Deep Survival

True Stories of Miraculous Endurance and Sudden Death

By: Laurence Gonzales

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki

Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

After her plane crashes, a 17-year-old girl spends 11 days walking through the Peruvian jungle. Against all odds, with no food, shelter, or equipment, she gets out. A better equipped group of adult survivors of the same crash sits down and dies. What makes the difference?

Examining such stories of miraculous endurance and tragic death, Deep Survival takes us from the tops of snowy mountains and the depths of oceans to the workings of the brain that control our behavior. Through close analysis of case studies, Laurence Gonzales describes the essence of a survivor and offers 12 "Rules of Survival".

In the end, he finds, it is what's in your heart, not what's in your pack, that separates the living from the dead. This audiobook will change the way we understand ourselves and the great outdoors.

©2003 Laurence Gonzales (P)2006 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"The study of survival offers an illuminating portal into the human psyche, and Gonzales, knowledgeable and passionate, is a compelling and trustworthy guide." (Booklist)
"A superb, entertaining addition to a nature buff's library, or for anyone not tucked safely away in a bunker." (Kirkus Reviews)

Fantastic❗️

Within seconds and inches is how some us live life. I’ve been on wild adventures and very hazardous events . I’ve always tried to figure out why some of us lived and some died.

This book stirred something...

...in me that I still can't fully explain, even to myself. The true stories are artfully told & the analysis of the "why's" has made me look at myself & the people in my life in a way that I haven't really experienced before. The author did a magnificent job, & the narrator really gave it the perfect tone. Thank you for this compelling listening experience.

Highly Recommend

In this book, the author discusses (per the title) the art, science and mentality of survival. He presents several true accounts of deadly incidents where there were survivors and where there were not. He speaks in depth of various reasons survivors survive and victims do not. I like his perspective and I think there is a lot of substance to his theories. I for sure want to listen to this book again to better absorb some of the things he shared.

He listed various characteristics of survivor mentality, and I now find myself identifying those around me that I really suspect would rise above anything that might befall them. That's comforting. I also recognize that there are definitely things that I need to work on regarding my own personal survival skills.

On a side note, I really appreciated the homage that he paid to his father. What a beautiful tribute. I can't really find the right words to suitably describe this book...I just know I plan on listening to it again, and I would love for my son (and other people who frequently find themselves in the wilderness or remote, dangerous settings) to listen to or read it. Also, this narrator was very easy to listen to.

Amazing Book

I read this book in physical form and have listened to it twice on audible over the last few years. Each time something new sticks out for me. Great author and great narrator.

A representation who I am & why I survive everyday

I loved every moment of this book, I have lived and preached my life, to have Emotional Resilience to make the right choices, in Fitness and Adventure. It has allowed my to have fight to come home, never let because it there attitude ignore the reality data I can obtain. This book I fully embrace, but sadly so few will who are avid and adventurous fitness nuts.
Always Running
Coach Tony

Focuses on the mental aspect of survival

What made the experience of listening to Deep Survival the most enjoyable?

I was surprised at what I got out of this book. I expected a bunch of stories of actual survival. What I got wat probably more helpful--a fundamental approach to survival and why people get into survival situations in general. As other reviews have mentioned there is quite a bit of discussion about the mental component of survival. The author's ideas seem to be as applicable to almost anything. In fact, he goes so far as to put survival in the context of daily life in general.

Great stories.. struggled with the voice

I really struggled with listening to this book because of the voice. Eventually I got into the story enough to overcome it but it was a battle.

Very interesting stories and tales of survival. Irony was that my fiancé and I were on a hike and I was telling him about the different survival steps and then we go ahead and get lost in the jungle ourselves for a few hours. If I had not only listened but followed the recommendations it probably would have been another story. Will do that next time!

Fantastic

This was a fantastic book. It was a truly fascinating read. I’d recommend it for everyone.

Get this book if you are an outdoorsman (or woman)

While not specific to outdoor pursuits, the lessons given in this book provide an insight into common mistakes made by people which land them in life threatening situations. The descriptions of the real life experiences are vivid and make for enthralling reading. Add to this the information on psychology presented herein and you've got a truly enlightening perspective on human behavior in extreme scenarios. I hope you never need to use what you learn from this book, but you will be better prepared if you have read it.

Listen carefully

Great book well researched. Good tips. Enjoyed the reader’s voice as well. Lots of good bad examples in this book