Listen free for 30 days

Listen with offer

  • Thirteen Lessons That Saved Thirteen Lives

  • Thai Cave Rescue
  • By: John Volanthen
  • Narrated by: John Volanthen
  • Length: 7 hrs and 22 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (66 ratings)
Offer ends May 1st, 2024 11:59PM GMT. Terms and conditions apply.
£7.99/month after 3 months. Renews automatically.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, celeb exclusives, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, celeb exclusives, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Thirteen Lessons That Saved Thirteen Lives cover art

Thirteen Lessons That Saved Thirteen Lives

By: John Volanthen
Narrated by: John Volanthen
Get this deal Try for £0.00

Pay £99p/month. After 3 months pay £7.99/month. Renews automatically. See terms for eligibility.

£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

Buy Now for £13.99

Buy Now for £13.99

Pay using card ending in
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and authorise Audible to charge your designated card or any other card on file. Please see our Privacy Notice, Cookies Notice and Interest-based Ads Notice.

Listeners also enjoyed...

Into the Planet cover art
Under Pressure cover art
The Boys in the Cave cover art
The Art of Risk cover art
All Thirteen cover art
The Last Dive cover art
Rescue Pilot cover art
The Phantom Prince cover art
Blind Descent cover art
Rising Water cover art
Turning Right cover art
In Search of Sisu cover art
The Fear Bubble cover art
Elite cover art
Scuba Professional cover art
First into Action cover art

Summary

Thirteen Lessons That Saved Thirteen Lives is diver John Volanthen’s nail-biting account of the incredible rescue of a Thai youth soccer team who had been trapped for over a week in a flooded cave.

The world held its breath in July 2018 when the Wild Boars soccer team and their coach went missing for nine days deep underground after being stranded by a rainy-season downpour while exploring a complex of caves after practice. The picture of them alive on a ledge in a flooded cave made front page news worldwide. 

As his light flickered from one boy to another, one diver called out, 'How many of you?' 'Thirteen', a boy answered. 'Brilliant', the diver said. The diver was British cave diver John Volanthen.

After 10 days trapped in the flooded cave complex in northern Thailand, and after an enormous effort that had transfixed the world, the missing 12 boys and their soccer coach had finally been found in the Tham Luan cave. The world celebrated a happy ending and the incredible courage and skills of the rescue team.

Each chapter tells one part of the story from Tham Luang but also imparts a life lesson, gleaned from John’s exploration and rescue efforts, that can be applied to everyday obstacles and challenges.

John’s story shows how an average person can do the unimaginable, inspiring the superhero in us all.

©2021 John Volanthen (P)2021 W F Howes

Critic reviews

"Profound and thrilling." (Colin Farrell)

What listeners say about Thirteen Lessons That Saved Thirteen Lives

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    58
  • 4 Stars
    6
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    44
  • 4 Stars
    8
  • 3 Stars
    6
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    50
  • 4 Stars
    6
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

couldn't stop listening to it.

Not only does John talk about cave diving, cave rescue and the Thai cave rescue, he talks about using his lessons of cave diving in every day life. Such as keeping your mind calm in sticky situations. Keeping your fears in check. Do not panic. Panic leads to death in cave diving, in everyday life panic attacks lead to hospitalisation. This book will change your life.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

What a legend!

This book was engaging and shockingly applicable to non-cave diving life. The author is a great reasonable and soothing presence that made me feel a bit more settled and capable than I felt in the last months. All around recommend!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Best book ever realistic and practical

I was fascinated by the rescue mission and watched every interview at that time. then by considence I saw the movie and found this book. I finished it so fast I didnt want it to come to an end. what inspired me it is unlike this motivational books or true stories that makes the people extraordinary. in away we as normal people feel it is hard to become like them. John told the story in away I felt like I can find my own way too. he was so humble and down to earth. all the lessons were so valuables. surprisingly I could reflect it on my life as a stay at home and homeschooling mum. the time I feel fatigue and stressed. now I believe I can find a way to handle them following the steps John mentioned. I really enjoyed every bit. thanks a lot John.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Good story.

Good overall. An interesting read from the inside perspective. How they do that is beyond me.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Just brilliant

I could not put this book down. Very relatable into everything day life problems - just brilliant.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

don't hesitate

incredible story told first hand, a peek behind the curtain into the mindset of people that cam do what most cannot.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding

True teamwork a few guys giving all with a truly unique skill set that saved the life of others. Along with Rick Stanton's book I have read this 3 times.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

engaging

loved this story.so much than just a story of survival. the lessons are applicable to all our lives .
I felt I was in the cave following every second of the rescue.
amazing

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fascinating book

When we watched the news story evolve I was really keen to read more about the technical details of planning the rescue. Johns book covers all that but also talks about the lessons he has used that are relevant to all of us in life. This is narrated by John himself and that gives an extra interest. This book is gripping, even though we all know the outcome, as he explains the issues that needed to be managed. An excellent book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant book

I was fascinated by the eventsOf rescuing these 13 boys.

I would highly recommend this book, The author has written it with passion and feeling! Although, we realise the boys get out safely from the cave, it’s still nailbiting!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful