Every year 100.000 heavy storms and 10.000 floods take place. Thousands of landslides, more than 100 devastating earthquakes, hundreds of forest fires, hurricanes, cyclones, typhoons, tornados, volcanoes eruptions and droughts.

But only once, 37 years ago, a plane crashed in the Andes mountains, where thank God, a group of Uruguayan people survived to show that the way in which one human being loves another might be the toughest evidence, the highest testimony of ourselves, the finest piece for which .--quoting Rilke, the great Austrian poet-- all previous ones, are mere preparations.

Eighteen books, three movies and nine documentaries have turned this story into the most amazing feat achieved by ordinary people… one of the most enlightening pieces of evidence of the power of teamwork… one of the best examples of effective decision-making, one of the best examples of leadership, of overcoming frustration and, most of all one of the most incredible stories of human ability to adapt to change…

Our story is quite unusual. We were not prepared to face such a situation, or anything remotely close to it. This is the story of ordinary people challenged with an extraordinary experience. This story rules sovereign here. This story reveals that this is possible. This story tells of human ability to adapt, evolve and move ahead.

As a result, the book “ALIVE!” is mandatory in the curricula of some of the best universities in the world, as evidence of the power of teamwork, leadership skills and the right attitude to overcome challenges in the face of crisis, of the key to resilience.