Jon Krakauer Books

A bank of clouds was assembling on the not-so-distant horizon, but journalist-mountaineer Jon Krakauer, standing on the summit of Mt. Everest, saw nothing that "suggested that a murderous storm was bearing down." He was wrong. The storm, which claimed five lives and left countless more--including Krakauer's--in guilt-ridden disarray, would also provide the impetus for Into Thin Air, Krakauer's epic account of the May 1996 disaster.

Acquaintance rape presents a unique and harrowing challenge for victims, who often face more scrutiny than their alleged assailants. This is particularly true for women who are sexually active, have been drinking, or accuse someone associated with a popular sports team. The trauma of being raped is compounded by the societal and legal hurdles that follow. When victims approach law enforcement, they may encounter undertrained officers who question their credibility, suggesting infidelity rather than taking their claims seriously. The difficulty of proving rape often leads to discouragement, as district attorneys may refuse to prosecute cases. Even if the assailant is indicted, victims often face community backlash, with rumors and stigmatization spreading through social media. The rare instances of false accusations are highlighted in the media, further undermining victims' credibility. If a case reaches trial, the defense may exploit the victim's personal life, adding to their trauma. This brutal reality contributes to acquaintance rape being one of the most underreported crimes in America. Victims endure not only physical harm but also profound psychological damage, resulting in shame, emotional paralysis, and stigmatization. The narrative follows several women in Missoula, detailing their experiences of rape, the aftermath, and the challenges they faced from law enforcement and society, showcasing their courage despite the i

Irrepressible individualist and iconoclast Pat Tillman walked away from his $3.6 million NFL contract in May 2002 to enlist in the United States Army. Deeply troubled by 9/11, he felt a strong moral obligation to join the fight against al-Qaeda and the Taliban. Two years later, he died on a desolate hillside in Afghanistan. Though obvious to most on the scene that a ranger in Tillman's own platoon had fired the fatal shots, the Army aggressively maneuvered to keep this information from Tillman's family and the American public for five weeks following his death, while President Bush repeatedly invoked Tillman's name to promote his administration's foreign policy. Biographer Krakauer draws on his journals and letters, interviews with his wife and friends, conversations with the soldiers who served alongside him, and extensive research in Afghanistan to render this driven, complex, and uncommonly compelling figure as well as the definitive account of the events and actions that led to his death.--From publisher description

In this collection of his finest work from such magazines as "Outside" and "Smithsonian," Krakauer explores mountaineering from the unique and memorable perspective of one who has battled peaks like K2, Denali, Everest, and, of course, the Eiger.

From the bestselling author of Into the Wild and Into Thin Air, a riveting account of Taliban-like theocracies in the American heartland controlled by renegade Mormon prophets.

"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."--Publisher.

The narrative vividly captures the stunning landscapes and rich culture of Iceland through the authors' adventurous journey of walking, climbing, and photographing the country. Their experiences intertwine with the chilling sagas of Iceland, providing a deep connection to both the land and its history. The book offers a unique exploration of Iceland's natural beauty and its legendary tales, bringing the country's spirit to life.

Argues that author and humanitarian Greg Mortenson, noted for his campaign to open schools for girls in Pakistan and Afghanistan, has not been truthful about his past, his reasons for opening schools, or his abduction by the Taliban.

The gripping articles in Classic Krakauer , originally published in periodicals such as The New Yorker , Outside , and Smithsonian , display the singular investigative reporting that made Jon Krakauer famous—and show why he is considered a standard-bearer of modern journalism. Spanning an extraordinary range of subjects and locations, these articles take us from a horrifying avalanche on Mt. Everest to a volcano poised to obliterate a big chunk of greater Seattle at any moment; from a wilderness teen-therapy program run by apparent sadists to an otherwordly cave in New Mexico, studied by NASA to better understand Mars; from the notebook of one Fred Beckey, who catalogued the greatest unclimbed mountaineering routes on the planet, to the last days of legendary surfer Mark Foo. Rigorously researched and vividly written, marked by an unerring instinct for storytelling and scoop, the pieces in Classic Krakauer are unified by the author’s ambivalent love affair with unruly landscapes and his relentless search for truth.