Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster

by Jon Krakauer
Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster cover
Good Books rating 4.06
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  • ID: 3987
  • Added: 2025-10-20
  • Updated: 2025-10-20
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
Two Girls Must Reads · 2025-10-30
compelling 4.50

The writing style is excellent and sorely missing in many of today's young authors. It offers a vivid account of the 1996 disaster at Mt. Everest, making it a compelling read.

This reviewer praised the book's excellent writing style, noting that it is a quality sorely missing in many of today's young authors. They found the account of the 1996 disaster at Mt. Everest to be vivid and compelling, making the book a standout read. The reviewer's appreciation for the writing style and the vividness of the account were particularly highlighted.

Quick quotes

    Great writing style, sorely missing in many of today's young authors.

    A vivid account of the 1996 disaster at Mt. Everest.

    Except that it's not just a vivid account; it's a compelling read that leaves a lasting impression.

earnestlyeccentric.wordpress.com · Unknown · 2025-10-21
harrowing 4.50

The book provides a harrowing and personal account of the 1996 Mount Everest disaster, offering a detailed and emotional narrative of the events. It highlights the bravery and tragedy of the climbers while also critiquing the commercialization of Everest expeditions.

Into Thin Air is a gripping and deeply personal account of the 1996 Mount Everest disaster. The author, who was part of the expedition, provides a detailed and emotional narrative of the events, capturing the bravery and tragedy of the climbers. The book not only recounts the harrowing experiences but also offers a critical perspective on the commercialization of Everest expeditions, raising important questions about the ethics and safety of such ventures. The writing is vivid and compelling, making it a must-read for anyone interested in mountaineering and the human spirit.

Quick quotes

    The mountain is a cruel and unforgiving place, and it demands respect and humility from those who dare to climb it.

    The commercialization of Everest has turned a sacred and dangerous endeavor into a commodity, and the consequences can be deadly.

    The memories of that day will haunt me forever, and I will never forget the friends and colleagues I lost on the mountain.

app.thestorygraph.com · Unknown · 2025-10-21
informative 4.25

The reviewer found the book to be a well-written and informative account of the Everest disaster, with a dry but speculative narrative that made it hard to put down. They appreciated the author's journalistic approach and the humanizing portrayal of the climbers, but noted that the book's takeaway aligns with their own perspective on the commercialization and moral decay of Everest climbing.

The reviewer was initially hesitant to read 'Into Thin Air' due to their extensive prior research on the 1996 Everest disaster, fearing it might be an exaggerated memoir. However, they were pleasantly surprised by the book's journalistic quality and the author's dry yet speculative recounting of events. The reviewer appreciated the author's unbiased treatment of the climbers, acknowledging their flaws and motivations. The book's takeaway, that there is no place for morality at 8000 meters, resonated with the reviewer's own perspective on the commercialization and moral decay of Everest climbing. They highly recommend the book to anyone interested in Everest and the need for real journalism.

Quick quotes

    The recollection of events is dry, but at the same time speculative, making it very hard to put it down.

    The observations about the people involved are obviously influenced by biases, but you can tell that the author treats the people he talks about as human beings — flawed, imperfect, but still filled with their own dreams, thoughts and motivations.

    There is no place for morality at 8000 meters

goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-10-21
sobering 3.00

The book shatters romanticized notions of climbing Mount Everest, offering a vivid and harrowing account of the 1996 disaster. The author's survivor's guilt and the controversy surrounding the event add depth to the narrative.

Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer provides a stark and vivid account of the 1996 Mount Everest disaster, effectively dismantling any romanticized ideas about climbing the mountain. The book's detailed descriptions of the harsh conditions and the tragic events that unfolded during the climb are both gripping and sobering. The author's personal struggle with survivor's guilt adds a poignant layer to the narrative, making it a deeply human story amidst the grandeur and danger of Everest. The controversy surrounding the book and the existence of a counter-book, along with Krakauer's post-script rebuttal, add complexity to the reading experience. While the book is compelling, it also leaves the reader questioning the ethics and logistics of high-altitude climbing.

Quick quotes

    Every romanticised idea I had of climbing Mount Everest has been vanquished by this book.

    I was surprised that this book was so controversial, and I don’t know where I stand.

    I liked that Krakauer spoke about his survivor’s guilt as well. I can’t imagine having to live with that.

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