Miracle in The Andes by Nando Parrado

LFTOer Book Review: Miracle in the Andes

By Nick Hardwidge

05 August 2009 09:52

Book Title Miracle in the Andes
Author Nando Parrado
Publisher Orion Books (Paperback)
ISBN Number 0 75287 193 5/978 0 75287 193 6 (Hardback) 0 75287 194 3/978 0 75287 194 3 (Paperback)
Price £7.99 (Paperback)

Review by Nick Hardwidge (Arch Stanton)

If you have watched the film “Alive” (or read the book of the same title), you will know that in 1972 a plane carrying a Uruguayan rugby team crashed into the Andes.

You will also be aware of the notoriety surrounding the survivors as the story unfolded of how they resorted to cannibalism to survive.

This book, Miracle in the Andes, is written by one of those survivors and goes beyond the sensational headlines that fascinated the media, explaining in painful and harrowing detail just what this group of young men endured during their 72 days, stranded 12,000ft above sea level in the Andes Cordillera.

Nando Parrado, barely survived the initial crash – and he spends much time wondering how and why he did – but eventually he realises that the crash was merely the beginning of his suffering.

Parrado and his companions battle with life threatening injuries, sub-zero temperatures, thirst, hunger and over-whelming guilt and grief. Finally, when they can take no more they learn the search for them has been abandoned.

Now they know – to survive they will have rescue themselves.

This is the story of what it took to survive; an insight into the mental and physical strength required by Parrado and his friends, how their friendships and their faith were tested, ultimately how they came out the other side stronger, but changed forever.

This book will reveal to the reader what true character and human courage are.

It's rarely an easy read – be warned, you are taken into the mountains via Parrado’s writing, you will suffer with the people on that mountain side and you will find yourself emotionally exhausted and wrung out.

But that should not put you off. This book is a well written narrative of a real human tragedy, but ultimately a real human triumph.

“I have suffered great losses and have been blessed with great consolations, but whatever life may give me or take away, this is the simple wisdom that will always light my life: I have loved, passionately, fearlessly, with all my heart and all my soul, and I have been loved in return. For me, this is enough.” – Fernando Perrado.

An inspirational read; try it, you will not be disappointed.