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Summary: Jon Krakauer is an amazing author.
Review: Every one of Jon's books has gripped me immensly. This one was no exception. Being from a climbing background, I found that this book just grabbed me, and I couldn't put it down. I would definately recommend this book to many!Cheers! Rona
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Summary: Gripping nonfiction which reads like a suspense novel.
Review: If you've ever dreamed of climbing Everest, this book should cure you of that. Navigating the ice field at the beginning of the trek was enough to send me fleeing home. Krakauer conveys both the beauty and squalor of the expedition, gives a good background on mountaineering and the sherpa heroes, and gives you the gossip on the IMAX expedition, but the real meat of the book lies in the unfolding of the tragic events which lead to the death of strong, rational and likeable people. Krakauer leaves you with an understanding of how this can happen, yet you are still in disbelief, because there was no one big mistake, no way to dismiss the leaders as weak. He paints a real unflinching portrait of Everest, this MOTHER of a mountain who idly chooses who will live and who will die.
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Summary: Make Sure You Are WARM When You Read This Book!
Review: I felt as though I was there and it was COLD! An absolutely outstanding book. Simply couldnt put it down! The author describes the events that lead up to the disaster and somehow, tries to make sense of what happened and why it happened. I don't believe he will ever be able to do this completely although it is a valiant attempt. Under these conditions at over 8000 meters, human nature and the sense of survival seem to take over and the heroics of which we are all capable, seem to surface. I hope to see a movie someday. Please READ THIS BOOK!....and make sure you are near a warm fire!
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Summary: As Interesting as It Is Tragic
Review: I found the book a fascinating account of the various human and natural factors surrounding a climb to a land which no human belongs. Krakauer's style is well-paced and interesting, and I couldn't help feeling a sense of deep dread as the tragic event unfolded. Reading this story from the opposite end of the world--a coastal town in Hawaii, I was rather dumstruck that sane humans would ignore the obvious warning signs and continue on, as if begging for a final lesson by the whims of nature. I don't share the outrage that some feel towards Jon Krakauer, he certainly has his faults, including the normal human desire to survive. I suspect that once Krakauer emerges from the dark tunnel of this experience, he'll possess something significant for his life ahead.
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Summary: Boring
Review: This book was boring VERY BORING DO NOT READ BAD VERY BA
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Summary: This is exciting and riviting book.
Review: I think this is a great book. It involves real-life and survival, at a place I can only dream of going to.
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Summary: One of the best adventure books in the 1990s
Review: This book toped the charts with me. I would suggest this book to any one who loves the out doors and want a good true adventure story. The book makes you think. It is powerful. You'll be hooked after the first chapter.
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Summary: Absolutely riveting. How could so much go so wrong?
Review: I commend John Krakauer for undertaking the enormity of this book. Not only the writer's aspect of it, but because he must have had to goldmine for the courage to tell the truth and face it all again in the retelling. What a detailed and often horrifying account of a miserable, frozen, and unwelcome place.
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Summary: Hubris As Large As...
Review: The 'Illustrated' version of 'Thin air' is the result of all those readers that wanted more photos. There are some good images here, some never published before, but unfortunately all in BW. Check out 'Mountain Without Mercy' for terrific color images. The 'new' afterword however is a big disappointmet for me and several other people I have spoken to. Instead of taking the opportunity to close gracefully Krakauer doggedly pursues the author of highly-regarded 'The Climb,' DeWalt, and even the maligned Boukreev even as he lies in his icy grave on Annapurna. Far from 'burying the axe' Krakauer is like a mad dog unable to give up his viewpoints. He accuses deWalt of sloppy research by not interviewing every participant directly. But it's clear that Krakauer as a self-described 'journalist' commits much greater sins by blatantly ignoring or warping the firsthand information that he gathered and the accounts of other individuals who were involved. Which do you think is worse? I certainly have an opinion. Krakauer further blames the deceased Boukreev of being unable to admit any mistakes. Gee, doesn't that sound really familiar! Perhaps it's time for Krakauer to come clean on his many 'journalistic' mistakes. How about in his next 'Return to Everest' piece scheduled for Outside magazine. The good news is that Krakauer has come a long way as writer. His strained luke-warm first offering titled 'Eiger Dreams' was reportedly rejected by more than 15 publishers. Read it and you'll know why. The bad news is that all of his loose/ugly handling of the Everest facts makes me wonder how accurate his powerful 'Into the Wild' work was. I initially enjoyed the book but now I have to wonder about this mans' hubris and ambitions.
Rating:
Summary: Gripping tale, very enthralling
Review: Extremely well written account of a trek of immense proportions. I couldn't put it down. But don't take my word for it...
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