BOOKS: Miracle in the Andes
I am a sucker for adventure stories. I enjoy reading about humans doing amazing things against both the odds and the elements. Without doubt a story that must be in the top five survival stories of all time is told in ‘Miracle in the ANDES’.
Most have heard the story about the Uruguay rugby team who survived a plane crash and then had to survive high in the Andes. The story was made famous by the movie ‘Alive’.
This book is the first hand account from the hero of the survivors, Nando Parrado.
Incidentally, Q. Where are the Andes located???
A. On the end of your Armies!!!
Despite losing his mother and sister in the crash and being unconscious for the first three days, Parrado takes an important leadership role within the team. Early on the team hears the news that the search for them had been called off. They then have to rally together and work out how to survive 11,000 feet up in the Andes.
Most survival books have one distinct feature, something that sets them apart. The main talking point in this book is that the survivors have to eat their fellow teammates in order to survive. While the author doesn’t say I think it would taste just like chicken 0- not KFC, but the raw stuff in the supermarket.
Parrado explores this topic and others such as, love, family and God regularly as the story unfolds. The book is easy to read and enjoyable. However, I would not recommend it as an in-flight read!!!!
Overall I found it an enthralling and inspiration read. Spending a total of 72 days in those conditions and having to climb a 17,000 foot high mountain to find safety is an amazing story. Get hold of the book if you can.
Here is a video link with a trailer for the ‘Alive’ movie.
Any thoughts on the top five adventure stories of all time????
‘Between a rock and a hard place’ could be one.
Shackelton’s amazing journey.
Apollo 13.
My wife??? She has been married to me for 5 years that could be in the top 10!!!!
Any other stories that people know of????
Posted on January 1, 2009, in LIFE'S LIKE THAT and tagged books. Bookmark the permalink. 2 Comments.
OZY MANDIAS WARNING 
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