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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According to the quote on the cover of my paperback edition of Into Thin Air, The Wall Street Journal says that Into Thin Air, “Ranks among the great adventure books of all time.” With all due respect to TWSJ, it is “THE greatest adventure book of all time!” Although I’ve never climbed Everest, and probably never will, I hope to one day make it to …
Wow, talk about gripping! I love reading Jon Krakauer’s books; they are so well-informed, touching on such great life journeys or history. There is so much controversy surrounding this fateful trek to the top of Everest; I just can’t read enough about the epic event. This is my favorite account, followed by Anatoli Boukreev’s own narrative/book. I …
An amazing first-hand recounting of a disaster climbing Mount Everest. It is very well told giving insight into the logistics, politics and realities of mountain climbing and the commercialization of a dangerous sport without talking down or being overly technical.
This i a true story. I was so engrossed that even though I read it in the summer, …
Of all the things I could say about this book, I will start with one, rather ineloquent word: WOW. To say I do not understand a mountaineer’s drive to climb these mountains, at all costs and with great personal risk, is an understatement. I straight-up think these people are crazy! That being said however, I also cannot fathom the intense feeling …
I have always thought that mountain climbers are out of their minds. Any activity that is so dangerous that life insurance flat out will not cover death while engaged in that activity is, imho, a death wish. I get that people love the challenge, the accomplishment, but for me, I think the risks outweigh whatever the thrills might be.
HOWEVER, …
Krakauer paints the scenery of Mount Everest with breath-taking reality. One of the best adventure books out there. A read-through-the-cracks-between-your fingers book describing events from 1996 and a perilous climb. Absolutely brilliant.
A well-told narrative but with a caution: To view the whole story in context, it is my opinion that one must read “The Climb: Tragic Ambitions on Everest” by Anatoli Boukreev.
A page-turner in every sense. Filled with great personal triumph and catastrophic human tragedy. At times you don’t want to keep reading, but also can’t put it down.
If you read only one book about real-life mountain climbing, read this. That is all.
Excellent yet tragic, true experience.
Amazing writing by Jon Krakauer. The story starts at the top of the world. The motivations of all the characters are superb. The hardships of climbing and the harmful effects of hypoxia are extremely realistic. The reasons attributing to the accident are thought-provoking glimpses into the dangers of group-think. This book is a thoughtful …
Oh, my gosh – my heart is in my throat. This book. A true adventurer’s book – so sad, so incredible, so much.
I am always awed by the fact that people push themselves to these types of limits; it would never, not ever be on my bucket list to even attempt to climb a mountain, but people do it, all the time. And sometimes they fail and it’s …
The Everest disaster was devastating at the time, and this version of the events really puts you into the minds of the hikers as the events unfolded
Sad story of an over achiever in a complicated family. His idealistic youthful point of view and his disillusionment with his father sent him on a self destructive odessey.
If you like books on mountain climbing, read this book.
Jon Krakaur recounts the events leading up to one of the worst days in the history of climbers of Mt. Everest. He chronicles the characters in several different climbing teams in painstaking detail thus starting out by illustrating the divergent characters who, though they may not particularly like each other, will have to watch out for each …
Intense.
As a life long mountain climber with my own share of epics behind me, this book struck a cord. I recommend it for climbers and non climbers alike.
Best of all his books!
A well researched and written account of a disastrous Everest climbing season. A look at the personalities, egos and heroes that ask the question should anyone be allowed to attempt this just because they can afford to pay large sums of money?