A collection of magazine pieces and essays centered around ice climbing, mountaineering, and the courageous individuals who undertake these perilous adventures has been a captivating read. I have long intended to explore this work, and over the past few weeks, I have thoroughly enjoyed delving into and out of its pages. It has been a truly enriching experience.

Now, I can proudly claim to be a Krakauer completist! His writing style is engaging, his research is meticulous, and his ability to bring these extreme adventures to life on the page is truly remarkable. Krakauer has an uncanny knack for making the reader feel as if they are right there with the climbers, experiencing the fear, the excitement, and the sense of accomplishment.

He is undoubtedly one of my favorite nonfiction authors. His works not only provide a thrilling account of these adventures but also offer profound insights into the human spirit and the lengths that people will go to in order to achieve their goals. I look forward to reading more of his work in the future and continuing to be inspired by his words.

This is one of those books that precisely matches its description.

You can tell right from the start whether it will appeal to you or not. It is a compilation of 12 articles that Krakauer penned about mountain climbing (or related subjects) in the 1980s. I have an affinity for journalism and I appreciate Krakauer's writing style, so I really relished this book.

Admittedly, mountain climbing isn't a specific area of interest for me. However, I had already read "Into Thin Air" which kindled my curiosity in the topic. If you're a bit reluctant due to the mountain climbing aspect, I highly recommend reading "Into Thin Air" first. It serves as a great follow-up to this book, even though it was published nearly a decade later.

I don't think this book has a great deal of lasting power for me. I read it over the span of a month (which is typically how I work my way through collections), and the articles themselves quickly faded from my memory. The only ones I can vividly recall details from are the last one, which is about Krakauer's personal experience of soloing a peak in Alaska, and my least favorite, which is about being confined to your tent for days or weeks during bad weather. Everything else started to blend together as soon as I finished each individual piece.

I don't have a whole lot to say about this book. I truly enjoyed it while I was reading it. Krakauer's writing is excellent and the topics were diverse and interesting, for the most part. Even when they weren't, one of the great things about journalism collections is that the pieces are never much more than 20 pages, so you can move on quite quickly. It was great to get a little taste of different people, events, and the history of mountain climbing.

I would definitely recommend it if it sounds like your cup of tea. It was a very worthwhile read and he has another book that I believe is similar in nature (Classic Krakauer) that I plan to read shortly.

As always, Jon Krakauer has an uncanny ability to deliver truly gripping mountaineering stories that keep readers on the edge of their seats.

This particular book stands out for several reasons. Firstly, it is a collection of independent works, which means that each chapter presents a completely different story. This variety adds a great deal of interest and excitement to the reading experience.

Another advantage of this format is that you can take your time finishing the book. Since each chapter is standalone, you don't have to worry about following a continuous narrative or feeling rushed to get to the end. You can dip in and out of the book as you please, enjoying each story at your own pace.

Furthermore, each chapter offers a fresh dose of mountaineering content with a unique, new, and refreshing perspective compared to the previous chapter. Whether it's a harrowing account of a climb gone wrong or an inspiring tale of perseverance and triumph, Krakauer's writing is always engaging and thought-provoking.

In conclusion, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in mountaineering or adventure stories in general. With its diverse range of stories and engaging writing style, it is sure to captivate readers from start to finish.

Some parts of this thing are really good.

They are engaging, interesting, and keep your attention firmly fixed. It's like a thrilling ride that takes you on an exciting journey.

However, there are also some parts that are a bit of a snooze fest.

These sections seem to drag on and on, lacking the energy and excitement of the better parts.

It's as if you're stuck in a slow-moving train, just waiting for it to pick up speed again.

Overall, it's a bit of a mixed bag.

There are definitely some亮点 that make it worth checking out, but you'll have to wade through the less interesting parts to get to them.

Maybe with a little more polish and refinement, it could be a truly great thing.

I received this book for Christmas from my husband. I truly enjoy Krakauer's work, and this one didn't disappoint me at all.

It is a collection of previously published articles for American magazines like 'Outside'. Since I hadn't read those before, it wasn't a problem for me. Most of the articles date from the 1990's. However, apart from some 'recent developments in climbing' type comments, this didn't take away from the book in any way.

As always, his work is vivid, engaging, and completely readable. This collection contains several stories that were extremely hair-raising. For example, the story about landing a light aircraft on an Alaska mountain in thick fog was so thrilling that I found myself constantly reading bits aloud to my hubby. Now, he is reading the book for himself!

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Krakauer's writing or is interested in adventure and exploration.

Modern tastes have a tendency towards short selections.

This little collection of stories is truly ideal for those individuals who find themselves dozing off after reading just three pages.

It offers concise and engaging narratives that can be easily consumed in a short amount of time.

Moreover, this book has had an unexpected benefit for me. I actually won a corporate spelling bee, and it was because I had learned the word "verglas" from this very book.

The knowledge gained from reading these stories not only provided entertainment but also proved to be useful in a completely different context.

It goes to show that even a small collection of stories can have a significant impact on our lives, whether it's through relaxation or the acquisition of new vocabulary.

This little book is a gem that combines the best of both worlds.

I went on a vacation to Austria for a week, so this seemed to me an ideal book.

Krakauer tries, based on the most bizarre mountain climbing stories, to let other people understand what motivates these people. That didn't succeed. Nevertheless, they are interesting stories that give an insight into what life is like as a fanatical mountain climber.

During my vacation in Austria, I was constantly surrounded by the majestic mountains. It made me even more eager to explore the world of mountain climbing through this book. Krakauer's attempt to convey the essence of what drives those who are passionate about climbing mountains is truly fascinating. Although he may not have fully achieved his goal, the stories he presents offer a unique perspective.

We get to see the extreme challenges and risks that these climbers face, as well as their unwavering determination and love for the mountains. It makes me appreciate the beauty and power of nature even more, and also gives me a newfound respect for those who dare to take on such adventures.

I'm a die-hard fan of Non Fictions. I have delved into "Into Thin Air" and "Into The Wild," both penned by the remarkable author who also wrote "Eiger Dreams," Jon Krakauer. However, for some reason, I couldn't even bring myself to finish "Eiger Dreams."

I'm truly at a loss as to why. The book just doesn't seem to marry the narration with the plot in a seamless way. Currently, I'm engrossed in "Under The Banner Of Heaven" by the same author, and it's simply outstanding, just like "Into Thin Air" and "Into The Wild."

I must admit, I'm a little disappointed with "Eiger Dreams," but that doesn't change my stance that Jon Krakauer is, in my opinion, one of the best non-fiction writers out there. His ability to craft engaging and thought-provoking stories is truly remarkable, even if this particular book didn't quite hit the mark for me.

I'm still looking forward to exploring more of his works and seeing what other literary gems he has in store.

I didn't know that this was a collection of essays! For some unknown reason, I had the impression that it was one continuous narrative story.

As I read through, some of the stories managed to hold my attention more strongly than others. The one where the heights of K2 and Everest were being measured really stood out. Even though I was already aware of the result, it still had a profound impact on me.

Another story that caught my interest was the one about climbing Mount McKinley. There was something spooky and mysterious about it that kept me on the edge of my seat.

The final story, where Krakauer climbs Devil's Thumb, was also quite engaging. Overall, the collection was a bit uneven in terms of pacing and interest, but it was still a pretty enjoyable read.

I'm glad I gave it a chance and discovered these different stories within the pages.

Jon Krakauer's pre-“I'm a big fabulous author” essay collection is truly amazing.

As a huge fan of “Into Thin Air,” I absolutely loved hearing him write about mountain climbing in general. Whether it was his own experiences or when he talked about others who are prominent in the sport, it was all captivating. Some of his work in this collection is super funny, especially the way he describes things. It's very enjoyable to read.

I think all the essays were written in the 80s at some point. There's one about a disastrous year on the mountain K2 in 1986, where he delves deep into discussing whether it's cruel to leave a climber behind when your own life is at stake. Knowing his own story ten years later on Everest, when his own expedition had to make a similar call in leaving quite a few climbers behind, I think when he defended their actions, many thought he was just trying to justify his own reasons for putting himself before others. However, it's quite eye-opening to see that his opinion never once wavered. How he defended the expedition in 1996 is exactly how he defends the K2 climbers who left their friends behind to die on the mountain ten years earlier. It was actually a bit chilling to read and take in. But really, a crap ton of people jump at Krakauer for not leaving his tent to search for missing climbers. But dude, in storms like that where everyone is dead tired, it truly is every man for himself and you know that going into it. Anyway, it's a great read. I wish he was still climbing and writing about it because who knew reading about people climbing up snow, ice, and rocks could be so awesome?

Jon Krakauer is an ardent lover of adventure, and by a fortunate coincidence, he is also a remarkable writer. In fact, I am so captivated by his writing that I would willingly read a grocery list if it were penned by Krakauer.

However, it must be noted that I did not have the same level of affection for this book as I did for his other nonfiction works. This particular volume is a compilation of essays that he has written for different magazines. His topics span a wide range, from ice climbing in the frigid landscapes of Alaska to the challenging climbs in the renowned climbing city of Chamonix in the French Alps.

He delves into the rich history of climbing, explores the exclusive clubs of climbers and boulderers, and does not shy away from discussing the tragic deaths that unfortunately occur on these majestic mountains.

It is abundantly clear that he holds deep respect for all the individuals he writes about. It is also evident that mountain climbing is his true passion. As I read, I couldn't help but wonder how many of the men (and the very few women) he writes about are still alive today, having faced the perils of the mountains.

This book offers a unique perspective on the world of climbing, filled with Krakauer's engaging writing and his profound insights into the minds and lives of those who dare to conquer the heights.

A trance-like state gently descends upon your arduous efforts.

The climb then transforms into a vivid and clear-eyed dream.

Hours seem to glide by with the speed of minutes.

The accumulated guilt and the clutter of day-to-day life - those lapses of conscience, the unpaid bills that weigh on your mind, the bungled opportunities that haunt you, the dust that lurks under the couch, the festering sores within the family, and the inescapable prison of your very genes - all of this is temporarily pushed aside and forgotten.

It is crowded out of your thoughts by an overpowering clarity of purpose and by the solemnity and seriousness of the task that lies right before you.

Well, that truly does sound rather lovely, doesn't it?

As if for a brief moment, all the chaos and burdens of the world are lifted, and you are left with only the pure focus and determination to reach the summit of your climb.

It's a state of being that many of us long for, a respite from the daily grind and a chance to lose ourselves in something greater than ourselves.