading. It is a fast reading at that.

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Summary: A personal account of the Mt. Everest Disaster
Review: "Into Thin Air" tell the story of a handful of courageous climbers and the disaster of their climb up Mt. Everest. Few have had the courage to face the 29,000 foot mountain, however Jon Krakauer, the author of "Into Thin Air", faced his fear and conquered the mountain. The theme of Jon Krakauer's novel "Into Thin Air" shows to be the willingness to survive and the sense of being heroic. The authors purpose for writing this book is to let everyone know the truth of what happened atop Mt. Everest. Krakauer states that Mt. Everest, the journey and the deaths have been "gnawing away at his guts" and he felt he needed to tell his story in order to ease his conscience. Throughout the novel, the reader can clearly see that Jon Krakauer values life. Through his words, the reader can sense the authors care for those who lost their lives on the mountain. The author's assupmtions are in agreement with those of other professional mountain climbers. This novel has a huge impact on many, if not every, mountain climber. A story like the one written by Jon Krakauer has never been told before. Mountain climbers are able to relate to and speculate what the brave climbers went through on Mt. Everest. This novel's originality puts it into a class by itself. Krakauer wrote a day by day account of the climber's tiresome journey. This novel truly reached every person who read its words. "Into Thin Air" is in a class by itself and will leave a lasting sense of value for many generations to witness. The sources of the authors data are simply himself, his fellow climbers, and Mt. Everest. Jon Krakauer's employer sent his on the journey to write a first hard article about the climb up Everest. The sources which have proven to be adequate display the grounds for an outstanding novel. One fact that should be taken into consideration is the times at which he recorded when they reached their designated areas. Although they may only be off by seconds, some of the other climbers may have different times recorded. Probably the most astounding question Krakauer asks is when he questions the rationality of a person who must make the decision whether or not to climb Mt. Everest. In a way, he leaves this question unanswered. The author asks how a person with such a hunger for climbing the mountain can rationally think of the consequences. Obviously, someone who does not climb cannot answer this question completely. This novel has been one of the most moving accounts of climbing Mt. Everest ever written. Krakauer wrote this book with unrestricted levels of heart and emotion. "Into Thin Air" is balanced by the arguments Krakauer brings up concerning the excitment and danger of the climb. With great clarity, the author puts to rest many questions people have about Mt. Everest. He tells of the numerous and sudden snow storms which killed so many of his fellow men. He also tells of the beautiful features of "God's glorius creation". The author swiftly makes his point of the danger of the summit on the top of Mt. Everest. Besides the information given about the mountain, the novel may convince the reader not to climb at all. Although this book is written with excellent pecission, it is accessable to even the most uninformed reader. In response to the authors point of view, I must congradulate the author on a job well done. Not many people would take the risk of climbing such a horrible terrain. I am able to see the struggle of the journey through the eyes of a scared but brave man. I believe the greatest strength of this novel to be the accounts of struggle and death and victory of the climbers. Through the books information, I now understand the heartache and contribution it must take to face Mt. Everest.

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Summary: You will never look at a mountain the same.
Review: Although Krakauer is not a very sophistocated writer, his down to earth style captivated me from the start, and I was transposed up the mountain with his team. The plot sometimes lagged, but in the particularily tragic and senseless moments of the individual difficulties, I could not put it down, and found myself wiping tears from my eyes, imagining Robb talking with his wife on the cell phone. A truly moving experience, we should all learn from.

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Summary: Could not put it down.... TWICE!
Review: John Krakauer is truly an amazing author. He is so good at telling the story that I felt the cold, smelled the streets of Kathmandu, experienced the excitement, and felt the pain in my heart fron the tragedy of it all. I cried for the loss of those gifted people. I pray today for the ones they have left behind. Thank you John for sharing.

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Summary: Absolutly Amazing
Review: I bought this book only for a simple, adventure story and an interest in the tallest mountain on Earth, Mt. Everest. In reading I discovered a complex, thought provoking drama that ripped at many, if not all of my emotions. Amazing.

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Summary: One for the old library!
Review: WOW! That's all I can say when it comes to John Krakauer's "Into Thin Air." I myself am into mountains and climbing and I found this book wonderful. I've never read a book so fast because I was so anxious to finish it! I recommend it to ANYONE who wants a true adventure book. You learn to appreciate this great mountain a bit more after reading this book.

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Summary: Engrossing, reads like fast-paced fiction.
Review: Mr. Krakauer has done a wonderful job relaying an incredible tale. Covers nearly every emotion, from joy to bittersweet relief. I read this in the summer and was shivering as he described the moonlike frigidness and barren terrain of Everest.

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Summary: Because of this book, I am now obsessed with Everest.
Review: Since I read Krakauer's incredible story, I have been completely obsessed with Mt. Everest to the extent that I am now actually planning a trip to Nepal - but not to the mountain itself. The tragedy, heroism and unbelievable extremes recounted in the book will haunt me for the rest of my life.