Overview

"Thirteen Lessons that Saved Thirteen Lives is diver John Volanthen's nail-biting account of the incredible rescue of a Thai youth soccer team who had been trapped for over a week in a flooded cave. The world held its breath in July 2018 when the Wild Boars soccer team and their coach went missing for 9 days deep underground after being stranded by a rainy-season downpour while exploring a complex of caves after practice. The picture of them alive on a ledge in a flooded cave made front page news worldwide. As his light flickered from one boy to another, one diver called out, ""How many of you?"" ""Thirteen,"" a boy answered. ""Brilliant,"" the diver said. The diver was British cave diver John Volanthen. After 10 days trapped in the flooded cave complex in northern Thailand, and after an enormous effort that had transfixed the world, the missing 12 boys and their soccer coach had finally been found in the Tham Luan Cave. The world celebrated a happy ending and the incredible courage and skills of the rescue team. Each chapter tells one part of the story from Tham Luang but also imparts a life lesson, gleaned from John's exploration and rescue efforts, that can be applied to everyday obstacles and challenges. John's story shows how an average person can do the unimaginable, inspiring the superhero in us all."

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Reviews

Thirteen Lives is a case study in courage and volunteerism - the courage of those who were trapped, of the divers, of the officials and of the locals who all came together to overcome insurmountable odds while the world watched. Brian and I are excited to partner with MGM, P.J., and Gaby, to bring this heroic story to audiences around the world. Ron Howard, Oscar-winning director of Apollo 13 and director of Thirteen Lives currently shooting in location in Australia for release in spring 2022. In our filmmaking, we have been drawn to stories of people who have accomplished extraordinary, impossible things. What you [John Volanthen] were able to do in Thailand feels like a natural continuation of that focus; it is what attracted us to want to tell the story of the rescue. This is one of the great stories of our time. Chai Varsarheylyi, Oscar-winning co-director of Free Solo and co-director of the Thai Cave Rescue documentary (scheduled for release in September 2021)

'In his new book, Thirteen Lessons That Saved Thirteen Lives, John reveals the nail-biting moments that left him preparing for the worst - from sedating the boys with ketamine to the exhausting swim for survival...He tells of the operation in heart-stopping detail, while also sharing the coping techniques he employed which can be used in everyday life.' DAILY MIRROR Thirteen Lives is a case study in courage and volunteerism - the courage of those who were trapped, of the divers, of the officials and of the locals who all came together to overcome insurmountable odds while the world watched. Ron Howard, Oscar-winning director of Apollo 13 In our filmmaking, we have been drawn to stories of people who have accomplished extraordinary, impossible things. What you [John Volanthen] were able to do in Thailand feels like a natural continuation of that focus; it is what attracted us to want to tell the story of the rescue. This is one of the great stories of our time. Chai Varsarheylyi, Oscar-winning co-director of Free Solo 'John's involvement in one of the most Herculean rescue efforts ever makes him a perfect guide for readers. His insights are riveting. The suspense and emotion are palpable. It's a powerful story written by a hero who lived it.' -- RON HOWARD, Oscar-winning director of Apollo 13 * Twitter *

'In his new book, Thirteen Lessons That Saved Thirteen Lives, John reveals the nail-biting moments that left him preparing for the worst - from sedating the boys with ketamine to the exhausting swim for survival...He tells of the operation in heart-stopping detail, while also sharing the coping techniques he employed which can be used in everyday life.' DAILY MIRROR Thirteen Lives is a case study in courage and volunteerism - the courage of those who were trapped, of the divers, of the officials and of the locals who all came together to overcome insurmountable odds while the world watched. Brian and I are excited to partner with MGM, P.J., and Gaby, to bring this heroic story to audiences around the world. Ron Howard, Oscar-winning director of Apollo 13 In our filmmaking, we have been drawn to stories of people who have accomplished extraordinary, impossible things. What you [John Volanthen] were able to do in Thailand feels like a natural continuation of that focus; it is what attracted us to want to tell the story of the rescue. This is one of the great stories of our time. Chai Varsarheylyi, Oscar-winning co-director of Free Solo

Author Information

John Volanthen began caving with the scouts at the age of 14 and is now a world record-holding British cave diver who has been at the forefront of underground rescue and exploration for over twenty years. Best known as the first diver to locate and contact the missing youth Thai soccer team with his diving partner Rick Stanton, he also planned and participated in the children's rescue, carrying three children to safety. John has been involved in search, rescue and recovery operations as well as mapping caves worldwide. His many awards include the British and Commonwealth George Medal, the Scout Association Bronze Cross, National Geographic Adventurer of the Year and Scientific Exploration Society Pioneer with Purpose. With a background in medical electronics, John has invented underwater mapping devices, communications systems and state of the art, micro rebreathers, allowing divers to stay underwater longer than was previously possible. In Wookey Hole in the UK, alongside Rick Stanton, John advanced the British cave diving depth record to over 90M. As part of an international team, he set a world record for the longest cave dive from surface, well over 10km. John lives in Bristol and continues to explore and document underwater caves throughout the world. He is always on standby for the next rescue.

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