Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer (1997, Hardcover)

If you are going to read any book about the Mt. Everest tragedy of 1996 which claimed a dozen lives, including guides Rob Hall and Scott Fisher, this is the one to read. Having read a number of books from various people who made the trek that year, this is the absolute best. It is the most factual, the easiest read, filled with helpful maps and footnotes, and a real page turner. Surprisingly, this is not a book of any genre I would ever be inclined to read, and it landed in my lap by accident. WHAT A FIND!

If you saw the IMAX documentary, you owe it to yourself to read this book, which gives you a more intimate behind the scenes play by play of what went wrong.

This is a book I will long remember and plan to read again. Having read the books of others, they truly pale in comparison, not only in the author's ability to convey a well written story, but in the factual details.

While there were many treks that May from a number of guides, Jon Krakauer was on Rob Hall's expedition. Some of the authors were not part of Rob's team and could only write second hand information, a poor substitute in my opinion.

A treasured work of documented history, this is one book which will forever stand the test of time.

I have been wanting to read this book for awhile so when I found it on half.com I was more than delighted with the seller, the quality was good, shipping good to Hawaii, and I can't be happier.

oh my goodness! i love this book, at first i was very sceptic at first. as i got into it i couldnt put it down. i have to read this for my english class and i was not excited because im not really big on reading. but i loved it and they got it to me in good timing.

Krakauer wanted another shot at explaining what happened that fateful trip up Everest, and explain he did. I honestly cannot fathom trying to explain those days in one article in Outside Magazine, let alone one book.
Krakauer went in depth into each persons character, history and how they acted on that mountain and I can't think of any better chronicle of any trip let alone that one. His writing was impeccable and I had a great time reading it. Highly reccommended.

I am normally a reader of true crime, but when I bought this book I could not put it down. This view of the disastrous climb to the Mt. Everest summit in 1996 reads like fiction, but it is all too real. The author of this book is an accomplished climber and highly respected, but some of his views do not coincide with those of others who were on Everest that same fateful night. I think the writing of this book is brilliant and I respect Krakauer's attempt to put this tragedy to rest. Unfortunately, there are other views that need to be seen in order for all who were there to contribute to the confusing story and happenings of this particular quest. I suggest that you also read "Climb" by Anatoli Boukreev and G. Weston DeWalt alongside this book to get the alternate view. Also there are some great websites that will help you to understand the controversy caused by the publishing of this book.

First and foremost my heart goes out to all of the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in their assault on Everest. This book is well written, and had much to say regarding the hazards and effects of high altitude mountaineering. Although I was familiar with the majority of events through other media and while this book is several years old, I remained captured by its visions, consumed through the minutia, and utterly powerless to put this read down.
Captured like snapshots are the final hours of many who perished, questions that may never be answered, those who were spared death’s grip and their post trauma suffering. It also depicts the heroic rescue efforts of the other expeditions, their sacrifices, and applauding deeds; my hat goes off to these men and women. This book conversely provides simple bare open collaborated truths, which shed clear light on those spineless, self-centered, egotistical persons concerned only for themselves who did nothing at all, or were too late in discovering their own faltering human qualities. You know who you are. Limited photography is questioning. I would recommend this book to any outdoor enthusiast, especially those contemplating venturing above 5,000 meters