Rating: 
Summary: Brave and Free...
Review: "Into the Wild" is one of those treasures you rarely find in non-fiction media. This is a journey of ultimate freedom. Chris McCandless walks away from a life that many would envy. He becomes a nomad in a country that cherishes stability and security. He bravely did what most people just talk about. His adventures in the underground realm of the United States of America are truly fascinating. I admire his love and pursuit for such a raw freedom, but it scares me to even think about doing something similar. I just simply find the whole account of his journey fascinating, yet very haunting. Nature can be a dangerous playground, especially for us post-modern, urban Americans. I can't help but think what Chris McCandless did is not that out of the ordinary for most other countries, but shows how we, Americans, are too comfortable with our security and stability to truly be free. I highly recommend this book to anyone.
Rating: 
Summary: Too Much and Not Enough
Review: I finished Into the Wild a couple of days ago, and I'm still not quite sure what to think. If you've gotten this far, you probably already know the premise: Christopher McCandless, a (questionably) intelligent young man abruptly leaves his old life behind to tramp around the country. Ultimately, he winds up in Alaska and, as a result of pure happenstance or dismally poor preparation on his part, ends up starving to death.My problem is that Krakauer can't seem to decide where the story is. Approximately half of the book is devoted to McCandless' story: where he went, what he did, and speculations on why he did it. Ultimately, we're left with more questions than answers about McCandless, but this is to be expected when the man is no longer here to answer questions or provide clarification. The remainder of the book is split between too-brief glimpses of McCandless' friends and family (generally a page or two of background, a few quotes, and a physical description), Krakauer's personal history, and his personal speculations on what drives people to such extreme circumstances. At the end, I felt like I knew plenty about Krakauer and virtually nothing about McCandless beyond the facts. And what are the facts? We know that Krakauer conducted interviews and looked at McCandless' diary in the course of his research, but oftentimes we have no indication where his "facts" are coming from and therefore have no way of distinguishing them from speculation. All I know is what Krakauer wants us to think, and I'm left wondering if the purpose of the book is to characterize McCandless (in which case I don't think it succeeded) or if McCandless provides the backdrop upon which Krakauer exorcises his own demons.
Rating:
Summary: Into the Wild
Review: Was a great book. I love reading about the wilderness, Alaska, and Maine. It was amazing how a man, just roaming America touched so many hearts and these strangers he met cared for him so. Such a shame he thought he could conquer the Alaskan Wilderness.
Rating: 
Summary: well wriitten curious story
Review: An ejoyable book, the central subject is a little weak to exapnd from a magazine articel to a book, but Krakauer seems to have found a good solution. The story is nicely cut up, leaving the fatal incidents until the end of the book, while interspesing the narative with tales of various other daventurers who have thrown themselves into the wild.
Chris McCandless's story is definately a little idealised and presented in a rose tinted aspect, as it would be vey easy to offer a different and less sympathetic opinion with the evidence given. and other than the tragic consequences the story is not that remarkable. I actually found Krakauers own story far more entertaining and terrifying, but its easy to see his involvement with the story.
Rating:
Summary: For anyone who feels their possessions own them.
Review: Have you ever heard the old saying, "The things we own tend to end up owning us."? Have you ever felt like selling everything you own, buying a Harley and taking off for places unknown to take life head-on and enjoy whatever comes your way? If you have, then you too will have something to relate to Christopher McCandless. Krakauer provides us with a wonderfully well researched look into what drove this young man to turn his back on society and strike out to make his own way through life. I certainly can't fault Christopher for feeling the way he did and unlike some who have read this book, I don't think he had a death wish. He was a little too quick and a little too determined to get away from everything and make it on his own. I really appreciated the understanding that Krakauer provides in this book and relates his own reckless experiences. This book shows us the true passion of youth and the sad tragedy of the death of a truly adventurous soul.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Book and a Quick Read
Review: Just what was it that made Christopher McClandess leave his life behind and walk into the wild unprepared for the starvation that would eventually kill him? Jon Krakauer explores the fascinating story of McClandess to better understand what made him and other aspiring wilderness men like him tick. What's great about the writing is that the front cover and the first few sentances tell the tragic ending- I know that doesn't sound too great but it works flawlessly because your our oppinion of McClandess changes. You can reason that he was nuts to basically starve himself for no reason, but as you read about his early life and the adventure he had hitchhiking across the country for two years on his own you soon get inside his mind. Krakauer is a great writer, and includes two side chapters on his own into the wild adventure as a young man when he tried to single-handedly climb a vertical peak in Alaska that had never been climbed. These chapters really show why Krakauer is so intreaged by McClandess and can understand what drives the adventure seeker. This is a wonderful book by a great writer and I think one of the finest works of nonfiction I've read. Do yourself a favor and read it for yourself.
Rating:
Summary: Better the tenth time....
Review: I've read this book multiple times, and keep getting drawn back to it for reasons I can't quite explain. The book, an account of a young man by the name of Christopher McCandless taking numerous extended trips of self-discovery, which culminate into an early, unexpected death that leaves his friends and family bewildered and confused. The author, Jon Krakauer, gives vivid and meticulous details into the life of Chris and the many people that he touched on his plethora of trips. The book could be seen as a travel book of some sorts, or a book about the naivety of youth and the complex of indestructability that encompasses many of us--I say us for I am relatively young: 26. Chris came from an affluent family, and a solid upbringing; he was well-educated and liked by most people who came in contact with him. But, as one of his few friends in the book states, "Chris was born into the wrong century." Chris held Ideals that many people could not live by; and because of this fact, he had a problem with society in general. Chris graduates from college and promptly gives $25,000 to a charity, and embarks on a journey that will lead him to touch many, and confuse and hurt his parents. I encourage all to read this book numerous times, and try to judge Chris with an open-mind. He undoubtedly did some ignorant things, but in all he was in touch with a side of himself that few in our current society ever get a chance; most of us are so caught in the daily grind of life that simple things get lost in the shuffle: nature and beauty for examples. This book changed me for the better, and will no doubt change many more if they allow themselves to read with an open-mind.
Rating:
Summary: Into The Wild
Review: Into The Wild, by Jon Krakauer, is the true story of a young man named Chris McCandless, who gave all his money to charity and abandoned his car, most of his possesions, and his family and started a new life for himself. This book is very interesting because it tells how he travels all over the United States and meets many people and sees many things. Also, you learn in the beginning of the book that Chris McCandless ends up dying and explains what led up to those events. This book is very good and gives you insight on what it is like to live in many different places in the United States and it is definitly worth reading. I would recommend this book to kids middle-school age and up. I enjoyed reading this book very much and I am presently reading Into Thin Air, another book by Jon Krakauer.
Rating:
Summary: Love it!
Review: I bought this book when I lived in Fairbanks Alaska . I loved it. In fact I loved it so much I have read it in the last year 24 times!. Everytime I read this book I become more involved. Its always like reading it for the first time
Rating:
Summary: Noble Ideologist
Review: Into the wild was a fantastic book. I could not put it down. You read page after page, experiencing new thoughts and ideas. How could one young rich man leave it all to go into the wild? Although the question may never be fully explained, you will have your own answer to that question. This book questions people. It questions why we do things. Why, when one man follows his dream, does everyone get so upset? How can one man impact so many other people? And there is no doubt that he did impact many people. Christopher McCandless was a visionary. Christopher McCandless was a noble ideologist. The fact that in his pursuit of freedom and other values he died changes nothing. He set out to do what few even attempt. He followed his dreams. McCandless dreamt about freedom. About living without the restrictions that physical items give you. He dreamt about everyone being equal. About no starvation or hunger. He overcame obstacle after obstacle. He never deterred from his initial dream about living n the Alaskan wilderness. And he affected everyone's lives that crossed his path. Some may of just thought how reckless he was, but at least he got them to think. Many walk through their life never thinking for themselves. Christopher McCandless did. For that, he is a noble ideologist.
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