53 pages • 1 hour read
Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why
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Book Brief
295
Book • Nonfiction
2000s
1998
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In Deep Survival, Laurence Gonzales, drawing from his fascination with survival influenced by his father's World War II experiences, examines human behavior in life-threatening situations, differentiating between "victim" and "survivor" behaviors using neuroscience and real-life anecdotes. He explores how primal instincts, somatic markers, mental models, and biases influence survival outcomes.
Challenging
Inspirational
Suspenseful
Informative
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
16,351 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Laurence Gonzales' Deep Survival offers a gripping examination of survival psychology, blending real-life stories with scientific insights. Praised for its engaging narrative and depth of research, it illuminates the mental resilience required in dire situations. Some critique its repetitive sections, yet it's lauded for its compelling and thought-provoking content overall.
Who Should Read Deep Survival?
A reader who enjoys Deep Survival by Laurence Gonzales is likely an enthusiast of gripping survival stories, cognitive science, and psychological exploration. Fans of Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air and Sebastian Junger’s The Perfect Storm will appreciate Gonzales's blend of harrowing true stories and deep dives into human behavior under extreme conditions.
16,351 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Frederico Gonzales
Frederico Gonzales
Laurence Gonzales’s father, an American pilot and World War II veteran, whose resilience and demeanor deeply inspire and influence the author's work on survival.
Steve Callahan
Steve Callahan
An American sailor whose story of survival at sea is showcased as an example of ideal survival behavior, characterized by emotional balance and resource management.
Joe Simpson
Joe Simpson
A British mountaineer known for his perilous descent of Siula Grande, with his story illustrating the mental resilience and positive thinking crucial for survival.
295
Book • Nonfiction
2000s
1998
Adult
18+ years
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