In September of 1992, miles into a remote wilderness outside of Denali National Park,

hunters found the body of a young man. Christopher McCandless, just 24 years old, had died of starvation

after three and a half months on his own. Two years earlier, the well-read college graduate

had changed his name, donated all of his savings to charity, and set out on the road,

without letting his family know where he was headed or how to reach him. Soon after,

Outside Magazine published an article about Chris's death, generating more letters from readers

than any piece

they had ever published. Within a few years, the author of that article, John Crackauer,

immortalized the story in the best-selling book Into the Wild. Many readers mourned Chris, seeing in

the young man a part of themselves, their idealism or dreams of adventure. Crackhauer, for his part, saw his own youth in Chris's story.

But while some readers celebrated the ideals Chris strived for in this life,

turning away from consumerism and finding meaning in nature, others found plenty to critique in his death.

Readers labeled him as unprepared, naive, arrogant, and selfish,

questioning why he would cut ties with his family, and arguing that coverage of Chris only served

to glorify his stupidity. In the book Into the Wild, Chris's reasons for leaving home and venturing

into the wilderness are left somewhat vague.

It's implied he had a difficult relationship with his father and hated his family's emphasis

on materialism.

Krakauer met extensively with Chris's family, including his parents and his younger sister,

Kareen.

Karin shared stories of their childhood and letters they had exchanged while Chris was in college.

Much of what she shared made it into the book, with one important exception.

...