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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The author brings the reader right onto the mountain.
I am a Mt. Everest junkie. Love reading about the climbs. This particular season was more deadly than others. The will to survive was incredible. The details unforgettable. Highly recommend.
Great story about a tragic death on Mt Everest. An inspiration
An interesting story worth reading.
I could not put this book down. A fascinating read about people on a quest for which they are very ill prepared & the brave (and crazy) folks who tried to help them attain their goal.
I read this book several years ago and I still think about it.
Brilliantly written, fascinating tale of a high stakes tragedy.
This story is so revealing about the people who feel the need to scale the highest heights, no matter the peril… and for what? What haunts me is the ones who stay on the mountain, and for what? They have their reasons; they just wouldn’t entice me up there.
Best book about the Everest tragedy, narrated by the author who was up close and was involved in that storm.
Love every book he’s written. He chooses great subjects and his books are always page turners.
If you like mountain climbing adventures, this is your book.
A great documentary about how irresponsible practices is costing lives and turning the once pristine mountain into a garbage dump/graveyard. A cry for more responsible management of the great mountain.
Krakauer is genius.
The ultimate true story of attempt to climb Everest. Feit I was there
Feels like you are climbing Everest yourself – although this is a haunting and unpredictable experience. Interesting characters – makes you shake your head as to why people would try this.
A fascinating study of how people can focus on a goal to the point where they stop being logical or rational. Also shows how others can drop everything and join together to accomplish a difficult rescue.
Loved this non-fiction account of climbing Everest in 1996 …
krakauer at his best.
Could not let this book rest nor could I until the last page! An excellent read!
SV
I loved this book. Have read everything I can find about the subject ever since.