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Summary: Enter Into the Wild
Review: "Into the Wild" is the tale of an adventurous young man by the name of Chris McCandless, who hitchhiked his way across America and into Alaska. Jon Krakauer tells Chris' story by asking the people he met along the way and his family, as well as information he left in journals and on postcards. Along with his journey there are other short stories about people who have tried similiar feats. There is even one chapter written by Krakauer detailing his own death defying quest to climb Devil's Thumb in Alaska. I personally enjoyed "Into the Wild." It made me feel pity and sadness toward Chris one moment, then I would sense his desire for adventure and root for him to survive. The author tells the story of McCandless in the way he thought it should be told, as if Chris were a hero. I must admit though that the way the book is written is kind of confusing. The author has other stories in the middle of the book, which interupt the flow of the story. Even with these slight interuptions, the main story still manages to flow on afterwards. I think "Into the Wild" appeals to the outdoors types, nature lovers, and those similiar to McCandless, carefree and seeking adventure.
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Summary: It's the saddest picture I've ever seen.
Review: I can't stop looking at the photo of Chris McCandless sitting in front of Bus 142 in his ragged clothes, long hair and beard, emaciated, but smiling broadly. It is the saddest picture I've ever seen. It hurts me to look at it. I knew from the start that McCandless lost his life in pursuit of a dream. Yet I could no more stop reading than McCandless could give up going to Alaska. Jon Krakauer did a superb job of investigation, analysis and writing what must have been a most difficult project. I can't say I enjoyed reading the book, but I'll never forget it. I'm still grieving for Chris McCandless.
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Summary: don't read this at work.....
Review: I tried to read this book at work, and i ended up messing some stuff up ..lol. It was so good that i couldn't put it down, although i was left reaching for more about "alexander supertramp" and his life. As a person who is caught in the bonds of society reading this book helps me appreciate what life is about, and that length is not a determining factor in it's value. So read it already
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Summary: The Final Adventure
Review: After reading a segment of the book initially in Outside magazine, I couldn't wait to get the book, paperback, that is. Well I wasn't dissappointed and I whipped through the book in record time. The allure of the book is similar to the draw Chris had for Alaska. The unknown and the adventure it brings can be intoxicating, even deadly. The story of this young adventure idealist is a compelling straightforward account. Written with the insight of a true life adventurer-journalist, Jon Krakauer does an outstanding job recreating the mystery surrounding the life of Chris McCandless, who gave up everything for adventure. Many want to do something along these lines but few have the nerve to actually do it. The questions abound throughout the book concerning, the why did he do this and of course they are never answered. This is a book that you can be read very quickly, quicker than the ill advised adventure Chris McCandless lived in Alaska. If you like to travel and have a bit of wanderlust running through your veins, read this book, but not while you are solo in the wilderness. The author draws a compassionate picture of Chris and one can't help but feel for him. I think the man did what he wanted to do and miscalculated, hence a fatal mistake. Much like the parachutist who loves skydiving until the chute doesn't open, Chris probably loved his adventure until the hunger pangs finally let him rest in peace.
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Summary: far too good to put down
Review: i have read this book twice, in a total of 3 days. the picture krakauer paints of chris/alex is one of possibly the most intriguing person i have ever met. one gets the sense that the apparent contradictions in chris' personality had a deeper underlying logic that when understood would show that they are not contradictions at all, just the behavior of someone who understands quite a bit more (or maybe quite a bit less) than we. this book is fantastic, i encourage anyone with a sense of adventure to read it. and it you dont have such a sense, this book may give you one. :)
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Summary: Anacortes, WA
Review: After having had this book for some time, I finally set out to make it part of my summer 2000 reading schedule. I am drawn to books of the northern wilderness, which was the initial attraction to this one. I'll state up front that I have not read anything else by Krakauer, so I cannot draw any comparisons as other reviewers have done. Krakauer tells the tale effectively. He uses an intelligent vocabulary balanced with a conversational writing style. He easily held my attention as the facts unfolded throughout, employing logic and drawing inferences to fill in many questions that remain. He obviously did his research on the central character, Christopher McCandless, and must have invested countless quantities of money and time to gather accurate information. With so many of the facts of this distressing story remaining obscured probably forever, his assumptions and extrapolations about Chris' actual fate are posed as theories rather than as irreproachable conclusions. I appreciate this aspect of Krakauer's account. Hats off also to the McCandless family, since Krakauer relied upon them not only for information about their son, tragically lost, but also for their courage in allowing many private family issues to be exposed in support of telling the story as thoroughly as possible. Chris' father, mother, and sister are true heroes in my eyes. I have some degree of understanding of Chris and his northerly wanderlust, and also an appreciation for the not-so-uncommon desire to conquer the wilderness. What concerns me, however, is the apparent arrogance of the central character. According to the author's account, Chris seemed to possess an intermittent wariness about his closest acquaintances, along with outright rejection of others who cared for him much more than he cared for them. He treated some important people who crossed his path as disposable. But probably Chris's most crucial deficiency was the flippant and over-confident approach towards the actual work of survival in the wilderness. He even seemed a bit contemptuous toward relevant learning despite his quality education and intelligence. He especially needed important knowlege about survival in the wilds of the north. However, he apparently rebuffed all attempts from others to assist him in his quest. I have spent considerable time in the extreme north of B.C. (an area not entirely dissimilar to Alaska): it is ridiculous, misguided, and presumptuous to embark on such an adventure with the dearth of equipment, supplies, and knowledge as did Chris. I would want to know everything possible about how to survive such a life and death endeavor. Indeed, I feel a strange combination of sadness and anger as I reflect on Chris's unfortunate departure. Was his death ultimately caused by youthful innocence or arrogant ignorance? It is a question I cannot answer and I commend Krakauer for his deft ability to stimulate thought in the reader rather than provide tidy little assumptive answers. My only complaint: the personal reflective chapter towards the end of the book. I understand why Krakauer included it (personal connections with the need for adventure, context, struggles with nature, etc.), but for me it was irrelevant and it de-railed the flow of the story. Perhaps we can learn from Christopher McCandless' experience, not in any attempt to qualify him as a martyr or to label him a fool. I have thought about how my appreciation for the north has changed, how families need to be close, the requirement to really listen to and understand people, and countless other themes which have been tweaked by Jon Krakauer's writing about Chris' misadventure. I recommend this book highly.
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Summary: This book held me in a trance!
Review: Some may say this is a sad story and for some this is true. I differ, for Alex (Chris McCandless) lived more in in two years than many do in 20. This is as close to true freedom as one can get. Into The Wild is the most readable book I've ever picked up. Krakauer is an excellent journalist. The story begins as a mystery. Why did Chris McCandless abandon every worldly asset in he owned to live a nomadic and bohemian lifestyle? How did he wind up dead in the Alaskan woods? Krakauer draws from detective like interviews and his own experience to put the puzzle together. There is no doubt in my mind that no amount of money can buy McCandless' experiences in those years of adventure before he died. Everyone will die. McCandless' life up to that point will fascinate me for years to come. I thank John Krakauer for putting in print.
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Summary: A must read
Review: One of the best books I have ever read. I found myself completely engrossed by the true story of a man who wanted something more out of life than a well-manicured lawn and a three car garage. If your looking for a thought-provoking read, than this is the book. I will read it again and again.
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Summary: Krakauer really knows how to bore!
Review: In "Into the Wild," Krakauer tries to delve into the minds of really bland, plainly foolish people. Even if he were remotely successful (which he wasn't), why would anyone care about someone who wants to wonder around the country and live a nomadic existance. This book simply lists boring events. DON'T BOTHER.
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Summary: Haunting
Review: Krakauer's account is fascinating if not extremely disturbing. The only criticism I have is the author's discussion of his own wilderness experiences which interrupt the flow of the book. But even having said that, this is a fabulous book. This one will stay with you for a long time.
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