Against All Odds

I admit to being a bit obsessed with the Thai Cave rescue of 12 boys and their coach in 2018. The PBS Nova documentary that came out soon afterwards was the first that discussed how the boys were sedated and I thought I knew most of the facts and drama behind this amazing feat. But the 2022 movie by Ron Howard "13 Lives" and the really excellent 2021 National Geographic documentation "The Rescue" started me down the path to learn more.This is the 4th book on the subject that I've read and essential in understanding how these two Aussies got involved and the medical background on how they sedated the boys. Because Harris and Challen did not arrive until after the boys were discovered by the British divers (and Rick Stanton had his stroke of genius about sedating the boys) they were latecomers to the drama at the cave (not through any lack of desire - it was interesting to learn how much they wanted to be part of the action in Thailand).About this book...Like the books by Rick Stanton (Aquanaut) and John Velanthen (13 Lessons that saved 13 Lives), there is good background by each author on how they got into caving and some of the interesting dives they were involved in, including how Harris met Stanton.Unfortunately, the introductory chapter that sets the scene in Thailand before they arrived is just wrong in so many facts that I finally had to skip over it. It really needed an editor and a good fact checker. Read Rick Stanton or Matt Gutman's books to understand how this all started, the critical role of the other divers, the dewatering efforts, USAF parajumpers, and the roles and relationships between all the different groups on site.The chapters on how they were called up, how the Australian government got them on-site, and the Going, Diving, and Saving chapters provide excellent details of their work on this rescue are what make this book worth reading. It was very unclear in all the other materials (books and documentaries) what Craig Challen did in the rescue and how the Australian Police divers were involved. The star of this book is definitely Richard "Harry" Harris. He details the research behind the selection of drugs, his difficulty in convincing himself of the need to sedate the boys, and how he worked with the Thai medical staff on-site (and Dr. Pakh in the cave). One of the reasons to read this book is simply hearing the voices of Challen and Harris - their Aussie expressions, their crazy humor, and the serious doctors behind all the jokes. I'd love to have the Audible version of this book just to hear them speak, but Audible and Kindle versions are only available in Australia, not the US. There are some excellent YouTube videos of both Challen and Harris - the interview of Richard Harris at Flinders University is particularly good and gives you a face and voice to go with this book.Ranking the recent Thai Cave Rescue books:1. The Boys in the Cave, by Matt Gutman - This book by an ABC News correspondent on the scene is the best overview of the entire operation and gets into the background of Thailand, its military junta, and has the most information on the boys.2. Aquanaut by Rick Stanton - of the 3 divers' books this is the most detailed. At 57, Rick was the senior member of the diving team and one of the most well known for his past feats. His work in the Fire Service honed his natural resourcefulness and rescue skills; Rick was the man everyone wanted when things went bad inside a cave. He gets into great detail on diving and this is more a history of his life than just a Thai Cave rescue book. But I found it enthralling and couldn't put it down reading about every dive adventure that he was involved in. Rick is not a charismatic speaker so he only does the intro and last chapter of his Audible book, but that is a plus because the stories are excellently read and enthralling.3. Against All Odds by Craig Challen and Richard Harris - essential details on the Aussie's involvement and the medical and ethical side of sedating the boys.4. Thirteen Lessons that Saved Thirteen Lives, by John Volanthen - Like Rick, John was in at the beginning of this rescue and he is regarded as one of the best cave divers in the world; he also uses his book as an opportunity to provide his history of caving, diving, and running ultramarathons. He uses these dramatic experiences to provide life lessons that everyone can use in their everyday lives (hence the title.) The lessons are solid and his life is quite interesting, but it isn't the kind of "can't put it down" book that the others have written. He reads his own Audible book and his voice is clear but Volanthen is a serious man and there is very little humor here.

The story of the cave rescue, from the vantage point of Craig Challen and Richard Harris, is well written and rich with detail. I highly recommend this book.

I think this telling of the story would be interesting to anyone, but as a recreational diver I found it absolutely gripping. There are at least 3 (that I know of) books about the Thai cave rescue in 2018 and admittedly, this is the only one I've read but it came highly recommended by another diver. It's fascinating to hear it told from the perspective of the two Australian divers that were instrumental in the rescue. Unbelievable story and very well told.

For those of us who were gripped by this story as it played out on TV in 2018, this book contains all the details you wanted at the time. This book is so well written, through the voices of both authors as they trade off chapters. It reads like an adventure, starting with background of the two doctors, their friendship and early diving adventures, all the way through the rescue and days following. Excellent, I highly recommend.

Outstanding book couldn’t put it down. Yes I knew the outcome but had no idea of the back stories of the wild boars, the international divers or massive support staff. To see the cooperation between such a diverse group with the world riveted was awesome. Book was well written authors very humble very complex operation with no guarantee of the outcome. The boys were amazing so resilient, cooperative and trusting. Special mention to the Thai seals and doctor who stayed with the boys and were last to leave all under the pressure that no one would get out if the monsoon rains came.

What a great story! Well documented. I could not put the book down, and in fact in a rare moment, read the book in one day.Descriptions of the insurmountable hurdles overcome to save the lives of these boys gets the heart pumping. One can truly appreciate the skill, focus and logistics required to get the job done. Well done!!

A superb account of a mission requiring supreme intelligence. With no guarantee of success, navigating murky Thailand cave flood waters, highly skilled cave divers working in extreme conditions confronted danger at every turn with resolute calmness and pressed on to rescue twelve young boys and their soccer coach from impending doom.Together, with parents and families, divers and doctors, Navy SEALS, and thousands of volunteers from many countries, this account truly demonstrates to the world a rare combination of human sacrifice, science and spirituality.

I watched it all on TV and it was unbelievable then and reading about it, it's still unbelievable. Truly amazing

A brilliant book about the bravery and courage of the heroes who rescued the children and their football coach from the flooded cave in Thailand.Its quite expensive as its posted from Australia but well worth it.

I watched and enjoyed the Prime movie Thirteen Lives. I wanted to know more and immediately ordered this book. It arrived in one day (Prime delivery :) ).I read it in one sitting. Even though we know the outcome it was fascinating to read about the minutia involved in the rescue and all the people who played important roles. No heroics or boasting. A well told story by two great men who stress their role as part of a much larger team.A great read and well worth buying. Especially if you've seen the movie.

Aptly titled "Against All Odds". Just loved reading this. I knew the story from the television coverage, but once you've read the book, it makes the recovery all the more miraculous because of the obstacles the divers faced. The authors have made this very easy to read - they haven't made it too technical with diving jargon - and their sense of humour is enjoyed, too. I've read it twice this last month, and could easily reread it again.

A great insight into what an amazing feat this was and the bravery of the boys, their coach,all of the rescuers, the seals Gorgeous Dr Pak and everyone involved . Made me proud of my fellow man. Highlighting the sheer beauty of the Thai people. Loved this book thankyou everyone who rescued the boys esp Dr Harris and Dr Challen

A wonderful telling of a truly unique and exceptional situation which had all the elements of a human disaster of epic proportion but transformed into a brilliantly executed rescue beyond all expectationand against insuperable odds to rescuing the 12 boys and their coach alive from their seemingly hopeless predicament. The dangerous obstacles and risks inherent in the Cave were sadly reflected in the death of thevery experienced Thai Navy Seal Diver Saman Gunan.From a suggestion conceived by the British Diver Rick Stanton, one of the two British Divers who found the boys, asking Dr Richard Harris whether he could sedate someone and dive them out of a situation grew theunprecented idea to completely anaesthetise the boys and coach and to then dive them out of the cave. Confronted by ethical and societal dilemmas and foreboding of monsoonal downpours which posed risks offlooding the cave and drowing everyone, Richard Harris narrates the tortuous efforts to have his rescue idea approved by the Thai authorities and the realities of implementing the daring plan.The enormity of the daring and physically demanding events which had to be rerpeated 13 times is extraordinary and a testament to the bravery and endurance of every member involved in ther rescue and against insuperable odds.A great read and wonderful insight into the feelings and thoughts of both Richard Harris and Craig Challen as they went about the rescue but also the other wonderful participants and the boys and their coach.