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The Best Survival Books
Novels, guidebooks, and nonfiction that reads like fiction, all about surviving.
Published on August 2, 2023
The Greatest Survival Stories of All Time: True Tales of People Cheating Death When Trapped in a Cave, Adrift at Sea, Lost in the Forest, Stranded on a Mountaintop, and More
The Greatest Survival Stories of All Time: True Tales of People Cheating Death When Trapped in a Cave, Adrift at Sea, Lost in the Forest, Stranded on a Mountaintop, and More
Cara TabachnickSometimes fact is stranger than fiction, and these riveting stories of survival are here to prove it. Here are the people who faced natural disasters, plane crashes, and sinking ships, and, against all odds, survived to see another day.
Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors
Piers Paul ReadThe Andes flight disaster of 1972 garnered worldwide attention, in large part due to the reports of cannibalism that the survivors resorted to throughout the harrowing 72-day ordeal. However, cannibalism was only one aspect of hardship that the Uruguayan rugby team endured. Read’s account of the plane crash and subsequent months paints a vivid picture of truly miraculous survival and asks readers the question: How far would you go to survive?
Island of the Lost: Shipwrecked at the Edge of the World
Joan DruettPiecing together survivors’ journal entries and historical records, Druett recounts the 1864 shipwrecks on Auckland Island, a remote piece of land considered one of the most unforgiving places on earth due to its extreme weather. Remarkably, two ships wrecked on the same island in the same time period but were not aware of the other’s presence; the groups had vastly different experiences and outcomes of survival, the reasons for which Druett explores in great detail.
Lost in the Jungle: A Harrowing True Story of Adventure and Survival
Yossi GhinsbergThere are few things worse than being stranded in uncharted territory in the Amazon jungle. Being stranded alone is one of them. After Ghinsberg is separated from his backpacking group, he must battle torrential rains, fire ants, wild animal attacks, and starvation. Ghinsberg’s tale was later adapted to the big screen in “Jungle” starring Daniel Radcliffe.
438 Days: An Extraordinary True Story of Survival at Sea
Jonathan FranklinWhat started as a two-day fishing trip turned into a 14-month fight for survival, the longest recorded account of one person lost at sea. Salvador Alvarenga’s determination and ingenuity enabled him to face shark attacks, starvation, inclement weather, and brushes with insanity and come out on the other side.
127 Hours Movie Tie- In: Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Aron RalstonListen to the true story of a solo hike that went terribly wrong. After an accident left him pinned by a boulder for five days, Ralston bravely amputated his own arm to escape. This memoir moves between Ralston’s childhood and that fateful hiking trip, showing how his love of the outdoors developed and how his experience as an adventurer prepared him to do the unthinkable. Ralston’s story inspired a 2010 film starring James Franco.
Bushcraft 101: A Field Guide to the Art of Wilderness Survival
Dave CanterburyWhether you’re preparing for a camping trip or want to brush up on your outdoor skills, this is a fantastic introduction to wilderness survival skills. Canterbury, a self-reliance and outdoor survivalist expert, covers the basics of building a shelter, starting fires, trapping and processing game, and navigating in the wild.
SAS Survival Handbook, Third Edition: The Ultimate Guide to Surviving Anywhere
John 'Lofty' WisemanTrue to its title, the Special Air Service’s survival guide offers strategies to overcome any type of emergency. It covers essential survival items, how to adapt to different terrains and climates, how to obtain and prepare food in the wild, and more. Written in a straightforward manner, this guide has something for everyone from the experienced survivalist to complete novices.
101 Skills You Need to Survive in the Woods: The Most Effective Wilderness Know-How on Fire-Making, Knife Work, Navigation, Shelter, Food and More
101 Skills You Need to Survive in the Woods: The Most Effective Wilderness Know-How on Fire-Making, Knife Work, Navigation, Shelter, Food and More
Kevin EstelaAccording to Estela, a foundational aspect of survival is a “feeder” mindset, meaning having a proactive attitude rather than a reactive one. Feeders reframe everything, including life-or-death situations, into learning opportunities which allow them to remain optimistic and in control. With the right mindset, you can take his survival skills (such as fire building, identifying edible plants, knot tying, and shelter building) and come out on top.
Alas, Babylon
Pat FrankPublished at the height of the Cold War, “Alas, Babylon” reimagines life in the United States had the USSR not backed down but instead engaged in all-out nuclear war. Somehow, the small town of Fort Repose, Florida is spared from total annihilation. However, the real story of survival begins after the dust settles and the townspeople must fight to overcome starvation, brutality born out of desperation, and illness.
Hatchet
Gary PaulsenPaulsen’s Newbery Honor-winning story tracks a 13-year-old after a plane crash, stranding him alone in the Canadian wilderness armed with only (you guessed it) a hatchet. This survival novel about burgeoning independence and the will to endure is one for the ages. If you read it as a child, we suggest a reread, as the themes hit differently in adulthood.
I Am Still Alive
Kate Alice MarshallStranded in the Alaska wilderness with no guides, no parents, and very little survival knowledge, 16-year-old Jess is staring down the barrel of a harsh and unforgiving winter. Although the odds are stacked against her, she has grit, determination, and a burning desire to avenge the death of her father. An action-packed YA thriller perfect for fans of “Hatchet.”