Into the Wild is a true story about the life and death of Christopher McCandless. McCandless was a young man with seemingly every advantage. Raised by a successful and self-made family in an upscale suburb near Washington, D.C., McCandless graduates with honors from Emory University. By the time he enters the world as an independent young adult, Chris has a college degree, a loving family, a car that he loves, and some $25,000 in his savings account. So, why would this young man break all contact with his parents, give away all his money, abandon his vehicle, and spend the next two years living as a homeless drifter? That is the question author Jon Krakauer sets out to investigate.

McCandless touches many lives during his years on the road, but avoids any deep or meaningful contact with his fellow human beings. Much influenced by authors, such...