Into Thin Air

I'm not a climber though I love outdoor & wilderness adventure and trekking. This is one of the best climbing adventure books I have ever read. It tells the story of Everest's most tragic season. Whether you are an active outdoorsperson or an armchair dreamer you cannot fail to be moved by the story and Krakauer's recounting of it. There is a wide debate about the accuracy of Krakauer's narrative. I cannot judge that but I will say that with so many unknowns there is bound to be error although the nature of the high alpine lends itself to many unknowns and hence much supposition. The narrative reads like a long magazine essay - illuminating, easy to follow, a few twists and turns and just a damn good read

True life account of climbers trapped on Mount Everest and their quest for survival. I was hoping for more information on the formation of the Himalaya Mountain range and more insights into each of the affected climbers. Yes, the story is real and dramatic but I found it quite distant and cold requiring more of a human touch. Still not a bad read.

I have wanted to read this personal account of the Mount Everest disaster for some years now, and I have finally done so.

This is a very vivid memoir, and if you as a reader ever had a romanticized notion of what climbing Everest would be like, Krakauer puts them to bed.

Beyond his initial excitement at the prospect of acheiving his life-long goal of summiting Everest, he does not glamorize this climb in any way. Instead, he takes his reader back to that mountain with him. Nothing is left to the imagination, you smell every smell, feel every ache, gasp for every breathe, feel every degree below zero, and he will wring you out emotionally as he takes you to the brink of madness, it is raw, the way only a survivor could tell it, but you will not be able to put this book down. The fact that there were any survivors at all is a testimony to the human survival instinct, and the unbelievably selfless acts of heroism juxpositioned against the unimaginable decisions that had to be made, are a testimony to the human spirit.

Although this book is 15 years old, it will definitely be making my Top Ten Best Reads for 2011, and though it is a tough read emotionally, I can't recommend it highly enough.

I have always had a facination with Everest and this is probably the closest that I will ever get. This is a great book summarizing the details of a very tragic year on Everest. Krakaur (sp?) does a wonderful job of giving an unbiased view of the events and makes you feel sorry for what he went through, with his humble words on what he should/could have done to help, if it weren't for the weather and lack of oxygen. I have lent my copy to friends who are not even outdoor enthusiasts (I am one!) and they couldn't put it down. It is a real page turner and you won't be able to put it down. I recommend this book to anyone. Absolutely AMAZING! A book I will read over and over again!