It was really interesting to hear about the processes and reasons behind the decisions that were made and the actions taken during the Thai Cave Rescue. As a complete observer with no knowledge of diving it admittedly was a bit frustrating watching it on the news wondering why more wasn't being done or why rescuers couldn't just get in there and get the kids out. But this book put everything into perspective and I was horrified but also morbidly amazed at the medical risks and considerations involved.
The way the author linked these events to other relatable more common events was really interesting and made me go 'oh, I never thought about it like that'. And I think that's what the whole point of the book is. It's highly unlikely that the vast majority of us will never be in that situation at any point in our lives, but can we still learn from it? Heck yeah!

This story is one that has captured me since it's occurrence. I have watched every documentary I could get my hands on piecing together what happened.
So naturally when I saw this audiobook I immediately grabbed at it.
I found the audiobook to be an excellent visual aid. It was appealing and fluid and overall fast paced.
I thoroughly enjoyed

Thank you to NetGalley, W. F. Howes and John Volanthen for the opportunity of listening to this audiobook.

What an incredible insight into the events that went on in the Tham Luang cave complex in Thailand. Obviously we have all heard of the 2018 Thai cave rescue to save the Wild Boars soccer team and their coach, but I had no idea about the intricacies of cave diving, and the events that went on as part of this rescue mission.

John was one of the rescue divers that assisted the boys to safety and was one of the divers who first discovered, against the odds, that the team were alive. During this book he shares the powerful events of the cave rescue, as well as sharing experiences of previous dives. He also talks through 13 key lessons from this that can be used by all of us in daily life!

I am in absolute awe of the divers that took part in this rescue - what tremendous bravery and selflessness they have shown.

John narrates this audiobook which makes it feel even more powerful and engaging. Thank you for sharing your story with us John, and mostly thank you for your bravery and spirit.

It's fair to say that a selling point for many will be seeking the firsthand experience of someone from the Tham Luang cave events. The book, as a whole, features much of that narrative but adds in context from other dives, as well as anecdotes and explanations.

There is a reflective tone used throughout the book and learning the detailed thought process behind the actions undertaken in Thailand, as well as the country's political and societal views, is compellingly interesting. Volanthen's honesty about the experience is heartening to read; he recognises the vital role of everyone involved but also critiques their actions, as well as his own, as to areas where they were less effective or even, in hindsight, wrong.

Whilst all of the lessons, presented as pieces of advice, are important and useful, none of them are revolutionary. As Volanthen discusses, it is not about trying to reinvent the wheel to solve every problem; it's about building the emotional, mental and/or physical strength to deal with them when they arise.

Some of the lessons have more tangible links to Tham Luang events than others but they all have corroborating cave diving stories. Each lesson is given a handful of everyday examples- an equivalent that is more relatable to the average reader. While some feel like a stretch (their link to that chapter's lesson seeming far-fetched), they are all realistic scenarios and are treated with the same respect as the life-threatening caving situations. This is a credit to Volanthen; he recognises that the weight of a problem changes only when your scale changes. As such, a major incident for one person could be insignificant in comparison to another's but should still be given the appropriate consideration.

Volanthen narrates the audio himself and is a good example of writers doing so as they understand the tone and nuances of the text. His humility but also his pride shine through his narration and it's endearing to learn the details of his experience and beliefs in this way.

The story of the Wild Boars football team and the people who rescued them is a miraculous one - though one achieved with blood, sweat and tears.

It would be difficult to be anything less than astonished and moved in listening to the story, experienced through one of those rescuers. And indeed, this is the case, for the parts of the book that actually focus on the rescue. Unfortunately, someone (the author or the publisher? I can't tell) made the bizarre call to turn this into a hybrid memoir / self-help book. The momentum judders to a halt every time the author shifts to telling us how his lessons as a cave diver can be applied to driving, work, relationships, dieting, and exercise.

The only pauses I enjoyed were the author's recollections of previous cave dives - they were highly relevant, often held their own emotional charge, and helped to convey the danger and the sheer technical challenges of cave diving.

I don't know why this book had to have a self-help element shoved in. It might have been a little on the short side without this, but it would have been so much better. At times, listening to how the rescue panned out, I gasped and felt renewed amazement at the fact that every single boy on the team survived. But my heart sunk every time the narrative pivoted away from the rescue or cave diving. I'm keen to see the film - I suspect the filmmakers haven't made the same terrible decision!

(With thanks to W.F. Howes and NetGalley for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review)

“How many of you?” “Thirteen?” “Brilliant!” In 2018 that flickering video clip of those ghostly faces, that the world had been holding its breath for, flew around the world. The voice? British cave diver John Volanthen, who along with his long-term dive partner Rick Stanton was the first to locate the Wild Boars youth football team and their coach, missing for days in the Tham Luang caves after unexpectedly early monsoon rains cut off their escape. This is Volanthen’s book about his experiences - part factual account of those terrifying days in Northern Thailand, part practical self-help advice about how to face up to challenges in everyday life, from someone who has learned invaluable lessons exploring some of the world’s most complex underwater caves, and been involved in many rescues.

We listened to the audiobook, narrated by the author, over a couple of car journeys. Beginning with his description of actually finding the boys, then going back to the beginning of the story of their involvement after being called to Thailand on the recommendation of local British expat caver Vern Unsworth. The Thai Navy SEALs running the rescue operation were initially sceptical that two (his words) middle-aged blokes could be of use, but as the dangers of the rapidly rising floodwaters became apparent, they were allowed in - and the rest is history. The book discusses how at each stage, one key lesson made an important difference - from changing your mindset, “I can’t” to “Why not?”, to “time slicing” - 3 seconds, 3 minutes, 3 hours, and covering the sometimes contradictory dilemma of when to listen to your inner voice - and when to silence the inner critic.

I clearly remember avidly following the rescue during those tense days in July 2018 - we had visited Thailand earlier that year, and my work in travel medicine and previous open water diving experience meant the unfolding drama felt painfully real. (I had zero interest in cave diving before, and even less afterwards!) Mentions of the successful rescue still bring me to tears. I’d previously read The Boys in the Cave, and we recently watched The Rescue, the excellent National Geographic documentary about it. I am now looking forward to watching the Hollywood version, Thirteen Lives, apparently inspired by this book. Each time I feel I learned something new, but this book necessarily limited the perspective to Volanthen’s own experience. I still felt that I wanted to know more - he is very diplomatic in his descriptions of some of the individuals involved and their sometimes self-serving behaviours.

Where the book slowed down for me was in the descriptions of previous cave diving anecdotes, which are probably of more interest to those with an interest in the sport. Some of the self help sections got a little repetitive, and his audiobook delivery came across as rather emotionless. I wanted more about his thoughts and feelings about the situations they encountered: at one point he mentions his son, but only in the context of later meeting the then Prime Minister, apart from this there was no mention of his family life and how the potential impact on them factored in to his decision-making in the life-threatening situations they were facing. He comes across as a private, thoughtful and self-deprecating individual uncomfortable being in the spotlight, so I appreciate that writing a book like this meant leaving some things out. His sense of humour is also so dry that I suspect only fellow Brits may pick up on some of his jokes!

Overall this was a fascinating insight into the most amazing human interest story most of us will ever encounter. Had I not known the outcome in advance, I would’ve found it an impossibly tense read, so I still can’t believe these brave men lived through it. Just hearing about the challenges they faced was stressful - those boys were so very lucky that the right people answered the call.
Thanks to NetGalley and W.F. Howes for the audiobook review copy. I am posting this honest review voluntarily. Thirteen Lessons that Saved Thirteen Lives is available now.

Narration and Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐
John did an amazing job re-telling this incredible story of the cave rescue. I really enjoyed hearing it from his point of view and no one can deny that all the people involved in this are absolute heroes for risking their own lives.

The only thing I personally didn't enjoy was the self help aspect, but that has more to do with me and my hatred for the self help genre especially when it's not from a medical professional.