438 Days: An Extraordinary True Story of Survival at Sea

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.

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.

This book holds your interest!

Read this a number of years ago, I've found it unforgettable so leaving a review now. Amazing book. Do yourself a favor, don't read about the incident online, just read the book.

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!

I was skeptical initially, but it's hard to fathom how anyone could make up all the details of this voyage. It's an incredible (perhaps the most incredible) story of survival. José Salvador Alvarenga makes Navy SEALs look like sissy's. Captivating from start to finish. I couldn't put the book down. Not only are you given a front-row seat to Jose's harrowing journey, but you are immersed in another world (the sea) where civilized ethics and morality don't align with reality.

Enjoyed how real the story was and how he must have felt being stranded for so long. At times there was alot of repeat but it still kept me intrigued.

Great read. Very tough to put down. I felt like I was on the boat! At first I was skeptical that this could have happened but it was meticulously researched and documented. Would recommend.

Alvarengas story of survival is amazing. A well written book. Filling in the blanks of how and why. Great book. Loved it

Relato fantástico.

not moving at all, eating turtles and birds during a too long repetitive uninteresting book.

It reads well. A gripping story. Quite enjoyed it.

Beautifully written, well researched, and easy to read. An astonishing tale. How did he survive all that time at sea....in the Pacific? Only a superman with extraordinary reserves of positiveness, and a determination to survive at any cost got him through. Highly recommend this amazing book.