Jon Krakauer began researching this book after learning that a friend of his had been sexually assaulted twice in her life, both times by “non-strangers”. Krakauer, like many people, had always pictured rapists as men with masks hiding in the bushes, pouncing on random women. In his research, he learned how incredibly often that women are raped by people they know — either closely or as acquaintances — and how seldom those rapists are brought to justice. He chose to focus his attention on a series of rapes that […]
An engrossing book about the horrific rape culture in the United States
I read an abridged version of Krakauer’s Into Thin Air soon after it was published, and was absorbed by the prose and the presentation of the story. I’m currently waiting for a copy from the e-library to make its way to me, but while I wait, I thought I would try others. My courage was high, so I checked out Missoula. Oh, mercy. Oh, mercy. The Chancellor would occasionally look over at my angry vein throbbing in my head and ask, “WHY are you reading […]
Everybody, read this.
I’m so glad my book club picked this as our next book, because reading it made me rage hardcore and I need a group of awesome ladies and mimosas to decompress with. This book was upsetting. You’re either going to be horrified at the actual atrocities done to these women’s bodies, or you’re going to rage impotently at the ineffectual, dismissive way rape victims are treated by the law, and the way our culture almost 100% stands behind rapists. Or you will have both reactions at […]
“that most of us were probably seeking above all else, something like a state of grace.”
I became a history major because I love a good story, and at its core that’s what I have always viewed history to be – a series of really great stories. These stories have larger meanings in that we are able to take our experiences and use them as a method for understanding the forces at play for, and the decisions made by, those who came before us. I’m lucky enough to be able to have the types of conversations in my work as a […]
Karma’s a Bitch, but so is Hubris
Here are a few facts about climbing Mount Everest: one in ten people die trying to get up and down the mountain; most fatal accidents happen on the descent; it’ll cost you on average between $30,000 and $80,000 excluding transportation and equipment; and once you get above camp four, you’ll be in something called ‘the Death Zone.’ Among climbers, it is also known as ‘Rainbow Valley’ because of the wide variety of coloured clothing worn by the bodies that lie strewn about. One of these, […]
Consent is a pretty low bar, try to hold out for enthusiasm
Jon Krakauer is my favorite non-fiction writer. He is passionate about his topics, always maintaining a careful attention to detail that I appreciate. So I was shocked when I was walking through the airport back in May and found a new book by Krakauer, Missoula (2015), on the shelves. How did I not know about this? I guess I should admit that I dreaded readingMissoula when I learned that the subject was a rash of acquaintance rapes on a college campus, The consequences and attitudes surrounding rape are not […]