Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Jon Krakauer, Into the Wild interview

http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/6399

-(link is also at the bottom of my blog site near the poll)

Into the Wild quote

"I think careers are a 20th century invention and I don’t want one."

Into the Wild quote

"I've given jobs to lots of hitchhikers over the years. Most of them weren't much good, didn't really want to work. It was a different story with Alex. He was the hardest worker I've ever seen." 

Into the Wild quote

"I read somewhere...how important it is in life not necessarily to be strong... but to feel strong."

book review!!



Into the Wild was a terrifically well written novel. Taking place on western North America Chris McCandless is a young many looking to figure himself out and for a true adventure. After growing up in a wealthy family and graduating from college, McCandless decides to leave his life to live in the West. While living and traveling here he discovers a lot about him self and the people he meets. Not only does his actions impact his life and his perspective on life but it changes other’s and each person is greatly effected by Chris McCandless.
  In this book, Jon Krakauer does a great job of incorporating many themes that not only help to characterize Chris as a person but cause you to stop and think about your life and your character. As Chris McCandless travels the U.S., meeting new people, living in new towns he almost never stops moving. This is a current thing that keeps occurring throughout the book, and that is his thought that he should value his principles over people. Though he stays true to this throughout the book, it also causes him to hurt people that he didn’t intend to hurt such as his parents, family, and strangers he met. However, McCandless is a dedicated and persistent type who doesn’t let anybody get in his way. Everybody he meets does say this and respects him for his strong character and opinions.

In summary this book was a truly amazing story of a man who followed his heart and never gave up on his dreams or himself. It is easy to understand why this book was in the top sellers in the New York Times for two years. Chris’s incredible story of his search for god’s greatest gifts of life has inspired people everywhere to follow their dreams and never settle for anything less. 

In the Bus


Chris McCandless living area,  in the bus

Book Summary


The book Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer tells the story of a young adult who abandons his life for a life of exploration and adventure. This is a true story of Chris McCandless, a young adventurist who follows his dreams and lives out in the west and northwest of America. Throughout his journey McCandless meets many people along his adventure, each effected by the way McCandless looked at life and his determination to follow his dreams.
                In this novel the author starts off by hikers coming along Chris McCandless body in the abandoned bus in the woods. From there Krakauer goes on to explain Chris’s journey and the people he met. Starting off hitch hiking along the highways Chris meets many entertaining and knowledgeable people. Throughout the book Chris barely stays in one place for a large amount of time. Each event leading to the next, from Alaska, to western U.S., to Mexico, and back up to Alaska. As Chris travels the U.S.  a constant theme keeps reoccurring with him and that is that Chris values his principles over people. This cause Chris to hurt people that he doesn’t to hurt such as his friends, family, and strangers. Later in the novel Krakauer compares Chris to many other explorers who led similar lives. However, Chris was not the same, though he at some times has trouble getting through on little money, he never gaves up on his dream or himself and that is what separates Chris from others. 
                In summary, this book is very well written. The story of Chris McCandless journey around the U.S. is inspiring people to follow their true dreams in life and not settle for something else. Chris touched many people during his journey and changed their lives forever, and still touch people lives today. Chris McCandless is truly a rare person to come about and his story is not only mind boggling but also very inspirational and shows who he was as a person.