Jon Krakauer is one of the best nonfiction writers currently active today, his books have sold millions of copies world wide. Krakauer is most well known for Into Thin Air which has been a bestseller since it’s release in 1997, and Into the Wild which was adapted into a feature film. Krakauer’s best books span adventure, true crime, biography and history over two decades. To help you choose the best book to read we’ve ranked them all. So without further ado here are Jon Krakauer’s best books ranked in order according to their Goodreads rating.
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Jon Krakauer’s Best Books Ranked in Order According to Goodreads Rating
Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster by Jon Krakauer
Goodreads Rating: 4.25 / 5
Published on May 1, 1997 by Anchor Books
Into Thin Air is Krakauer’s firsthand account of the tragic 1996 Everest climbing season, detailing the harrowing storm, the loss of life, and the commercialization of the world’s highest peak. With an average Goodreads rating of 4.25 stars it is by far Jon Krakauer’s best book.
Missoula by Jon Krakauer
Goodreads Rating: 4.11 / 5
Published on April 21, 2015 by Doubleday
Jon Krakauer most recent book Missoula is a popular true crime book which investigates a series of sexual assaults in Missoula, Montana, home to a large university, exposing the failures of the justice system in handling such crimes and the experiences of the victims.
Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman by Jon Krakauer
Goodreads Rating: 4.09 / 5
Published on September 15, 2009 by Doubleday
Where Men Win Glory is a biography of Pat Tillman, an NFL player who left his career to join the Army after 9/11, focusing on his complex motivations and the controversial circumstances surrounding his death in Afghanistan.
Eiger Dreams: Ventures Among Men and Mountains by Jon Krakauer
Goodreads Rating: 4.04 / 5
Published on January 1, 1990
Eiger Dreams is a collection of Krakauer’s essays on mountaineering, featuring tales of daring climbs, legendary figures in the sport, and reflections on the allure and dangers of extreme alpine adventures.
Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer
Goodreads Rating: 4.02 / 5
Published on January 13, 1996 by Anchor Books
Into the Wild is the story of Christopher McCandless, who gave up his comfortable life to venture into the Alaskan wilderness, seeking solitude and a life detached from modern society, ultimately meeting a tragic end. Into the wild has been on best seller lists and won numerous awards, it was made into a feature film in 2007.
Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith by Jon Krakauer
Goodreads Rating: 4.01 / 5
Published on July 1, 2003
In Under the Banner of Heaven, Krakauer intertwines the history of Mormonism with the chilling story of the Lafferty brothers, who committed a double murder in the name of their fundamentalist beliefs, raising questions about religious extremism.
Weather you’re looking for a nonfiction adventure, true crime, or history, Jo Krakauer has something to offer. Let us know if you’ve added something from this list of Jon Krakauer’s Best Books to your TBR and join the conversation on X: @Nonfictioned1
