Allreaders.com

Jon Krakauer Message Board


m k marshall posts on 2/9/2008 11:28:46 PM I am curious about what has happened to the lost boys and escapees of Colorado City and other FLDS enclaves. Now that it looks as if John McCain may run for the presidency, can pressure be brought on Colorado, Nevada, Texas and Arizona to do something about restricting public money from supporting this cult?
Lauren posts on 1/9/2008 11:15:19 PM I just finished reading Into the Wild for a school assignment (but I ended up really enjoying the book, with the exception of the portions where Krakauer talks about his own experiences). Much of the criticism that I have read of the book talks about how dumb/senseless McCandless is. I disagree. He knew exactly what he was doing, and he did not care whether or not he lived through it - he just wanted to live life his own way.
Sharon posts on 1/20/2007 11:01:38 AM Just finished reading 'Into Thin Air' after a colleague lent it to me following my husband's recent charity expedition to Everest Base Camp. This is one of the most moving and vivid books I have read and I thank JK for writing it - it must have been incredibly difficult for him and I hope he has since found peace.



Jimmy Miller posts on 12/19/2006 9:56:04 PM Into the wild is an outstanding novel Jon but one question, why did you write this novel? what motivated you?
BfyFour posts on 11/29/2006 8:46:47 PM mhmm his name is Everett Ruess he to quit modern society and set out on his own like chris
Starz posts on 11/2/2006 4:10:59 PM I'm reading this book for my english class and one of the questions we are required to answer is which other character is most like McCandless in chapters 1-9 if anyone has any ideas please write back...
posts on 10/9/2006 3:29:50 PM "Average intelligence?" I think that's a little unfair. Mr. McCandless's story seems to embody a complex of separation issues, identity search, risk-taking behavior and the universal urge to test onself against the elements and find oneself triumphant, together with a strong dash of youthful inexperience and inability to quite appreciate one's own mortality. Mr. Krakauer raises some interesting issues: is Mr. McCandless aping his literary heroes to fill the void of an unsettled personality, or using them as guides to his own artistic search? Is his experience the expression of adolescent self-conceit or is it the personal oddysey of a very young man, following a universal theme of man against the wilderness as embodied in the classic novels he read and selected as guides? Is his failure caused by his own recklessness and inexperience, or by his inability (or maybe refusal) to acknowledge the weaknesses of his literary heroes and limitations of a lifestyle of extreme individualism? Mr. Krakauer has written a sensitive exploration of Mr. McCandless's emotional and geographical oddysey, while providing a critique of the romanticism and heroism of the Jack London-style novels as representing a classic confrontation between civilization and the wilderness. In so doing, he provides an alternate portrait of man's relationship to the wild as an emotional bonding, a living together in tandem, with a profound respect for the dangers as well as the beauties of the physical environment. This is an absorbing, accessible and sensitive book that goes a step beyond the usual nature stories in the issues it raises, and that refuses to prejudge Mr. McCandless without a full examination of the factors that drew him (and others like him) to leave civilization behind and test himself against the wilderness.
posts on 8/22/2006 9:38:12 AM I recently repurchased Into The Wild, after having read it when it first came out. Considering how well written this book is, and the mentioning of Chris's camera, why are there no photographs. I have a vivid imagination but a few actual photographs taken by Chris would have possibly helped to convey more about his journey. Are there any sites, etc, that have his photographs
posts on 7/20/2006 4:21:23 PM I've lived in Alaska all my life and have seen a continuous stream of unprepared, inconsdierate, uninformed, self-righteous, self-proclaimed nature lovers who come to Alaska to "live off the land", "get back to nature" or worse, "protect nature" that they haven't bothered to research. By and large, these folks come to Alaska with Birkenstocks, REI camping gear, a backpack full of power bars and know nothing about loving or living in nature, especially not in the Alaskan wilderness. They fail, and yes, sometimes they die often in spite of our very best attempts to convey neighborly advice, render assistance, or provide emergency care. Certainly, it's tragic, but not for romantic or fatalistic reasons. They die because the are dumb, thank you Mr. Darwin. So. Don't blame the potato seeds or fate for Chris McCandless' death. Feel sorry for him because he was poorly prepared and ultimately gave his life to prove it.
Patti posts on 3/16/2006 6:25:52 PM Has anyone ever found out if the analysis of the wild potato seeds that may have caused Chris's death was ever finished? Did they contain a deadly alkaloid (i.e., swainsonine)? I haven't been able to find an answer to this and would really like to know. Thanks.
Click Here for Messages:    1 - 10   11 - 20  
Click here to post a message to this forum




Note: the views expressed here are only those of the posters.
2 Ways to Search!
Or



Our Chief Librarian