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

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Summary: An engrossingly beautiful account of an unpredictab tragedy
Review: John writes with an elegance born out of experience as a person and climber. John expresses himself honestly, humbly and poetically (in a sense) which engrosses one to keep reading. This book brings the reader into the experience of Everest 1996 as no other fiction book I have read. It is so very well done, I am reading it for a third time!

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Summary: A Disaster Which Does Not Warrant The Title "Tragedy"
Review: I've read many of the reviews on this page and am surprised that so many people find this book to be so "tragic." The peple who were on that mountain knew the risks, even if they wished to deny them, and went anyway. Those who kept on climbing to the summit--even after the latest turnaround time of 2:00--compounded those risks. And the guides, who, I suppose, NEED such overblown egos if they are going to tempt fate time and time again, brought people who were, for the most part, ill-prepared. With all of these factors combined, it's a wonder anybody got off the mountain that day. I found the most ironic part of the book to be when two of the climbers, realizing their bad luck, ask themselves what they have done to "offend the mountain"...hmmm, believing they could "conquer" it? Strewing tons of garbage across the face of it in order to do so? Any of this sound familiar? While the deaths on Mt. Everest in 1996 were the result of a disaster, the real disaster was in the planning.

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Summary: as an "indoor-person", it opened my mind to the "outdoors"
Review: Since I've read this book, I've actually bought a pair of hiking boots and am planning my first mountain hike. Easy, in comparison with the likes of Everest. I'm looking forward to the challenges of this adventurous sport.

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Summary: A must-read
Review: If you are a reader who enjoys suspense and action, this book is an absolute essential. The book has a few slow parts in the middle, but soon picks up the pace in the most riveting novel ever. Read it, if you dare. The horrible tradgedy of the event on Everest is uncomprehendable.

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Summary: I thought it was a great book, and it was suspenseful.
Review: It was bone chilling and a fun book to read. If you are into the outdoors, and you like exploring nature then this book is for you.

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Summary: enough already...an appalling display of commercialism
Review: I read the original Outside magazine article that Mr. Krakauer wrote about the Everest disaster and found it intriguing enough to buy his first book on the subject. A riveting story, to be sure, but after two and a half years, can't Mr. Krakauer let this go? I would guess that the other individuals involved (who aren't enjoying nearly as much in monetary rewards) would like to move forward in peace, but Mr. Krakauer insists on milking this story for all that it's worth to him (just in time for the holidays!). Apparently a made-for-TV movie wasn't enough...what's next? Jon Krakauer action figures? If you're looking for a better written and beautifully illustrated text about Everest that also covers the 1996 disaster, choose Everest: Mountain Without Mercy by B. Coburn, T. Cahill and D. Breashers. This magnificient National Geographic book was the result of the IMAX expedition that took place a fews weeks after Mr. Krakauer's. It demonsrates a far greater degree of humility and respect than Mr. Krakauer's self-serving account could ever hope to achieve.

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Summary: This book was truly awesome.
Review: I first started to read the book because I had seen the movie based on the same book. As soon as I picked up the book I could never put it down. Whenever I had a free moment I picked it up and read anywhere from 5 to 100 pages. The style of writing was superb and the book was totally thrilling. I could imagine myself on the mountain with the climbers, I could feel the cold and the altitude sickness. I recommend this book to not only climbers, but anyone interested in adventure and a good book.

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Summary: EXCELLENT BOOK
Review: Great book I could hardly put it down and have read it several times now. I was not real impressed with Krakauer and his constant passing of the buck. When you are part of a climbing team and it all goes wrong everyone needs to pull together to make it out. He is, however a very good writer. I just would never climb with him...

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Summary: Man !!! What an eye opener.
Review: A fantastic book. A horrible tragedy told in a very straightforward, no BS style. I read the book faster than any book I have read in the last 5 years. A page turner if there ever was one. It was just amazing to me that individuals will willingly place themselves in such extreme peril, just to summit Everest. To walk past frozen bodies, find parts of other bodies, etc and continue with the expedition is mind boggeling. If you're choosing between "Into Thin Air" and "The Climb" by Anatoli Boukreev. In my opinion, Thin Air is better written, easier to read and isn't bogged down by the personal promotion found in The Climb.

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Summary: The first book that has ever filled me with adrenaline!
Review: My words describing the book are a cheap sugar substitute for the one's printed on the pages. Krakauer's words made me feel like I was the one challenging the mountain. I recommend the Illustrated Edition over the others because a picture is worth a 1,000 words. Well... maybe not a 1,000 of Krakauer's words - but it definitely adds a brilliant shine to a masterpiece. All of the pictures are breath-taking... Enough! Just experience it for yourself!