438 Days
An Extraordinary True Story of Survival at Sea
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438 Days
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Narrated by:
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George Newbern
About this listen
The incredible true survival story of fisherman Salvador Alvarenga – and his record-breaking fourteen months lost at sea. Based on extensive interviews with Alvarenga, his colleagues, search and rescue officials, and the people who saved his life.
On 17th November, 2012, Salvador Alvarenga left the coast of Mexico for a two-day fishing trip. A vicious storm killed his engine and the current dragged his boat out to sea. The storm picked up and carried him West, deeper into the heart of the Pacific Ocean. Alvarenga would not touch solid ground again for fourteen months.
When he was washed ashore on January 30th, 2014, he had drifted over 9,000 miles.
Three dozen cruise ships and container vessels passed nearby. Not one stopped for the stranded fisherman. He considered suicide on multiple occasions – including offering himself up to a pack of circling sharks. But Alvarenga developed a method of survival that kept his body and mind intact long enough for the Pacific Ocean to spit him up onto a remote palm-studded island. Crawling ashore, he was saved by a local couple living in their own private castaway paradise.
438 Days by Jonathan Franklin is an epic tale of survival – and one man's incredible story of beating the ultimate odds.
'A fascinating, action-packed account of long-term survival on the open seas' – Kirkus Reviews
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What listeners say about 438 Days
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Hassan
- 07-08-24
Incredible story about an incredible individual
An amazing story about faith, resilience, fortitude and the human spirit. The best thing about this story is the protagonist, seems like a genuine and kind person. Your always rooting for him and thankfully there is happy ending
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- S1D9G7
- 20-01-24
Excellent account of an amazing voyage
The feelings of isolation and loneliness are so well conveyed in this book. At times it quite hard to imagine that this actually happened to Salvador. The end of the book documents his struggles with returning to civilisation very well too, answering a lot of questions about PTSD and Salvador’s recovery.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- A. J. Lenehan
- 31-01-23
A great story spoiled a bit by lacklustre reading
The underlying story is extraordinary, but the writing of it is just ok, and the reading of it I thought was poor. Mispronounced words, emotionless, you had no sense of investment by the reader in the drama of the tale. Still worth a listen for the story itself though.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Jason
- 05-07-23
well worth a listen
Really enjoyed the journey this takes you on, if you start , you'll want to see it through
The performance isn't outstanding but I've heard some that can ruin a story...this isn't one of them. The story left me with just a little bit of doubt about whether the main character had actually been through the ordeal... many people doubted that he had, including his dead crewman's family, but at the same time left me thinking that it would be a complete travesty to devalue the feat if he genuinely DID survive all that time as is described in the book. Highly recommend you listen and make up your own mind
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jacimac
- 15-09-23
A story of true grit and endurance
A fabulous tale of the mental and physical strength needed to fight in absolutely extraordinary circumstances. The smallest every day details were recounted in a way which made one feel present in the struggle of the sailor. It also made me think about the way that early hominids might have migrated from one continent to another, by accident or design. So disappointing that once again the paparazzi were there, harassing and distressing people whilst they were at their lowest ebb. It was really interesting to me, how the mental attitude affected the physical condition of a person under untold stress. I hope Alvarenco found peace. A very highly recommended read. As one other reviewer said, it would make a wonderfully visual film HOWEVER I wouldn’t want it made at the cost of any further hassle for the Alvarenco family.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- JonnyC
- 05-05-23
Fascinating survival story
I would certainly have died in the first 2 hours. Before the storm probably. Maybe now I’ll potentially survive 24!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- lwin87
- 23-01-23
Interesting insight into the human ability to survive
A really interesting book, well told and frankly shocking at times. It’s a really in-depth tale of human survival.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Lesley
- 15-07-23
Amazing story
Really enjoyed this audio book. Amazing story, was never boring and the narrator done a great job. Defintely reccomend if you like a good survival story. Probs the most amazing one I've read actually. Left me hungry for another one.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jonesy
- 13-12-23
What a story!!
Incredible story, well written, good detail. Well read. If you enjoy true, survival stories then you will love this
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Rebecca
- 30-08-23
Absolutely astonishing true story
Gripping from start to finish, sitting listening in bed in night and visualising what this poor man endured and his strength and will and determination is just remarkable, this should be made into a movie, very much enjoyed
😁 so worth the read thank you for sharing your unbelievable experience x
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1 person found this helpful