A Test of Will cover art

A Test of Will

One Man’s Extraordinary Story of Survival

Preview

Try Premium Plus free
1 credit a month to buy any audiobook in our entire collection.
Access to thousands of additional audiobooks and Originals from the Plus Catalogue.
Member-only deals & discounts.
Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

A Test of Will

By: Warren MacDonald
Narrated by: Warren MacDonald
Try Premium Plus free

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $22.99

Buy Now for $22.99

Confirm Purchase
Pay using voucher balance (if applicable) then card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.
Cancel

About this listen

On the night of April 9, 1997, Warren Macdonald, a fit and experienced bushwalker, set out to climb Mount Bowen on Hinchinbrook Island, an unspoiled tropical paradise off the Australian coast. These would be his last steps as a fully intact human being: a freak rock fall pinned him for two days alone under a one-ton boulder, resulting in a double leg amputation.

A Test of Will is a story both tragic and inspiring, conveying the horror of what happened and the extraordinary spirit that helped Macdonald survive a seemingly impossible ordeal.

©2004 Warren Macdonald (P)2011 Audible, Inc.
Climbing & Mountaineering Sports

Critic Reviews

"Macdonald's love of nature is so palpable it'll make readers want to head for the nearest national park.... [A] a powerful tale of nature's beauty and ferocity." (Publishers Weekly)
"Interestingly, some parts of the story are told from the point of view of the author's companion, who describes his own ordeal trying to get help. Fascinating reading for the Jon Krakauer crowd." (Booklist)

What listeners say about A Test of Will

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1
  • 4 Stars
    2
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    2
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

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

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

When a pee turns into something bigger

A bizarre twist of fate introduces us to an extremely passionate interesting person with a lot of off the beaten track stories to tell and things to say in between his ordeal. You feel every moment of his experience; all his experiences, past and present, as he contemplates his fate while he is is stuck in a nightmare.

It’s narrated by the writer and this brings with it first hand emotion of the event. You are getting this as he said it. That’s a gift. He gives it all to this story and is an excellent speaker.

My only wish is that there was more of the survival story, particularly more about the rescuer. I don’t know why he didn’t feature very much and is conspicuous by his absence. It would’ve been great to hear what he had gone through. Maybe it may have detracted from the immediacy of the account but I don’t think so.

What I like too is that it’s different from a story about gruelling conquest of a mountain or jungle. Nor is it about inexperience, naïveté, a stupid oversight or equipment failure. Something goes unexpectedly pear shaped in the worst possible way.

Definitely worth a listen if you like survival or true adventure stories. Those who like inspirational accounts will also find a lot of value here.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.