photo_library12
Product
Thin Air: The Everest Murder, Betrayal, and the Politics of High Places
View product
chevron_right
The True Story Behind the Everest Tragedy: A Book That Will Leave You Breathless
summarizeEditor's Summary
I devoured this book after watching the movie Everest, and I'm still reeling from the experience. The author, Jon Krakauer, was a journalist who witnessed the tragic events on the mountain in 1996. He wrote a book instead of an article because the story was too big to fit in one piece. I read the physical copy, published by EKSMO in 2025, and it's a re-release with a different cover. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in true stories of adventure and human resilience. It's a wild ride from start to finish, and I'm still thinking about it weeks later. I loved how the author's personal experience and expertise made the story feel authentic and immersive. The book is well-researched and provides a detailed account of the events on the mountain. The writing is descriptive and vivid, making it easy to visualize the events and characters. I was hooked from the start and couldn't put the book down.
settingsSpecifications
Kararİyi
Görünüm7/10
OkumaOranı9/10
KitapKalitesi8/10
Hello everyone!
I recently watched the movie Everest and discovered it was based on real events - a dramatic expedition to Everest that took place in May 1996. It's crazy to think it's been 29 years since then, but events like this still resonate deep in our souls.
As it turns out, the events were also the basis for a book about the tragedy. The author, journalist Jon Krakauer, was sent to Everest that year by Outside magazine to write an article about commercial climbs. But the article ended up being about something entirely different - the tragic events that unfolded on the mountain. He wrote a book instead because there was just too much to fit into one article.
So, what was the book like? Well, that's for you to decide. When I found out about it, I jumped onto Avito and ordered it without hesitation. And now that I've finished reading it, I'm excited to share my thoughts with you.
A Bit About the Book "Into Thin Air"
I read the physical copy. It was published by EKSMO in 2025, but it's a re-release – I've seen a different cover before.
Everest Reviews by John Krakauer
I'm still blown away by the sheer scale of the world's highest mountain, Mount Everest. They call it the Roof of the World, and for good reason. Even after the tragic events of 1996, people are still drawn to the mountain like moths to a flame. I mean, who wouldn't want to reach the summit and take in the breathtaking views?
But what really caught my attention was the people who were part of the ill-fated expedition. I'll get to them later, but for now, let's focus on the book.
"Project Truestory. Books that Inspire"
This book is part of that series, and it's definitely inspiring. The stories of the people who made it to the summit, and those who didn't, are truly awe-inspiring. But I'll get to that in a minute. For now, let's talk about the book itself.
The back cover gives a brief summary of what happened on the mountain in 1996. If you've seen the movie "Everest" or are interested in mountaineering and the history of Everest expeditions, you'll have a good idea of what to expect. I, on the other hand, knew nothing about the tragedy until I watched the movie and later read an article online. That's when I decided to order this book. Now, I'm also interested in reading Anatoli Boukreev's book, which offers a different perspective on the events of that fateful year.
Jon Krakauer reviews in thin air
One thing that struck me about this book is its size - it's a medium-sized book, clocking in at just over 400 pages. But about 20 of those last pages are filled with acknowledgments, notes, and a small excerpt from another book. The book has a hardcover with a sturdy binding, white, dense pages, and a font size that's not too big or too small. I did notice a few minor typos here and there.
As a documentary-style book, I was a bit disappointed by the lack of photos - I think it would've been way more engaging to have some visual elements. That being said, each chapter does start with some black-and-white landscape photos, but they're not really detailed or anything.
The recommended age range is 16+, which I think is about right.
About this book
I guess I should give a brief summary of what this book is about, especially for anyone who's not familiar with the story of Everest. It's pretty self-explanatory, but I'll give you the CliffsNotes version.
From the blurb:
Pokorit' Everest - a beautiful dream. And this dream comes with a price tag.
19 amateur climbers head to Nepal with a mission to conquer Everest, and it's going to set them back a cool $65,000. Each of them has an experienced guide, and they're following a carefully planned route. But as we all know, even the smallest mistake can be disastrous - and the desire to reach the summit is just too strong.
But the final word is left to the mountain. At 8,848 meters, in the thin air, your brain will lose millions of cells, your body will betray you, and even the most experienced climbers will start making one fatal mistake after another. This ascent will leave no one untouched. The most tragic event in Everest's history. Told from the first person. The book was previously released under the title 'Everest: Who and What the Mountain Avenges?'
Thin air, John Krakauer reviews
Many people have attempted and continue to attempt to climb Everest and leave their mark in its history. Some go well-prepared, while others are driven by desperation and the hope that everything will somehow work out. However, climbing Everest is not a Sunday stroll, and you can't just show up and expect to make it. You need preparation. And some thrill-seekers are willing to pay for commercial organizations that will take care of the preparation, guide them along the route, and follow a carefully thought-out plan.
In 1996, commercial organizations were guiding tourists who, although some had prior alpine experience, were not experienced climbers. I was part of the team led by Rob Hall's company, Adventure Consultants. There was another organization, led by Scott Fischer, that offered commercial climbing services. And, as it turned out, there were several other independent groups on the mountain, each with their own objectives.
I won't go into the details of what happened, as those interested will read the book. From now on, I'll share my personal impressions.
Impressions from the Book
WHAT I LOVED ABOUT THE BOOK
I have to admit, the beginning of the book felt a bit drawn out to me. The author took his sweet time getting to the tragedy, and I found myself wanting to know what happened sooner. But he spent a lot of time setting up the expedition, introducing the team members, and so on. It wasn't until closer to the middle of the book that he finally started to tackle the actual climb and what happened afterwards. At first, it was a bit tough to get through all the details, but as I kept reading, I found myself getting more and more invested in the story. I ended up devouring the second half of the book in one sitting, whereas it took me three or four days to get through the first half.
Having seen the movie 'Everest' beforehand, I found myself picturing the characters from the film instead of the real people in the book. I think it would have been really helpful to have some photos included in the book to make it feel more visual. As it was, my mind kept jumping back to the movie.
But it didn't hold me back from enjoying the book. I was still able to form my own opinions and appreciate the story on its own terms. I just wanted to note that the book could have benefited from some visual aids, like photos. Of course, you can always look up the story online and see some of the survivors' photos. I did that after watching the movie, and it really helped to make the story feel more real.
I was impressed by the fact that the author, a journalist who was part of the expedition, managed to write a book about it. Given that he was one of the lucky ones who made it out alive, I think it's safe to say that he's got a unique perspective on the whole ordeal. He's tried to be objective, but it's clear that he's still processing everything that happened. He's drawn on the memories of other team members, included quotes from them, and even spoken to many of them personally to fill in the gaps. It's clear that climbing to such heights is an incredible physical and mental strain, and those who made it through that day were truly remarkable individuals.
jon krakauer book reviews
I think it's worth noting that the author initially wrote an article about the experience, but it was limited by the number of words he could use and the tight deadlines he had to meet. As a result, the article was incomplete, and he decided to write a book to tell the full story. I appreciated that he didn't just focus on the tragic event itself, but also on the preparation, acclimatization, and the other team members who were part of the expedition. He even wrote about how his perspective on things changed over time, which I found really interesting.
I realized that's what I was up against when climbing to such high altitudes. Without enough oxygen, brain cells start dying, so you can't stay up there for too long. You need to be on your toes and prepared for the guides and organizers to ask you to turn back, literally just a step away from the summit. Otherwise, you risk not just your own safety but also putting others in the expedition at risk.
Throughout this expedition, I made a ton of mistakes that ultimately led to what happened on the mountain. By highlighting them, the author shows just how grueling and demanding climbing a high peak like Everest – or any high mountain, for that matter – can be, and what your body is capable of.
Crammed with oxygen, John Krakauer's reviews
Thanks to the book, I learned about the symptoms of altitude sickness, the challenges climbers face during ascents, and the fact that reaching the summit is just the beginning – you still have to make it back down and manage your energy and resources wisely.
I loved how John stayed focused and calculated the amount of oxygen he had and how long it would last, and how he resisted panicking when he got stuck in a queue during the descent on one of the route's sections.
I've got to say, John's not just a journalist who got caught up in the story. He's an experienced alpinist, and that experience definitely helped him survive that day. And after that ordeal, John developed survivor's syndrome, and he was in a pretty downtrodden state for a while. You can really feel that in the book. Some people had some harsh words for John after the article came out, and even after the book was released, he got a lot of hate.
And some folks are criticizing John for supposedly speaking poorly of Anatoli Boukreev and not singing his praises enough. To be honest, I thought John was pretty fair in his assessment of everyone. He didn't trash anyone, and he was pretty respectful of Boukreev, even if he didn't go out of his way to fawn all over him. I'd actually love to read Boukreev's book now and see how he saw things.
What really blew me away was the story of Beck Weathers. He was basically counted out, written off as dead. But this guy just seemed to rise from the dead. It was pretty mind-blowing, and I had to sit back and process it for a while. I guess something in his head just clicked, gave him the strength to keep going, and told him his time wasn't up yet.
Unfortunately, not everyone was so lucky. A lot of people died that season, and when you read this book, you get a sense of just how many and who. But to be honest, some of the stories are still a bit fuzzy. Like what happened to Doug Hansen, and what became of Andy Harris - we just don't know for sure.
I'll be honest, John's recollections weren't entirely reliable, thanks to the poor oxygen supply. People's brains were foggy, and they didn't always take things objectively. Some even experienced hallucinations. And to make matters worse, the weather was atrocious - a storm, snow, and visibility was limited to just 5 meters. Meanwhile, John was stuck in his tent, suffering from a pounding headache and trying to warm up. He later wrote that when he was in the tent, 300 meters away, someone was dying. And he didn't do anything about it.
But here's the thing - what could a guy who was exhausted, battered, and wracked with a headache and a terrible cough have done in those conditions? How could he have found anyone else to help him? Was he supposed to die along with them, too? Plus, he had no idea that there were other people struggling in the storm, just 300 meters away.
Overall, the book is complex from a moral standpoint. I appreciated how the author stuck to the facts, without sugarcoating or trying to whitewash anything.
After reading this book, you can't help but wonder - if it's all so dangerous and terrifying, why bother? But people are wired to take risks and push for greatness. The question is, what's the cost of success?
FINAL THOUGHTS
I really enjoyed John Krakauer's "Into Thin Air". I found it fascinating and learned a lot from it, especially about the nuances of high-altitude climbing. It's worth noting that the author has a great writing style, free from arrogance and engaging enough to keep the reader interested. If you're into true stories and have an interest in mountaineering, I'd definitely recommend this book.
Thanks for checking out my review! If you found it helpful, be sure to give it a thumbs up and leave a comment below!
Don't forget to give it a thumbs up and leave a comment below!
Pop by my profile for more reviews - click here! You can find my other reviews in the category section - check it out!
I'd recommend checking out these other reviews:
Never Believe the Impossible. A True Crime Story That Will Shock You. Christian Miller T., Ken Armstrong
The Disappearance of Madeline. Anthony Summers, Robbin Swan
Self or Help? How Crime Scene Experts Cracked 50 'Perfect' Murders. David Owen, Pete Moore, Stephen Cole
No Breath to Breathe. A Thrilling Month of True Crime Stories. Emily McCallough
Thanks again for stopping by!
live_helpFeatured FAQ
What is the book 'Into Thin Air' about?
The book is a true story about a tragic expedition to Mount Everest in 1996, written by journalist Jon Krakauer.
Who is the author of the book?
The author of the book is Jon Krakauer, a journalist and adventurer who witnessed the events on the mountain.
What is the book's genre?
The book is a non-fiction, true story of adventure and human resilience.
Is the book a good choice for readers who are interested in true stories?
Yes, the book is a great choice for readers who are interested in true stories of adventure and human resilience.
Is the book suitable for all ages?
No, the book may not be suitable for readers who are easily disturbed by descriptions of danger and loss.
How long is the book?
The book is a long read, but the exact page count is not specified.
Is the book available in different formats?
Yes, the book is available in physical and digital formats.
Can I return the book if I don't like it?
Yes, you can return the book if you don't like it, but the return policy may vary depending on the seller.
What inspired the author to write the book?
The author was inspired to write the book after witnessing the tragic events on Mount Everest in 1996.
How did the author research the book?
The author conducted extensive research for the book, including interviews with other climbers and experts.
check_circlePros
- •The author's writing style is engaging and easy to follow.
- •The book is a great combination of adventure, drama, and human interest.
- •The author's personal experience and expertise make the story feel authentic and immersive.
- •The book is well-researched and provides a detailed account of the events on the mountain.
- •The writing is descriptive and vivid, making it easy to visualize the events and characters.
- •The book is a great choice for anyone interested in true stories of adventure and human resilience.
- •The author does a great job of conveying the risks and challenges of climbing Mount Everest.
- •The book is a page-turner that's hard to put down.
- •The author's writing is engaging and makes you feel like you're right there with him on the mountain.
- •The book is a great choice for readers who love true stories of adventure and human resilience.
cancelCons
- •Some parts of the book can be slow-paced and feel like a slog.
- •The book can be emotionally challenging to read, especially if you're sensitive to descriptions of danger and loss.
- •The author's personal biases and opinions can be evident at times.
- •The book is a long read, and some readers may find it difficult to stay motivated.
- •Some readers may find the book too focused on the author's personal experience and not enough on the broader context.
- •The book may not be suitable for readers who are easily disturbed by descriptions of danger and loss.
- •Some readers may find the book too detailed and technical.
- •The book can be overwhelming at times, especially for readers who are new to true stories of adventure and human resilience.
- •The author's writing style can be a bit dry at times.
- •The book may not be the best choice for readers who are looking for a light, easy read.
