Miracle in the Andes

By: Nando Parrado, Vince Rause

Narrated by: Arthur Morey

Length: 10 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's Summary

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 45 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.

©2006 Nando Parrado (P)2006 Books on Tape

Critic Reviews

"An amazing story of bravery and courage." (Booklist)
"This is a fresh, gripping page-turner that will satisfy adventure readers, and a complex reflection on camaraderie, family, and love." (Publishers Weekly)

A Must Listen

Retold by the survivor most responsible for the group's rescue, this excellent book not only provides a spellbinding rendition of one of the great survival stories of all time, but also provides a unique view into the feelings and thoughts of the people who were there, and a perspective from three decades later on what it means to have survived. This is one audio book you will not want turn off or even pause. The epilogue spoken by the author himself, together with an interview by the publisher, provides added interest. I've listened to maybe 40 different Audible books, and none more enjoyable or thought provoking than this one. Highest recommendation.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

one of my favorite all time books

Would you listen to Miracle in the Andes again? Why?

yes- inspirational

What other book might you compare Miracle in the Andes to and why?

unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

Any additional comments?

this is a such an incredible story. to hear about such testing of the human spirit yet it was a challenge met with grace. yes it was hard to hear at some points, but well worth the investment of one's time. what a remarkable man.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Must buy! Amazing human survival

Story: excellent description
Narrator: great and clear, he sounds like and Americanized Nando.

This is an amazing story of human survival. I bought it to learn about human strength and leadership when man is pushed to the edge. I learned many lessons about positive and negative outlooks in life from Nando and the survivors.

The book, "Alive!" is more of an overall documentary account, while this book, "Miracle in the Andes" is from Nando's personal perspective and dives deeper into his personal thoughts through their journey to find help in the Andes.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Excellent

I remember reading ALIVE so many years ago and always being fascinated by this story. Nando Parrado was one of the survivors and has written a deeply personal book that tells the story without sensationalism. The author reads the prologue and epilogue and as other reviewers mentioned, his accent is heavy. That was not distracting to me at all. There is also an interview with Nando at the end and that was a real treat. This is an excellent listen and highly recommended.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

stunning story of "the right stuff"

Fabulous blow by blow recap of an unimaginable tragedy, told by one of the survivors. I really couldn't put this book down. Tremendous detail, sometimes uncomfortable to hear, but part of the story. Terrific narration.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Amazing

This book was written by one of the survivors. The author gives a foreword and afterword (the author has a heavy South American accent and I was worried that I wouldn't be able to follow easily when I head the foreword but someone else narrates the rest of the book). The narrator has a light South American accent that adds to the story's perspective. The recording is good and the pace is good. First person perspective. I'm blown away by the toughness and determination of Nando and his friends. Well told. I was riveted to this book and would recommend it to anyone.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Great adventure, awesome spritual tale

I love survival tales and selected this for that reason. I recently heard Nando interviewed and the experience sounded literally over the top. On that count the book delivers - a well read, well told, narrative. It is a treat that Nando reads the first and last chapters, and Morey is good too. You also get an interview with Nando at the end.
But the true jewel in this book is Nando's spiritual journey. He ruminations about God and life, his relationships with his friends, and his awareness that love is what gave him the power to survive - a love of his father. Nando discovered God in all things; he does not believe that God "saved him" but that God was there.
There is also a substantial "epilogue." We learn of his life after the adventure and the truly uplifting story behind his coming to write his story so many years after the actual event.
This book is on my top 10 list. Highely recommended.

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

heart wrenching

I don't usually read books about tragedies because it shakes me up too much. This rocked my world for a few days, but the overall power of the story and lessons learned far outweigh the pain and uncomfortable moments you have to listen about.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

EXCELLENT

Very Highly recommend. A book every human being should read or listen too. A survival story with inspiration.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

SO SO

Great story. Poor audio book. The story would be best abridged the writer is long on words and short on story. The writer spent to much time on his relationship with god and self and too little time telling the story. A much better book is titled "Alive". Skip this one if possible unless you like boring.

9 of 16 people found this review helpful