Into Thin Air  (English, Paperback, Krakauer Jon)

Into Thin Air is a record of a 24 hour period on Everest that ended tragically. Eight people were reported dead after having faced harsh conditions because of the hurricane-force winds.

Summary or the Book

When the members of three separate groups go on an expedition to the Everest, they are caught in a fierce storm of winds, exposure and the effects of altitude. This resulted in the highest death toll that took place in a single season in the peak’s history. It was the year 1996 and Outside magazine had sent Jon Krakauer, a veteran journalist and seasoned climber, on an expedition led by Rob Hall who was a celebrated Everest guide. However, this was not of any advantage to those who went on the expedition as, despite Hall’s expertise and the guidance of other leaders, eight people had died at the end of the summit day. In his book, Jon tells his readers the story of the ill-fated day and gives us an analysis of the factors that lead to the tragic and horrific end. He has also mentioned the triumphs of other Everest expeditions in history, and gives us a view of the Everest landscape through his writing. The book also speaks of the author’s own anguish.

About Jon Krakauer

Jon Krakauer is an American writer and mountaineer. He is best known for his stories about the outdoors, and mostly wrote about mountain climbing. He has authored bestselling non-fiction books like Into the Wild, Into Thin Air and Under the Banner of Heaven.