Rating: 
Summary: One of the 10 best books that I have ever read!
Review: Once I started reading this book I couldn't hardly put it downuntil I was finished. I really like Krakauer's writing style and thefact that he was an eye witness to this disaster helped to make it that much more interesting. He seemed to give an honest account of the things that went wrong and the peoples reactions to them. It seems misfortunate that there were so many people on the mountain that day in May of 1996 and so many that weren't well qualified. The way Jon told the story I felt like I was there and it took me several days to get it off of my mind. It must be troubling to know that people are dying around you and there is no way that you can really help them. Thanks Jon for writing this book as I have been following this disaster since it happened and was glad to see this detailed account written by someone who was actually there. I am now reading his earlier book "Into the Wild".
Rating: 
Summary: Well-Written Non-Masterpiece
Review: Reviewing the other book reviews here, and the publicdebate staged in the media,it may be that therelated issues and disagreement may be more interesting than than the book itself. Ah,the book, yes,I do believe that is is very well-written, but hardly a masterpiece. After wrapping the read, it does also appear that Mr. Krakauer has tried very hard to make a leveled analysis of all involved, including himself. I think the problem that is arising is that most people in the general public do not have an ethical problem with the author profiting from his experience,but the climbing community (with its nebulous boundaries) does. The event lacks precedent as no so-called 'climber' has ever so aggressively promoted himself and his work as Mr. Krakauer has recently done. Perhaps there has been a kind of unwritten code which has detered others from pushing as hard. With the recent re-issue of 'Eiger Dreams' the back cover implies that Mr. Krakauer had previously completed an attempt on K2. When was that? Since he had never been as high as Everest basecamp before,then his K2 try must have failed somewhere near the mountain town of Askole on the approach. With details such as this and Mr. Krakauer's highly emotional (yet understandable) declaration that he will never climb to 8000 meters again, many in the sport feel that he has rushed into 8000 meter climbing,thrashed about, and plodded back to the permanent 'safety' of sea level where he is undertaking sweeping pronouncements on a sport that has become an important way of life for many. The result is that many feel that his profit is coming directly at the expense of the sport which he claims to love. Afterall, how much does the author really know about 8000 meter climbing after one single climb?? Not only had he never climbed a 7000 meter peak, or a 6000 meter peak, but perhaps not even a 5000 meter peak in his entire life. Enjoy the book, but understand that Mr. Krakauer's opinions are merely that, and yes there are many opinions in these pages even though they may be expertly camouflaged as fact. Beneath the information that is presented here is one singularly dramatic and tragic story, but not years of toil and sacrifice on the big mountains which could served him so well on the mountain last spring and consequently in the crafting of this disturbing book.
Rating: 
Summary: readers of outside magazine alert!!
Review: If you have read Krakauer's account of the disaster in OutsideMagazine, then you have no need to read this book. Have we, OutsideMagazine Readers, heard enough of this or what? How much more can we stand? How much more squabbling over what actually happened between the people that were up there can we take? Enough is Enough. Buy the magazine-it's cheaper.
Rating:
Summary: Brutally honest portrayal of a tragedy.
Review: Krakauer details not only the story of the tragic '96expedition, but the reasons for its failure. He is brutally honestwith his own emotions regarding everest; he shouldn't have been there. "Into Thin Air" tells a story where a select few have attempted to buy their way to the summit. Unfortunately, some paid with their lives. It is as if the reader is right there on Everest, a part of the expedition. Thankfully, we are not. The writing is superb. If you start reading it, be prepared to finish it in one sitting.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent read!
Review: One of the best books I've read in a long time. I read it in one sitting. The author does an excellent job of explaining the history of Everest, the industry of climbing Everest and the culture of the climbers and Sherpa's. He doesn't get over dramatic but delivers a clear and engaging accounting of the events that transpired. My guess is one of the best if not the best of just such a situation.
My only complaint is that he glosses over the controversey with Sandy Pittman.
Bottom line: Great book! I'm going to read it a second time.
Rating:
Summary: An Epic Story Well Told
Review: As an amateur climber, I found the book balanced andthoughtful. John is a great story teller and this is a greatstory. Even my wife (who is horrified I do this sport) loved it. John, thanks for being welling to share it.
Rating:
Summary: Simply a fantastic book. . .
Review: "Into Thin Air" is absolutely fantastic.Well-written and compelling, it's a book that I couldn't put down.I've already recommended the book as one of the best I've read in the last 5 years. As for those who criticize Krakauer -- I really don't understand it. Yes, he's getting media attention, but so what? In this book, there are no villains, no heroes -- only real people. Krakauer takes more blame for himself than he tosses toward other people. "Into Thin Air" has it all -- a compelling story with meticulous research, fascinating characters, and written with wondrous stlye. Nicholas Sparks, author of THE NOTEBOOK.
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Summary: Never climb?...never crow
Review: JK review of the events that transpired on last years everestexpedition are without a doubt some of the clearest recolections oftime spent above 8,000 meters. As a longtime climber and one of the few who has been to Camp IV, I will tell all who feel the need to question the actions of last years expidition. Above 8,000m nothing is rational, nothing makes sense, only one thing is running through your brain. "how do I get out of here?", if people feel the need to blame JK for not helping his fellow climbers then I suguest you take a moment to listen to some words that apply "Only the strong will survive"
Rating:
Summary: Good Book. Facts, with little analysis
Review: If I were to tell you that this book needed more photos of teammembers, you'd dismiss this as trite. But it's not, for this reason:In _Into The Wild_, Krakauer gave more of an emphasis on seeking to determine WHY McCandless embarked upon an ill-fated adventure. That work was developed, personified, analyzed. _Into Thin Air_ only gives a few of K's. speculations on why this major x. up was permitted to happen. What he wishes not to provide in full analysis and judgement, he makes up for with linear chronology that may claim greater objectivity. Krakauer assumes responsibility for his mistakes. He states he didn't wait the 2-3 years to write this to develop "perspective": it had to be written now. As such, it's NOT Norm McLean's _Young Men and Fire_, a painstaking analysis of research that so well analyzed the '49 fire at Mann Gulch, MT.. _Thin Air_ is good, but WHY this was permitted to happen, however, I feel, was left mostly unanswered. Do we look forward to his readdress in the future?
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Summary: An account of man's grandiosity and abject depravity
Review: As a non-climber, I am still amazed that Into Thin Air was ableto keep me riveted for two days until, finally, I took a deep breathand finished the book. Like some other readers, I felt stunned by the account of these climbers whose grandiosity would allow them to step over the bodies of comrades in order to attain the summit. These bodies were left behind, out in the open, some for decades even. Five more climbers have died on Mt. Everest this season. The mountain is more crowded than ever with climbers, but also with dead bodies. Only the most grandiose of ambition and the most abject depravity would allow someone to look the other way, to step over the bodies, and proceed to the top. This is a sport, folks, not a war!!!!! I view Krakauer's book as an extremely important sociological document. Also, by the way, fascinating reading.
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