What makes the book such an entertaining read is Krakauer's disarming honesty and his knack for getting under the skin of his subject and understanding what makes people tick.

Recommended reading for all armchair mountaineers.


A great book about climbing and climbers.   August 8, 1999
 2 out of 5 found this review helpful

This book not only talks about the physical aspect of climbing but also goes inside to give us a behind the scenes look at the climbers themselves. The authors gives us a look inside the climbers head to see the mental hurdles climbers must overcome as they climb. It is breath-taking and funny all at the same time! This is a book that just makes you want to get out and climb something, and since its pretty short it doesn't take long to read.


Interesting series of short essays on climbing   November 23, 1998
 6 out of 9 found this review helpful

Eiger Dreams, by the same author as 'Into thin Air' about the disasterous Everest debacle a couple of years ago, is a series of short essays on climbing of all descriptions. If you have an interest in mountaieering or climbing you will enjoy this light read. It was a little too 'zen' for my liking, a bit pseudo-religious, but I can see that climbing has it's spiritial side and so am quite sympathetic to the author's approach. This is one of those funny books that I didn't enjoy hugely but yet read it cover to cover in one sitting and was engrossed throughout.