While stuck on a delayed train (as always here in Sweden), I dove into an old issue of Swedish Outside magazine, which paid tribute to legendary Swedish adventurer and mountaineer Göran Kropp. The article reignited my passion for adventure literature, especially books on mountain climbing. Inspired, I decided to revisit one of my all-time favorites—Into Thin Air. That reread led to this Jon Krakauer book review, where I explore his gripping account of the 1996 Everest disaster.
The september 1996 issue of Outside Magazine. With its 17 000 word feature article on The Story On Everest.
Thrilling reads on mountain climbing
Books about mountain climbing are often intense, and despite my fear of heights, they somehow always find their way into my shopping cart. There are some truly compelling reads in the genre.
One standout is Johan Lagerström’s book (loosely translated to) Everest The Hard Way, covering the 1991 Swedish Everest expedition. Another must-read is Daniel Lagerkrantz’s Göran Kropp 8000+, an excellent tribute to Kropp’s remarkable achievements. Both books are essential for any adventure fan. The same goes for Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer.
Jon Krakauer: A master of adventure storytelling
Now, let’s talk about Jon Krakauer—the bestselling American author, mountaineer, and journalist known for his gripping adventure narratives. His 9,000-word 1993 Outside Magazine article, Death of an Innocent, about Chris McCandless’ tragic fate, was both heartbreaking and unforgettable. This piece later expanded into the 1996 bestseller Into the Wild, a beautifully written and gut-wrenching book that became a 2007 film adaptation directed by Sean Penn.
Krakauer’s storytelling is deeply immersive, making his books hard to put down. So, with high expectations, I picked up his 1997 bestseller Into Thin Air, where he recounts the tragic 1996 Mount Everest expedition he was part of.
A harrowing account of the 1996 Everest disaster
Into Thin Air details Jon Krakauer’s attempt to summit Mount Everest in May 1996 as part of a diverse expedition team. The slow ascent, bottlenecks at key passages, and grueling conditions made for a perilous climb. Though Krakauer reached the summit, exhaustion and oxygen deprivation overshadowed his achievement.
The descent turned into a nightmare. A sudden storm trapped climbers at high altitudes, leading to one of the deadliest disasters in Everest history—nine climbers from four expeditions lost their lives.
Why Into Thin Air is a Must-Read
Krakauer meticulously describes the planning, dangers, and brutal realities of high-altitude climbing. He explores crucial topics such as acclimatization, frostbite, pulmonary edema, teamwork, and the unique camaraderie among climbers. His firsthand account makes the book both educational and deeply engaging.
Despite its age, Into Thin Air remains one of my all-time favorite adventure books. The gripping narrative made it impossible to put down. If you love adventure stories and tales of human endurance, this is an absolute must-read. The same goes also for Krakauers Into The Wild, about the life and adventures of Chris MaCandles.
The 1997 tv-movie poster.
Into Thin Air: Death on Everest – A Solid Film Adaptation
In 1997, just a year after Into Thin Air was published, the story was adapted into the TV movie Into Thin Air: Death on Everest. Directed by Robert Markowitz, starring Christopher McDonald as Jon Krakauer, alongside Peter Horton as Scott Fischer, Richard Jenkins as Beck Weathers, and Nathaniel Parker as Rob Hall.
Critics and audiences gave the film mixed to positive reviews. While some praised its tension and realism, others felt it struggled to fully capture the emotional weight of Krakauer’s book. Though not a Hollywood blockbuster, Into Thin Air: Death on Everest remains a solid adaptation that effectively dramatizes the tragic events. For those interested in Everest’s most infamous disaster, it serves as an engaging companion to Krakauer’s book.
Retirement and further reading
“I’m 66, about to turn 67. I’m not writing any more books. I’m done”
Those words was not easy to swallow, when Krakauer decided to retire in 2021. However, he remains active online, and besides his books and their film adaptations, there are plenty of articles available—especially his writings from Outside magazine.
Dont miss this interiew with Jon in Outside Magazine. And Jon Krakauers home on Medium. Photos in this Jon Krakauer book review are borrowed from Amazon and Jons Medium. Below you can watch a very rare 1997 presentation from Krakauer regarding the 1996 Everest Disaster that lead to Into Thin Air.
Best Regards Johan Åhlund – Thank you for visiting LegandsAndNostalgia.com
