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  • Published: 4 August 2020
  • ISBN: 9781760899455
  • Imprint: Penguin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 336
  • RRP: $24.99

Against All Odds

The inside account of the Thai cave rescue and the courageous Australians at the heart of it




The inside account of the breathtaking rescue that captured the world.

INCLUDES A FOREWORD BY JAMES CAMERON

'Compulsive, fascinating … highly recommended.' Better Reading
'Although we know what happens in the end, this book grips you from the start.' Local Matters NZ
‘I just want to warn you. You’re going to dive to the end of the cave. You’re going to see these kids. They’re all looking healthy and happy and smiley. Then, you’re going to swim away, and they’re probably all going to die.’

In June 2018, for seventeen days, the world watched and held its breath as the Wild Boars soccer team were trapped deep in a cave in Thailand. Marooned beyond flooded cave passages after unexpected rains, they were finally rescued, one-by-one, against almost impossible odds, by an international cave-diving team which included Australians Dr Richard Harris and Dr Craig Challen.

These two men were chosen for their medical expertise and cave diving knowledge, but this dangerous rescue asked so much more of them. They had to remain calm under extreme pressure and intense scrutiny, adapt to constantly changing circumstances and importantly, build trust among the rescue team and with the young boys and their coach, whose lives were in their hands.

Here is the story of these two Australian men who became international heroes – it is a story of determination, cunning and triumph that will long be remembered.

  • Published: 4 August 2020
  • ISBN: 9781760899455
  • Imprint: Penguin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 336
  • RRP: $24.99

About the authors

Craig Challen

Craig Challen SC OAM is an Australian veterinary surgeon, technical diver and cave explorer. He was the recipient of the Oztek 2009 Diver of the Year award for his services to caving, and was jointly awarded 2019 Australian of the Year.

Richard Harris

Richard ‘Harry’ Harris SC OAM is an Australian anaesthetist and cave diver who played a crucial role in the Tham Luang cave rescue. He and Craig Challen were jointly awarded 2019 Australian of the Year as a result of that rescue.

Against All Odds Download

Download the Against All Odds audiobook supplement here

Discover more

Video
Where is the Green Sheep? by Mem Fox and Judy Horacek | Read Aloud by Richard Harris

Richard Harris, author of AGAINST ALL ODDS, reads Australian-favourite children's book WHERE IS THE GREEN SHEEP? by Mem Fox with illustrations by Judy Horacek. Find out more: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/where-is-the-green-sheep-9780143501763 Where is the Green Sheep activity pack: https://www.penguin.com.au/activities/2287-where-is-the-green-sheep-activity-pack #WhereIsTheGreenSheep #MemFox #RichardHarris #JudyHoracek

Video
Against All Odds by Dr Richard Harris and Dr Craig Challen - Interview

Thai cave rescue divers, Dr Richard (Harry) Harris and Dr Craig Challen share their incredible insider account in AGAINST ALL ODDS. In June & July 2018 the world's attention was on a cave in Thailand and the 15 children trapped within. It is a story of two Australian's who became international heroes – it is a story of determination, cunning and triumph that will long be remembered. Learn More: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/against-all-odds-9781760890957 Portrait photo © Kristoffer Paulsen, @kristofferpaulsen (https://instagram.com/kristofferpaulsen)

Video
Against All Odds by Dr Richard Harris and Dr Craig Challen

In June & July 2018, millions of people around the world watched and waited for news on the Wild Boar soccer team who were trapped deep in a cave in Thailand. For the very first time and with never-before-heard details, the two Australians at the heart of the operation, Dr Richard (Harry) Harris and Dr Craig Challen discuss the heartbreaking and terrifying realities they faced while attempting to rescue 15 boys whose lives were in their hands. Learn More: https://www.penguin.com.au/b…/against-all-odds-9781760890957

Article
Special K

From Against All Odds, Richard ‘Harry’ Harris seeks an outside opinion on a crazy idea.