Graham G. (Foucault) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 27 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 11
What an amazing book! It should be mentioned that there are other perspectives to this disaster (some which can be read in this Salon.com series of articles), and other books have been written about it, but this does not affect the fact that this is an incredibly well-written book. It reads like a suspense novel. It's just so tragic that you have to keep reminding yourself that these people were real. Real lives were lost.
In 1996, when this book is set, I was living in my home country of England, and I don't remember the story at all, so unlike some who read this book, I never saw the news stories flying about at the time. I would not normally read a book about mountaineering, but this is a book about the people involved and the narrative reads so well, that even those without any interest in the subject should find it gripping.
In 1996, when this book is set, I was living in my home country of England, and I don't remember the story at all, so unlike some who read this book, I never saw the news stories flying about at the time. I would not normally read a book about mountaineering, but this is a book about the people involved and the narrative reads so well, that even those without any interest in the subject should find it gripping.
Christina W. (CuriousChristina) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
I picked this book up as a tonic for the hottest days of summer and found I had to put it aside several times as the story felt so immediate and personal. The desire to reach the fullness of the story was in direct opposition to a palpable sense of dread that grew with each chapterâ"the writing is that good.
Helpful Score: 5
A fairly gripping nonfiction account of tragic events during the author's ascent (with a group) up Everest. I enjoyed this, although I found it a bit self-indulgent, and the author has admitted since that he probably wrote it too soon after the event--he said he got some details wrong, and his story was affected/distorted by the emotional aftermath. But definitely worth the read. I liked Krakauer's Under the Banner of Heaven and Into the Wild as well.
Other books about climbing that I recommend more strongly than this one are "K2: A Woman's Place is on Top" and "Touching the Void". For other nonfiction books on extreme sports: "To the Edge" is a phenomenal book about ultramarathoning and "Winterdance" is a terrific account of the Iditarod sled race, and "Shadow Divers" is just a wonderful book about deep wreck diving.
Other books about climbing that I recommend more strongly than this one are "K2: A Woman's Place is on Top" and "Touching the Void". For other nonfiction books on extreme sports: "To the Edge" is a phenomenal book about ultramarathoning and "Winterdance" is a terrific account of the Iditarod sled race, and "Shadow Divers" is just a wonderful book about deep wreck diving.
JENNIFER M. reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 32 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Very gripping non-fiction read. Krakauer's writing style is easy, engaging and illuminating. Highly recommended.
Janis K. (scrapbooklady) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 472 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
"Into thin Air" is a brilliantly written adventure saga that ends in tragedy. Jon Krakauer takes us step by shivering step, on his journey up Mt. Everest, during the notoriously deadly expedition of May 1996, where 4 of 11 climbers lost their lives. Barely escaping with his own life, journalist Krakauer remembers the team members and friends left on the mountain.
Helpful Score: 3
So the burning question is, what do people do after they have invested months of their time, thousands of their dollars, and superhuman effort to say they have reached the summit of Mt. Everest, and within a short climb from the top their very lives depend upon abandoning the summit? Well, they go on of course! And that is how it came to pass that eight climbers lost their lives in an attempt to reach the summit of Everest. This non-fiction account of that fateful trip comes to us from Jon Krakauer, who was there to chronicle the entire journey. Populated with a large array of characters, who although difficult to keep track of at times, Krakauer's account keeps us turning the pages if only to figure out how people can be so stupid. One society lady had to reach the summit so badly, one of the local Sherpas literally had to drag her up at the end of a rope, all but unconscious. Of those who died in the ill-timed blizzard, included were a professional Everest guide, who continued the climb even after his own established time to give it up had gone by. That's what you do when folks have paid you thousands of dollars to get them to the top! People certainly are strange. Throw in some egos and bragging rights motivations, and they become stupid. By the way - I LIKED this book! And I do recommend it. (Along with everything else Jon Krakauer has written).
Walter D. (ltwalt) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This book was riveting. I started it on travel and could not put it down after getting back home. The author stays outside the story and always is quick to note where his own involvement may have clouded his narration.
W. R. (NYbooks) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 99 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Biography * * * * Harrowing account of group of climbers who scaled Mt. Everest. Unforgettable.
Amy R. reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Non-fiction about a failed trip to the summit of Mount Everest. It was hard to put down. The author does a good job of balancing history of Everest with the stories of the people who lived and died on the mountain. Great book!
Rebecca M. reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Exciting and a quick read. Interesting even for a non-climber.
Diana N. (dancingnomad3) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Into Thin Air is "a personal account of the Mt. Everest disaster" by Jon Krakauer (author of Into The Wild.) When I first saw the title and subtitle, I figured the climbers get blown off the mountain by a storm. Actually, it's about the challenges of climbing at high altitudes where the air is considerably thinner. About two-thirds of the book details the climb up Everest before the disaster. Even in best of conditions, it sounded like a pretty harrowing ordeal.
Standing roughly 29,000 feet, Everest is the tallest mountain on Earth. Climbing it requires extraordinary skill, strength, and physiology. Many people have died climbing it. The higher you go up a mountain, the more climbers are prone to various forms of altitude sickness. Even if you do not get altitude sickness, with less oxygen to your brain, a person's mental and phsyical capacity is reduced accordingly, making one susceptable to poor judgment, cold, and injuries.
Acclimatization is an important process while climbing at high altitudes. While ascenting, climbers should rest periodically to get used to the thinning air. In the case of Everest, there are four camps above the Base Camp (17,600 ft). The acclimatization process on Everest consists of multiple climbs to each of those camps and back, each time ascending to the higher camp. Even then, staying an extended period of time above a certain height without oxygen will kill your brain cells. When making the actual summit attempt, perhaps couple of nights are spent at the lower camps while only one night is spent at the higher camps. On summit day, a climber will typically leave Camp Four just past midnight, with hopes of making it to summit by 1 or 2 pm at latest, giving them enough time for the decent back to camp before dark. That's a very long day of climbing - 15 hours or more - under the most difficult of conditions. Perhaps even after some sleepless nights in the camps below.
Imagine the challenges of climbing Everest, and then add to that a hurricane like blizzard. Some of the climbers get stuck in it on their descent from the summit. Some make it, some don't. From the very beginning, Krakauer does a great job of describing the various climbers who get involved in the disaster. It was interesting to read about the individuals' background, differences, and their performance on the mountain. In the end, it was not necessarily the strongest who survive. Sometimes luck or fate play a roll. Most times though, it's human factor. A simple mistake can lead to huge disasters, or a heroic deed saves lives.
Perhaps the one character who surprised me the most is of one who was left for dead - twice! This person was presumed dead and left overnight in a storm with no shelter in sub-freezing temperatures. Somehow the next day he regained enough strength and lucidity to find his way back to Camp Four. After other climbers helped him get comfortable, they yet again figured he would die and left him unattended during another stormy night where he suffered some more. Despite serious injuries from frostbite, he survived.
Climbing Everest crossed my mind only once several years ago when a friend told me about his desire to climb to the Everest Base Camp. By the sound of it, the Base Camp is fairly attainable (as long as you can cough up the expensive fees) so I thought... hmm. Few seconds later though, I figured I'd probably die and hadn't given it a second thought since. However, next time I'm in the mountains snowboarding and feeling cold, or struggling up some difficult hike, I hope I will remember the adversity faced by the climbers described in the book and gain strength from it.
.
Standing roughly 29,000 feet, Everest is the tallest mountain on Earth. Climbing it requires extraordinary skill, strength, and physiology. Many people have died climbing it. The higher you go up a mountain, the more climbers are prone to various forms of altitude sickness. Even if you do not get altitude sickness, with less oxygen to your brain, a person's mental and phsyical capacity is reduced accordingly, making one susceptable to poor judgment, cold, and injuries.
Acclimatization is an important process while climbing at high altitudes. While ascenting, climbers should rest periodically to get used to the thinning air. In the case of Everest, there are four camps above the Base Camp (17,600 ft). The acclimatization process on Everest consists of multiple climbs to each of those camps and back, each time ascending to the higher camp. Even then, staying an extended period of time above a certain height without oxygen will kill your brain cells. When making the actual summit attempt, perhaps couple of nights are spent at the lower camps while only one night is spent at the higher camps. On summit day, a climber will typically leave Camp Four just past midnight, with hopes of making it to summit by 1 or 2 pm at latest, giving them enough time for the decent back to camp before dark. That's a very long day of climbing - 15 hours or more - under the most difficult of conditions. Perhaps even after some sleepless nights in the camps below.
Imagine the challenges of climbing Everest, and then add to that a hurricane like blizzard. Some of the climbers get stuck in it on their descent from the summit. Some make it, some don't. From the very beginning, Krakauer does a great job of describing the various climbers who get involved in the disaster. It was interesting to read about the individuals' background, differences, and their performance on the mountain. In the end, it was not necessarily the strongest who survive. Sometimes luck or fate play a roll. Most times though, it's human factor. A simple mistake can lead to huge disasters, or a heroic deed saves lives.
Perhaps the one character who surprised me the most is of one who was left for dead - twice! This person was presumed dead and left overnight in a storm with no shelter in sub-freezing temperatures. Somehow the next day he regained enough strength and lucidity to find his way back to Camp Four. After other climbers helped him get comfortable, they yet again figured he would die and left him unattended during another stormy night where he suffered some more. Despite serious injuries from frostbite, he survived.
Climbing Everest crossed my mind only once several years ago when a friend told me about his desire to climb to the Everest Base Camp. By the sound of it, the Base Camp is fairly attainable (as long as you can cough up the expensive fees) so I thought... hmm. Few seconds later though, I figured I'd probably die and hadn't given it a second thought since. However, next time I'm in the mountains snowboarding and feeling cold, or struggling up some difficult hike, I hope I will remember the adversity faced by the climbers described in the book and gain strength from it.
.
Donna H. reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 6 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I had a really hard time getting into this book. There were so many names he referred and I ended up putting the book down and haven't picked it up.
Frances S. (FrancesS) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 30 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Very well written piece of non-fiction that reads like fiction because it's so filled with danger and adventure. You don't have to love mountain climbing to enjoy this book. It's a great peek into the psyche of climbers and the industry that supports them.
Helpful Score: 1
Dang! What a book. This has been on Mt TBR for quite sometime, and only recently did I finally force myself to read it.
This is an incredible story. I can definitely say that I have NO desire to climb Everest now - not that I was in physical shape to do so. It's a harrowing tale and I'm amazed by the people who survived this ordeal. I can't imagine the cold, the snow, the frostbite. Just thinking about it gives me the willies.
From what I understand, Krakauer's account is only one of many of this fatal climb and the some of the 'facts' he presents are disputed. I'd like to read the other accounts as well before jumping to any conclusion. I can't imagine the guilt that wracks Krakauer and the other survivors -- I don't think that I would ever be whole again after an experience like this.
This is an incredible story. I can definitely say that I have NO desire to climb Everest now - not that I was in physical shape to do so. It's a harrowing tale and I'm amazed by the people who survived this ordeal. I can't imagine the cold, the snow, the frostbite. Just thinking about it gives me the willies.
From what I understand, Krakauer's account is only one of many of this fatal climb and the some of the 'facts' he presents are disputed. I'd like to read the other accounts as well before jumping to any conclusion. I can't imagine the guilt that wracks Krakauer and the other survivors -- I don't think that I would ever be whole again after an experience like this.
Helpful Score: 1
My most favorite novel of all time. Jon Krakauer has an amazing way of writing non-fiction that reads like fiction. Into Thin Air is an amazing story of courage, friendship, devotion, opportunity and survival. I send this book to every single person who reads regularly. No matter what genre of novel you enjoy, this story will stay with you long after you finish it.
Helpful Score: 1
a harrowing account of one group's disastrous attempt to scale Mt. Everest. Exciting reading for those of us who would never attempt this journey in real life!
Jeff N. (lajet) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 32 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Great book, tough to put down. Besides being a great writer, Krakauer is an accomplished climber. He was also at the wrong place at the right time, so you really get an amazing opportunity to climb Everest with him. Get this and THE CLIMB together - differing points of view on the same event. Very facinitating.
MaryAnn R. (MaryAnn) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 140 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is an amazing story about groups of mountain climbers trying to reach the summit of Mt. Everest. I learned details about high-altitude climbing that I never knew before.
Julie S. reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 4 more book reviews
What a great book. I read it in 25 hours. I highly recommend it!
Stacy H. reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 14 more book reviews
I love this amazing story. I recieved it as a gift, took a chance and loved it - it made me want to learn more about Mt. Everest and so much of the world I had never thought of before. I can not rave enough about this true adventure of incredible ability of human beings.
Kathy H. reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 8 more book reviews
Breathtaking true story! Loved it!
Ellie (EllieW) -
I couldn't put this book down. Excellent read!
Cindy J. reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 7 more book reviews
I really liked this book. It gave me a whole new appreciation for Mt. Everest. When someone says they are going to climb Mt. Everest I am truly impressed. I liked it so much that I sent a copy to my nephew in the army.
Fantastic!
June A. (pertdoe) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 191 more book reviews
I loved this book. It told the story of an expedition to Mt. Everest, that seemed to be flawed from the very beginning. Of course no one expected the storm that was brewing. Some of the climbers were novices, and climbed very slowly. Even one or two of the guides would not come off the mountain at their turnaround time. So many mishaps, wrong decisions and bad weather made this an awful trip. Of course everything Jon Krakauer writes is superb. Even if you aren't into adventure books you would like this one.
Leigh R. (iwannaread) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 36 more book reviews
This was an interesting account of Everest 1996, although from my own personal observation, I found The Climb by Anatoli Boukreev to have a more "factual" feel to it. This book is well written and a good read, but it leaves one wondering how much the authors emotions clouded his interpretation of those days. This review is in no way intended to be judgemental as I can't even imagine what any of the climbers endured.
Mary S. (bookishmary) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 9 more book reviews
A definitive account of the deadliest season in the history of Everest. A tale of the perils of high-altitude climbing, of bad luck and of heroism.
Paula L. (peajaylarson) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 22 more book reviews
This was a great adventure book. The story of climbers whose bad judgement caused them their lives. 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 brain-altering affects of oxygen depeletion. As he turned to begin the perilous decent from 29,028 feet, twenty other climbers were still pushing doggedly to the top, unaware that the sky had begun to roil with clouds.
IN the definitive account of the deadliest season in the history of Everest, Jon Krakauer takes the reader step by step from Katmandu to the mountain's deadly pinnacle, unfolding breaktaking story.
IN the definitive account of the deadliest season in the history of Everest, Jon Krakauer takes the reader step by step from Katmandu to the mountain's deadly pinnacle, unfolding breaktaking story.
Excellent read! I could not put it down! Incredible what can happen above 30k feet!
Terri V. reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 4 more book reviews
A fascinating account of an Everest climb gone tragically wrong. One of my favorite books! You won't be able to put it down.
Judith P. (Ladyblujay) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 37 more book reviews
Jon Krakauer's personal account of a Mt. Everest disaster
Lauren T. (littlegirl) -
This book is hauntingly amazing (if that compound adjective is even legit). Krakauer's narrative not only provides the reader with enough background about each climber heading up the mountain that day to make you care about them, but his account of the days (hours?) when the blizzard hit is so gripping you feel like you are there with them, trapped at the top of the earth, shivering, gasping for air. I haven't read any of the other accounts of this climb, but I can't imagine the writing comes anywhere near this one. I think i remember seeing a movie (made for TV perhaps) about this, and it was terrible - don't bother.
Pete F. (Pedro) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 22 more book reviews
An absolutely unforgettable account of a ascent on Mount Everest that ended in disaster. You will remember this story until the day you die.
Christina P. reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 6 more book reviews
Amazing tale of survival and death in the wilderness by one of the greatest journalists around.
Beth T. (Betholyn) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 45 more book reviews
This book is the one that turned me on to non-fiction. I always thought I was just a "fiction girl" before reading this one. Everything that Krakauer has written has been on-the-edge-of-your-seat gripping. This book is wonderful! (I own this book and haven't posted it because I just can't bear to part with it).
Melita G. (Melita) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 6 more book reviews
This book gave a good first hand account of the events on Everest in 1996 when there were so many deaths including those of two prominent Everest guides. But you MUST read the account of the Russin guide Anatoli Boukreev in his book "The Climb". He is the true hero of this disaster.
Robert C. reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 17 more book reviews
Unbelievable story of hardship and struggle and mans unwillingness to give in. I highly recommend this book.
I loved the way Krakauer wrote this book. It was fast-paced and exciting, without too much technical jargon to bog it down. And if he did mention something that the average person might not know, such as a climbing maneuver, piece of equipment, or historical detail, he always briefly explained it in a footnote.
Connie L. reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 9 more book reviews
One of the best books I've ever read - exciting and thought-provoking, and extremely well-written.
sundew -
Author created a beautiful set up for the story by talking about his raw emotional reactions after the disaster. He discusses in depth, how the function of the human brain can be impaired at such a high altitude. And how he interviewed all the other climbers to research and have other perspectives. When events do not match up, he points it out.
I most appreciate his ability to reflect on his own responsibility for his actions and physical limitations, as well as how his presence as a journalist may have added "pressure" to this climb.
Overall, I liked the humbleness of his approach and felt that many questions presented made the story supremely fair.
I most appreciate his ability to reflect on his own responsibility for his actions and physical limitations, as well as how his presence as a journalist may have added "pressure" to this climb.
Overall, I liked the humbleness of his approach and felt that many questions presented made the story supremely fair.
Daniel B. (Danno) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 30 more book reviews
FANTASTIC BOOK ABOUT ONE OF THE MT. EVEREST DISASTERS.
I had wanted to read this book from the time I read an excerpt in Reader's Digest. At that time, the book was, of course, only in hardback, something I rarely purchase. By the time it was issued in paperback, I had forgotten all about it. When I joined Paperback Swap and began searching for books, it returned to my memory, and I'm glad it did.
While reading it, I was constantly checking for Google images of the various locations on Everest to get a sense of the difficulty of each portion of the climb. I also read other accounts on the internet of the tragedy of May 1996, including a multi-piece feature from Outside magazine done on the tenth anniversary. With all that, I feel that this is a very accurate accounting of the events that unfolded. I was disturbed to read toward the end of the book a scathing letter sent to Krakauer from Fischer's sister, in which she stated, "You have commented on what SHOULD have been done by the leaders, the Sherpas, the clients, and have made arrogant accusations of their wrongdoing. All according to Jon Krakauer, who after sensing the doom brewing, scrambled back to his tent for his own safety and survival..." She later says, "There are no answers. No one is at fault. No one is to blame." Really? Sounds like you're placing at least some of the blame squarely on Krakauer's shoulders, who was too wiped out physically to have been of help to anyone and probably would have died himself if he had tried. Letting out her anger was a good idea, but not at the expense of Krakauer's emotions after the fact.
I don't believe that Krakauer was making "arrogant accusations"; I believe he was simply reporting the event and trying to be as factual as possible. By his own admission, the large article he had written for Outside magazine shortly after those terrible events contained some inaccuracies, and the book was written partly to correct those inaccuracies. (The most serious mistake occurred because he had not received return phone calls from one trekker prior to writing the article, and at the time the incident occurred, he was confused due to hypoxia and fatigue, fairly common at that altitude.)
The tragic events of May 1996 occurred not because of any one big error on anyone's part, but rather due to a series of errors. I believe that Into Thin Air reports those errors without admonishment, leaving the reader to form his/her own opinion as to why so many died. However, I disagree with one of Krakauer's statements: that trying to learn from the mistakes is "for the most part an exercise in denial and self-deception." There is a lot to be learned from this incident. It is obvious, though, that with the continued commercialization of climbing Everest and the other "seven summits," with little regard for the experience and ability of those willing to pony up the fees, it hasn't happened.
While reading it, I was constantly checking for Google images of the various locations on Everest to get a sense of the difficulty of each portion of the climb. I also read other accounts on the internet of the tragedy of May 1996, including a multi-piece feature from Outside magazine done on the tenth anniversary. With all that, I feel that this is a very accurate accounting of the events that unfolded. I was disturbed to read toward the end of the book a scathing letter sent to Krakauer from Fischer's sister, in which she stated, "You have commented on what SHOULD have been done by the leaders, the Sherpas, the clients, and have made arrogant accusations of their wrongdoing. All according to Jon Krakauer, who after sensing the doom brewing, scrambled back to his tent for his own safety and survival..." She later says, "There are no answers. No one is at fault. No one is to blame." Really? Sounds like you're placing at least some of the blame squarely on Krakauer's shoulders, who was too wiped out physically to have been of help to anyone and probably would have died himself if he had tried. Letting out her anger was a good idea, but not at the expense of Krakauer's emotions after the fact.
I don't believe that Krakauer was making "arrogant accusations"; I believe he was simply reporting the event and trying to be as factual as possible. By his own admission, the large article he had written for Outside magazine shortly after those terrible events contained some inaccuracies, and the book was written partly to correct those inaccuracies. (The most serious mistake occurred because he had not received return phone calls from one trekker prior to writing the article, and at the time the incident occurred, he was confused due to hypoxia and fatigue, fairly common at that altitude.)
The tragic events of May 1996 occurred not because of any one big error on anyone's part, but rather due to a series of errors. I believe that Into Thin Air reports those errors without admonishment, leaving the reader to form his/her own opinion as to why so many died. However, I disagree with one of Krakauer's statements: that trying to learn from the mistakes is "for the most part an exercise in denial and self-deception." There is a lot to be learned from this incident. It is obvious, though, that with the continued commercialization of climbing Everest and the other "seven summits," with little regard for the experience and ability of those willing to pony up the fees, it hasn't happened.
Karen K. (krin) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 407 more book reviews
This is a bittersweet true adventure tale of the 1996 tragedy on Mount Everest that claimed the lives of twelve climbers. Krakauer recounts with brutal honesty what went wrong amidst the heroism of climbers both on his expedition and from others.
Fred P. reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 5 more book reviews
I liked the book. It was interesting to get into the head of someone who actually
has been mountain climbing and what it is really like. There were a lot of names
being tossed around,hard to keep track of people(uses last name in one sentence, first
name in the next. You can tell he was being as factul as he could.
has been mountain climbing and what it is really like. There were a lot of names
being tossed around,hard to keep track of people(uses last name in one sentence, first
name in the next. You can tell he was being as factul as he could.
Debra D. (Nemo) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 128 more book reviews
I'll be the first to admit, my experience with mountain climbing is climbing the steps to the third floor to my kids' messy bedrooms to clean. Stupid me, thought you go to the bottom of the mountain, climb up, say "yippee, I'm on the top", and climb back down. This was an eye opener to the REAL trials and tribulations of climbing - and I mean serious climbing. There are weeks of "acclimation", where you go up a few thousand feet, spend some time there, and go back down - to try to get your body used to the increasingly thin air. The affects of this atmosphere and climate on the human body is unbelievable. Punishing. Borders on fatal each step of the way. Of course it makes you think "why? why would you want to do this?", but I suspect it is like anything else we are passionate about - the incredible sense of accomplishment, pride, self satisfaction. This is an incredible book and I highly recommend it, whether you are interested in climbing or not. I learned a ton!
Very interesting read about an ill-fated climb.
This is a book I have a pattern with: purchase, read, giveaway, rinse, repeat. I think this is the fourth or fifth copy I've had & the fourth or fifth time I've read it. I love this book. Krakauer's a great writer & the story is tragic on a grand scale.
I have very clear memories of when these awful events happened. I was working a graphic design job in a warehouse that looked out over a parking lot by Lake Union in Seattle. I had a little radio & would listen to NPR all day & that's where I heard the coverage of the people lost on the mountain & the attempts to rescue them & then the death toll. I remember it raining a lot during that time, but it was Seattle so it rained a lot all of the time. A friend of mine had a rock climbing housemate who knew Scott Fischer, one of the guides who died. The whole thing was heartbreaking & seemed so unnecessary.
Jon Krakauer was on Everest with Rob Hall's group as a journalist for Outside Magazine - to summit Everest & to write about the relatively new practice of commercial guided climbs on Everest. Like all of his books, Krakauer includes a fair amount of history - of mountain climbing, adventuring, & of Everest. He was one of the few people from the group that climbed that day that walked away alive & this book is definitely a survivor's meditation. There is a fair amount of controversy surrounding all of this - who did what when, who should've done what but didn't, who wanted to save his own ass more, who should never have been on the mountain. At the end of the day, though, I love this book - a tragedy that happens inch-by-inch as one decision after another adds up to disaster.
I have very clear memories of when these awful events happened. I was working a graphic design job in a warehouse that looked out over a parking lot by Lake Union in Seattle. I had a little radio & would listen to NPR all day & that's where I heard the coverage of the people lost on the mountain & the attempts to rescue them & then the death toll. I remember it raining a lot during that time, but it was Seattle so it rained a lot all of the time. A friend of mine had a rock climbing housemate who knew Scott Fischer, one of the guides who died. The whole thing was heartbreaking & seemed so unnecessary.
Jon Krakauer was on Everest with Rob Hall's group as a journalist for Outside Magazine - to summit Everest & to write about the relatively new practice of commercial guided climbs on Everest. Like all of his books, Krakauer includes a fair amount of history - of mountain climbing, adventuring, & of Everest. He was one of the few people from the group that climbed that day that walked away alive & this book is definitely a survivor's meditation. There is a fair amount of controversy surrounding all of this - who did what when, who should've done what but didn't, who wanted to save his own ass more, who should never have been on the mountain. At the end of the day, though, I love this book - a tragedy that happens inch-by-inch as one decision after another adds up to disaster.
Karen K. (krin) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 407 more book reviews
This is a bittersweet true adventure tale of the 1996 tragedy on Mount Everest that claimed the lives of twelve climbers. Krakauer recounts with brutal honesty what went wrong amidst the heroism of climbers both on his expedition and from others.
Marshall P. reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 21 more book reviews
great book about conquering Everest (or not conquering it)
Martha W. (Mousew) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 36 more book reviews
From the Wall Street Journal - "Ranks among the great adventure books of all time."
Marjorie L. (greenmama) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 42 more book reviews
You won't enjoy this book (if you have any sort of compassion at all), but you will be riveted. One big question remains--why are so many people willing to risk their lives to climb a mountain.
Daniel R. reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 17 more book reviews
Great edge of the seat book!
Jan C. reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 14 more book reviews
A page turner about the Mt. Everest disaster!
Nancy S. reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 11 more book reviews
A classic in the adventure genre. Interesting for historical facts as well as the nail-biting story of his hike up Everest.
Andi1965 reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 84 more book reviews
Into Thin Air is a riveting first-hand account of a catastrophic expedition up Mount Everest. In March 1996, Outside magazine sent veteran journalist and seasoned climber Jon Krakauer on an expedition led by guide Rob Hall. Despite the expertise of Hall and the other leaders, by the end of summit day eight people were dead. Krakauer's book is the story of the ill-fated adventure and an analysis of the factors leading up to its tragic end. Written within months of the events it chronicles, Into Thin Air clearly evokes the majestic Everest landscape. The author's own anguish over what happened on the mountain is palpable as he leads readers to ponder timeless questions. -
Kathleen T. (keska) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 204 more book reviews
Awesome book. I don't usually read this type of adventure/biography but this one was really gripping.
Lynn M. (oodella) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 39 more book reviews
very exciting read. Krakauer is a great author for adventure books.
Jan A. (rudy) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 38 more book reviews
Great book. Great writer.
Suzanne P. reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 68 more book reviews
Wow, intense and very realistic! I read this years ago and still remember it vividly
Theresa R. reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 27 more book reviews
Spellbinding. Krakauer is one of the best "true life" authors.
Tyler C. reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 39 more book reviews
Moves a little slow at first, but then becomes very compelling. Good read, just hang in there.
Lorrie M. (ilovedale3) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 524 more book reviews
Wonderfully harrowing account of the author's climb of Mt. Everest and the things that go worng during his expedition.
The story keeps you hooked until the very last page.
The story keeps you hooked until the very last page.
Laura H. reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 15 more book reviews
Thrilling journey to the top of the world with terrifying results. True story, well-written.
Steve H. (SteveH) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 3 more book reviews
A complicated yet fascinating story of climbing Mt. Everest and the truly dangerous hobby it has become for some. Riveting.
Eileen G. (dulcimerlady) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 334 more book reviews
Undeniably one of the most well written, gripping accounts of climbing Mt. Everest, and the tragedies that do occur. One in four people who attempt this climb will die doing so. This book is completely absorbing.
John O. (buzzby) -
Sort of a self-serving story of a climb of Everest gone awry. After you read this, you will be able to add the word "cwm" to your vocabulary.
Pam P. (Meowkatt) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 67 more book reviews
Great true story especially if you want to find out what it's like to climb Mt Everest & not have to go through the struggle & death.
Bridget W. reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 27 more book reviews
True story of the 1996 climbers of Mt. Everest. A terrifying story - starts a little slow, but becomes very intense.
Amanda S. (pandabear) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 210 more book reviews
A personal account of the Mt.Everest Disaster.
excellent story of an everest climb
Sylvia S. (whiteazalea) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 66 more book reviews
Loved this book! First hand account of the 1996 disaster.
Sheryl S. (bibliocat) -
Great Read! You feel like you are climbing the mountain with them.
Melissa M. (sassenach) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 18 more book reviews
Wonderful account a disasterous climb of Everest.
Jason J. (J-) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 36 more book reviews
WOW! And it's a true story? No way!!
Rebecca L. (Beccapa) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 14 more book reviews
Spell-binding true account of a trip to the top of Mt. Everest.
Kathleen M. reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 35 more book reviews
An unbelievable tale!
Jan K. (readergaltoo) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 42 more book reviews
An amazing story! The author was there in 1996 for the Mt. Everest trek. This story of what the adventurers went through and the fellow climbers who didn't make it is very detailed, moving and engrossing. Great read.
For someone who enjoys reading true adventure stories, this is an excellent book. Jon Krakauer does an exceptional job of telling his account of this traject story.
CHRIS P. (MaineMan) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 220 more book reviews
I never knew what extraordinary effort and courage it takes to make this type of climb until I read this book. A true account.
"A harrowing tale of the perils of high-altitude climbing, a story of bad luck and worse judgment, and of heartbreaking heroism."- People Magazine
"A harrowing tale of the perils of high-altitude climbing, a story of bad luck and worse judgment, and of heartbreaking heroism."- People Magazine
ROBERT J. reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 7 more book reviews
DON`T START UNLESS YOU HAVE THE TIME TO FINISH IN ONE READING.
Lin G. (LinG) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 203 more book reviews
Wonderful, thought-provoking important, book.
Kathy B. (MsLuLu) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 158 more book reviews
#1 New York Times Bestseller
A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Diaster
"Ranks among the great adventure books of all time." - The Wall Street Journal
A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Diaster
"Ranks among the great adventure books of all time." - The Wall Street Journal
Carol S. (busyreader) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 115 more book reviews
Excellent, excellent book! It will both thrill and terrify you.
Tara O. reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 3 more book reviews
The account of this journalist who hiked Mr. Everest only to be stuck in the midst of a raging storm eventually suffering severe frostbite and losing some members of his climbing team.
Jeanne M. (silybum) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 112 more book reviews
Really good!
Reed B. (transatlantic) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 7 more book reviews
This is a book I have read over and over again. The feeling from it, the emergency and the unfortunate adventure, the desperation, come through the page in a way that even the best fiction cannot manage.
Mary C. (ZenLady) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 9 more book reviews
This is a great adventure story. You don't have to be interested in mountain climibing to be engrossed in this book.
S. T. (SP) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 8 more book reviews
Very interesting story.
Sara R. (appaloosatb) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 96 more book reviews
The story was interesting and at times heart-wrenching, although I wouldn't read it again. Still, well worth the time to read.
This was an excellent book. It drew me in and kept me reading. It was hard to put down. It helps the reader understand (to some degree) the hardships of climbing at high altitude. Man has been enthralled by adventure for ages. Whether the Arctic, Antarctic, or high altitude adventures ensued, men went to great lengths and suffered greatly for exploration's/climbing's sake. While I do not purport to have any aspirations to rise to such altitude, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This was a very thorough book. It is a shame that lives were lost on Mount Everest, but danger is inherent in such risks. I hope everyone who survived has been able to move forward in their lives. Definitely a must read!
Rebecca D. (asunflowergirl) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 5 more book reviews
I had this book for years and then I finally read it. Great book! However, it was hard to remember everyone going up the mountain.
Sandra R. reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 21 more book reviews
good true story by Jon Krakauer of the fateful day May 10 1996 for climbers on Everest and their terrible struggle. Jon was in that climbing party and made it back alive through quite an ordeal
Celeste B. (CelesteBroughton) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on
Loved this book - fantastic read.
Lou H. (covertocover) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 9 more book reviews
Fascinating read!
Maryellen T. (metipton) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 17 more book reviews
An amazing adventure story
Cynthia M. (stampmaven) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 16 more book reviews
Amazing story of bad decisions that had fatal consequences
Emory E. reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 14 more book reviews
Absolutely incredible, highly recommend this book.
Torph (torph) - , reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 2 more book reviews
This is a great read. The cover is a bit worn.
Anuj G. reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 11 more book reviews
Thrilling
Merisa A. (nvangel) reviewed Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster on + 162 more book reviews
very good book also with bookcrossing.com
