Saturday, March 21, 2009

Into the Wild

One Young Man's Tragic Journey


My son gave me a copy of Jon Krakauer's "Into the Wild." I couldn't put it down. It is the true story of a young man named Chris McCandless who dissappeared into the wilds North of Denali. It is a sad story and one worth reading. More than once I recognized myself in McCandless' adventures. All young men who are honest must have some. Who hasn't read a bit of Jack London and wanted to follow Buck's trail into wildness? Krakauer writes for 'Outdoor' Magazine where the story first appeared. Outdoor is a great publication featuring stories of raw adventure interlaced with articles on proper gear and technique. Of course that wonderful tension between preparedness and following your wits is where "Into the Wild" takes us off the trail. Krakauer had written the initial story of McCandless for Outdoor and expanded it for the book. The expanded work is a wonderful examination of the relationship of man and wilderness, preparedness and risk and the whole range of emotions and experiences surrounding our venturing into the uncharted realms of our world and our souls.


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