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Summary: Mesmerizing!
Review: This book will leave you spellbound as you experience a firsthand account of the fateful Mount Everest expedition in the spring of 1996, which left 8 climbers dead. Krakauer was hired by "Outside" magazine to write a feature story on the climb, but found himself fighting for his life as a series of errors and a spring blizzard collided, leading to doom on summit day.
More than just an engrossing yarn, Krakauer's story charts the psychology that drives man to test the elements, and powerfully brings home the truth that Mother Nature still rules supreme on the mountain the Nepalese call "Sagarmatha".
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Summary: Enthralling Tragedy
Review: Could not put the book down....I was totally absorbed. This true story has a true twist at the end. The story is told with honesty and intrigue. I rarely critique books, I only do so when one truly moves me. I highly recommend this book.
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Summary: This was one scary adventure
Review: This book is about the 1996 climbing season on Mt. Everest. The book is excellent. It starts with a history of the mountain and a little about the major players of the story. I don't want to give away too much but everything goes wrong at the worst time and several poeple don't make it back from the summit bid. It makes you think, and you see how sometimes a strong will is what keeps you alive and for somebody else and strong will is what kills him(or her). This isn't a book that you read, put down, and forget about. I'd recommend this book to anybody.
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Summary: Into Thin Air
Review: I thought that INTO THIN AIR was a fantastic book. I read it during the school year and had a lot to say about it to my teacher. The way the author, Jon Krakauer, tells of his adventure atop Mount Everest sent a chill through my body, as if I was climbing along the mountain, right next to him. Not only did I learn things about the mountain and its history, I learned what it's like to attempt to climb to the highest point on the face of the Earth. It's pretty amazing when you think about it. INTO THIN AIR is also amazing -- READ IT!!! :-)
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Summary: Into Thin Air Rises to Dizzying Heights
Review: You'll want to read this with an oxygen mask on, because Krakauer's immediate and bracing writing will put you feeling and tasting the peril of that fateful '96 Everest expedition in which 8 people perished. I can honestly say that I have never been so completely absorbed by a book as I was with "Into Thin Air." I picked it up and held on tight for the horrifying, and all together engaging, ride up Everest and really didn't put it down until I was finished a day and a half later. It was that good. What puts this book above the rest of the fray of wilderness adventure writing is Krakauer's personal and extremely knowledgeable take on the sport of Mountain Climbing. In addition to that, he is just a plain good writer. He tenders and cultivates his trade as a writer much as he does his love for the skill of climbing. Krakauer's cautionary tale in "Into Thin Air" should have kept recreational climbers far away from the overcrowded, life-taking, and littered slopes of Everest; however, it was followed by the Breshears' IMAX expedition of the film "Everest" that again put the wanderlust of high altitude into arm chair climbers across the globe. That doesn't lessen Krakauer's socially conscious effort to keep the mountains pristine and discourage inexperienced climbers from getting in over their collective vulnerable heads before they have had time to gain experience in their sport. This book made my "15 best books that I wouldn't have wanted to miss reading in a lifetime list" (that's quite a long title for that list). But the point is, "Into Thin Air" is that good. I plan to read it again when my breathing returns to normal, my feet warm up, and I can resupply my oxygen bottles.
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Summary: MAJESTIC TRAGEDY ON THE ROOF Of THE WORLD
Review: I don't know if sorrow, exhaustion or agony can be pictured. However, in this book, they are surely worded. Jon Krakauer, one of the survivors of the tragedy, reveals the rise of death above 8000 meters with a most vivid, candid language spoken through his heart. He makes the reader gasp for air, ask for help and pray for a peaceful end. But there's no way, because the reader is trapped in the death zone, wondering why he has come so high and looking for a way out of this total white out. I'd advice anyone interested in Himalayan mountaineering to read this book. It gives a most gruesome yet truthful insight of what goes on above daily ground. It is a majestic tragedy on the roof of the world mistified by the jet winds and sense of death.
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Summary: NOT AS GOOD AS I THOUGHT, BUT IT HAD TO BE TOUGH
Review: THIS BOOK DIDNT REALLY REACH OUT TO ME AS IT WOULD HAVE TO MABYE OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS THAT LOST THERE LOVED ONES. INTO THIN AIR JUST WASNT A BOOK THAT CAUGHT MY ATTENTION BUT I COULD NEVER IMAGINE WHAT THOSE CLIMBERS WERE GOING THROUGH UP ON EVEREST.
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Summary: Captivating
Review: I agree with most people that have reviewed this book. It is absolutely captivating as well as horrifying. Krakauer helps you to strap on your crampons and take the climb with the expedition. As the horror evolved, I found myself not able to put down the book. Especially once the climbers found themselves struggling for their lives during the decent. Definitely a book for adventure/nature people!
Rating:
Summary: A spellbinding must-read
Review: This is one of the better books I've read recently. Krakauer takes the reader with him to the slopes of Everest for the doomed expedition in May of 1996, carefully reconstructing the events in consultation with other survivors of the catastrophe. The result is a volume that really captivates the reader; I could barely put it down. A must-read for anyone.
Rating:
Summary: A "Can't put it down" read
Review: I was glued to Jon Krakauers, Into Thin Air. I am an armchair adventurer. After reading his book I have read every other account of the events on Everest that tragic May. I did like, "The Climb" equally. But, the more I read the more I do feel Anatoli Boukreev did not act in the best interest of his clients. I think Jon Krakauer wrote as honest an account as her could especially when you consider the stresses of the situation. Beck Weathers book could be a bit silly (His cat talks to him) but I still liked it and him. Lene Gamelguards book sympathizes with Anatoli. I can't wait to read the Norgay book. But Jon Krakauer gives the best overall accout
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