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vancouver, bc
Canada
186 Posts |
Posted - 04/22/2011 : 11:16 AM
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| The Pakistan government felt Mortenson's work was effective when they awarded him their highest civilian honour The Star of Pakistan. This is unprecedented for a westerner. |
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 bandana wearin', pole huckin', view lovin', dog herdin', 4x4 navigatin', lake huntin', butt-slidin' bridge crosser, who enjoys postholing with an overnighter pack
Surrey, BC
Canada
4648 Posts |
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1078 Posts |
Posted - 04/05/2012 : 2:56 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Hiker Boy
Agreed about the irony, both are self-promoters with Mortenson being a clear front runner.
Agree as well. Both are self-promotors, and Krakauer has plenty of narcissism himself, but at least he never defrauded untold numbers of people in the name of altruism....
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Finally stopping that crazy suffering that is ice, climbing to concentrate on great ski tours!
3505 Posts |
Posted - 04/05/2012 : 3:26 PM
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| Agreed. JK earned his money. |
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1078 Posts |
Posted - 04/06/2012 : 05:32 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by johngenx
Agreed. JK earned his money.
'
Yeah, JGX, I've criticized Krakauer before, for his, what seems to me, unfair portrayal of some people in "into thin Air", and, I certainly perceive him to be arrogant...but arrogance, and a biased opinion, pale in comparison to....playing it loose with, and actually pocketing, money that you personally solicited for charity!! It is beginning to seem clear that at the least, Mortenson is guilty of this, regardless of how accurate JK's criticism of him are.
PS. And I will say that even though I question JK's judgment on some things, and his self-awareness, he is indeed, a very talented, and entertaining writer. |
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Calgary, Alberta
Andorra
3790 Posts |
Posted - 04/06/2012 : 11:36 AM
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I think John Krakauer is a storyteller, not a reporter.
I have enjoyed his books, but don't read them for the details of an incident (notably, I'm partial to David Braeshears' autobiography for an account of Everest 1996. As a completely third party, he's very impartial.).
JK never lets the facts get in the way of a good story.
But that, to me, is a FAR lesser crime than swindling lying, and misappropriating charity funds. |
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Finally stopping that crazy suffering that is ice, climbing to concentrate on great ski tours!
3505 Posts |
Posted - 04/06/2012 : 12:39 PM
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I, unfortunately in some ways, have read what I think is too many accounts of the May 1996 Everest events. After reading Anatoli Boukreev's book, I began to question Jon Krakauer's version from Into Thin Air, but as I read more accounts (and yes, Breashears account is excellent) I think Jon was recounting from a foggy haze of hypoxia and zero visibility, as was Anatoli. Somewhere in between is the "truth" and in retrospect, I don't care. The lesson is plain to see regardless of the specifics of the event. Summit fever kills.
I admire Jon for his climbing accomplishments and his ability to turn his love of the mountains and outdoors into a real career. His writing is mostly enjoyable and he does tell a great story. Like any journalism though (in the cases where he is reporting...) it needs to be understood that he should not be the only source if you're trying to draw a solid conclusion. His work is often enhanced by his immersion in the material, but then it becomes hard to not to introduce bias. I am not sure I would do as good of a job as he does in that regard!
The case of CAI is one of mixed emotions. They have done great work, but money has been misused, and that is sad. Krakauer put a decent sized chunk of his own dough in ($75K) so there was a time when he felt strongly about the organization. Unlike some (if you read the massive SuperTopo thread on this) I don't think Jon has a vendetta against Greg. He's watching out for the organization and the good work that has been done, and could be done in the future. |
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1078 Posts |
Posted - 04/06/2012 : 2:56 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by johngenx
I, unfortunately in some ways, have read what I think too many accounts of the May 1996 Everest events. After reading Anatoli Boukreev's book, I began to question Jon Krakauer's version from Into Thin Air, but as I read more accounts (and yes, Breashears account is excellent) I think Jon was recounting from a foggy haze of hypoxia and zero visibility, as was Anatoli. Somewhere in between is the "truth" and in retrospect, I don't care. The lesson is plain to see regardless of the specifics of the event. Summit fever kills.
I agree. Obviously, a lot was going on, in terrible conditions, and much still isn't known...it is also very hard to know all that goes on deep inside a person in a life/death situation...probably even hard to acknowledge to oneself some of the darker thoughts. However, I'm somewhat sympathetic to Boukreev, in that I think Jon was too harsh on him, did not give Boukreev side of the story proper play, and....while criticizing Boukreev, didn't fully acknowledge what could be seen as his own hypocrisy, in that, by his own account, he flew down the mountain when he realized what was happening, jumped ahead of others, and then simply went to sleep in his own tent. (not that I think I might not have done the same....and JK was in terrible shape at that point, but I might tread more lightly when judging Anatoli, who yes, was a guide, but, had a pretty rational explaination for his actions in his book).
Also, even though I know JK did research and interviewed many others, eliminating for the moment purposeful lying, it's pretty clear that Boukreev's impressions, and awreness of what was going on was likely a billion times better than JK's....JK was having fantasy conversations out there....Boukreev was doing alright, and while he may indeed have been motivated by self-preservation, he also did save people...I think he deserves the benefit of the doubt, since his story seemed plausible to me!
But anyways, didn't mean to get too deep into this topic again :-)
(note: I haven't read Breashears book! The other two books are on my shelf, but it's been quite a while since I read them. Since you and Rachelo both seem to think highly of it, I'd like to check it out someday)
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Edited by - DCIPHER on 04/06/2012 2:58 PM |
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Calgary, Alberta
Andorra
3790 Posts |
Posted - 04/06/2012 : 7:07 PM
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| The biography is really interesting for the rest of it as well, but there is a section on the Everest thing, and I think his removed impartiality makes a big difference compared to those who need to justify their own hypoxic actions. But it's a very interesting book in general. |
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Finally stopping that crazy suffering that is ice, climbing to concentrate on great ski tours!
3505 Posts |
Posted - 04/06/2012 : 7:24 PM
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| It was a little hard to read about David's dad. What an asshole. As a father myself, I can't imagine how anyone could forsake their family like that. |
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Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson
