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)

Must listen!

A terrific audio book. 10+ hours, but wish there was more. The true account storytelling dovetailed with the explaination and analysis exposes the roots of survival.
Exciting, frightening, and educational, with lessons applicable not only in survival circumstances but everyday life.

Beyond Wonderfull

This book is all about survival, life, the universe, and everything (with profound apologies to Douglas Adams). It is a moving meditation on what it is to be human and applies to all of our existence even though we usually ignore our mortality and the functioning of our minds. The adventures and misadventures Laurence Gonzales chronicles reveal our human condition better than anything I have ever read. This is not a simple adventure book so some may be disappointed. It is so much more. I understand Gonzales has another book along similar lines due out in September of 2008. I hope it come to Audible and I hope that Stefan Rudnicki narrates that one as well. He is brilliant. His narration of "On Intelligence" was excellent - his intelligent speech highlighted that book as well as this.

Bravo Gonzales, Rudnicki and Audible - well done. Thank you!

Provacative Implications

I can't remember reading a book that affected me more profoundly. Sure, it is a book about people who are living in survival situations and the reasons why some live to tell the story while others don't. But the in-depth analysis has far-reaching implications that go well beyond the subject matter.
Gonzalez is extremely well read and an accomplished writer. His style is breezy and an easy listen even when the subject matter is rather dark. Add to this the fact that many passages are gripping, edge-of-the-seat nail biters, and you have a book difficult to put down and impossible to forget.
Take for instance the description, early in the book, of landing a plane on an aircraft carrier. At first it is difficult to understand all of the "pilot-speak" but as the story unfolds and each piece of jargon is explained, you begin to understand just how hair-raising such a feat is, and the internal battle each pilot wrestles with as he obeys his training in spite of the overpowering instincts to do otherwise. Unfortunately, as the author points out, instinct occasionally wins...with tragic results.
There are, of course, many other situations examined, each with its own lessons to be learned and its own provacative implications.

great book

This book was exciting and on a great topic. Would reccomend to anyone interested in survival!

Well worth it

Excellent content, honestly written, and very well read. Not a generic “how to be a badass in the woods”, more of a checklist-reminder to have your wits about you.

I want to be a survivor

this book was truly fascinating. now that I finished I now feel like less of an expert than eve, but at the same time more likely to take risks and to live life to the fullest not hoping for trouble but knowing how to prepare for it and avoid the pitfalls. like its stated in the book, " there is a difference between getting hurt and hurting". highly highly recommend

Invaluable, dramatic insights into survival

Fascinating tales of incredible survival, but also tragic, often avoidable, death. Mr. Goznales analysis and insights into mistakes and successful actions made by those who are 'lost" or confront dire situations are well researched and written. Circumstances are described with gripping detail, along with what to do, and what not to do to increase one's chance of survival. The book begins with the dramatic story of how his father, a World War II bomber pilot, survived a 27,000 foot fall from his shot up plane, without a parachute! Mr. Rudnicki's narration helps make this book engaging and exciting from beginning to end. The lessons in this book make it worth more than one listen. Its subtitle, Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why, is quite apt for this potentially life saving book.

eye opener

Now I understand why I sometimes make the choices I do. I'm an irrational emotional decision maker sometimes. Good book for anyone who has actually survived a catastrophic accident.

Great resource for intermediate Adventurers

If you have even a modest amount of experience in adventuring or outdoor exploring, this book will explain and reinforce some of the things that you have experienced in tight moments.

In my opinion, the most valuable part of this book for most people will be the early chapters where the author explores reasons that people behave the way they do.

I've led a lot of outdoor youth programs in some remote areas and every time before I go out on a large venture or program now, I reread or listen to this book. The repetition and humility is very useful.

Amazing book.

A must read for all my fellow female solo hikers. love the science behind our brain function.