National Bestseller
In April 1992 a young man from a well-to-do family hitchhiked to Alaska and walked alone into the wilderness north of Mt. McKinley. His name was Christopher Johnson McCandless. He had given $25,000 in savings to charity, abandoned his car and most of his possessions, burned all the cash in his wallet, and invented a new life for himself. Four months later, his decomposed body was found by a moose hunter....
Baker & Taylor
A portrait of Chris McCandless chronicles his decision to withdraw from society and adopt the persona of Alexander Supertramp, offering insight into his beliefs about the wilderness and his tragic death in the Alaskan wilderness.
Baker
& Taylor
A portrait of Chris McCandless chronicles his decision to withdraw from society and adopt the persona of Alexander Supertramp, offering insight into his beliefs about the wilderness and his tragic death in the Alaskan wilderness. Reissue. (A Paramount Vantage film, written & directed by Sean Penn, releasing Fall 2007, starring Emile Hirsch) (Biography & Autobiography)
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From Library Staff
From Library Staff
A portrait of Chris McCandless chronicles his decision to withdraw from society and adopt the persona of Alexander Supertramp, offering insight into his beliefs about the wilderness and his tragic death in the Alaskan wilderness.
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Quotes
Add a Quote“Long captivated by the writing of Leo Tolstoy, McCandless particularly admired how the great novelist had forsaken a life of wealth and privilege to wander among the destitute.”
Summary
Add a SummaryBased on a true story. After graduating from Emory University, top student and athlete Christopher McCandless abandoned his possessions, gave his entire $24,000 savings account to charity and hitchhiked to Alaska to live in the wilderness. Along the way, Christopher encounters a series of characters who shape his life.
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Add a CommentI read this for the "A Biography" part of my 2018 reading challenge. I didn't enjoy it, I found it slow and his timeline was too scattered. I also think Chris McCandless was inept and unprepared and shouldn't have been out there in the first place.
Love this story. Complex character.
This book was quite fascinating with the nature of how it was presented with the gathered information of McCandless and his tragic story. I feel this book resonates well with those who are seeking adventure and a different way of living. However, Mccandless's journey can be quite extreme in trying to find the answers he is looking for. This is a good read for seeing different points of view on McCandless's story.
Highly recommended for anyone who has felt lost in life or is looking for a different way of living. Also great for any adventure fans or avid hikers.
As a sophomore, I had to read and reread his book, and then proceeded to watch, and rewatch the movie, analyzing it shot by shot. I hated this book because of all that work associated with it. Being a college freshmen now and having willingly reread and rewatched 'Into the Wild,' I appreciate it more.
This book is truly fascinating. For me, the highlight of the book is the 2015 add-on at the end, it brings a shroud of mystery to the biographical story. This book will echo with everyone who enjoys solitude, adventure and nature.
Alaska seems to have a strange pull for many discontents and non-conformists. Perhaps it is a proving ground for those who strain against the normal constraints of modern society. Alaska remains truly wild and it exerted a magnetism for Chris McCandless who walked away from what appeared to be a secure and promising future for the quest of the unknown. Hopefully he was able to find something of what he sought before the tragic outcome. The book is a cautionary tale of what it takes to truly but successfully go 'into the wild'. A riveting and haunting true story.
This book was not my favorite book but I didn't hate it either. An interesting look at the life of a nomadic person who was well educated. He gave up his possessions and lived minimally and as a transient. Just when he may have decided to return to regular life his life ends thick in the Alaska bush.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It kept me on the edge of my seat for the most part. I thought that Jon Krakauer did a very good job telling the reader of his thoughts and experiences with explaining the way McCandless could have died. I thought it was a very interesting read and would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good read.
Krakauer takes an in-depth look at the circumstances that led to the death of Chris McCandless. He shares details that help clarify McCandless' state of mind as he went into the wilderness and makes it easier to empathize and understand his motivation.