Final answer:
The January 1993 issue of Outside magazine contained Jon Krakauer's article about Chris McCandless, which later expanded into his book Into the Wild. This work explores McCandless's life and motivations, drawing thematic parallels to Henry David Thoreau's Walden.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Jon Krakauer's Into the Wild, the January 1993 issue of Outside magazine contained an article written by Krakauer himself which was the precursor to his book. This article introduced the world to the story of Chris McCandless's tragic adventure in Alaska, where he sought to live a life of simplicity and self-sufficiency, reminiscent of Henry David Thoreau's Walden.
Both McCandless and Thoreau endeavored to create meaningful lives outside the bounds of society. Krakauer's narrative nonfiction work provides a rich analysis of McCandless' motivations, character traits, and the settings that defined his journey, offering insight into the cultural and historical contexts of his decisions.