Into thin air

by John Pilkington

Genres: Nonfiction

171 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unexpectedly and eerily appropriate for the hike I took this book on. In October 2014, while trekking the Annapurna Circuit my friends and I survived the greatest disaster the country had ever recorded. Many people lost their lives. We were lucky to have been avalanched in at Yal Kharka instead of on Thorong Pass, where most of the causalities occurred. I read this book on the way up and it appropriately warned me of ever fantasizing about climbing Everest, but nevertheless all mountain passes carry with them danger. I only wish the book hadn't gone on for so many pages in the back as Pilkington defended his claims against the anticipated backlash for his perspective of the story. I understand someone might tell it different, but I liked his account and I think a good author will stand by their work, even as information changes post-production. I hope that the book did indeed help to sort some of Pilkington's demons out.

[Eitan Tuchin · Rating 5 out of 5]

oof

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible, honest and shocking account of total desperation. As a reader, you can genuinely feel the real-time panic exuding from every page as the author depicts the adverse suffering of himself and his team. However, you also feel the real love and respect for the area of mountain that could so easily be resented for its traumatic effects! Cool asf

[James McDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it while trekking to Everest base camp 2018, Nepal side. Eerie book but very good first hand account of the tragedy.
There are at least 2 other books from the same year on the tragedy worth a look.

[Ieva Vas · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are dreaming about climbing the Everest, you must read this book. If you want to experience what it would feel to do it on your own - read this book. If you want how money changed the meaning of "I climbed the worlds' highest peak" - read this book.

[Michael Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down.

[Rachel Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this non-fiction book. I know it is only his side of events but it was enthralling and at the same time eye opening.

[Austin Waterhouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mount Everest. There's nothing like it in the whole world. It is the tallest mountain in the world, and one of the most difficult and dangerous to ascend with inexperienced, untrained “mountaineers” buying their way up the mountain, what could go wrong? Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer is a novel based on the true events of one of the most tragic climbs to the top of Mount Everest. Jon Krakauer after making a magazine article about the event felt as though he had not told the whole story, and went on to write this novel. The events haunt the author to today, and he has been given a new meaning of mortality.

The story starts off with Jon Krakauer, the author and narrator of the book, getting a call from a magazine asking him to go to Everest to study the commercialization of the summit. After his climbing career going dormant for several years, the call rekindles his interest in the mountain and he knows that he must take the job. He tells his fiance that he's taking the job because of the pay, when he could be making more money in the three months the trip is going to take. He takes the next plane and gets himself into more than he could've ever imagined. He arrives in china and soon climbs to the first of the 5 camps, base camp with relative ease.

The next couple months are spent here with the adventure consultants, who guide Jon and others to get them used to the altitude and make sure they have the right supplies and take a safe path up the mountain.

When the main guide, Rob Hall -who was the first man to climb all “Eight-Thousanders” in just 6 months, decided they were ready, they ascended to first camp, then on to the others. Many small mistakes are made through the story, but the first death doesn't occur until chapter 11, from here, many more go down with them. Only Krakauer and a couple of other climbers actually make it to the top of the mountain. They have already lost most of the climbers, and Krakauer still carries along the survivor's guilt.

I think this is a great book, it is a very entertaining and suspenseful account of the actions on that unfortunate climb. Whether you are into climbing, want to know more about this climb, or just have some time to spare, I think this is a great novel to pick up, and you will not be disappointed.

[Sigrid Fry-Revere · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think I've ever read a non-fiction disaster story written by one of the participants before. I found the psychological reasons for why people climb Everest fascinating but completely beyond comprehension. I also liked that the author Jon Krakauer interspersed his story with things other mountaineers had written about Everest.

[Marissa Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible true story, incredibly well written book. I couldn't put it down. It was thrilling, terrifying, and so sad. Author gives great side notes and background information about the history of Everest and the great climbers of the world while telling about his life changing experience.

[Carol Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. I've never had the desire to go mountain climbing...and still don't. It's so amazing what these men and women went though and amazing anyone survived with how difficult it was.

[Sarah Grace Stafford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

[Meenakshi Garg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book on Everest trek.

[Matt Whitmell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outstanding insight

[Andrew L · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good book just a little confusing

[Clare Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

An eye opening and thought provoking book.