Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why by Laurence Gonzales

Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why by Laurence Gonzales is a fascinating exploration of the psychological and physiological factors that determine whether a person survives or perishes in life-threatening situations. Drawing on real-life survival stories, scientific research, and psychological theory, Gonzales examines the human experience in extreme environments, delving into the behaviors, instincts, and decisions that can mean the difference between life and death.

The book is structured around survival narratives, many of which involve extreme wilderness situations, such as plane crashes, mountain climbing accidents, and maritime disasters. Gonzales uses these stories to illustrate how people respond to intense stress, fear, and isolation. He explores the mental and emotional states that survivors experience, including fear, hope, and the will to live, while contrasting them with the patterns of those who do not survive.

One of the core themes in Deep Survival is the concept of "survival psychology." Gonzales emphasizes the importance of mindset, adaptability, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. Survivors, according to Gonzales, often exhibit certain traits—such as optimism, clear thinking, and the ability to focus on practical steps—while those who do not survive may become paralyzed by fear or despair. He also discusses the role of instinct versus rational thought in making life-or-death decisions, showing that survival is not just about physical strength but also about psychological resilience.

The book also touches on broader themes of human nature, including how people perceive risk, the effects of trauma, and the complex relationship between life and death. Gonzales combines storytelling with scientific insights to explore how the brain and body respond to stress and danger, offering a deeper understanding of the survival process.

Deep Survival was a little different than the other books we have read, in that there was no central character or story. Even still, this was a great conversational book, and it gave us much to discuss. We chatted about the top skills needed to survive, which Gonzales sums up at the end, such as being flexible, calm, finding humor, not blaming others for the predicament, conserving energy, having small tasks to keep occupied, etc. We also debated how much survival is situationally dependent, how easy it is to abandon our plans when a situation turns bleak, and whether we can critically examine the weaknesses in our own knowledge. Interestingly, children have the highest survival rate, and we discussed why this is and whether we can draw upon this in our own lives.

Moreover, is it possible to not be stressed when put in a life or death situation? Can this be trained for or must you be born with it? How much is luck involved in survival? Finally, did Gonzales do an adequate job in his critique and summary, or is this too reductionist?

Group rating; 7/10