First Book on Chile Mine Drama Coming in 2011

A publisher says it will release a book on the Chilean mine rescue next year.

Transworld Publishers says Jonathan Franklin, an investigative journalist who reports from Chile for The Guardian, a British newspaper, will write the book.

It says the book will "capture the compelling human drama" of the rescue of 33 miners trapped underground for more than two months. It will be simply titled "The 33."

Transworld said Thursday the book will be published by Bantam Press in early 2011 in Britain, and that deals have also been signed in France and Germany.

It said Franklin has lived in Chile for 16 years.

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The 33 rescued miners posed with the president Thursday. Most were declared to be in very good health and were expected to leave the hospital the same day and sleep in their own beds for the first time since a cave-in nearly killed them on Aug. 5.

Relatives were organizing welcome-home parties and trying to hold off an onslaught of demands by those seeking to share in the glory of the amazing rescue that entranced people around the world and set off horn-blowing celebrations across this South American nation.

President Sebastian Pinera posed with the miners, most of whom were wearing bathrobes and slippers, for a group photo, and then celebrated the rescue as an achievement that will bring Chile a new level of respect around the world.

The miners and the country will never be the same, Pinera said.

"They have experienced a new life, a rebirth," he said, and so has Chile: "We aren't the same that we were before the collapse on Aug. 5. Today Chile is a country much more unified, stronger and much more respected and loved in the entire world."