- Paperback: 224 pages
- Publisher: Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group; 1 edition (20 Jan 1997)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0385486804
- ISBN-13: 978-0385486804
- Product Dimensions: 20.3 x 13.4 x 1.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (104 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 229,744 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Into the Wild
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
What would possess a gifted young man recently graduated from college to literally walk away from his life? Noted outdoor writer and mountaineer Jon Krakauer tackles that question in his reporting on Chris McCandless, whose emaciated body was found in an abandoned bus in the Alaskan wilderness in 1992.
Described by friends and relatives as smart, literate, compassionate and funny, did McCandless simply read too much Thoreau and Jack London and lose sight of the dangers of heading into the wilderness alone? Krakauer, whose own adventures have taken him to the perilous heights of Everest, provides some answers by exploring the pull the outdoors, seductive yet often dangerous, has had on his own life. --Amazon.com --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
Review
"Terrifying...Eloquent...A heart-rending drama of human yearning."-"New York Times"
"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"
"It may be nonfiction, but "Into the Wild" is a mystery of the highest order."-"Entertainment Weekly" --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
"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"
"It may be nonfiction, but "Into the Wild" is a mystery of the highest order."-"Entertainment Weekly" --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
Jim Gallien had driven four miles out of Fairbanks when he spotted the hitchhiker standing in the snow beside the road, thumb raised high, shivering in the gray Alaska dawn. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
Jim Gallien had driven four miles out of Fairbanks when he spotted the hitchhiker standing in the snow beside the road, thumb raised high, shivering in the gray Alaska dawn. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I was inspired to buy this book after seeing Sean Penn's amazing film. At the beginning I thought it was just going to underline how faithful Penn's film is to the book, but Krakauer does give a lot more background to the McCandless saga, which is really fascinating.
I really enjoyed the quotations at the beginning of each chapter, some of which have introduced me to new authors like Anthony Storr. Krakauer also weaves in accounts of other idealistic young adventurers, which gives a useful perspective. He has also his own dramatic story to tell, which he does in a very understated way.
The subject matter is extremely absorbing and Krakauer writes beautifully and tells the story at beguiling pace. He quotes the story of Everett Ruess by means of comparison, and he quotes how Everett Ruess's father mused after his son disappeared in the desert, "The older person does not realize the soul-flights of the adolescent. I think we all poorly understood Everett."
The amazing bravery and foolishness of McCandless that reminds us of our own adolescent soul-flights, and how, beneath our exteriors, we have so much yearning and anguish.
I really enjoyed the quotations at the beginning of each chapter, some of which have introduced me to new authors like Anthony Storr. Krakauer also weaves in accounts of other idealistic young adventurers, which gives a useful perspective. He has also his own dramatic story to tell, which he does in a very understated way.
The subject matter is extremely absorbing and Krakauer writes beautifully and tells the story at beguiling pace. He quotes the story of Everett Ruess by means of comparison, and he quotes how Everett Ruess's father mused after his son disappeared in the desert, "The older person does not realize the soul-flights of the adolescent. I think we all poorly understood Everett."
The amazing bravery and foolishness of McCandless that reminds us of our own adolescent soul-flights, and how, beneath our exteriors, we have so much yearning and anguish.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A wonderous, moving account of a young man's struggle with having to conform to society. This story leaves the reader visiting their own sense of whether we are trapped in a Human Zoo of our own making. It awakens feelings of wildness and adventure and makes you crave for more.... The reader ends up asking the question `Was Chris McCandless complacent with his life or adventurous and brave?'
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I bought this book out of pure curiosity; I had heard people talk about how great the film was and caught about fifteen minutes of it on TV once. I was intrigued.
If you have certain sensibilities then the product synopsis will be enough for you to want to read this book. The story of a man who leaves civilised society to discover 'the truth of his own existence', to chase adventure, meaning, truth and beauty in life could be the work of a great fiction novelist. But the story is true and Krakauer's account of Chris McCandless is incredibly moving but also honest; outlining his follies as well as his heart,spirit and intelligence.
One of the best things about this book is that it is not an exercise in pulling in sympathy for Chris or his family. As I said it is very honest and written from the point of view of someone who not only was drawn to the events but who is standing on the outside and wants to understand. In order to do this, John Krakauer draws parallels between Chris McCandless's story and other adventurers' to help uncover what would make someone embark on such a dangerous and brave undertaking. This book is as much of an exploration of human character as it is an account of a tragic 'Alaskan Odyssey'.
This book isnt for you if you are the kind of person who reads the synopsis and dismisses McCandless (and people like him) as arrogant and foolhardy. This book is for you if you have that own sense of adventure yourself. If you do, I dare you to not be moved and drawn into this poignant tale.
If you have certain sensibilities then the product synopsis will be enough for you to want to read this book. The story of a man who leaves civilised society to discover 'the truth of his own existence', to chase adventure, meaning, truth and beauty in life could be the work of a great fiction novelist. But the story is true and Krakauer's account of Chris McCandless is incredibly moving but also honest; outlining his follies as well as his heart,spirit and intelligence.
One of the best things about this book is that it is not an exercise in pulling in sympathy for Chris or his family. As I said it is very honest and written from the point of view of someone who not only was drawn to the events but who is standing on the outside and wants to understand. In order to do this, John Krakauer draws parallels between Chris McCandless's story and other adventurers' to help uncover what would make someone embark on such a dangerous and brave undertaking. This book is as much of an exploration of human character as it is an account of a tragic 'Alaskan Odyssey'.
This book isnt for you if you are the kind of person who reads the synopsis and dismisses McCandless (and people like him) as arrogant and foolhardy. This book is for you if you have that own sense of adventure yourself. If you do, I dare you to not be moved and drawn into this poignant tale.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Profoundy moving read
Having watched the film, I found the book added to my understanding of the story and the two together worked well ( unusual for a film/book I find). Read more
Published 11 days ago by Faye
Brave and principled or thoughtless and reckless?
"Into the Wild", the subject of a recent Sean Penn directed movie, relates the events surrounding the death of Chris McCandless, aka Alex Supertramp, in the wilds of Alaska... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Ripple
A Brillant, Unforgetable Story
This is an excellent true story of an intelligent, intense, and idealistic young man, who abandoned his upper middle class family and became Alexander Supertramp, a loner living... Read more
Published 1 month ago by J. Lock
really good book
good book, read it while i was travelling and wanted to read it again. good price and an awesome read
Published 2 months ago by ali b
wow
by far the best book i have ever read, if your debating it, just buy it, id almost say its life changing. Read more
Published 3 months ago by A. S. Davidson
Into the Wild
Book arrived in excellent condition and in double quick time. It is a present for my daughter who loved the film and wants to read the book. Thanks
Published 5 months ago by Rainbow51
GOOD STORY ABOUT AN ILL PREPARED INDIVIDUAL
I did a bit of survival training in the Marines..Key to survival is knowledge..What plants to eat-what snakes are poisonous-don't just eat rabbit meat, eat the eyes and the... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Jaime (Jim) Batista
Alright.
The true story of 'Alexander Supertramp' is extremely interesting. However, I did not enjoy the author spending a large section of the book discussing other characters in... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Nabbers
Nice account of Christopher McCandless' adventure
This book explains the adventures of a young boy who feels misunderstood and tries to find his place in this big world. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Eli
Made me think about my life.
The story of the life of Christopher McCandless who aged 24 set off into Alaska on a personal odyssey aiming to survive on what he could gather or trap. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Steven Unwin
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