Into the Wild

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely compelling.
Review: This true story tells of an adventurous young man hitchhiking his way to Alaska. As a senior in high school, relating to Chris McCandless' character was rather easy. A man, so courageous that he would place his dreams first, and his life second. I believe everyone would instantly fall in love with his character. Krakauer wrote this tragic story in such a way that you can picture everything McCandless went through. It's one of the rare books that even makes a high school student like me become so absorbed in it that you can't put it down unless you finish it.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating book that will change your life.Inspirational
Review: Loving the outdoors, I was immediatly drawn to the book and Chris McCandles. I even keep the book on my bedstand so I can go through it now and then for inspirationa and to reread some of the letters he wrote. I liked the book because the book was very meaningful and true and it dealt with issues I have thought about many times before. I think alot of people sometimes wish they where Chris Mccandles but don't have enough guts to get there and be him. Sometimes I dream about being in the wildreness trying to figure out the true meaning of life and not having to deal with todays society. But then I come back to reality and know why God has put me here. Chris was the same way but he was the real deal. He was a true soul searcher. Trying to figure out lifes meaning. He showed the reader what being out of college is suppose to be all about. Living the reck loose life with no cares in the world. The only part about Chris I didnt like is how he cut his parents off totally. A parents nightmare. Also wish he wouldn't of died because I would've liked to meet him someday. Other than that the book was awesome. Read this book it will change your life and the way you look at things in life. Swear to God it will. I would enjoy to hear feed back from you. [e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: Very addicting, and a compelling story
Review: Into the Wild is a biography about this collage graduates (McCandless, Christopher Johnson) idea of 'Living his life to the fullest' and the fact that he is no longer around to tell is tale. The author (Jon Krakauer) wrote this book only with the evidence of letters, pictures, film, and a diary. The whole idea of someone giving up his stable life just because he is ambitious of living life on the edge of survival is, well... put it this way, try to imagine something infinite (like an infinite anount written of written numbers). You can't, right? So even though you can't understand why Chris McCandless would want to give up his old life (which-like I said- he was VERY stable) for a hobo's life, you could try to by reading this book. I said this book was addicting because it is extremely well done (in my opinion). So pick it up and enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: One of the most fascinating books I have ever read.
Review: Being a person who enjoys the outdoors and the wilderness, I was immediatly drawn to this book. Luckily, it did not let me down in any way, and, in fact, it was much more interesting that I thought it would be. The letter that Christopher McCandless aka Alexander Supertramp wrote to one of his friends, should be read by everyone. I enjoyed the book because I found it very insightful and intriguing. I also liked it because the more I read it, the more I found that I had in common with him. I think many people, deep down, have a desire to get away from society and to live in the wild for a bit.

Rating:
Summary: Probably the most interesting book I've ever read
Review: I'll never forget this book. I could read it over and over... it's such a fascinating story. A true life adventure, full of hubris.

In response to those two reviews which gave very low scores: I don't think you should have rated this book after being forced to read it in class. There are many reasons why that can cast a negative light on the whole subject... some books aren't for some people, and if the book just isn't your thing, pretend you never read it..

The general rule is, if you wouldn't have read it idenpendently by yourself, don't review it.

Also, just because you disagree with the glorification of Chris McCandless (whether or not he deserves it is beside the point), you shouldn't judge the book on that.

Rating:
Summary: Um, Interesting, I Guess
Review: Well, this book is different, I guess. My 6th grade teacher made me read it, along with many other books. I don't think that that the character deserves to be glorified. He had no respect for his family, his life, and the wilderness. He actually believed that he and a bag of rice could brave the Alaskan wilderness. As always, the wilderness overcame. He got what he deserved. The best part was the little paragraph on the back cover about the author, because I couldn't wait to get there. The book was very slow. There was a lot of gobbely-gook, and the writing was nothing special. I would recomend this to someone who has read every other book on earth.

Rating:
Summary: This book is really boring!!!
Review: I had to read this book for class and i read the first couple chapters and they were good(Chis in Alaska). But after he dies the book is just horrible. I'm keep asking myself how could such a dull book be rated 5 stars let a lone be a bestseller.

Rating:
Summary: Haunting story of the young man we all could have been.
Review: It's been a few months since I read Into the Wild straight through, but I still have it on the bedstand, and read from it often. At age 50, I am married, 4 kids, working as a professional, but I remember what my dreams were in the late sixties, how I travelled without plans or resources in the manner of Chris McCandless; the risks I took, so thoughtlessly and I identify strongly even now with Chris's quest for meaning. So he was ignorant and even arrogant about the challenges of living off the land in Alaska, but he was a kid for Pete's sake. This is what youth is all about, only most of us who plunge recklessly into the thick of life don't pay for it with our lives. Read this book; it will stay with you for a long, long time.

Rating:
Summary: Philosophical, inspiring, yet saddening at the same time
Review: The book was very well pulled together. Many people can see parallels between Chris' life and their own. Sometimes you just get tired of people, and want to escape life's pressures.

Rating:
Summary: This book is for any adventurer.
Review: McCandless was intriguing. He takes what you dream about and does it. He lived simply after school, and I think the reason for a poor relationship with his parents was their inability to understand him and why he went where he went and did what he did. I can relate to McCandless in that respect. Some people want you to fit the mold, they think you should do it this way or that, and they certainly believe their way is the best. McCandless went against the grain of security and easy living. Instead he worked hard when he worked and ate and lived meagerly. He experienced all the highs and lows of life never fearing what may lie ahead. Nothing could hold him back, not even money - in fact to prove it he either gave it away or burned it. And one of the best things of all, he left an impression on people, he changed their lives and gave them a new perspective. You won't be able to put this book down and it may just change your life.