This book is really a collection of articles that Krakauer published in magazines such as Outside, Smithsonian and others. The common theme is mountain climbing and survival and more subtly "why in the world do people risk life and limb to do this?"

I'm not sure I came away with a satisfactory answer to the latter, but I did find this book to be very well written, and oftentimes I was literally biting my nails in empathy for the climbers.

I have always really loved books about mountaineering - - in fact a few of you have recommended some to me that I have actually purchased and just have yet to conquer. In fact, I tend to save them for a time when I just don't feel much like reading (yeah, it's rare, but it happens). And they always jump start me.

After reading these books, I never actually feel any drive whatsoever to actually go climb any of these places . . .in fact the opposite. . .but on some level, I can't get enough of reading about it. This book was no exception. Very satisfying, and if you like Krakauer's writing style, you'll find it in top form here. ( )

Compelling storytelling about the author's adventures in the mountains and the characters he's met along the way. ( )

Every once in a while, I remember my fascination with mountain climbing. As a lifelong acrophobe, I have absolutely no desire to climb mountains myself (12,000 feet and I do not agree), but seeing photos of the stark beauty of Everest's Western Cwm, I can understand the appeal.

I'd never read Krakauer's mountain climbing stories before. I think I've heard about some of his takes on K2's Black Summer of 1986, and the Everest Disaster of 1996, but I'd forgotten the details by the time I read this book, and I'm glad for it.

Krakauer has an amazing way with words. I had to look up so many of the references he made, and the analogies were extremely vivid. When describing views that most people will never see, this is important and very much appreciated. He's also very self-deprecating. When describing climbing trips, he explains the technical prowess of his partner, leaving his own accomplishments unremarked (being able to hang with these guys is an accomplishment of itself. He fawns over Marc Twight's 5.12 rating, but Krakauer is right there on the Nordwand with him).

This leaves a weird sense of both an outsider and an insider's view into the world of mountain climbing. Krakauer is obviously capable of making many of these climbs - and has attempted many of them - but his lack of single-minded life-destroying drive puts him right back down with mortal men. It's an interesting gap to bridge.

Eiger Dreams was immediately dated by the time it was written. A lot of the stories serve as a snapshot biography of people famous in the climbing world in 1989, who may or may not still be well-known thirty years later. Krakauer does an excellent job of humanizing them, which comes with the cost of realizing how human they are. The Burgess twins, for instance, didn't sound like particularly nice men.

I'm giving this a 4 because it was well-written, but I didn't think all of the essays flowed or fit together perfectly. The Chamonix chapter was especially unappealing to me. ( )

It's a nice collection of short stories. Only two of them are stories, Krakauer experienced himself. The other ones are about the history of different styles of mounteniering, like Bouldering, famous Mountaineerer or just great or crazy adventures in the mountain. Of course, some of the stories are great, you can't put the book to the side (5 Stars), others are a little bit to long and to boring. But all in all, it makes fun reading the stories ( )

With a strong fear of heights, I have no interest in climbing but Krakauer can capture the reader's interest no matter the subject. The chapters on climbing are gripping, but the one titled "On Being Tentbound" is just as entertaining. Who knew being stuck in a tent for several days in an icy storm could provide so much material. Krakauer does not fade for an instant in this outstanding collection.

This was one of the "emergency" heap of his favourite books my son brought to me when libraries were locked-down last spring. My only regret is that I didn't get to it sooner. ( )