Into Thin Air

A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster

By: Jon Krakauer

Narrated by: Philip Franklin

Length: 9 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

When Jon Krakauer reached the summit of Mt. Everest in the early afternoon of May 10, 1996, he hadn't slept in 57 hours and was reeling from the brain-altering effects of oxygen depletion. As he turned to begin his long, dangerous descent from 29,028 feet, 20 other climbers were still pushing doggedly toward the top. No one had noticed that the sky had begun to fill with clouds.

Six hours later and 3,000 feet lower, in 70-knot winds and blinding snow, Krakauer collapsed in his tent, freezing, hallucinating from exhaustion and hypoxia, but safe. The following morning, he learned that six of his fellow climbers hadn't made it back to their camp and were desperately struggling for their lives. When the storm finally passed, five of them would be dead, and the sixth so horribly frostbitten that his right hand would have to be amputated.

Into Thin Air is the definitive account of the deadliest season in the history of Everest by the acclaimed journalist and author of the best seller Into the Wild. On assignment for Outside Magazine to report on the growing commercialization of the mountain, Krakauer, an accomplished climber, went to the Himalayas as a client of Rob Hall, the most respected high-altitude guide in the world.

A rangy, 35-year-old New Zealander, Hall had summited Everest four times between 1990 and 1995 and had led 39 climbers to the top. Ascending the mountain in close proximity to Hall's team was a guided expedition led by Scott Fischer, a 40-year-old American with legendary strength and drive who had climbed the peak without supplemental oxygen in 1994. But neither Hall nor Fischer survived the rogue storm that struck in May 1996.

Krakauer examines what it is about Everest that has compelled so many people - including himself - to throw caution to the wind, ignore the concerns of loved ones, and willingly subject themselves to such risk, hardship, and expense.

Written with emotional clarity and supported by his unimpeachable reporting, Krakauer's eyewitness account of what happened on the roof of the world is a singular achievement. Into the Wild is available on audio, read by actor Campbell Scott.

©1997 Jon Krakauer (P)1997 Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, A Division of Random House Inc.

Critic reviews

Winner, Margaret A. Edwards Award (Alex Awards), 1998

"Into Thin Air ranks among the great adventure books of all time...a book of rare eloquence and power that could remain relevant for centuries." (Galen Rowell, The Wall Street Journal)

"No added dramatics are needed for the listener to imagine the high-altitude cold, fear, bravado and sense of total isolation felt by all who were trapped beyond help, as well as by those who survived. Franklin’s emulations of the multinational voices of guides, clients and Sherpas bring one still closer to the action." (AudioFile)

Great Story

There were a few moments where the track repeated the same line, which was a little strange. Great narration though.

Captivating

I could not stop listening to this book. It was an amazing story and wonderfully written.

A must read

loved it! It's almost to hard to believe. please do yourself a favor and read this book. please read this before watching the movie if you decide to match the movie.

Absolutely Amazing

What an incredible story. It is absolutely insane to listen to what these climbers experienced on Everest. Loved this book. Enjoyed the narrator as well. He started out somewhat robot like, but then relaxed. Even did different accents for the climbers. I would recommend this book 100%.

Phenomenal!

Could listen to this book over and over and over. Jon's account of the May 10th, 1996 Everest disaster is a stark reminder that mother nature trumps all preparedness. This story packs a punch going on 20 years.

Great Book!

What did you love best about Into Thin Air?

This was a great book. The storyteller and the author allow you to dive headlong into the story with them. Can't say enough good things about this book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Into Thin Air?

There are so many moments in this book that leave you shaking your head, wondering what will happen, and leaving the listening asking the question, "What would I do in that same situation?"

Which character – as performed by Philip Franklin – was your favorite?

I don't really have a favorite. He did well throughout the entire book. I think this being my first book will be tough to beat.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Into Thin Air: Life and Death Decisions on the Top of the World

Any additional comments?

This was a great book! Highly recommend it!

Terrific book

For non-fiction writers, this book is held out to be the gold-plated standard because of the story lends itself to what readers like the most: character development and interaction re a central theme with multiple supporting sub-themes. Also, the title is clever.
This is a terrific book --- a compelling story.

Listening a second time even better

I read this book when it first came out in 1997 or 1998. I really enjoyed it then and became very interested in Everest Reading about everything I could get my hands on. I listened to the audiobook a year or so ago and loved it again. I listened a second time now that it is Everest climbing season and this story does not get old at all.

It's an incredible story of human perseverance, tragedy, and overcoming insurmountable odds.

Interesting Story Well Told

Krakauer knows how to tell a story. Phillip Franklin knows how to narrate a story.

nature is in charge

narrator was good and story seemed truthful and horrific. the events of that trip to Everest will haunt many and deter few adventure seekers. nature is in charge as this book details.