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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
Very interesting memoir that focuses on Bear's grueling selection process for Special Armed Services, his Everest expedition, and the beginnings of Man vs Wild. Two stars off for the little tiny words formed into little tiny sentences in little tiny chapters (well over 100 of them). On the other hand, I think my 8 year old could probably read this on his own, so it's not all bad.
I’ve always liked Bear although I didn’t really know much about him aside from the fact that he had been to Eton and was in the SAS. I never knew he’d climbed Mount Everest but knowing what I do about him now it doesn’t surprise me. I have seen a few episodes of his shows and really enjoyed the celebrity ones he did, especially the one with Stephen Fry. If I’m entirely honest he’s the sort of man I just cannot relate to. There needs to be people like Bear in the world, people that advance mankind through a mixture of determination and recklessness, but there also needs to be people like me; cautious, not attempting anything I am not certain I can complete, happy with both my feet on the ground.
I greatly admire him but also disagree with his statement that the mountaineers who have lost their lives attempting to climb Everest were heroes. Nurses are heroes, soldiers are heroes, social workers and youth workers are heroes, people who work with the homeless are heroes… I could go on. Although I feel sorry for the people who have died doing what they loved to my mind they were not heroes, they were selfish, putting their own adventure before their families and the people who loved them.
I also could not relate to Bear’s faith. I’m an atheist and for as long as I could remember I have felt deep in my bones that the whole religion thing was a nonsense dreamt up by man to stop us feeling so insignificant and alone. However if I did have faith then Bear’s is the type I would long to have; deeply personal and rooted in nature.
So in summary I enjoyed the book and I like the man but I didn’t really connect with him on any sort of level. I would recommend it for those adventuring types.
I greatly admire him but also disagree with his statement that the mountaineers who have lost their lives attempting to climb Everest were heroes. Nurses are heroes, soldiers are heroes, social workers and youth workers are heroes, people who work with the homeless are heroes… I could go on. Although I feel sorry for the people who have died doing what they loved to my mind they were not heroes, they were selfish, putting their own adventure before their families and the people who loved them.
I also could not relate to Bear’s faith. I’m an atheist and for as long as I could remember I have felt deep in my bones that the whole religion thing was a nonsense dreamt up by man to stop us feeling so insignificant and alone. However if I did have faith then Bear’s is the type I would long to have; deeply personal and rooted in nature.
So in summary I enjoyed the book and I like the man but I didn’t really connect with him on any sort of level. I would recommend it for those adventuring types.
Simply written (very casual style, much like his TV show) but gripping. The childhood section is a bit lacking but does help explain how he's gotten to where he is now. The Everest section could have been a separate book (and I think it might be, but this is the only book by Grylls I've read so far). The section about getting into the SAS was excellent but also could have been its own book. The Man vs. Wild section was disappointingly short and really, I would have liked to know more about that part of his life. GREAT, thrilling book worth carving out the time to read in one sitting (it's one of those books that you'll stay up all night to read) but not much in the way of autobiography.
Reading about his experiences was insane! I like him even more after reading his book. I admire his optimism and his willingness to share his failures and how he overcomes. I think Bear Grylls is totally awesome and hope he stays safe through all his upcoming ventures!! Some events in the book made me so nervous for him haha
I picked this book up at the Bear Grylls live on Stage event when taking my Son for his birthday treat. This was a quick and easy read, less technical than other mountaineering/Everest books, less gung-ho than other special forces reads. With the format of short chapters and take away quotes I think that book will be well received (and possible targeted to) Scout aged readers. I know my copy will be passed around and enjoyed by several ;)
Brilliant book, I always thought bear grylls was a intresting character, but after this, I admit to finding him a facinating character. Kept me wanting to know more about what happens next, and for someone who has done so many adventures, he comes across as someone who is quite modest about his achievments.
Brilliant read, may even inspire armchair adventurers, to go sign up for some form of adventure. (mind you, I won't be aspiring to climb everest or join the SAS after reading his experiences in doing so)
Brilliant read, may even inspire armchair adventurers, to go sign up for some form of adventure. (mind you, I won't be aspiring to climb everest or join the SAS after reading his experiences in doing so)
An easy read- first 100 pages were a little slow as I was keen to hear all the juicy BG action stuff, but then the book kicked off. Was especially gripped by his SAS selection and Everest stories- both are central to the book.
Hugely inspiring, easy to read, and thoroughly enjoyable: I liked this more than I thought I would. Bear comes across as humble, kind, and honest. His loyalty to his family, friends, and military/work colleagues are evident throughout the book. I was impressed by his strong faith and the role it played (along with the support and teamwork of family/friends/colleagues) in keeping Bear alive through his SAS selection, and, even more dramatically, on Everest. The Everest section was quite long but, despite not being particularly interested in mountaineering, I remaining gripped throughout. (And I loved the detail of how he found a financial sponsor for the trip!)
The following passage for me sums up the attitude Bear shows consistently in his autobiography:
"But I do possess an acute awareness that, through it all, someone has been blessing me greatly.
Make no mistake - luck has played a huge part in all that has happened, and there is not a day that goes by without me being aware of that.
The by-product of being aware of being blessed is learning - against so many of the values of our society - to try to walk modestly, give generously and help those who need a little leg up.
Simple lessons, but they have shaped the way Shara and I try to live our lives together."
The following passage for me sums up the attitude Bear shows consistently in his autobiography:
"But I do possess an acute awareness that, through it all, someone has been blessing me greatly.
Make no mistake - luck has played a huge part in all that has happened, and there is not a day that goes by without me being aware of that.
The by-product of being aware of being blessed is learning - against so many of the values of our society - to try to walk modestly, give generously and help those who need a little leg up.
Simple lessons, but they have shaped the way Shara and I try to live our lives together."