Into the Wild

• Genre: Nonfiction; biography; travel/adventure
• Originally Published: 1996
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 1270L; college/adult
• Structure/Length: 18 chapters plus epilogue; approximately 207 pages; approximately 7 hours, 9 minutes on audio
• Central Concern: The book explores the life and death of Chris McCandless, a young man who left his comfortable life to travel across North America, eventually dying in the Alaskan wilderness. The narrative investigates McCandless's motivations, the circumstances leading to his death, and the broader societal implications of his journey.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Depiction of harsh wilderness conditions; death due to starvation; possible mental illness; family conflicts

Jon Krakauer, Author

• Bio: Born 1954; known for outdoor and adventure writing; previous work as a journalist; climbed Mount Everest, which formed the basis for his best-selling book Into Thin Air; recognized for his investigative reporting style and in-depth research; advocates for the power of the natural world and the complexities of risk-taking
• Other Works: Into Thin Air (1997); Under the Banner of Heaven (2003); Where Men Win Glory (2009)
• Awards: Selected as part of the Modern Library Exploration series; listed in the Best Nonfiction Books of the 20th Century.

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Unit: