Society of the Snow

The Definitive Account of the World’s Greatest Survival Story

By: Pablo Vierci, Jennie Erikson - translator

Narrated by: Elliot Fitzpatrick

Length: 14 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

NOW A MAJOR NETFLIX FILM

It was 13 October 1972. Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, carrying a team of young rugby players, their families and friends, took off for the very last time. A deadly miscalculation saw F571 crash directly into the Andean mountains to devastating consequences: the body of the plane broke violently into two, its floor torn to smithereens; seats flew out of the air taking passengers with them. In the weeks that followed, the remaining people who were on board - the society of the snow - emerged to fight a dire, gruelling battle for survival.

Waiting for a rescue team that didn't arrive, the survivors became fewer and fewer in numbers. Stranded alone on a glacier, they had to face brutal temperatures, lethal avalanches and the loss of friends and family with no access to supplies, food or water. In order to survive, they had to do the unthinkable . . . It wasn't until seventy-two days later that they were able to reach safety.

Alarmingly gritty, moving and powerfully told, journalist Pablo Vierci recounts the unsettling stories of the sixteen survivors in intimate detail. Drawing on exclusive interviews, Society of the Snow delves into the tragedy of the crash and how it radically redefined the rest of the survivors' lives. Ultimately, however, the book is a touching testament to the strength of faith, friendship, and the resilience of the human spirit.

©2023 Pablo Vierci and Jennie Erikson (P)2023 Hachette Audio UK

Critic reviews

[Society of the Snow] is an epic and deeply moving film (Guillermo del Toro)

The love that was put in !!!

I loved this because after watching the Netflix movie I found this event to be very important. I would love to see more people read or listen to this book thanks

Very inspirational!

Excellent account of courage under excruciating circumstances. This book details the horrific events that transpired after the plane collided against the icee Andes Mountain! A must read for all who want to learn about the overwhelming instinct to survive. Very inspirational!

This story of survival never gets old

Great thoughts from all survivors, families and searchers. Well done brining the different view points together.

Amazing

A very well told story with incredible respect to the survivors and families of those who did not return.

Most moving account

This is the 9th book I have read about the Andes Survivors. Of the first 8 books I rated ‘Alive’ by Piers Paul Read and ‘Miracle of the Andes’ by Nando Parrado (both available as audiobooks) the highest but I think that this book surpasses both of those books. It is the saddest, most moving of all the 9 books. The author interviewed all 16 of the survivors and each of them has a chapter of his own. I especially liked the chapters about Bobby Francois, Alvaro Mangino, Roy Harley and Moncho Sabella as the other books had not covered much of which came to light in their chapters.
For anyone who has not read any book about the Andes Survivors I would recommend reading/listening to ‘Alive’ first and follow it up with this book.

Most philosophical and heartfelt telling of this story.

For those who read Alive and thought you got the story. This book produced by the longtime friend of the survivors is unlike any other. With interviews from the survivors and alternating chapters recounting the events; it leaves you with so much to ponder and so much to be grateful for. Absolutely brilliant.

Amazing book!!

I have actually read all the memoirs written by the Andes plane crash survivors. That said, this was unique, and it’s comprehensiveness. Including the story from multiple perspectives, and using an intriguing timeline, made it a fabulous and emotional read.

Well written, with multiple perspectives

The narrator’s British accent distracts from the story of the Uruguayans and Chileans that populate the book.

More honest than the book Alive

I've read Alive, Miracle in the Andes by Nando Parrados and I had to survive by Roberto Canessa. This book is by far the most comprehensive. There are verbatim interviews with all sixteen survivors. I think that's very important. There has been a lot of myth making around the disaster. This account includes those survivors who were simply shattered by the experience and didn't undergo a massive spiritual and personal transformation. Even those who disagree with the story being exploited by the other survivors are given a chance to share their views. I am inspired by the survivors who have a message to share but I think it's also valid to just want to get on with your life. Rare interviews. Non Linear presentation. Fantastic insights. The TRUTH!

The first book where all survivious talk

The stories of all 16 surviving from the 1972 crash is not only interesting but also humbling. I especially love how they talk about spiritual experiences, from the Virgin Mary to nature and simple belief in humans. It made me cry but also feel better.
they all get to tell their own stories and memories witch gives a better understanding of how they survived and how they continue to survive.
But we also get to hear the stories of the dead and the families.
I truly recommend this book.
Unfortunately the narration isn’t very good. It’s a bit monotone and I found myself drifting away if I didn’t concentrate properly.