About Jon Krakauer

Born on April 12, 1954, in Brookline, Massachusetts, Jon Krakauer developed a passion for the outdoors early in life, a passion that was nurtured during his upbringing in Corvallis, Oregon. His father, an avid mountaineer, introduced him to climbing at the age of eight, sparking a lifelong fascination with mountains and challenging environments.

After graduating from Hampshire College in 1976 with a degree in Environmental Studies, Krakauer spent several years working as a carpenter and commercial salmon fisherman in Alaska, experiences that further solidified his connection to the wilderness. During this time, he pursued his passion for climbing, undertaking significant ascents such as a solo climb of a new route on the East Ridge of the Devils Thumb in Alaska’s Stikine Icecap in 1977 and the challenging West Face of Cerro Torre in Patagonia in 1992.

Krakauer’s writing career began to take shape in the early 1980s, initially with articles for outdoor magazines like Outside and Smithsonian. His ability to blend personal experience with insightful observation and compelling narrative soon gained him recognition. His first book, Eiger Dreams: Ventures Among Men and Mountains, a collection of his mountaineering essays, was published in 1990.

The mid-1990s marked a turning point in Krakauer’s career with the publication of two of his most famous works. Into the Wild (1996) tells the tragic and captivating story of Christopher McCandless, a young man who gave up his conventional life to venture into the Alaskan wilderness. The book became a bestseller and has resonated deeply with readers, sparking ongoing discussions about idealism, societal expectations, and the allure of the wild.

Just a year later, Krakauer released Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster (1997). This gripping and harrowing account details the tragic 1996 Mount Everest expedition in which Krakauer participated. The book was a #1 New York Times bestseller, won numerous awards, and was a finalist for the 1998 Pulitzer Prize in General Nonfiction. It offered a raw and unflinching look at the dangers and commercialization of high-altitude mountaineering.

Krakauer’s subsequent works have continued to explore complex themes with his signature blend of investigative journalism and narrative skill. Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith (2003) delves into the history of Mormon fundamentalism and a disturbing double murder in Utah. Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman (2009) examines the life and death of NFL player Pat Tillman, who left his football career to join the U.S. Army and was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan. Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town (2015) is a powerful and meticulously researched account of sexual assaults at the University of Montana, raising critical questions about the handling of such cases.

Beyond his books, Krakauer’s shorter works have appeared in numerous prominent publications, including National Geographic, Rolling Stone, The New Yorker, The Washington Post, and The New York Times. He received the Walter Sullivan Award for Excellence in Science Journalism in 1997 for his Smithsonian article on volcanology and was honored with an Academy Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 1999.

Jon Krakauer’s writing is characterized by its immersive quality, ethical considerations, and willingness to confront difficult and often uncomfortable truths. He has established himself as a significant voice in contemporary non-fiction, captivating readers with his tales of human endeavor, the power of nature, and the complexities of the human condition. He currently resides in Boulder, Colorado, with his wife.

Jon Krakauer’s Bibliography

Eiger Dreams: Ventures Among Men and Mountains (1990)
Into the Wild (1996)
Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster (1997)
Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith (2003)
Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman (2009)
Three Cups of Deceit: How Greg Mortenson, Humanitarian Hero, Lost His Way (2011)
Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town (2015)
Classic Krakauer: Essays on Wilderness and Risk (2019)