The Twenty-Ninth Day

Surviving a Grizzly Attack in the Canadian Tundra

By: Alex Messenger

Narrated by: Alex Messenger

A 600-mile canoe trip in the Canadian wilderness is a 17-year-old's dream adventure, but after he is mauled by a grizzly bear, it's all about staying alive.

This true-life wilderness survival epic recounts 17-year-old Alex Messenger's near-lethal encounter with a grizzly bear during a canoe trip in the Canadian tundra. The story follows Alex and his five companions as they paddle north through harrowing rapids and stunning terrain. Twenty-nine days into the trip, while out hiking alone, Alex is attacked by a barren-ground grizzly. Left for dead, he wakes to find that his summer adventure has become a struggle to stay alive. Over the next hours and days, Alex and his companions tend his wounds and use their resilience, ingenuity, and dogged perseverance to reach help at a remote village a thousand miles north of the US-Canadian border.

The Twenty-Ninth Day is a coming-of-age story like no other, filled with inspiring subarctic landscapes, thrilling riverine paddling, and a trial by fire of the human spirit.

©2019 Alex Messenger (P)2019 Blackstone Publishing

Great adventure book

I heard about this book on the Meateater Podcast and had to read it. I really enjoyed the story and the reading. I find it best when these types of books are read by the person who experienced the events. Alex did not disappoint.

excellent listen!

it's a great story of trials and survival. thank you for sharing one of your scariest times with us.

Fans of Hatchet will like this

only problems I had was the repetitive use of these phrases: "the femmes", "I gasped at the pain", and the fact that there's no VTOL aircraft with that large of an operational range.

The Twenty-Ninth Day

Points: 1) I could - and might - listen to this book again, 2) It is such a well-written book I will be purchasing a hard copy, 3) This is a riveting story that flows like the water of their journey: laid back and almost mystical at times, and churning like white water at others, 4) The vibrant imagery painted by words makes you feel a part of this adventure and 5) The author’s vocal presentation is perfect for the book as though Messenger is around a fire pit personally sharing his remarkable story. Summing it up? I will try to write Alex Messenger to express my appreciation for this enjoyable read.

Gripping

I consumed this book in less than 24 hrs. I think anyone who has spent time canoeing and camping in the wilderness will have great appreciation for not only Alex’s experience, but also the experience of the group.