Scan barcode
A review by alisegrant
Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster by Jon Krakauer
4.0
Harrowing, disturbing, heart-breaking. I am a little baffled at how self-righteous so many commentators and reviewers are of Krakauer and his account of this disaster. As if they would know better at such high altitudes in such a scenario. As if their morality would drive them to bravely rescue their fellow man rather than run for safety and shelter. We all think we'll be moral and courageous when the battle lines are drawn, but we will only know for sure which we are after the fact. I admire Krakauer's honesty. Some people do come off as villains in this book, but he clearly proves himself to be among their ranks. He is quick to point out what was courageous and heroic among his fellow climbers as well, which shows he isn't only in the business of casting blame. The reader must do the work of untangling whether Krakauer's depictions are fair or not. Krakauer is allowed his opinions about people's character, ability and actions. And we as readers are allowed to asses the validity of those opinions.
I think what makes people so angry about this account is that the tone comes across like documentary. The writing feels very matter-of-fact, somewhat detached and clinical. I think this is understandable given the intense grief through which it was crafted. Trying to assess truth through tears is a horrible task. Throughout the book you sense the doom; there is terrible foreboding in every chapter.
I am left wondering about my own judgments. I thought about the idolatry of the mountain, the idolatry of the illusive and seductive summit that lured so many into pain and death. I thought about the intensity of human motivation, how men and women pushed themselves beyond all limits, ignoring exhaustion, brains and bodies screaming for oxygen. I'm left with Why? Because I don't understand that kind of push. I'm much weaker in my mind and body, I would have given up much sooner than these men and women, because I wouldn't have even made it out of the comfort of my own home to undertake something so dangerous, no matter how thrilling the idea of success or how strong the siren song of fame was...
Am I glad I read this? Yes, though it was a painful read at the end! I will be thinking hard and long of this book, considering the indomitable resilience of human ambition. We were made to be conquerers, despite the costs. Standing on the top of the tallest mountain in the world is one of the clearest depictions of dominion, isn't it? Only mankind would push past shrill screaming instinct just to conquer something, just to prove it could be done. I look on this aspect of human nature with admiration and dread. It is as terrible to behold as the great Everest itself.
I think what makes people so angry about this account is that the tone comes across like documentary. The writing feels very matter-of-fact, somewhat detached and clinical. I think this is understandable given the intense grief through which it was crafted. Trying to assess truth through tears is a horrible task. Throughout the book you sense the doom; there is terrible foreboding in every chapter.
I am left wondering about my own judgments. I thought about the idolatry of the mountain, the idolatry of the illusive and seductive summit that lured so many into pain and death. I thought about the intensity of human motivation, how men and women pushed themselves beyond all limits, ignoring exhaustion, brains and bodies screaming for oxygen. I'm left with Why? Because I don't understand that kind of push. I'm much weaker in my mind and body, I would have given up much sooner than these men and women, because I wouldn't have even made it out of the comfort of my own home to undertake something so dangerous, no matter how thrilling the idea of success or how strong the siren song of fame was...
Am I glad I read this? Yes, though it was a painful read at the end! I will be thinking hard and long of this book, considering the indomitable resilience of human ambition. We were made to be conquerers, despite the costs. Standing on the top of the tallest mountain in the world is one of the clearest depictions of dominion, isn't it? Only mankind would push past shrill screaming instinct just to conquer something, just to prove it could be done. I look on this aspect of human nature with admiration and dread. It is as terrible to behold as the great Everest itself.