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438 Days

An Extraordinary True Story of Survival at Sea

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438 Days

Written by: Jonathan Franklin
Narrated by: George Newbern
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Declared “the best survival book in a decade” by Outside Magazine, 438 Days is the true story of the man who survived fourteen months in a small boat drifting seven thousand miles across the Pacific Ocean.

On November 17, 2012, two men left the coast of Mexico for a weekend fishing trip in the open Pacific. That night, a violent storm ambushed them as they were fishing eighty miles offshore. As gale force winds and ten-foot waves pummeled their small, open boat from all sides and nearly capsized them, captain Salvador Alvarenga and his crewmate cut away a two-mile-long fishing line and began a desperate dash through crashing waves as they sought the safety of port.

Fourteen months later, on January 30, 2014, Alvarenga, now a hairy, wild-bearded and half-mad castaway, washed ashore on a nearly deserted island on the far side of the Pacific. He could barely speak and was unable to walk. He claimed to have drifted from Mexico, a journey of some seven thousand miles.

A “gripping saga,” (Daily Mail), 438 Days is the first-ever account of one of the most amazing survival stories in modern times. Based on dozens of hours of exclusive interviews with Alvarenga, his colleagues, search-and-rescue officials, the remote islanders who found him, and the medical team that saved his life, 438 Days is not only “an intense, immensely absorbing read” (Booklist) but an unforgettable study of the resilience, will, ingenuity and determination required for one man to survive more than a year lost and adrift at sea.
Adventurers, Explorers & Survival Educators Nature & Ecology Outdoors & Nature Professionals & Academics Science Survival Fishing Inspiring Latin America Mexico Biography Outdoor Adventure
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An unbelievable tale of survival. story was well written and told. Couldn't stop listening.

incredible true story

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Don’t listen to the phoney forced outrage of the green peace and PETA like reviews of this book. It is an amazing and well told story of survival. It seems to put the reader right alongside Salvador in his tiny 25’ boat as he struggles to overcome his mental and physical ailments on his unprecedented 14 month journey adrift in the open ocean. Amazing!

Amazing and well documented tale of survival

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I listened to this book all 'in one go'... couldn't stop listening. There is no doubt that God preserved his life for His purposes. What a testimony of faith and resilience even though he started out with no knowledge of God. God makes Himself known to those who seek Him.

Riveting

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This book was very interesting, some parts were a little slow, but you can vision the whole story happening as they are talking… What a horrific time he had but what a great survivor!!

Good listen

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Well written, well researched, couldn't put it down. Amazing! The will to live through that ordeal is astounding.

Incredible!

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