John Krakauer's Into the Wild is a rare book in which its author freely admits his biases in the first few pages. “I do not pretend to be an impartial biographer,” Krakauer states in the author's note, and indeed he is not. Although it is not revealed in the author's note whether Krakauer's bias will be positive or negative, it can easily be deduced. Krakauer's explanation of his obsession with McCandless's story makes it clear that Into the Wild was written to persuade the reader to see it as the author sees it; as extraordinarily intelligent, motivated and lively. This differs greatly from the view many people hold that McCandless was simply reckless beyond his abilities. Some even go so far as to say that his recklessness was due to an apparent desire for death. Krakauer uses a combination of ethos, logos, and pathos throughout his interpretation of McCandless' story to contest these negative perspectives, while also offering readers new to this enigmatic adventure a fitting introduction. An essential part of Krakauer's argument relies on convincing the reader that he has the authority to accurately interpret the facts of McCandless's life. His attempt begins in chapter fourteen, where his main goal is to explain why he thinks McCandless did not go to Alaska in search of death. Krakauer establishes his credibility by drawing on his own experiences and comparing them to those of McCandless. “If something captured my undisciplined imagination, I pursued it with a zeal that bordered on obsession...” (134). This passion, he says, is the same feeling McCandless felt while traveling across the country. At age 23, only a year younger than McCandless at the time he went to Alaska, Krakauer's favorite thrill was mountain climbing (135). During... middle of the paper... and writing a book based on ethics, logos and pathos, it is very challenging for an author to remain completely objective. In Krakauer's case, his prejudices emerge forcefully in some chapters, sometimes undermining his argument. There are some flaws in its believability and logic, but its use of emotional appeal makes up for what it lacks in those areas. Krakauer does a great job developing the character of Chris McCandless. The author brings it to life with his descriptions and is able to make it tangible to the reader. The discussion about what McCandless's thoughts were when he embarked on his fateful journey will continue as long as his memory lasts. Ultimately, readers of Into the Wild are left to form their own opinion of McCandless, with Krakauer encouraging them along the way. Works Cited Krakauer, Jon. In the wild nature. New York: Anchor Books, 1997. Print.