Into the Wild is a 1996 non-fiction book by Jon Krakauer. It is an expansion of an 9,000-word article he wrote about Chris McCandless in the January 1993 issue of Outside magazine. As the title suggests, it is a story about a man and his adventure in the wild. The book is a true story, and will capture readers’ imaginations. It is a must-read for anyone who loves the outdoors.
The book is about the experiences of Chris McCandless, an educated young man who went “into the wild” with a mission to save the world. He grew up in suburban Annandale, Virginia, and then attended Emory University. Upon graduating, he donated $24,500 to Oxfam. Then he left the country, chasing his dreams. He eventually went to Uganda to help a charity called Oxfam. He eventually gave away the rest of his education savings to help others in need.
Into the Wild is an impressive work of nonfiction. Jon Krakauer’s writing style combines personal essay and investigative nonfiction. In the course of his research, he interviewed numerous people and visited the places that were involved in the McCandless story. In addition to interviews with other people who were involved in the incident, Krakauer drove from Alaska to Arizona to meet the lead character, Chris. He also visited the place where Chris was found, the 142 Magic Bus. He also met Bille and Walt McCandless ten months after Chris died.
Into the Wild is a unique book about an American moment, which evokes the counterculture. The protagonist, Christopher McCandless, is not important in the conventional sense, but he is a historical figure. His story reveals the stubborn undercurrent of American history. The novel also reminds us that public memory isn’t always a production by elites. As a result, the book evokes a rich seam of Americana.
