What do you think?
Rate this book
Survive!: My Fight for Life in the High Sierras
A plane crash survivor recounts how he was the only member of his three-person team able to walk away from the crash of their single-engine plane in the Sierra Nevadas in 1994 and how he hiked for two weeks through the wilderness with sixteen broken bones and no emergency supplies before he was able to find help. 100,000 first printing.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 4, 2005
10 people are currently reading
153 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
September 17, 2014
Normally it would take me a day, maybe two, to read a book of this size. This took me about a week. It was a struggle. From the start it seemed to be one of "those stories", the kind you overhear from the loud talker at the next table at dinner about how wonderful he is. It made no sense. Why would someone with a broken ankle, broken ribs, a displaced shoulder, who is spitting up and urinating blood be the one to trek out of the mountains when another crash victim had no injuries? How does one lift them self up (numerous times) by putting a branch between their chin and neck? That would be more of a holding on type move, not a situation where you could physically lift your body. Why would you leave every single item that would be helpful to the person trekking out, not so much with the people remaining at the crash, back at the plane? Why spend so many pages talking about orienting yourself by the stars, when the sun rises and sets in the same directions and the stars move? I almost threw the book at the wall during the nighttime slide within centimeters off a cliff. Unbelievable and incredible feats are often achieved under duress, but two weeks of daily unbelievable and incredible feats was just too much.
I paid .50 for this book, which is pretty accurate of the value I received from it.
I paid .50 for this book, which is pretty accurate of the value I received from it.
October 10, 2024
Wow, how did this guy survive? It’s a true story of survival and using items from the land to make it out alive.
January 24, 2016
I happened across this book when I was hunting for stories of real-life survival situations several years ago. As this story occurred in the same areas I used to hike and camp near in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of S. California, it immediately grabbed my attention. I bought a hardcover copy of the book and was reading it a few days later.
Initially, the story gripped me. The author, Peter DeLeo, was flying his bush plane, a Maule M7, over the Sierra Nevadas near Kern Peak when the aircraft struck the trees and crashed. He and his two friends were stranded in the wilderness at the onset of winter – DeLeo himself and one of his other passengers sustaining serious injuries (the third passenger had minor injuries). Despite his injuries, DeLeo decided to hike out and try to find help. For nearly a week he experienced a grueling trek through the winter mountains before climbing down the foothills of Olancha Peak and reporting his situation with a phone call from the Ranch House Cafe in Olancha (where, incidentally, I’ve eaten a few times).
Another reason this story attracted me was due to my own interest in aviation and, in particular, bush flying. It was this interest that started to make me consider the story in a less than favorable light as the narrative continued.
To be sure, DeLeo’s account is nothing short of astounding. That he managed to survive across the mountainous wilderness for a week with serious injuries is amazing, and he deserves credit for this feat. The writing itself can sometimes be self aggrandizing; he tends to dwell occasionally on his exploits (perhaps rightfully so). However, some of the choices that he made started making me question the logic behind them. And, since this was an aircraft crash, the National Transportation Safety Board had the report of its investigation available in its database for perusal. As such, to see what their investigation found, I read the report, prompted by another reader on Amazon’s review section of the book who had done the same.
I won’t go into the details here, other than to say that DeLeo’s story and the NTSB report don’t match (as far as the details about the actual crash of the aircraft go). Sadly, this made me suspect much of the rest of the story also. I’m not sure why the author would publish a story of his experience that included information that was contrary to a published report of the crash investigation, but whatever his reasons it certainly makes one reconsider the events of the book as one continues to read.
Nonetheless, the story of DeLeo’s survival in and of itself is still interesting. As somewhat of a survivalist himself, he goes into some detail occasionally on how and why he does some of the things he does to escape the cold and the elements. It’s worth a read simply for that aspect alone, and for those interested in true stories of survival I recommend it.
Initially, the story gripped me. The author, Peter DeLeo, was flying his bush plane, a Maule M7, over the Sierra Nevadas near Kern Peak when the aircraft struck the trees and crashed. He and his two friends were stranded in the wilderness at the onset of winter – DeLeo himself and one of his other passengers sustaining serious injuries (the third passenger had minor injuries). Despite his injuries, DeLeo decided to hike out and try to find help. For nearly a week he experienced a grueling trek through the winter mountains before climbing down the foothills of Olancha Peak and reporting his situation with a phone call from the Ranch House Cafe in Olancha (where, incidentally, I’ve eaten a few times).
Another reason this story attracted me was due to my own interest in aviation and, in particular, bush flying. It was this interest that started to make me consider the story in a less than favorable light as the narrative continued.
To be sure, DeLeo’s account is nothing short of astounding. That he managed to survive across the mountainous wilderness for a week with serious injuries is amazing, and he deserves credit for this feat. The writing itself can sometimes be self aggrandizing; he tends to dwell occasionally on his exploits (perhaps rightfully so). However, some of the choices that he made started making me question the logic behind them. And, since this was an aircraft crash, the National Transportation Safety Board had the report of its investigation available in its database for perusal. As such, to see what their investigation found, I read the report, prompted by another reader on Amazon’s review section of the book who had done the same.
I won’t go into the details here, other than to say that DeLeo’s story and the NTSB report don’t match (as far as the details about the actual crash of the aircraft go). Sadly, this made me suspect much of the rest of the story also. I’m not sure why the author would publish a story of his experience that included information that was contrary to a published report of the crash investigation, but whatever his reasons it certainly makes one reconsider the events of the book as one continues to read.
Nonetheless, the story of DeLeo’s survival in and of itself is still interesting. As somewhat of a survivalist himself, he goes into some detail occasionally on how and why he does some of the things he does to escape the cold and the elements. It’s worth a read simply for that aspect alone, and for those interested in true stories of survival I recommend it.
August 6, 2014
For those of us who can't imagine spending even two hours outside in sub-zero weather without the maximum protection (down coat, boots, scarf, hat, etc.), it's difficult to understand how Peter DeLeo survived for 13 days, freezing, starving, injured and alone, after a horrific airplane crash in the Sierra Nevada range. This is a remarkable story of perseverance and the strength of human will. Although things didn't turn out exactly as Peter hoped they would (I will not provide a spoiler here, lest any of you read this), and even though he made some dumb mistakes (for instance, not telling critical people of his travel plans on the fateful day of the crash and not dressing appropriately for the weather conditions in the area he was flying), one can't help but admire his survival instincts and the well of human will into which he dipped to endure under terrifying conditions.
August 2, 2009
Tale of a sole survivor of a small plane crash and 13 days of hiking back to civilization. But you begin to wonder, particularly about the initial crash and why Peter, who was suffering broken bones hiked away with no survival supplies.. like a COMPASS... while Wave, who only had a scratch, stays behind and ultimately succumbs to hypothermia. Amazing recount of 13 arduous days but questions multiply....
December 26, 2013
It is hard to believe this harrowing tale of survival is true, but the details of his journey through the Sierra Nevada and the tenacity of the author convinced me. His ordeal is remarkable, but DeLeo's ingenuity, bravery and zest for life give this book even more color.
June 26, 2009
Great survival book. But I still want to know why he didn't send his friend for help since he had two working legs.
May 18, 2019
The book was very enjoyable. I liked how adventurous and action packed the book was. The adventure of Peter Deleo and his journey through the sierras was very thrilling and was a very detailed experience. I loved how he persisted through all the pain and suffering and pushed himself to survive. I did not find anything in the book that I disliked. I love stories like these, full of adventure and always on edge reading, so I really enjoyed the book. Parts that resonated with me was when Peter Deleo finally makes it back to civilization and everyone is ordering him to go to the hospital because he has sixteen broken bones but he keeps trying to get to his friends, and acts as if that doesn't matter to him. It resonated with me because the one time my uncle broke his finger when hitting it on the table and we all told him to go to the hospital but he wouldn't listen and continued to play ping pong. One part that confused me was when the pilots talk to the towers, I couldn't understand what some of the words meant. I guess only if you where a pilot you would understand.
As Peter Deleo makes his way through the Sierra Nevadas he develops certain values and beliefs. He develops creativity, courage, commitment, motivation and many more. As he faces Mother Nature, there are many times in the book were he asks himself why is he continuing to fight, is death not ok, but he keeps persisting. For example on page 133, Deleo explains, "After humming the song so many times that it runs unbidden like a tape loop, I stop singing, then whisper, 'you must be disciplined. You're alone, there is no backup for you. Nobody knows where you are. You have no spare clothes. You must mentally hold it together. Move with caution, preserve life. Don't panic. If you don't make it, who will take care of dad? You must make it out of here.'" Peter Deleo overcomes incredible odds and as he progresses to the finish line he motivates himself and never decides to quit, he does anything possible to survive. From building shelters from the trees to eating dead bugs as a source of food, he's a man on a mission.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is going on a camping trip where it is really cold, because you can learn a lot from reading this book and if something bad happens, you could follow the same steps that Deleo did to survive. I would also recommend this book to middle schoolers to adults because it is not a hard read or an easy read. I think that everyone will enjoy the adventure because the book did not disappoint and it never got boring.
As Peter Deleo makes his way through the Sierra Nevadas he develops certain values and beliefs. He develops creativity, courage, commitment, motivation and many more. As he faces Mother Nature, there are many times in the book were he asks himself why is he continuing to fight, is death not ok, but he keeps persisting. For example on page 133, Deleo explains, "After humming the song so many times that it runs unbidden like a tape loop, I stop singing, then whisper, 'you must be disciplined. You're alone, there is no backup for you. Nobody knows where you are. You have no spare clothes. You must mentally hold it together. Move with caution, preserve life. Don't panic. If you don't make it, who will take care of dad? You must make it out of here.'" Peter Deleo overcomes incredible odds and as he progresses to the finish line he motivates himself and never decides to quit, he does anything possible to survive. From building shelters from the trees to eating dead bugs as a source of food, he's a man on a mission.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is going on a camping trip where it is really cold, because you can learn a lot from reading this book and if something bad happens, you could follow the same steps that Deleo did to survive. I would also recommend this book to middle schoolers to adults because it is not a hard read or an easy read. I think that everyone will enjoy the adventure because the book did not disappoint and it never got boring.
September 7, 2021
I really enjoyed this story! I feel like we all know someone like Peter, it never occurs to him to ask for help or rely on anyone but himself and he's pleasantly surprised when he learns that others care for him and want him to be safe.
While I at times was frustrated by the slow progress he made, the reality is I would have died in his situation. He moved at that pace because it was what survival called for.
It got spiritual in a natural way, when he encountered the spiritual wonders of the world he couldn't stop but take note and share his experiences. It wasn't preachy, just what he experienced and how he saw it.
The dialogue is rough but you get the point, it's not a novel it's a survival story.
Thank you Peter for sharing your journey.
While I at times was frustrated by the slow progress he made, the reality is I would have died in his situation. He moved at that pace because it was what survival called for.
It got spiritual in a natural way, when he encountered the spiritual wonders of the world he couldn't stop but take note and share his experiences. It wasn't preachy, just what he experienced and how he saw it.
The dialogue is rough but you get the point, it's not a novel it's a survival story.
Thank you Peter for sharing your journey.
April 30, 2023
It’s hard to explain this book without sounding like a jerk.
It’s interesting in the beginning but very quickly gets boring. The author writes about his experience in a plane crash. He states a lot of facts about planes, navigation, and how finding a missing person from a plane crash works.
It was very interesting and informative but also boring. I blame the style of writing.
At the end, it was a page turner.
I would fully recommend this book for the simple fact it’s super informative. This is something I would suggest reading before boarding a plane.
It’s interesting in the beginning but very quickly gets boring. The author writes about his experience in a plane crash. He states a lot of facts about planes, navigation, and how finding a missing person from a plane crash works.
It was very interesting and informative but also boring. I blame the style of writing.
At the end, it was a page turner.
I would fully recommend this book for the simple fact it’s super informative. This is something I would suggest reading before boarding a plane.
December 4, 2018
An excellent read.
The writing style took a little getting used to.
I'm not sure how to phrase this last part. I have read medical books that use the word 'rectum' less frequently than this title. I really don't know how I feel about that.
The writing style took a little getting used to.
I'm not sure how to phrase this last part. I have read medical books that use the word 'rectum' less frequently than this title. I really don't know how I feel about that.
October 24, 2025
captivating
This is an incredible story of survival and perseverance. My husband and I backpack in this area. I can’t even imagine doing this without the tools, to make it through the steep terrain and cold nights. Amazing read!
This is an incredible story of survival and perseverance. My husband and I backpack in this area. I can’t even imagine doing this without the tools, to make it through the steep terrain and cold nights. Amazing read!
March 26, 2017
The suspense was amazing .
Peter reveals the physical and emotional pain of survival.
that will keep you riveted until the very end.
Peter reveals the physical and emotional pain of survival.
that will keep you riveted until the very end.
May 10, 2018
An amazing book of survival!
August 13, 2019
Great read. True story. My boyfriend knows the Survivor. Amazing what he endured.
December 8, 2019
What a great story! I love the way it moved and the detail and descriptions of the terrain. Sad to know that his friends didn't make it, but it shows a true determined spirit to rescue his friends.
July 31, 2020
Amazing! This man’s determination and will to survive had me on the edge of my seat. Finished this book in 3 sittings.
October 31, 2025
I could not put this down- hook line & sinker amazing author, incredible against the odds story- hats off to you Peter!
March 22, 2013
When a plane trip that was planned for sightseeing and photography turned to the worst, the plane engine failed to climb and avoid a mountain side in the high sierra mountain range of California. The crash left Peter and his two friends injured with many broken bones. Peter himself broke some of his ribs, an ankle, and his shoulder. After taking in the gravity of the situation, Peter decided that the best thing for the group would be him attempting to find help. It took him thirteen days to finally reach help. The police even had a hard time believing that he was the lost pilot. The author, Peter DeLeo, wrote this book to inform people of his survival experience and the dangers he had encountered.
The book was full of twenty page segments where it was impossible to put the book down. Peter DeLeo’s voice draws you into the story, and establishes a clear picture in your head. His details are so precise and to the point, and that is the type of writing that I enjoy the most. The majority of the book is Peter thinking to himself which isn’t a bad thing, because dialogue can become annoying after a lengthy conversation.
I enjoyed this book very much; it was almost inspiring to about how he managed to fight off death for so long. It was like I was cheering him on the entire way as he cheated death on several accounts to save himself and his two friends. However, it was disappointing to discover that his friends had died from hypothermia. I would give this book four stars out of five, and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for an exciting, survival story
The book was full of twenty page segments where it was impossible to put the book down. Peter DeLeo’s voice draws you into the story, and establishes a clear picture in your head. His details are so precise and to the point, and that is the type of writing that I enjoy the most. The majority of the book is Peter thinking to himself which isn’t a bad thing, because dialogue can become annoying after a lengthy conversation.
I enjoyed this book very much; it was almost inspiring to about how he managed to fight off death for so long. It was like I was cheering him on the entire way as he cheated death on several accounts to save himself and his two friends. However, it was disappointing to discover that his friends had died from hypothermia. I would give this book four stars out of five, and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for an exciting, survival story
November 14, 2016
Logan Andrew
Ms. St. Clair
English 10
November 14, 2016
Survive
My reading experience during this book quite interesting. I liked reading about how he survived with such little supplies and gear and how he persevered through tough times. "The torturous pain causes me to shudder when breathing. Again, I break the silence with a groan of agony. My mind makes another attempt to power up, and my right eye opens slowly......My spinal cord is intact so I know that I'm not paralyzed."(Deleo 23). When I read this quote I started to feel his pain in a way. I felt bad for the situation he was in after the plane crash. This quote shows how bad one of the situations he went through and reading this makes me feel bad for him. Some questions I have for Peter Deleo are what was going through his mind when he find out his engine was stopping? If I was in his situation, I would be freaking out so I would also want to know how he was staying calm during the crash. I recommend this book to anybody because it is a phenomenal book and a very good survival book.
Ms. St. Clair
English 10
November 14, 2016
Survive
My reading experience during this book quite interesting. I liked reading about how he survived with such little supplies and gear and how he persevered through tough times. "The torturous pain causes me to shudder when breathing. Again, I break the silence with a groan of agony. My mind makes another attempt to power up, and my right eye opens slowly......My spinal cord is intact so I know that I'm not paralyzed."(Deleo 23). When I read this quote I started to feel his pain in a way. I felt bad for the situation he was in after the plane crash. This quote shows how bad one of the situations he went through and reading this makes me feel bad for him. Some questions I have for Peter Deleo are what was going through his mind when he find out his engine was stopping? If I was in his situation, I would be freaking out so I would also want to know how he was staying calm during the crash. I recommend this book to anybody because it is a phenomenal book and a very good survival book.
September 25, 2016
WOW!
I have been a Search and Rescue volunteer for 10+ years and survival stories fascinate me. This is by far the most incredible story I've ever heard, seen, or read.
" This we do, that others may live" , the Search and Rescue motto, I will never hear it again without thinking of this story. Not only is this heroic tale the reason we do what we do, it is also why he did what he did, driven by the determination that the others he had in the plane with him, may live.
I have read 100s of books, but of them all, this is engraved on my soul.
Compelling, Intriguing, Inspirational, and incredibly well written, A MUST READ!
I have been a Search and Rescue volunteer for 10+ years and survival stories fascinate me. This is by far the most incredible story I've ever heard, seen, or read.
" This we do, that others may live" , the Search and Rescue motto, I will never hear it again without thinking of this story. Not only is this heroic tale the reason we do what we do, it is also why he did what he did, driven by the determination that the others he had in the plane with him, may live.
I have read 100s of books, but of them all, this is engraved on my soul.
Compelling, Intriguing, Inspirational, and incredibly well written, A MUST READ!
January 16, 2015
Very gripping book that I read in a less than 24 hour period, unexpectedly. That included dreaming about the book overnight...
Strangely enough, the author never describes hunger. All of his other pains -- busted shoulder, frostbite, extreme fatigue, constantly being far from the right body temperature -- get at least a mention, if not repeated descriptions. But the closest he comes to mentioning being hungry is noting how his body is slowly metabolizing all its muscle.
Mental toughness!
Strangely enough, the author never describes hunger. All of his other pains -- busted shoulder, frostbite, extreme fatigue, constantly being far from the right body temperature -- get at least a mention, if not repeated descriptions. But the closest he comes to mentioning being hungry is noting how his body is slowly metabolizing all its muscle.
Mental toughness!
November 12, 2008
Peter DeLeo writes about his experience of surviving in the Sierra Nevada mountains after his plane crashed. While the story itself is interesting, I felt his writing style lacked emotion. Rather than just list the events that happened, he should have written more about what he was feeling at the time. Had he spent more time including this, I think it would have made the book more personal and a better read.
July 27, 2012
Peter DeLeo's account of his harrowing 13-day survival trek through the Sierra Nevada mountains following a plane crash. Fighting insurmountable odds, with multiple broken bones and lacerations, his determination to get help for his 2 friends at the crash site is why he battles the sub zero temperatures, his excruciating pain, and the daunting terrain. An inspiring and amazing feat about the strength of the human spirit.
June 6, 2015
How many people could survive just 5 days in the wilderness with food, water and optimal weather conditions? In November 1994, with 16 broken bones (including ribs and an ankle), an emaciated Peter DeLeo emerges from the Sierra Nevadas with resolute determination to get help for his injured friends where his plane when down 13 days earlier. This is an amazing story of what the human body and spirit can endure!
December 15, 2012
I'm biased because I've known Pete my whole life, but this is the incredible story of an amazing survivalist by need. And believe me, this is only one story that Pete has of beating the odds. The guy is a human Wolverine.
November 23, 2013
Incredible story! Some of the unprovable events seem like they could be fake, but even with all the proven facts it's an amazing story. At no time during this read did I ever feel like putting this book down.
June 2, 2008
While there's been some shadows cast on the veracity of DeLeo's version of events, it's still a great story and the closing sequence as he makes his way back to the civilized world is a corker.
Read
July 23, 2008aircraft accidents,crash/accident survival,Sierra Nevadas,non-fiction,autobiography,signed copy,
August 8, 2009
Very interesting although not superbly written.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews