Jon Krakauer

The story of Chris McCandless, a young man who embarked on a solo journey into the wilds of Alaska and whose body was discovered four months later, explores the allure of the wilderness

Into the Wild

Nova <3

Annabelle Gauthier

But then I am always being overwhelmed. I require it to sustain life.

Fikra Fadilla

Walt studies a sailboat scudding beneath the window of his waterfront townhouse. "How is it," he wonders aloud as he gazes blankly across Chesapeake Bay, "that a kid with so much compassion could cause his parents so much pain?"

His hair was long, and he had a beard. Chris almost always had short hair and was clean-shaven. And the face in the picture was extremely gaunt. But I knew right away. There was no doubt. It was Chris. I went home, picked up Michele, my wife, and drove out to Maryland to tell Dad and Billie. I didn't know what I was going to say. How do you tell someone that their child is dead?

This interested me how an academic person is obsessed with this concept. Despite all the things he learned, getting a 4.0 GPA he feels it's not enough and begins a totally  different approach to life. 

"He became convinced that humans had devolved into progressively inferior beings," McKinney explains, "and it was his goal to return to a natural state. He was forever experimenting with different eras-- Roman times, the Iron Age, the Bronze Age. By the end his lifestyle had elements of the Neolithic."

With an introduction by novelist David Vann Jon Krakauer’s Into the Wild examines the true story of Chris McCandless, a young man, who in 1992 walked deep into the Alaskan wilderness and whose SOS note and emaciated corpse were found four months later. Internationally bestselling author and mountaineer Jon Krakauer explores the obsession which leads some people to discoverthe outer limits of self, leave civilization behind and seek enlightenment through solitude and contact with nature. In 2007, Into the Wild was adapted as a critically acclaimed film, directed by Sean Penn and Emile Hirsch and Kristen Stewart.

Sebastian Stockmarr

Emily Lucie

Chris Dailey

Adventure story with a non-conformist message that follows the precocious Chris McCandress as he abandons his upper-middle class roots to tramp around the country until his unnecessarily tragic demise in the Alaskan bush. The journalistic style works well as Krakauer is able to fill the multitude of gaps that make up the years McCandress spent on the road and brings to life several yeoman characters as well as places that barely make it onto a map. Interspersed with digressions into the history of Alaska, short biographies of other social misfits, and chemical biology among other topics, the book leaves it up to the reader to determine whether its protagonist was disgruntled or disturbed; enlightened or entitled.

Megan Parrott

It pains me to enjoy the story of a man's death, but "Into the Wild" is so beautifully terrifying and tragic that I find myself rereading this book from time to time. I'm not old enough to remember the events in real time, but I can't help but agonize and sympathize with McCandless' family and friends, and also with Chris himself. I think we all have personal demons to wrestle with, but I'd argue Krakauer provides a pretty balanced account of what happened, especially given little insight into McCandless' state of mind during those last few weeks. 

Side note: Krakauer's personal descriptions of climbing Devils Thumb kept me up at night. Wow this dude can write.

Into the wild.

Excellently written, but Krakauer fails to convince me that Chris McCandless wasn't a foolhardy idiot. And I preferred Into Thin Air.

Jonnie

maitha mana

'Two years he walked the earth, no phone, no pool, no pets, no cigarettes, ultimate freedom. An extremist, an aesthetic voyager whose home is the road. Escaped from Atlanta. Thou shalt not return, cause "the west is the best." and now after two rambling years comes the final and greatest adventure. The climatic battle to kill the false being within and victoriously conclude the spiritual pilgrimage. Ten days and nights of freight trains and hitchhiking bring him to the great while north. No longer to be poisoned by civilization he flees, and walks alone upon the land to become lost in the wild.'

It was interesting to read this, because so much of what was experienced with Christopher is unknown and just secondhand information or partial knowledge. I feel much sadness that he passed, but understand that most came from his unpreparedness, despite what caused his death mostly being out of his hands. A tragic story.

Sarah Campbell

Heroism lies in defining and striving for your truth, regardless of practicality. McCandless chased a solitary Alaskan dream, unprepared but with unwavering commitment. His final photo, gaunt but radiant, speaks of fulfilled purpose, though at a tragic cost. We applaud self-made heroes, even as we question their choices.

Liana

Lara Engle

I've taught this book four times now. It's still moving and thought-provoking. There are so many ideas for students to consider and disagree about. This prompts deep thought and thoughtful discussion among students.

Ayesha ahmed

One of my favorites definitely! I gave it a four star because honestly there were some parts of the book that were just boring me to death. The story of Chris, is one of those stories that completely relate to me, albeit his "ignorance" when he decided to go hiking, I personally think most of us would love to just leave and live that way for some time, but we're all cowards. His courageness is another thing I love about this guy and how he feels like he needs a break from society, it's just what makes me feel really connected to him. However, how he treated his parents was unfair and annoying, especially when they did not ever do something that deserves that kind of treatment, here's where everybody just calls him a spoilt brat, which isn't true in my point of view because everybody deals with their issues in their own personal way.

Anthony

Amazing book. The story of Christopher McCandless is one I will never forget. An inspiring tale that has helped me develop some dreams of adventure and travel of my own.

could not put this down. started to drag at the end but overall an incredible story, still fascinates me that this actually happened and the amount of people chris positively impacted. a must-read

the_basis_

Jeannette Ordas

A romantic journey (but definitely not a sentimental one) of one man's quest to rid himself of modern trappings and live his life true to his heart. Krakauer definitely shared the same wanderlust as McCandless and admired his journey into the wild. While Krackauer has respect for the noble ideals of Chris' journey, we hear 2nd hand personal accounts along with diary entries that show Chris McCandless as a well liked but flawed individual who definitely suffered from arrogance and hubris. 

Yes, Chris McCandless was kind of unlikable but who doesn't love hearing about people who give up their life to follow their dreams. I gobbled this book up like trail mix!

Jon Krakauer's Into the Wild examines true story of Chris McCandless, a young man, who in 1992 walked deep into the Alaskan wilderness and whose SOS note and emaciated corpse were found four months later, internationally bestselling author Jon Krakauer explores the obsession which leads some people to explore the outer limits of self, leave civilization behind and seek enlightenment through solitude and contact with nature. A 2007 film adaptation of Into the Wild was directed by Sean Penn and starred Emile Hirsch and Kristen Stewart.

Lauren Wightman

It was at times hard to find Chris sympathetic, especially since Krakauer frequently comes off as glorifying his actions and ideals. However by the end you are faced with the deep tragedy of loss and it is hard to mercilessly fault someone who can't defend themselves.

“I was surprised, as always, by how easy the act of leaving was, and how good it felt. The world was suddenly rich with possibility”

Ruby Long

This book is not my cup of tea, but it’s good. It really did good exploring Chris Mccandlesses time in the wild and the motive to take that time. It was objectively a good book and an interesting read.

Abby

Gretchen Sartele

Krakauer certainly is a very thoughtful writer and I appreciated his careful portrayal of Chris and the choices he made that lead him to his demise. 

A quality cautionary tale and a reminder that running away from your problems isn't always the right answer. Especially if you're doing it underprepared in the wilds of Alaska.

Chiara Fabbri

Using the true story of a young man, who in 1992 walked deep into the Alaskan wilderness and whose SOS note and emaciated corpse were found four months later, Krakauer explores the obsession which leads some people to explore the outer limits of self, leave civilization behind and seek enlightenment through solitude and contact with nature.

Allison Garrett

This book was required for my English class and I hated almost every minute of it. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone for a pleasure book.

Trever

Sara Hakkoum

What is there to think after learning about something like this? It's a damn shame, that's all I can think. Chris McCandless is officially the most remarkable, amazing, inspiring person I have ever heard of. I was able to relate to him more than I thought I would.
I don't think anybody has the right to criticize or judge him for the decisions he made throughout his life. Anyone who does either doesn't understand life or is a coward. To get the most out of this tragic story, you'll need to open your mind first.
Chris lived simply, and he saw things simply. He dealt with things simply. And he died simply. Although incredibly sad, his death was beautiful because he faced it with a smile. He was strong and brave because he was happy. And he was happy because he lived simply and achieved everything he ever wanted to. And that's all that really matters in life.
Of course, maybe if he hadn't died, he would've gone on to do more amazing things. He would have shared his stories with the world, perhaps, and inspired people for more generations than he already has. But it shouldn't be a loss that he couldn't. He may have been selfish and stubborn, but he knew what made him happy, and he wouldn't let anybody stop him. And that's living.
There is no doubt that he should have been better equipped for his "great Alaskan odyssey," but I suppose everything happens for a reason. Chris McCandless didn't die for nothing. Countless people have probably learned from him. Now, of course, there are some of you that would say no one else should go around doing the things he did because it's careless and dangerous. But that's not it.
What you take from this story isn't motivation to go and get lost in some strange place without a map or a cell phone or money; of course not! What you take from it is an understanding of this messed up world and your role in it. It's not about what it was that Chris did or how "incompetent" he was, it's about the fact that he wanted to do something and he went out and did it. He was a wise man, though his life was fleeting. Maybe he didn't intend on becoming so well-known, maybe he didn't think he was a wise man. But that's how it is, and his wisdom is forever shared with the world.
He might not live on the earth that he once loved and learned from, but he lives in my heart and my head and will live there for a long time to come. And if I could, I would thank him.

Chris McCandless in a nutshell: Beautiful.

✨Tyler ✨

After being (unexpectedly) blown away by "into thin air", I was really looking forward to reading this since its The Jon Krakauer Book. However, it was Just Fine.

allison moler

Nick Bicko

Die Verfilmung ist bei mir unter den elitären zwei Handvoll Filmen, die ich mit der Höchstnote von 10/10 bewertet habe und auch das Buch von Jon Krakauer stößt in diese Sphären vor.

Auch wenn mich biographische, nonfiktionale Bücher normalerweise nicht wirklich fesseln können, ist die Geschichte von Chris McCandless aka Alexander Supertramp, der nach seinem Collegeabschluss zum Aussteiger wird und zwei Jahre lang auf dem nordamerikanischen Kontinent unterwegs ist und schließlich tragisch in Alaska verhungert, einfach zu "gut", um sie weglegen zu können.

Krakauer beschreibt - nicht immer chronologisch - das Leben und den Tod von McCandless, spricht mit der Familie und zahllosen Weggefährten und zeichnet so ein eindrucksvoll detailliertes Bild seiner letzten zwei Lebensjahre. 
Das Buch widmet sich außerdem einigen mit McCandless vergleichbaren Lebensgeschichten und ist auch autobiographisch in Krakauers Alaska-Abenteuern unterwegs. Diese ständig wechselnden Themen lockern das Ganze erheblich auf und der sehr bildhafte Schreibstil erwecken den Anschein, als wäre man live dabei.

McCandless selbst ist eine unfassbar spannende Persönlichkeit und sein Ableben weit weniger Naivität und viel mehr Pech, als ich vorher dachte. Ob er jetzt aber als Idol der Ausreißer-"Szene" gelten sollte, ist zumindest diskutabel.

Into the Wild

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