438 Days: An Extraordinary True Story of Survival at Sea

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.

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!

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.

This is such a remarkable story. Based on thorough research and free of any pretentious writing style, it really captures the physical and mental struggles that Alvarenga encountered throughout his journey and beyond. It reads like an exciting novel and is the best book I've read this year (so far).

We can all something, walk away with a life’s lesson from this amazing book. Truly humbling and at times painfully funny story. A thank you to Alvarenga for sharing his story and a thank you to the author for writing it.

I can't even imagine what it would be like to be out to sea, alone, and surviving day to day, with what this guy had available to him. The resourcefulness and will to survive must have been next level and to keep it together as well as he did.....Truly amazing. Well worth the read.

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.

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.

Must buy