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If you read one book this year, make it this one. Brilliantlly written first hand account of survival and what it takes to step through the boundry of life itself. Nando Parrado tells this story from his heart and what the real things in life mean. If you are going through a tragedy in your life now or have in the past, this book will help you understand why in sadness there can still be happiness.
And above all, the reader is taken to the exact moment when Nando Parrado stumbles on the revelation that would eventually define this story, his own life and maybe the lives of everyone in this world: that the opposite of death is. Largely above the narration of cannibalism (which is simply a "side story", and so gets serene and brief reports), there are moments that turn reading this masterpiece a real worthwhile experience: first, the detailed account of the 12-day journey Nando and Roberto Caneza took down the mountains and glaciers, with no equipment, hardly a pair of shoes, no tent to bear the horrid nights and no water.
And now, more than 35 years after, Nando Parrado has the fantastic idea of writing his own book, whose biggest merit is exactly the naturally acquired maturity of the author. He escapes from the easy calling of self-pity and, most of all, self-eulogy.
I have always been haunted by this story, mainly because my father, a longtime aviator, told me what happened right at the time the world was shocked by the news they were alive. But even the most superficial look through the story shows that Nando Parrado is a REAL HERO.
He refuses, till this day, being called a hero. This is understandable, because he would be receiving the laurels over his beloved mother and sister dead bodies.
Also, the section where Nando, exhausted and blinded by the blizzard carries Roy Harlin upon his shoulders from sure death in the snow to relief among the others. well, I'm not going to spoil your pleasure of reading it yourself, am I.
While the book "Alive" (5 stars) tells the story from every side and angle: The survivors, the searchers and the parents; "Miracle in the Andes" comes from the side a 1 of the survivors, a true hero telling his story from his own angle and how he saw each day pass by, from the peak of the montain until the day they were found.These two books are the most amazing books i have ever read in my whole life. I recommend that you start reading "Alive" first, then move to the "Miracle of the Andes" after, as you will feel the story from all its angles and the reading will be much more interesting.
Seen the movie long ago, but had a hard time putting it down due to the insights. A good read.
It's an excellent book. It worths have it right away. The first book about the accident, written by the survivor who went out from the mountain looking for help.
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