Into the Wild - Book Review

This is a book about the life of an adventurous young man Chris McCandless. The main focus is on his first and final journey into the Alaskan wilderness. The first couple of chapters had me quite captivated and wanting to find out all of the details but this wanting was left quite unsatisfied. This book is more an exploration of the psychology of outdoor adventurers than it is a blow by blow account of a dramatic tale. Even so there is more than enough to stoke the fires of the imagination. This book is very well researched with short descriptions of other adventurers throughout the book.

Chris has a very romantic view of solo travel and the experience of wilderness, perhaps best expressed by a quote of his "I don't want to know what time it is, what day it is or even where I am". The author gives a interesting point of view on outdoor adventure, he clearly has his own biases but also sprinkles the opinion of others throughout the book. Hence I found myself in an emotional tug of war ... at times wanting to follow in the footsteps of McCandless, although no doubt in a tamer way. Other times I was repulsed by the seemingly needless risk taking and the grief and worry the adventurers can cause their family and friends.