Book Review: Jon Krakauer, Under The Banner Of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith (2004), Into The Wild (1997), Into Thin Air: A Personal Account Of The Mt. Everest Disaster (1999)

Jon Krakauer, Under the Banner of Heaven : A Story of Violent Faith (2004), Into The Wild (1997), Into Thin Air: A Personal Account Of The Mt. Everest Disaster (1999)

I confess to being a hopeless Jon Krakauer fan. He has a way with words. His descriptions are unbiased and so very apt, yet his veiled personal views shine through without tainting the overall picture. His English is simple, no three syllable words, yet I often pause to wonder about his perfect use of one word or another.

I find Krakauer's books perfect for travel, which we all do extensively. He has a way of telling a story, thus far all non-fiction stories, with ease and facility while captivating the reader. His books are detailed and well documented, but not excruciatingly so. The story unfolds before you with clarity and simplicity, and with ever-growing fascination. Whether the topic is his original love – mountain climbing – or religion and its distortions, his style remains true to both himself and the facts. He provides insights into the fringe of humanity, those whose convictions and acts mystify America's mainstream, in a way that remains neutral yet explains their own uncommon logic. I often puzzled over the reasons for perfectly sane and successful folks to take the enormous risks associated with mountain climbing, or how, under the banner of religion, the most unspeakable acts are committed. Krakauer helps me and others understand the motivations and self contained logic of such people without judgment or taking a position. This is a rare gift which I find both enlightening and entertaining on the road and at home.