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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One of the best books I have ever read (and I read copiously!!) I am fascinated by anything about Everest because I don’t get mountain climbing as I am terrified of heights. I have read much about Everest, the region and the personalities and this by far was one of the best ever written on the subject.
This is an incredible true story that is superbly written. Definitely a book one should read.
One of my favorite books that I’ve ever read.
Wonderfully written! Makes you feel as if you were there.
Great read – true story and all the facts will never be known.
If The Long Winter is your favorite Wilder book, this tale of Mr. Everest survival is for you. Krakauer knows how to craft an event into a true story that reads like a novel.
It has been a number of years since I first read this book. It was significant in that it lead me to read so many other books about mountain climbing. It really makes you think about the overcrowding on Everest and the promotion of tours that bring inexperienced and under qualified climbers into the death zone for profit.
He was selfish to leave his son and wife just to climb a mountain
This is a classic. And as applicable today as it was 25 years ago when Krakauer wrote it. Read it because IT WAS 25 years ago and the tragedy continues on Everest. We can share the dismay that Krakauer felt then, and realize, that really, nothing has changed? Aside from the moral lesson about how we treat our planet, it’s just a dam fine …
I read this book in two days- couldn’t put it down.
Great book
Tragic real life story
Excellent book! Highly recommend.
Loved every tense minute of the book
My son read it after I did a few years back. We werejust about to get on a plane, he had just finished it and was going to leave it in the waiting area for another traveler, but as we were to go down the ramp, he ran back and grabbed the book. “Into Thin Air” he was a little worried about the title and our long flight. Anyway we both liked the …
A nonjudgmental and enveloping story of a young man’s challenge of Nature.
A great story, told well…what more can you ask for?
This book makes you never want to think about ever climbing Mt. Everest.
Amazing story!
One of my favorite books!