In the first hours there was nothing, no fear or sadness, just a black and perfect silence. Nando Parrado was unconscious for three days before he woke to discover that the plane carrying his rugby team, as well as their family members and supporters, to an exhibition game in Chile had crashed somewhere deep in the Andes. He soon learned that many were dead or dying—among them his own mother and sister. Those who remained were stranded on a lifeless glacier at nearly 12,000 feet above sea level, with no supplies and no means of summoning help. They struggled to endure freezing temperatures, deadly avalanches, and then the devastating news that the search for them had been called off. As time passed and Nando’s thoughts turned increasingly to his father, who he knew must be consumed with grief, Nando resolved that he must get home or die trying. He would challenge the Andes, even though he was certain the effort would kill him, telling himself that even if he failed he would die that much closer to his father. It was a desperate decision, but it was also his only chance. So Nando, an ordinary young man with no disposition for leadership or heroism, led an expedition up the treacherous slopes of a snow-capped mountain and across forty-five miles of frozen wilderness in an attempt to find help. Thirty years after the disaster Nando tells his story with remarkable candor and depth of feeling. Miracle in the Andes—a first person account of the crash and its aftermath—is more than a riveting tale of true-life adventure: it is a revealing look at life at the edge of death and a meditation on the limitless redemptive power of love.
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"Absolutely the most astonishing story of survival I've ever seen or read (or in this case listened to on audiobook). It's truly amazing what a human can endure. I appreciated hearing about Nando's inner struggles - doubt, fear, hope, and above all else - love. What an amazing thing it is to be alive."
— Leanna (5 out of 5 stars)
" This is one of the best books that I have recently read. I saw the movie recently and it does not even come close to what these people lived through. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. "
— Kendra, 2/18/2014" Amazing. Honest. Brutality in its purest form. A gooooooood read. "
— Larisa, 2/11/2014" This book is about the plane crash in the Andes. The author was one of the survivors. What an incredible story. I couldn't put the book down! "
— Sallie, 2/6/2014" EXCELLENT - need to keep some tissues handy though !!! "
— Alayne, 1/19/2014" This was an interesting read and an amazing story! "
— Brynn, 12/21/2013" An awesome account of the 1972 plane crash in the Andes written by one of the survivors. Very detailed account of the horror and the triumph of a very determined group. "
— Ann, 12/17/2013" Insanely good book. Disturbing that this is a true account of one of the survivors but that makes it all the more better. "
— Leisa, 10/25/2013" Listening to the audio version. I loved how the prologue was read by the author with his sexy rich uruguayan rugby player voice--wish the whole thing was! "
— Priscilla, 9/9/2013" Very compelling read about a plane wreck in the Andes and the human devotion to survive at all costs. Inspirational, disturbing, and compelling, this book is worth the read. "
— David, 6/7/2013" An interesting autobiography by Nando Parrado, one of the 16 survivors out of 45 people on the plane crash in the Andes mountains. "
— Sheila, 4/18/2013" The story was good but the extra writing and then interview was much too extensive. "
— Darcy, 3/22/2013" I heard Nando Parrado speak about this ordeal at a conference and it was completely chilling. Amazing story. "
— Patricia, 3/12/2013" The most moving and inspiring book I have read in a long, long time. "
— Chloe, 1/7/2013" Nando Parrado recounts his experience when he survived a plane crash in 1972 that carried his rugby team as well as his mother and sister who died. Miracle In The Andes is an incredible story and there is a lesson to be learned about not giving up. I give this book 5 stars--it's that good! "
— Lennie, 11/28/2012" Excellent. I read Alive years ago. Miracle in the Andes is about the same event but from one of the survivors actual story. The descriptions actually make you feel like you're experiencing it. "
— Chris, 7/13/2012" my friends rachel and drew sent me this book to add to my anxiety about flying i assume. thanks guys! really, a hair raising account of the ability to survive in the worst possible situation. "
— Marti, 7/7/2012" I highly recommend this to everyone - it is such an awesome story of survival!!!! "
— Gina, 2/23/2012" I loved this book - I read it in 3 days, and most of it was staying up until 1AM as I couldn't put it down. I've already seen this movie (3 times) so I knew how it ended, but I guess I just love this story. Nando Parrado is a true hero, and what he did to save 16 lives is amazing and inspiring. "
— Dave, 11/3/2011" Wow- this is an amazing true story. The origianl book written about it was Alive but this is written by one of the actual survivors. I don't love the writing but the story is so inspiring. I don't know that I would have the will to survive under such horrific conditions. "
— Lindquistheather, 5/31/2011" Never get tired of this survival story! Always saddens and inspires me. "
— Beth, 5/13/2011" Riveting story told from the perspective of one of the survivors from the plane crash in the Andes in 1974. It is an emotional, riveting, personal journey of survival, fear, love, desperation and hope. I thoroughly enjoyed it. "
— Paula, 4/4/2011" I highly recommend this book. It is an amazing story, told with a perspective on life that I could easily relate to. "
— Lauren, 3/1/2011" Good book, but really not sure how much I believe. I have read a lot of books about mountain climbing and when veteran climbers are dying when they are over prepared, there is a lot of doubt in my mind. Not that is didn't happen, it just seems quite exagerrated. <br/> "
— Rachel, 2/1/2011" I recieved this book for my 12th birthday and when I looked at it, I immediently thought I wasn't going to like it. I started to read it, and it began nice and slow. Much to my surprise, I could not put this book down. It felt so real, the situations so intense. I loved every aspect of this book. "
— Heidi, 1/8/2011Arthur Morey has won three AudioFile Magazine “Best Of” Awards, and his work has garnered numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards and placed him as a finalist for two Audie Awards. He has acted in a number of productions, both off Broadway in New York and off Loop in Chicago. He graduated from Harvard and did graduate work at the University of Chicago. He has won awards for his fiction and drama, worked as an editor with several book publishers, and taught literature and writing at Northwestern University. His plays and songs have been produced in New York, Chicago, and Milan, where he has also performed.