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.

This is one of those books that will stay with you forever. I listened to the audio book which was read by the author. To him telling you this story in his own voice - this true story- was amazing. It is the story of trip to the top of Mount Everest. He was hired by Outdoor Magazine to write a story about the tours to the top of Everest - how there was a lot of debate about these "tour groups" as opposed to real climbers. You know there is disaster coming and as you learn to like and enjoy these people you are so worried as to who is going to die. The IMAX Everest movie is being taped during this same season on Everest so if you have seen that movie you have seen some of the story. It was so moving and terrifying. Jon Krakauer wrote the article quickly after the horrible experience and it turns out some things were wrong. You can feel his regret through out this book as he tries to get the story right for the families of the other climbers. I couldn't stop listening to this book. I highly recommend this emotional fascinating read.

I had a difficult time putting this book down. 'Into thin air' is a well written account of an extremely tragic event. The book is so well detailed and thorough that you feel like you are there on Mnt. Everest. Interesting and shocking it will keep you captivated to the very end.

Was very interesting to read the personal struggle of people who attempt to Climb the Tallest peak. Parts of this book made me doubt the true intent of 'helping your fellow man'... and others made me realize Greed controls some people at the oddest moments.

It was a slower start, but the back story and introduction truely helps with the story later on.

This book had me on edge the entire time I read it. I felt like I was there with them gasping for air. The writing made me feel as though I could see every crevasse on Everest.

What an amazing book. It really made me think and wonder about how we live in community. What drives us? When do we help a neighbour, friend, stranger? It was an obvious struggle to write the book and you could really hear that.

Interesting book, get me hooked on "Mountains". Now I am "Chair mountaineer" :) But don't stop on this one. Read more about Boukreev and Joe Simpson or you will not have full picture not only that event but whole mountaineering culture.

A haunting personal account of the 1996 Mount Everest disaster. I spoke to many of my friends about the events described within this book. I simply couldn't get it out of my mind. Krakauer is a superb writer, who knows how to draw intense emotions out of his readers.

I would encourage everyone to read this book, regardless of their knowledge of Mount Everest or mountaineering. If nothing else, it will make you wonder how anyone in their right mind would willingly put themselves through so much pain.

Nothwithstanding disagreements about Krakauer's journalistic integrity, how he may have unfairly portrayed certain individuals, use of supplemental oxygen, etc etc, Into Thin Air remains a thoroughly fun and enjoyable read. I picked this up and couldn't stop until I finished it - the climb up Everest was exhilarating, and the tragedy, as it unfolded page by page, was gripping.

While I do enjoy Krakauer's books I am always annoyed by how much of them are about him. He is always moving away from the story to tell anecdotes about himself. Sometimes irrelevant ones. This is especially evident in "Into the Wild" but also occurs here.
Incredibly frustrating with this book is his portrayal of Anatoli Boukreev. Krakauer makes too many unfair, unsubstantiated conclusions about the disaster and those regarding Boukreev seem the most agregious.
Fortunately there are now several books on this event offering differing perspectives. If you liked this book be sure to read "The Climb" by Boukreev.

I've read this book 6 times, and everytime I read it it's like the first time... You want to read one more chapter, and another, and another!

This is a must read for any Everest enthusiast. Although I will most likely never reach the summit but I felt like Krakauer guided me to the top in this masterpiece. Don't read this without supplemental oxygen!

I find Krakauer's writing to be, if anything, all the more compelling for it sparness. He brings you as close as you can get to the experience without actually being there and he does it with a real economy of effort.
As for a hidden agenda, (?) I know not what it is too. But i think that's probably because it isn't there.

If You want to read an implausible tale about an Everest Ascencion. Read this book. I'm not saying Krakauer never climbed Everest, because by all means he probably did. I'm suggesting Mr Krakauer's post-climb story is not credible. Like every apprentice customer on the 1996 Everest expedition, the author of this book was affected by the lack of oxygen. Thus, he was not utterly able to constate everything that went on as accurately as he described it . On the other hand if you want to read a good fiction the tale is very interesting. If you read this book make sure to read Anatoli Boukreev's The Climb afterwards. This way you can read objectively and decide for yourself who is right and who is wrong.

A riveting account of a terrible tragedy. Despite this, it made me wish that I could climb Mount Everest too. I devoured three more books on Mount Everest after this one but none were as current or as enjoyable. I only wished that I had seen the movie!

Krakauer is known for his verbosity. This book is no exception. An interesting tale indeed but poorly written and highly, highly bias. His lack of journalistic integrity is apparent and anybody that has done any sort of research of the 1996 tragedy agrees - Krakauer has some alternative agenda, although we know not what that is. Don't read it.

This was an amazing book. It was a very intriguing book because of the fact that it is meant more for older readers and is about something related to the outdoors.

While reading Jon Krakauer's account of this journey gone wrong, you can't help but feel you are also along for the ride. His descriptive prose leaves nothing to the imagination. Krakauer reaches new heights with Into thin Air.

I am writing this review just as my brother is climbing the Ice Fall on Everest. He called me 2 days ago from Base Camp just as they were to leave for the Fall. I have just re-read "Into Thin Air" and can think of no better book to describe the danger and glory of Everest. It is by far the best adventure book I have ever read; the author writes with authority and excitement. The tragedy of 1996 is made understandable.