47 pages 1 hour read

Piers Paul Read

Alive

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1974

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Alive by Piers Paul Read is a nonfiction book about the true story of a Uruguayan rugby team whose plane crashed in the Andes mountains in 1972. Stranded in extreme conditions, the survivors are forced to confront unimaginable challenges, including resorting to cannibalism to stay alive. This gripping narrative highlights their resilience, the arduous journey to find help, and the eventual rescue.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Piers Paul Read's Alive captures the harrowing survival story of a Uruguayan rugby team after a plane crash in the Andes. Reviews highlight its gripping, raw narrative and meticulous research, offering a profound exploration of human endurance. While some find it too graphic, others praise its unflinching honesty. Overall, it's compelling and thought-provoking, though not for the faint-hearted.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Alive?

Fans of survival tales such as Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer or Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand will appreciate Alive by Piers Paul Read. Readers fascinated by real-life stories of human endurance in extreme conditions will find this gripping account of an Andes plane crash compelling.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Lexile Level

1160L

Book Details

Genre

Action / Adventure

Travel Literature

Biography

Themes

Life/Time: Mortality & Death

Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride

Relationships: Teams

Topics

History: World