In 1996, Jon Krakauer along with a team of climbers including two company climbing leaders and their team, set out to climb Mount Everest. For Jon, this was going to be a first hand story of the appeal to climb for the magazine he worked for at the time, Outside Magazine. Rob Hall was the Guide for Krakauer’s group and knew what a positive story about the climb would do for his business.
On average, from 1920 when groups started climbing Everest, one climber would die for every four who gave the mountain a try. There were no promises made of your success to the top, or even coming back. At the time of Krakauer’s climb, the cost for this experience was a whopping $65,000 per person.
Unfortunately, this climb would become the deadliest in history. After a storm hits on May 10th, 8 of this groups will die on the mountain….
Into Thin Air, is the story of this fateful trip.
Recently, my husband and I rented and watched the movie Everest. It was, fantastic. While watching the details of this event, the name Jon Krakauer kept ringing a bell. I told my husband, I think he is an author. Crazily enough, I had forgotten that Jon Krakauer was not only an author, but the author of Into Thin Air, the book about this event and this movie we were currently watching. I had completely forgotten that this author was actually on this guided climb that took the lives of many.
I know at some point I had read Into Thin Air. Looking through this site, I discovered it was prior to my blogging days. Suddenly I wanted to listen to it on audio, knowing the first time around I had read the book. I am so glad I did.
Obviously the whole story in remarkable and sad. Narrated by Philip Franklin, he was as impressive as a narrator as those I find my favorites for non fiction listens. Fully engrossing, his voice steadily unfolded the story.
While the movie Everest is the loosely inspired by this book, it has its differences and a few that have upset author Jon Krakauer. I wont give anything away, I encourage you to see the movie and of course read or listen to this amazing book.
What drives a person to spend that amount of money? What is within some that makes a goal of reaching the top of a mountain known to take the lives of many so appealing?
Highly recommended – the audio is fantastic and so is the book.
- Listening Length: 9 hours and 8 minutes
- Program Type: Audiobook
- Version: Unabridged
- Publisher: Books on Tape
- Audible.com Release Date: December 15, 1999
Book Journey 
I’ve recently listened to two of Krakauer’s books and loved them both. I’ll have to add this to my list.
I love his books too! I just picked up one I did not have at the library sale today!
What a wonderful review. I haven’t read this yet, but I will at some point.
It is so interesting and to have a first hand account of this awful tragedy – I can not even imagine what that did to him.
Neither can I. Having experienced our own tragedies, we can certainly empathize with him though. Hugs, my friend.
I’m definitely adding this to my Audible wish list. I’ve read some of Krakauer’s books in the past, but I think I would prefer this on in audio.
This is very good on audio.
My son saw the movie Everest with my husband and has read this book and Denali Howls, plus some other non-fiction similar title, so he’s quite into mountain-climbing (from afar– he’s never tried it).
I’m glad I read your review. I like Krakauer, have read 2 or 3 books by him, most recently Missoula. I have to pick up my son’ copy of Into Thin Air, lurking on his bookshelf in my home, and give it a try.
I will have to check out Denali Howls! Yes give this one a try – it is an important book.
I saw Everest in 3-D long ago; my gosh do these climbers have cahones and boy did that sad part make me cry.
Yes. It is a sad book.
I have read Jon Krakauer before, but been forever. Should check this one out!
Sheila, this really does sound remarkable and touching. I’m glad you enjoyed the narration by Philip Franklin.
this was a sad story-however it was well written.
I’ve read this book and loved it. Glad to know the audio is fantastic, too!