438 Days: An Extraordinary True Story of Survival at Sea

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars | 7,671 ratings

Price: 13.12

Last update: 12-20-2024


About this item

438 Days is the miraculous account of the man who survived alone and adrift at sea longer than anyone in recorded history - as told to journalist Jonathan Franklin in dozens of exclusive interviews.

On November 17, 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 blasted him west. When he washed ashore on January 29, 2014, he had arrived in the Marshall Islands, 9,000 miles away - equivalent to traveling from New York to Moscow round trip.

For 14 months, Alvarenga survived constant shark attacks. He learned to catch fish with his bare hands. He built a fish net from a pair of empty plastic bottles. Taking apart the outboard motor, he fashioned a huge fishhook. Using fish vertebrae as needles, he stitched together his own clothes.

He considered suicide on multiple occasions - including offering himself up to a pack of sharks. But Alvarenga never failed to invent an alternative reality. He imagined a method of survival that kept his body and mind intact long enough for the Pacific Ocean to toss him up on a remote, palm-studded island, where he was saved by a local couple living alone in their own Pacific Island paradise.

Based on dozens of hours of interviews with Alvarenga and interviews with his colleagues, search and rescue officials, the medical team that saved his life, and the remote islanders who nursed him back to health, this is an epic tale of survival, an all-true version of the fictional Life of Pi. 438 Days is a study of the resilience, will, ingenuity, and determination required for one man to survive 14 months lost at sea.


Top reviews from the United States

  • Anonymous
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, but Amazon has issues
    Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2024
    I ordered 4 books for my friend for Christmas. 3 of them were dirty and scuffed up, even though they were supposed to be new. But as for the contents, this book is wild. Excellent detail, every aspect of this dude's daily survival while stranded at sea is in this account. One of the best survival books I've ever read.
  • bryce hagness
    5.0 out of 5 stars Quick read page turner
    Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2024
    Very engaging story with a main character you can really get behind and route for. Interesting description and realities of being lost on the ocean for a long time.
  • myarbrough
    4.0 out of 5 stars Amazing survival instincts
    Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2024
    As a sailor I related to the intense danger Salvador endured daily. Total admiration for the man’ s capacity for pain, both mental and physical. Very few would have survived it.
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wow
    Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2024
    What an amazing and well written true story of one man’s survival and triumph. I’m always sad to reach the end of such a good read.
  • Lori D'Amico
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Story of Endurance and Survival!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2023
    I found this book to be very interesting and full of detail. It is well written which is a credit to the author's ability to get the story translated from Spanish to English or find someone able to do so. The maps and photographs added to the story!
    Not everyone would be able to survive being adrift at sea in a small rickety boat for over a year. It is fortunate this man had experience and talent as a fisherman and had knowledge of the sea, the moon, weather etc. I know I likely would not have survived because I would not be able to stomach eating raw fish, birds, barnacles, having to fight for every morsel and drink of water. I can't even imagine drinking my own urine or the blood of sea turtles and the endless tropical sun beating down with no land in sight, in shark filled water.
    The physical deprivation, as well as the tremendous mental and emotional stress of being in such circumstances and losing a young assistant who became a friend while at sea on that fateful trip would be enough to traumatize anyone. It is obvious this man has a tremendous will to live! I wish him and his daughter well!
  • Cowboy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Dads escape
    Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2024
    My dad is 82 years old, he’s worked hard all of his life, so now he can not hardly get around anymore. I bought the book for him so he can get out of the chair without hurting. He liked it very much. Took only three days to read it. Said he tried to put it down so he could make it last, but just couldn’t… I bought him five in total so he’ll have a good two or three weeks of reading
  • Wiiddershinz
    4.0 out of 5 stars Exciting
    Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2024
    This book holds your interest!
  • Faith S Daniels
    5.0 out of 5 stars Must read
    Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2024
    An incredible story of faith and strength! I'm grateful he shared his story. I hope others will take the time to read it

  • Best Sellers in

     
     

    Stay Sane in an Insane World: How to Control the Controllables and Thrive

    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 543
    11.57
     
     

    Just Add Water: My Swimming Life

    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 246
    13.12
     
     

    Racing to the Finish

    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 3488
    17.32
     
     

    Into Siberia: George Kennan's Epic Journey Through the Brutal, Frozen Heart of Russia

    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 112
    18.8
     
     

    Quiet Leadership: Winning Hearts, Minds and Matches

    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1567
    13.72
     
     

    Far Beyond Gold: Running from Fear to Faith

    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 324
    17.32
     
     

    Hot Dog Money: Inside the Biggest Scandal in the History of College Sports

    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 1323
    21.83
     
     

    My Time to Stand: A Memoir

    3 3 out of 5 stars 377
    17.5