Rating:  Summary: Only the selfish survive Review: Oddly enough, right in the middle of reading "Into Thin Air", Ifound myself thinking about "Schindler's List". Why? I rememberreading somewhere that what attracted Speilberg to Schindler's story was the fact that the man really acted out of his own selfish interests. Fortunately for those on the List, their good fate coincided with his desires. The graphic novel "Maus" also thouches on this theme - those that survive often act out of self-interest. The kind hearted and generous are the first to go. Only the good die young. Krakauer's chances of survival would have taken a nosedive if he had stopped to help Beck down. He was already hypoxic, having almost blacked out at the Hillary Step. The book is so gripping because we all wonder, "What would I have done?" Those who choose to help might not have lived to tell the tale. This adventure tale about mountain climbing casts a harsh, strong light on the human condition, and demonstrates in stark detail how noble desires mix with greed, pride, and selfishness. An utterly compelling tale.
Rating:  Summary: A great true-life adventure story Review: Krakauer presents a great true-life adventure story. He triesto give the reader a complete picture of the nature of an Everestexpedition, and gives a complete picture of this particluar expedition. He clearly depicts both the grandeur of Everest and the seediness of the Nepalese climbing industry.Krakauer's attention to detail shows how a series of seemingly minor mistakes and misjudgements can quickly add up to catastrophe in a place where there is no room for error. Krakauer pries into the motivations of the various parties to try to give the reader an understanding of what happened. But he stops well short of compelte speculation when such understanding in impossible to apprehend. For climbers, outdoor adventurers, and wannabes, this story will stick with you for a long time. It is educational, exciting, and thrilling.
Rating:  Summary: The compulsion to climb is just like the compulsion to read. Review: Like many of the other readers I read Mr. Krakauer's wonderfulbook in a single day, and simply could not put the book down. I wasand still am profoundly perplexed at the motiviation to undertake such a climb. It disturbs me that people would put their lives at risk to climb so high. Similarly, in myself I observed I was being drawn into this ill fated adventure with an inescapable compulsion to finish reading the book. I have resolved to avoid any moutain climbing, but reading Into Thin Air has opened a whole new genre of reading for me.
Rating:  Summary: WAITING TO INHALE Review: WOW!!!! YOU'LL NEED AN OXYGEN-BOTTLE TO READ THISBOOK......ABSOLUTELY BREATHTAKING. JUST LIKE AN AVALANCHE ACCUMULATINGMASS ON ITS WAY DOWN A MOUNTAIN, THIS EXPEDITION WAS LIKE AN AVALANCHE GOING UP THE MOUNTAIN WITH ITS ARRAY OF ERRORS AND MISJUDGEMENTS ONLY TO CULMINATE AT A HORRIFIC END........I FINSHED THE BOOK A WEEK OR SO AGO BUT I'M STILL HAUNTED BY THE CHARACTERS. I CANT REMEMBER A BOOK HAVING THIS MUCH IMPACT ON ME EVER. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE INTERESTED IN THE HUMAN PSYCHE.
Rating:  Summary: I had to stop and take deep breaths to continue reading Review: Only twice in my life have I been terrified by a book. Bothprevious occasions were works of nonfiction: In Cold Blood and TheBoston Strangler. In each of these books, the author brilliantly lures you into an environment that is both fascinating and terrifying. Although you cannot escape the sense of foreboding, you also cannot put the book down. I felt exactly this sensation while reading "Into Thin Air." I had to stop repeatedly to take deep breaths, reminding myself that, although the story was true, I was not experiencing it personally. I have never read a book more evocative of the dangers and beauty of nature. In one sense the book explores a strange terrain, the minds and hearts of mountain climbers. On another level, the book explores the longing for accomplishment, the most common human experience. I've had to stop myself from remembering too clearly the experiences catalogued in this brilliant book.
Rating:  Summary: Breathtaking... you'll need oxygen while reading it! Review: I'm not sure how many postive reviews a book needs, but afterreading this one, I feel that the least I can do is join in thepraises. This is one of those rare books that will make you feel the strange attraction man has towards achieving feats that seem impossible and dangerous. After reading the book I have this unrelenting urge to visit the place that has caused Mr. Krakauer and his colleagues so much agony. I must be insane...
Rating:  Summary: I read this book in four hours Review: Wow! Since you already know the ending, what can he do to keepyou awake? Plenty: There are a plethora of facts about climbing,altitude sickness/difficulties, geographical rivalries and politics. Then, there are the personalities and the greed -- Sandy Pittman wasn't the only fool on the hill -- and all that hubris. Finally, there's the evocation of the tragedy itself, meticulously dissected and flawlessly tracked. This book doesn't rate a "10" (I can't think of many that would) but, by sheer dint of his courage and art, Jon Krakauer creates wonderful literature out of snow and ice.
Rating:  Summary: Great book Review: Amazing, factual account of a phenomenal experience. I couldimagine myself in the predicaments which were described, although Ihaven't been anywhere close to 29K feet altitude (outside a plane). I found myself thinking and re-thinking certain some of the more nightmarish circumstances and awaking in the night thinking about them even more (but for just a few nights). I highly recommend this book to anyone with a taste for outside adventure. Ben Bell
Rating:  Summary: A brilliant and detailed account of a world's disaster Review: First off, I have been a fan of Krakauer for a while. I've readInto the Wild and have Eager Dreams on order with Amazon right now. Iread his article in Outside magazine after the incident first happened and was totally captivated by it. When i heard he was writing a book about it I was really happy, because he has a such a brilliant way of writing that he would for sure write the best account of it ( besides the fact that he was actually there!). He brings you face to face with one of the worlds biggest and most dangerous temptations, while at the same time taking you into the mankinds desire to push everything to the limit. The writing of this horror seems to flow through the entire book, twisting and weaving it's points and opinions into your mind. In the end you come out breathing hard, on the verge of tears, and in total shock from the harshness of this encounter with natures beast. The intensity of this book is unsurpassed and the emotions flow from it like rivers to the ocean. Jon Krakauer is one of the most brilliant wilderness writer's of all time. He captures the essence of peoples fascination with the wild and molds it into some of the most interesting accounts of the unknown world. Into Thin Air is one of my favorite books and I urge anyone with a strong heart to read it.
Rating:  Summary: A great read that will literally take your breath away! Review: The mark of a good book is that even though you know whathappened, you enjoy it anyway.For me it was especially gripping as Ihave a fear of heights and cannot imagine how determined, skilled and fearless these climbers must be.How must it feel to be cruising at 29,000 feet in an airplane and look out the window to the summit of Everest and think that you will be on the roof of the world if you can get to the top. I think Mr.Krakauer's story is an honest account and represents his way of coming to terms with what happened on the mountain.The only drawback for me was that not enough of the other climbers characters.were fully drawn. I would have liked to better understand what makes people want to put themselves in this life or death situation.I 'm ready for the IMAX movie.
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