Jon Krakauer is an American author and mountaineer, best known for his non-fiction works that explore themes of adventure, survival, and the human spirit. He gained widespread recognition with his book, Into the Wild, which tells the story of Christopher McCandless, a young man who ventured into the Alaskan wilderness. Krakauer's writing often combines personal experience with in-depth research. In addition to Into the Wild, Krakauer wrote Into Thin Air, a gripping account of the 1996 Mount Everest disaster. His work has earned him numerous awards, including the American Academy of Arts and Letters award, and he is known for his compelling storytelling and meticulous attention to detail.