In October 2010 Franklin secured a book deal to write 33 Men , the definitive account of the Chilean miners , a non fiction book about the experience of the miners in the 2010 Copiapó mining accident . He reported extensively from the San Jose mine for '' The Guardian '' and '' The Washington Post '' . Franklin 's experiences and insider accounts became the basis of a 60 Minutes TV program about the miners , an article in People magazine , a series of audio lectures on the BBC and multiple articles around the world . Franklin says , " While 2,000 journalists were locked behind police lines , my ' Rescue Team ' pass enabled me to experience up close the final six weeks of this miracle rescue . It was my honor to watch the drama unfold in its many moments of beauty and courage and comedy ; and to see , first-hand , the profound unity that made this operation succeed . " The book has now been translated into 19 languages and was briefly a best seller in both the United States and England
2010 Copiapó mining accident
2010 Copiapó mining accident
Jonathan Franklin