Into the Wild

By: Jon Krakauer

Narrated by: Philip Franklin

Length: 7 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

In April 1992 a young man from a well-to-do family hitchhiked to Alaska and walked alone into the wilderness north of Mt. McKinley. His name was Christopher Johnson McCandless. He had given $25,000 in savings to charity, abandoned his car and most of his possessions, burned all the cash in his wallet, and invented a new life for himself. His body - along with a camera with five rolls of film, an SOS note, and a cryptic diary written in the back pages of a book about edible plants - was found six months later by a hunter.

©2007 Jon Krakauer (P)2007 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A narrative of arresting force. Anyone who ever fancied wandering off to face nature on its own harsh terms should give a look. It's gripping stuff."—Washington Post

"Compelling and tragic ... Hard to put down." —San Francisco Chronicle

"Engrossing ... with a telling eye for detail, Krakauer has captured the sad saga of a stubborn, idealistic young man."—Los Angeles Times Book Review

Worth the read

I enjoyed this book. Yes, it is an expanded version of what was a magazine article, but the additional information on other similar people who did similar "into the wild" expeditions was interesting. I found Chris McCandless fascinating. Although I never did what he did, his desire for this adventure struck a chord with me. I always think - "in my next life...." what will I do? I have always thoroughly enjoyed the times I have spent extended time in nature, away from a "normal" life. I've camped alone and with my husband in remote areas with no "modern conveniences", including one experience that included a bear attack (though I was not injured). These experiences rank very high on my list of best of my life! I do not think McCandless was completely unprepared for his Alaska adventure. I won't do a spoiler alert but suffice to say, I think he could have done a couple more things to live through this adventure, but overall, he was more than a little unlucky. I am not sure I want to see the movie. I am generally disappointed in doing so. I'm glad to have read the book.

Interesting Listen

This is ok I guess after you have listened to all the true 4-5 star rated audios.
Wanted to get through it and have it end. I'm of the same train of thought that
you have to be expertly prepared to face the Alaskan Wilderness. Look at how
many locals die by being unprepared and to have an outsider take unwarranted
chances is senseless. You may be able to brave the weather some of the time
but you got to be prepared. Have food , good communication, and have a plan
b and c. Nuff said!

I can't listen to something this boring

first it made it impossible to find the actual chapters, second it was nothing but bad choices, last of all it bore me, it bore the woman who's read the entire dictionary out of curiosity.

Thought the author forced himself into the story

What made the experience of listening to Into the Wild the most enjoyable?

I liked the way Chris' struggle is depicted

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Tame out all the authors tie ins to his own life

Any additional comments?

It's not a biography. It's a good story, but a lot of it has more to do with the authors life and struggle than with Chris'

exactly what I hoped for...

Tremendous book! Inspiring yet objective with great aspects of history along with technical knowledge of the outdoors...

Enjoyed Immensely as one with Wanderlust myself

Since I seem to have a need to travel somewhat unconventionally as much as possible I could relate in many ways to McCandless, the author, and other characters. Also very much enjoyed well-chosen quotes from other authors throughout. I liked the narrator. I read this book and listened at the same time.

Too Slow

I had high hopes. It was fine but a little slow for my taste. I stopped listening after 90 minutes (and I keep my speed accelerated).

Free Spirit

it's hard to understand someone who has a free spirit and doesn't follow conventional ways. It doesn't make it wrong, just hard to understand. The research it takes to follow Chris's journey is extensive and worth listening to hear more about someone who had to do it their own way.

heart breaking

I think Jon Krakauer did an excellent job of understanding Chris. He makes it a little easier for people who are completely baffled by Chris's actions to understand
my heart goes out to his parents and sister. it's a true tragedy. Narrator Philip Franklin does an excellent job

messy timeline

if it wasn't for the author's 3 minute ego inflation in the beginning, I would have given it 4 stars.