When Jon Krakauer reached the summit of Mt. Everest in the early afternoon of May 10,1996, he hadn’t slept in fifty-seven hours and was reeling from the brain-altering effects of oxygen depletion. As he turned to begin the perilous descent from 29,028 feet (roughly the cruising altitude of an Airbus jetliner), twenty other climbers were still pushing doggedly to the top, unaware that the sky had … had begun to roil with clouds…
Into Thin Air is the definitive account of the deadliest season in the history of Everest by the acclaimed Outside journalist and author of the bestselling Into the Wild. Taking the reader step by step from Katmandu to the mountain’s deadly pinnacle, Krakauer has his readers shaking on the edge of their seat. Beyond the terrors of this account, however, he also peers deeply into the myth of the world’s tallest mountain. What is is about Everest that has compelled so many poeple–including himself–to throw caution to the wind, ignore the concerns of loved ones, and willingly subject themselves to such risk, hardship, and expense?
Written with emotional clarity and supported by his unimpeachable reporting, Krakauer’s eyewitness account of what happened on the roof of the world is a singular achievement.
From the Paperback edition.
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This is one of the best books I have ever read. It describes the disasterous 1996 assult on Mt. Everest. If you ever had any idea of climbing Everest read this first. It makes it abundantly clear that once you are abovr 8000 meters (the death zone)it is every man for himself. Also if you die on Everest you become part of the landscape.
Absurd and unbelievable.
Amazing what man can do when he is not willing to give up regardless of the situation.
Immersive. Compelling. Adrenalized. Sadly true.
Best read in summer when you can step out in the heat and shake off the bone deep cold. You will feel the altitude sickness and pervasive chill after you quit turning pages. Excellent book recounting the coalescing of events in an exotic setting that reminds me of tragedies here in our 14ers.
The story of tragedy on a mountain climbing expedition is not for the faint-of-heart. But Krakauer is a gifted writer who understands the allure of mountain climbing as well as the economics of it. This story is full of larger-than-life characters as well as ordinary Joe’s, and the intersection of the two groups, as well as their relationship to …
Very well written. Engrossing story of a tragedy
great book about Mt Everest summiteers
Gene Pantalone, author of From Boxing Ring to Battlefield: The Life of War Hero Lew Jenkins.
Recommended. Into Thin Air was a great read.
Hands-down, a classic adventure tale.
His account of true events on one of the deadliest days on Mount Everest in recorded history.
Wonderful book. One of my all time favorites. Very easy to see how greed and corruption destroy everything even on the highest place on the planet.
If you read Into The Wild this book will not disappoint
Amazing Read!! Highly recommend!