Into Thin Air

Jon Krakauer

Nov 1998 · Sold by Vintage

About this ebook

#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER • The epic account of the storm on the summit of Mt. Everest that claimed five lives and left countless more—including Krakauer's—in guilt-ridden disarray.

“A harrowing tale of the perils of high-altitude climbing, a story of bad luck and worse judgment and of heartbreaking heroism.”—People

A Los Angeles Times Best Nonfiction Book of the Last 30 Years

Reeling from the brain-altering effects of oxygen depletion, Jon Krakauer reached the summit of Mt. Everest in the early afternoon of May 10, 1996. He hadn’t slept in fifty-seven hours. As he turned to begin the perilous descent from 29,032 feet (the cruising altitude of an Airbus jetliner), some twenty other climbers were still pushing doggedly toward the top, unaware that a furious storm would soon engulf them from below. . . .

This is the terrifying story of what happened that calamitous day at the top of the world, during what would be the deadliest season Everest climbers had ever seen. In this harrowing narrative, Krakauer takes the reader along with his ill-fated expedition, step by precarious step, from Kathmandu to the summit where—plagued by a combination of hubris, terrible judgment, and bad luck—they would fall prey to the mountain’s unpredictable violence.

With more than three million copies in print, this extraordinary book is considered a paragon of the narrative nonfiction genre. Brilliantly written and supported by unimpeachable reporting, Into Thin Air will by turns thrill and horrify.

Ratings and reviews

This was my first experience reading something by Jon Krakauer and wow did it put you right there! First and only book I've read specifically covering this topic, but it was an awesome book, and I use the word awesome to encompass all of its meanings! I can't conceive of how someone with no depth or a cursory of knowledge regarding mountain climbing, would ever or could ever be able to deliver on every single level imaginable, like Mr. Krakauer. It doesn't matter the year, the current zeitgeist or how few rights we may still cling to, if you still have the right to read, add this to your list. Time well spent, as the reader is along for the existential ride of several lifetimes! -Adam Theodore Glass

There is not much I can say after reading this monstrosity of a novel. When reading this sorry, pitiful excuse for a book, I felt myself going through feeling of anguish, disgust, and fatigue on an unimaginable scale. I never again want to experience the pain and suffering I experienced while engrossed in this terrible, agonizing work of literature. After putting myself through months of therapy, I have come to the conclusion that the only way to get this horrifying experience out of my mind forever is to receive a full frontal lobotomy. And if that doesn't work, suicide is the only way. You see, this book had a profound and long lasting effect not only on my conscience, but on my mental health as a whole. Never again will I be able to view life as I used to before reading this book. Never again will I be able to enjoy the simple pleasures brought to me by enjoyable activities. My life, as well as my mental well being has been tarnished forever by this particular book. The true name of Satan has been revealed to me, and that name is Jon Krakauer.

Even though I didn't know anything about mountaineering before reading the book I didn't have a slightest problem to understand what's going on. I didn't have an opportunity to read The Climb which is mentioned often in the connection to this book and to 1996 Everest disaster generally and to my surprise it was widely commented by the author in the Postscript of this e-book. I probably cannot objectively judge who is on top of things and can deal with blame but the mental pain the author was going through was felt just from the beginning and I do sympathize with the author as somehow I felt that he is as much honest as possible taking into account all the circumstances. Thank you Jon for sharing the experience!

About the author

Jon Krakauer is the author of eight books and has received an Academy Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. According to the award citation, "Krakauer combines the tenacity and courage of the finest tradition of investigative journalism with the stylish subtlety and profound insight of the born writer." 

www.jonkrakauer.com