The first book on the rescue of the 12 Thai boys trapped in a cave in Thailand will be published on 1 October.  The Great Cave Rescue: The Extraordinary Story of the Thai boy soccer team trapped in a cave for 18 days is by the award-winning journalist James Massola, South East Asia Correspondent for the Sydney Morning Herald and Melbourne’s The Age.

The book will tell the full story of the 12 Thai boys aged 11 to 16 trapped with their coach in a cave in Tham Luang for 18 days.  It was a story that captivated the world’s media.  Taking place in one of the five most dangerous caves in the world, prospects were bleak with the very real prospect of recovering bodies.  The extraordinarily risky operation was an incredible feat of planning and cooperation with expert divers from around the world including the Australian Federal Police working closely with the Thai navy and local volunteers.

Massola was on the ground from the beginning and says: “Good news stories are few and far between.  I can still scarcely believe I was there to witness first hand the miracle of Tham Luang.  I’ve always felt being a journalist is an incredible privilege, witnessing major events and writing the first draft of history.  And now I’m thrilled to be able to actually tell the full story in a book with Allen & Unwin.”

At Allen & Unwin, the publisher of The Great Cave Rescue Elizabeth Weiss says: “I am thrilled that Allen & Unwin has acquired an account of the extraordinary rescue of the boy soccer team from the cave in northern Thailand for publication this October.

The book will include interview with key players as well on-the-ground intel from Thai locals and officials.