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. Four months later, his decomposed body was found by a moose hunter. This is the unforgettable story of how Christopher Johnson McCandless came to die. "It may be nonfiction, but Into the Wild is a mystery of the highest order." —Entertainment Weekly McCandess 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. Not long after, he was dead. Into the Wild is the mesmerizing, heartbreaking tale of an enigmatic young man who goes missing in the wild and whose story captured the world’s attention. Immediately after graduating from college in 1991, McCandless had roamed through the West and Southwest on a vision quest like those made by his heroes Jack London and John Muir. In the Mojave Desert he abandoned his car, stripped it of its license plates, and burned all of his cash. He would give himself a new name, Alexander Supertramp, and, unencumbered by money and belongings, he would be free to wallow in the raw, unfiltered experiences that nature presented. Craving a blank spot on the map, McCandless simply threw the maps away. Leaving behind his desperate parents and sister, he vanished into the wild. Jon Krakauer constructs a clarifying prism through which he reassembles the disquieting facts of McCandless's short life. Admitting an interest that borders on obsession, he searches for the clues to the drives and desires that propelled McCandless. When McCandless's innocent mistakes turn out to be irreversible and fatal, he becomes the stuff of tabloid headlines and is dismissed for his naiveté, pretensions, and hubris. He is said to have had a death wish but wanting to die is a very different thing from being compelled to look over the edge. Krakauer brings McCandless's uncompromising pilgrimage out of the shadows, and the peril, adversity, and renunciation sought by this enigmatic young man are illuminated with a rare understanding—and not an ounce of sentimentality. Into the Wild is a tour de force. The power and luminosity of Jon Krakauer's stoytelling blaze through every page.
Average Rating
Informations
About the author
Jon Krakauer
Author
Jon Krakauer is an American writer and mountaineer. He is the author of bestselling nonfiction books—Into the Wild; Into Thin Air; Under the Banner of Heaven; and Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman—as well as numerous magazine articles. He was a member of an ill-fated expedition to summit Mount Everest in 1996, one of the deadliest disasters in the history of climbing Everest.
Into the Wild
by Jon Krakauer
Books Like Into the Wild
If you're looking for books similar to Into the Wild, here are some recommendations based on themes, tone, and narrative style.
Walden
Henry David Thoreau
A classic work about simplifying life and connecting with nature. Thoreau's philosophical exploration of living deliberately mirrors McCandless's rejection of materialism. He retreats to the woods, building a cabin and documenting his experiences of self-sufficiency and spiritual awakening. The book challenges societal norms and celebrates individual independence.
Into Thin Air
Jon Krakauer
Another Krakauer work documenting a dangerous mountain expedition. The book explores human endurance and the risks of extreme adventure. Krakauer's narrative style provides deep psychological insights into human motivation. Like 'Into the Wild', it examines the complex relationship between human ambition and natural challenges.
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail
Cheryl Strayed
A memoir of personal transformation through a solo hiking journey. Like McCandless, Strayed seeks self-discovery through wilderness and solitude. She embarks on a challenging 1,100-mile trek along the Pacific Crest Trail after experiencing profound personal loss. Her journey is a raw exploration of grief, resilience, and finding oneself through extreme physical and emotional challenges.
Desert Solitaire
Edward Abbey
A meditation on wilderness, solitude, and environmental preservation. Abbey's experiences as a park ranger in Utah's desert landscape offer profound insights into nature. Like McCandless, he seeks a deeper connection with the natural world. The book critiques modern society and celebrates the transformative power of wilderness.
The Snow Leopard
Peter Matthiessen
A spiritual journey through the Himalayan wilderness. Matthiessen combines personal reflection with a quest to observe rare wildlife. The book explores themes of inner transformation through challenging physical journeys. Like McCandless, Matthiessen seeks meaning through direct engagement with nature and personal challenge.
The Call of the Wild
Jack London
A novel about survival and primal instincts in the Alaskan wilderness. Like McCandless, the protagonist experiences a transformative journey through harsh natural environments. The story follows a domesticated dog's return to wild survival instincts. London's vivid portrayal of nature's unforgiving landscape resonates with McCandless's own wilderness experience.
The Lost City of Z
David Grann
A non-fiction narrative about an explorer's obsessive quest in the Amazon. The book chronicles Percy Fawcett's dangerous expeditions into uncharted territories. Like McCandless, Fawcett is driven by an intense desire to explore and understand the unknown. The story explores themes of adventure, risk, and the human impulse to push boundaries.
Tracks
Robyn Davidson
A memoir of a solo journey across the Australian desert with camels. Davidson's trek represents a radical act of self-discovery and independence. She navigates extreme terrain and personal challenges, similar to McCandless's wilderness experience. The book explores themes of solitude, survival, and personal transformation.
Kon-Tiki
Thor Heyerdahl
An adventurer's account of a daring oceanic expedition. Heyerdahl's journey challenges conventional wisdom and demonstrates extraordinary human determination. He sails across the Pacific on a handmade raft to prove a historical theory. The book captures the spirit of exploration and risk-taking that defined McCandless's own journey.
Travels with Charley
John Steinbeck
A travelogue documenting Steinbeck's journey across America with his dog. The book captures the spirit of wanderlust and self-discovery through travel. Steinbeck explores the landscape and people of the United States, seeking authentic experiences. His introspective journey parallels McCandless's quest for meaning beyond conventional life.
No account connected — sign in to comment.