I finally read Jon Krakuaer's Into The Wild last weekend (yeah, I know I'm lame - not reading the book 'til the movie comes out, but in fairness, I was in fifth grade when the book was published - and I still haven't actually seen the movie yet).  

Anyway, I couldn't put it down. (I know a lot of people didn't think highly of Chris McCandless when the initial Outside article was published - especially Alaskans - and I've certainly met some pretentious hippies who love to carry on about the unspoiled wilderness of Alaska, and I'll admit - it can be lame.  And being from northern Maine, admittedly not the same as Alaska, though I do have some concept of what "wilderness" really means, so I certainly understand were McCandless' critics are coming from).  But, McCandless' story - or Krakauer's version of it, anyway - is fascinating.

I was totally impressed with Krakauer's commitment to the story - the time and research he put into it boggled my mind.  His storytelling is skilled, and his craft of writing is absorbing.  Truly one of the best books I've read in a very long time.

The release of the movie is well timed, too - with the popularity of shows likeMan vs. Wildand Survivorman, (and Survivor and Lost, I suppose) it seems very apropos.  I guess people are starting to identify with the urge to venture into the wild - even if only vicariously.