Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
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Book Reviews of Into the Wild
Book Review: Amazing Insight
Summary: 5 Stars
The movie was absolutely captivating; so I had to have the book. Normally, I find disappointment when I both read a book and watch a movie based on the book. Not so with Jon Krakauer's "Into the Wild". His basic motivation for writing the book seems to be to understand the character, Chris McCandless. Despite, numerous comments about Chris's death, ranging from he was trying to kill himself to he was simply an idealist on an adventure, Mr. Krakauer probes possible scenerios, compares Chris's actions to others of similar bent including himself, and interviews both Chris's family and the people whose lives Chris touched during his two years of travels before going to Alaska. He, along with a couple of buddies, goes to the scene "in the wild" where Chris lived and died. His analysis is both probative and sensitive. I found the book to be excellent. It is no wonder than Sean Penn wrote a screenplay and produced the movie, with the active consultation of Jon Krakauer, based on this well written and researched book. However, most of all, both the book and the movie ask the question: Why? Why indeed? Because it is part of the human condition to engage the ultimate riddle: life/death.Book Review: Beyond the Obvious
Summary: 5 Stars
I read this because of my respect for Jon Krakauer that I gained from his book "Into Thin Air." Krakauer has always been among the "gifted story tellers" of our day, but this book places him solidly in a peerless terrain - he reaches the struggle of the human soul with this story. McCandless is derogatorily looked upon by some and practically worshipped by others, but Krakauer balances these extremes and thus forces us to look within ourselves for the interpretation of events. I contend that this book could well be placed among the cadre of great classics such as "Anna Karenina" and "War and Peace." The boon for the reader is that it can be grasped with a mere few hours invested, as opposed to days for these others - he strikes the same soul struggles with clarity and efficiency. I contend that McCandless lived more of life in his two short years after college than most of us will experience in our lifetimes - he saw more desert sunsets, more river rages, more brushings with great beasts of the wild, more "mind-numbing skies", than an office full of us "conventionalist" will ever imagine. ENJOY - AGAIN and AGAIN. Behold one who "DARED TO LIVE."
John Z
Book Review: Unbiased view of a journey
Summary: 5 Stars
This book was a great journey through nature, society, and the inner being. The movie and book have both had a lot of controversy surrounding them. With many people calling Chris a fool and the book glorifying his mistakes, and others idolizing Chris and wishing they could go on their own journey. And while i can see how people would get both of these views i don't think the book is either.
I think the author did an excellent job at telling the story of Chris. You feel like your going down the river, working in the cornfields, and enjoying Alaska's wilderness. Mixed in with Chris's story are some of the authors own and other peoples similar journey's. I think these add to the book a lot. They help you see a little more into the type of person Chris was.
If you approach this book with a level head and open mind you will enjoy it. Read it an think about who Chris was, why he went on this journey, and what did he do wrong. Don't idolize him for what he did. Don't criticize him for who he was. Accept the fact that he was and that he experienced things in life most never will. Enjoy walking into the wild.
Book Review: Chris was one of us
Summary: 5 Stars
For some reason reading this book I thought of two famous quotes by Julius Caesar, the great Roman General: A coward dies a thousand deaths, a brave man but once(para-phrased by Shakespeare). A man who is not willing to lose everything, can never win everything. While most of us may talk a good game, Chris had the courage and character to look for his own answers---to risk everything. In the book and movie, Chris is of this world, but certainly not in it. Rafting down the Colorado is both incredibly brave and incredibly dangerous. In the end, whatever mistakes Chris made he paid for in full. He owes no one any apologies or explanations. Occasionally, someone reached out and touched his heart, but he was still driven to find his answers. But some of the people who met him, knew him and loved him. And he died as any real man would want to, with his reach exceeding his grasp. I pay Chris the greatest complement I can: I like you Chris and if fate had given me the opportunity, I would been honored to number you among my friends, but only on your terms.Book Review: An essential read for those of overly rebelious youth
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm sure most of us have rebelled against various forms of order during our youth (government, teachers, parents), but for some this portends a hurt that lies much deeper. Into the Wild details the captivating story surrounding the life, and death, of Christopher McCandless.
Having reformed my prior rebellious nature, this book churned some of the old hurt that I thought I had laid to rest. Though this book gives incredible detail of Chris' life and his incredible exploits, its a serious commentary on how we always hurt the ones we love. I was so moved, that I attempted to call my parents to apologize for my faults as a son.., at 4am in the morning.
Krakauer does an incredible job carefully exposing the layers of Chris' story. Carefully researched and beautifully written, I would recommend this to anyone, regardless of their predilections about wilderness exploration. Unable to put it down, I finished it in a single day during a marathon 6 hour session. It's a great read.
You won't regret it.