Releasing a book
Initially reticent to tell his story, Alvarenga finally found a journalist he trusted in Jonathan Franklin. Together they wrote a book about his experiences, attempting to answer the flurry of questions and help him come to terms with the year. Published in 2016, “438 Days: An Extraordinary True Story of Survival At Sea” is Alvarenga’s last word on the subject.
It’s quite a read and involved a lot of research by Franklin, as well as hours spent sitting down with Alvarenga, listening to him talk about all that happened to him. They discussed his guilt over Cordoba’s death, and his determination to keep fighting in the face of certain death.