I read Into the Wild a few months after my cousin's passing. My cousin, like McCandless, was young, brilliant, searching for something more to life, and on a path to self-destruction. Like McCandless, he isolated himself from those who loved him most. His delusions (and dreams), led to choices that ultimately took his life. Rather than idolize McCandless, one can learn from his mistakes that led to a slow and lonely death , and the revelation found in op's sig. However, one can also evaluate the redeeming qualities of McCandless's character, along with the selfish. Life is not black and white. McCandless isn' t a hero, but he isn't just a "dumb spoiled rich kid". I've always wondered if things might have ended differently had my cousin read Krakauer's book.