Survival: The inspirational story of the Thredbo disaster's sole survivor

by Stuart Diver

On the night of July 30th 1997 a landslide shattered the tranquility of Thredbo Village, sweeping away two ski lodges and burying 19 people beneath tonnes of concrete and mud. In the days that followed, the world mourned as rescuers dragged body after body from the rubble. But out of tragedy sprang an amazing story of survival. Stuart Diver, whose young wife Sally died beside him in the first moments of the slide, had clung to life buried beneath a concrete slab for 65 freezing hours. This is Stuart Diver's story. The story of how one man found the mental and physical strength to live through tragedy and survive against impossible odds. Stuart relives the event that changed his world forever and talks honestly about what went through his mind during his long hours alone beneath the rubble, his painful recovery, and his inspirational attitude to life and the future. And he reveals how the lessons he learned at Thredbo can help each of us find the inner strength to become a survivor.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Biography Memoir, Memoir

212 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Thomas Cotter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put it down.

[Skye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd never actually heard about Thredbo until recently. When I read Bad Ground. It might be a big moment of Australian history, but it's not one that's memorable from my recollection of local history. So when I did a little research, I was completely intrigued. And boy am I glad that I actually decided to buy this book.

The start of this book very much reads like a love letter to Sally. It wasn't until around the 8th chapter when Stuart starts actually talking about the landside that I was able to concentrate and read this in a big hit. Before that, my heart just kept breaking and I had to keep putting this down to wipe away a tear.

I love how this book talks about Stuart's point of view and experiences. But balanced with this is the factual account of what Australia and the rest of the rescuers were also witnessing and experiencing. It was a pretty stark and brutal reality. One that I'm honestly surprised didn't give me nightmares. I don't like small spaces, reading a memoir about being trapped underground for 65 hours... literally one of my worst nightmare. All I'd need is snakes to make it the worst thing ever...

Although my edition of this was on my kobo, it's one that I want to add to my physical library. I love reading about Australian history and I think its important to keep adding to my knowledge and collection.

[Xanthi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this on audiobook format.
It pains me to give this only three stars, considering what it’s about and the bravery and perseverance of Driver and his rescuers. My main problem with the book was how abruptly it ended. There was nothing about his immediate and long term recovery - physically and mentally. He gets pulled out and that’s where it ends for the book. But that’s really only half the story.

[Keli Calder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Survival.. I wanted to read another biography, an inspirational biography. I remember being in Primary School and watching the story of the Thredbo landslide on the news. I was only 11 years old at the time but Stuart Divers name has stuck with me over the years so I googled him and found Survival. Truly incredible the mental strength Stuart had to survive horrible circumstances.

[Maxine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Told very simply. I felt this was just an overview of what happened, I was looking for more depth to the narrative. I am in awe of anybody who survives against the odds but I am also a reader and I was disappointed with how the story was told.

[Helen O'Sh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating! Couldn’t put it down! I was so interested to read what happened and especially how Stuart Diver coped being alive but not found (20+ years ago now!). Would be great to get an update / next chapter given further events in his life.

[Tayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book when I was quite young, I belive 14 or 15. It is written in a very simple and easy to read style and it was a great read for me as a teenage to grasp the idea of suffering. An incredible story.

[Marijana Stojanovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great,scary, sad and inspirational story all in one.I loved the book

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put it down. What a book.

[Aleisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

About a 3.6 April. Sad but also strong and inspirational

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not sure how the great man wrote it if I’m honest. Horrifying account, unimaginable but told as if you can actually imagine it.

[Symon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would have been an easy 4 stars if it wasn't for the abrupt ending. I would have loved to have heard of Stuart's physical and mental recovery, the extent of his injuries, etc.

[Lynette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, what a man. A very inspirational book and the rescuers were obviously just as inspirational too. After I finished it I goggled him to see what was happening in his life now. Sad to see he has had more traumatic events in his life. Well worth a read. Maybe there will now be another book to follow ...

[Salina Sarcasmo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stuart Diver's inspirational survival experience is something that Australia will never forget. This book is about his life before, during and after the catastrophic event. In the peak of winter New South Wales Snowy Mountains in 1997, a landslide in Thredbo swallowed two buildings with 3500 tones of rock and mud. Unfortunately he was trapped beneath it. He witnessed the death of his wife who drowned as freezing toxic water flowed through the landslide area.

This book goes through everything from his happiest memories to the saddest times, Stuart Diver takes you on a journey that will inspire you forever.

[Kirsti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course I get to the sad part while sitting in public areas, when I'm not able to cry openly. But I wanted to. I was so young when the Thredbo disaster occurred, but I can still remember the emotion of the day, the sadness I felt even though I didn't fully understand. This book was a highly personal look at the tragedy, through Stuart's eyes. It was especially confronting, and I learned more about the disaster than I had known before. I highly recommend this book, it was incredibly sad but still really good.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm reading this book for the second time. I love that it runs through the emotion of what Stuart Diver went through. Stuart Diver is not an author of many books. It is raw and real. I find myself coming to tears at some of the things he says and how he had to fight with himself in order to survive. This book is inspirational, to remind us that no matter how crappy our situation, we can get through it and we will survive.

[Juanita · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a motivating book!
My favourite part
"I think that if there is a philosophy that guides my life this is the one: live for today but always plan and dream about tomorrow. That's what I do. That's what keeps me going. If anything, the landslide taught me that we must live for today - we don't know what's going to happen tomorrow. Enjoy each moment to the full. At the same time make sure you have a plan for the future so when tomorrow becomes today you'll be ready for it."

[Claudette · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Audiobook) I remember the Thredbo disaster as it happened a few months after my father died. It was also the same year Princess Diana died. I remember being glued to the TV watching the drama unfold. What would it be like being alive under all that rubble? Well Stuart Diver tells the story..........

[mr. chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here's a dominant concept you may be holding onto, "Australia is a dry barren land." This book is an autobiography of a fellow trapped in a landslide (i.e. houses and cars buried), caused by SNOW, for 65 hours. It is a good read, and you'll score points with your Aussie friends if you read it.

[Jen Roe · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing book

[Maree Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down