Back to the Wild: The Photographs and Writings of Christopher McCandless
The sole separately published collection of McCandless's surviving photographs and writings.
Author guide
Christopher Johnson McCandless Books in Order
Christopher Johnson McCandless (1968–1992), also known as Alexander Supertramp, was an American traveler and adventurer whose two-year journey across North America ended in the Alaskan wilderness. His surviving photographs and writings were collected posthumously in Back to the Wild.
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- Back to the Wild: The Photographs and Writings of Christopher McCandless
nonfiction · 2011
Frequently asked questions about Christopher Johnson McCandless
Who was Christopher Johnson McCandless?
Christopher Johnson McCandless was an American traveler and adventurer whose journey across North America ended in the Alaskan wilderness. His journals, postcards, and photographs later made him a posthumously published writer.
Sources: magazine.emory.edu (opens in a new tab)christophermccandless.info (opens in a new tab)
What did McCandless do after graduating from college?
After graduating from Emory University in 1990, McCandless donated roughly $24,000 in college savings to Oxfam and began traveling, working odd jobs along the way.
Why was Christopher McCandless called Alexander Supertramp?
Alexander Supertramp was the name McCandless adopted during his nearly two-year period of wandering, hitchhiking, and working around the American West.
Which writers or figures influenced Christopher McCandless?
His idealized vision of wilderness was influenced by literary and outdoor heroes including Jack London and John Muir.
What happened to Christopher McCandless in Alaska, and why is he remembered?
McCandless died in the Alaskan wilderness in 1992, and his remains were later found in an abandoned bus. His story became widely known through Jon Krakauer’s book, Sean Penn’s film, and the posthumous publication of his own writings and photographs.
Sources: magazine.emory.edu (opens in a new tab)penguinrandomhouse.com (opens in a new tab)nps.gov (opens in a new tab)christophermccandless.info (opens in a new tab)