Miracle in the Andes: 72 Days on the Mountain and My Long Trek Home

I read Alive by Piers Paul Read when it came out in the 70s and never forgot the terrible, life-affirming story. A few months ago when I read that Nando Parrado, one of the heroes of the book, had written his own book about the plane crash and miracle of survival, I re-read Alive, just to familiarize myself with the details. I bought this book by Nando Parrado as soon as it became available, and at times thought that it was a repeat of the Piers Paul Read book, but then began to realize that the facts are what they are, and that Nando Parrado's book is filled with much more than just facts; most of all it is filled with heart. The horror of the crash and the brotherhood of the survivors is unsurpassed in human survival accounts. I would rank Parrado up there with Shackelton and maybe a couple of other early explorers: men with grit and honor, able to see beyond the horrific facts of the unexpected circumstances they find themselves in. Because of Nando's and Roberto Cannessa's determination to not die on the mountain, and to not let even one more of the survivors perish, the miracle of the book's title occurrs when they walk out of the mountains to get help for the other survivors, who, for a variety of reasons, were unable to save themselves. Parrado's account of his very real struggle, fear and dread is bone chillingly real, but along his trek through the Andes he has fortitude and foresight, and in the realization that no human had ever climed the mountain they were on, he named the tallest mountain they traversed for his father. It is my fervent hope that the name Mt. Seler has stuck and will be printed in history books and on maps from now on. Parrado says he and the other survivors have made the unconscious decision to not let the plane crash define them, and have all moved forward with their lives for the sake of their families as well as for their own peace of mind. They are to be commended for that; however, the world would not have come to know them were it not for the accident and the miracle in the Andes. I am proud to have met these men through the pages of this remarkable book. It is truly a Masterpiece. June 22: I am editing my review above, having just finished Terri Jentz's book, Strange Piece of Paradise. Her book also tells of a horrific event that befell the writer, also in the 70s, but there is a huge difference between that book and this one: Jentz has never gotten over her trauma, in fact would appear to be stuck in it. It bothered me. Her book was overly long and exhausting in the extreme. And compared to Miracle in the Andes the event she experienced was very strange, but almost trivial in comparison. I have added the paragraph below to this review .... Once read, Miracle In The Andes will never be forgotten, not only for the courageous story that is told, but because of the man writing the book. Nando Parrado has to be the bravest and wisest man I have ever come across in the pages of a book. How he has taken the catastrophic event of the plane crash, followed by deaths, freezing weather, broken bodies, hunger, etc. and turn it into the Miracle of the title is just about beyond my comprehension. What a man he is to realize that we cannot let one event define our lives, no matter how painful or horrific that event may be. He also has somehow rallied together, every single year for 30 plus years, his fellow survivors, and they are all smiling in every photo I have ever seen of them. He is my hero. All of these men are heroes. I can't think of enough ways of stating how wonderful this book is, and how fabulous its message is. Please, please read it and recommend it to anyone who wants to be proud to be a human being.

One of my favorite books that demonstrates the power of hope and projects the inner strength of the will to survive. The metaphor of a miracle is perfectly justified in the title of this book. If you are reading reviews in order to decide whether to read this book or not, read no further. Order the book.

When my book club chose this book, I honestly wasn't looking forward to reading it. I had read ALIVE and thought I already knew the story, as it had been told in detail. Boy, was I blown away! What an amazing surprise MIRACLE IN THE ANDES turned out to be! Nanado Parrado very skillfully and gently takes you into those mountains with such vivid images and heartbreaking exchanges of dialogue, that you 'feel' the immense cold, your stomach actually churns with their hunger, and your body aches with an emotional empathy. The calm camaraderie of these astonishing young men amazes with their awe-inspiring courage! The reader comes to know and care about every man and woman caught in this horrible nightmare of survival at it's bleakest. So many times throughout the novel, just when hope was gaining or plans were coming together to find a 'way out', a devastating set-back would occur. As hope was dashed once again, the spirit and love of these stranded survivors would not diminish....and another plan was carefully thought out. Everything in their lives was re-examined; their faith repeatedly tested and the bonds of brotherhood strengthened beyond belief! This riveting account is sure to elevate and illuminate faith in the love that shines the light on their 'miraculous' journey. Suz

I absolutely love this book, written by Nando Parrado, one of the sixteen survivors of the 1972 Andes plane crash, and one of the two men who walked and climbed across impossibly high Andean peaks and found their way to get help for the others. It's written with heart- for their friends who perished, the survivors and reader, and conveys something of the life long bonds that were forged between this group of rugby players and schoolmates. To survive the rigors that they endured required amazing organization and ingenuity. They faced the grim choice to survive from the flesh of their friends who had perished - an unimaginable horror. This book addresses something of those considerations but in an analytical and personal way as a matter of course, but It does not get bogged down in the morbid aspects nor does it sensationalize them. This book is ultimately about survival in circumstances that were unimaginably cruel and having their existence reduced to the point of a kind of religious experience. Perhaps their survival was only possible for this reason. Something else I love about this story is that it does not end at the point of their rescue but also talks about some of the challenges faced returning to their lives and families. Nando writes about returning home and being recognized by his dog and its possibly the most poignant scene, except perhaps when he first spoke with his father (his mom and sister were killed in the crash) and has to break that news to his father- who's simultaneously relieved to discover that his son has survived. On so many levels this story is a miracle and the writing and telling of it is beautiful.

Disturbing and sad story - what those men went through - a great read and cant put down once you start

Thank you for sharing this story as a highlights. I think it was totally a BINGO! when I finished reading. Strongly recommend!! And thank you the bookstore sending from the Europe to Japan! Good job!

The best narrated epic event in human survival. You are accompanied inside their situations up there. Unforgettable!

I'm familiar with the story of the plane crash in the Andes involving a young rugby team from Uruguay on their way to a match in Chile. I've seen a feature film and a documentary about events. Both were challenging to watch, but I had no idea about the real extent of this tragedy. The author was a survivor and after some years, he's written this considered, well balanced although often harrowing account of the crash and its aftermath. There's barely a spare word in a narrative which details deprivation and endurance beyond understanding. Ingenuity, resourcefulness, courage and occasional divine intervention, both good and bad, all played a part in the aftermath of the crash. This is one of the most profoundly moving books I've ever read. Nando Parrado writes with warmth and understanding about his friends and team mates. He writes with insight, compassion and self awareness which brings these (mainly) young men vividly to life. That anyone survived the actual crash may be considered a miracle, but to follow the story of the next weeks as a group of survivors struggle to live is a really emotional ride. It's impossible to imagine being stranded thousands of feet up in the Andes, wearing light summer clothing, without food or heat and no experience of snow which was waist deep. Their physical strength depleted through starvation and dehydration, to say nothing of the injuries sustained during the crash, they had to draw on every ounce of mental and spiritual strength in order to survive. The writing is always measured, which makes it all the more powerful and it's a very thought provoking account which leaves the reader reflecting on a number of moral issues. It certainly puts every day to day gripe about some misfortune or other into perspective. It's a book I'd recommend to everyone.

un témoignage émouvant de cette aventure incroyable écrit des années après le drame et une bonne réflexion sur la vie, la mort....