Ep 612 - Night Gator (feat. Charles Blyzniuk)

Jon Krakauer's 'Where Men Win Glory' chronicles Pat Tillman's remarkable life and tragic death in Afghanistan. Tillman, a former NFL player, joined the Army after 9/11, driven by complex notions of duty and honor. The book delves into the murky circumstances of his death by friendly fire and the subsequent cover-up by the U.S. Army. Krakauer also examines the broader context of U.S. involvement in Afghanistan and the Bush administration's handling of the war.

The book tells the story of Christopher McCandless, a well-educated young man from a middle-class family who, after graduating from college, gave away his savings, abandoned his car, and set out on a journey to live in the Alaskan wilderness. The narrative, written by Jon Krakauer, explores McCandless's adventures, his interactions with various people he met along the way, and the circumstances leading to his untimely death. Krakauer's investigation involves interviewing McCandless's family, friends, and people he encountered, as well as visiting the places McCandless had been. The book delves into themes of idealism, rebellion, and the allure of the wilderness, presenting a nuanced and gripping account of McCandless's life and death.

In 'Into Thin Air', Jon Krakauer recounts the true story of a 24-hour period on Mt. Everest when members of three separate expeditions were caught in a devastating storm. The book details the catastrophic events that led to the worst single-season death toll in Everest's history. Krakauer, who was on the mountain as a client of guide Rob Hall, provides a meticulously researched and emotionally charged account of the disaster, reflecting on the risks, judgments, and heroism involved in high-altitude climbing. The narrative explores the commercialization of Everest, the psychological and physical challenges faced by climbers, and the author's own struggles with survivor's guilt and mortality.