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piper_sh's review against another edition
3.0
I love Bear Grylls!
Great book, very interesting and exciting.
If I could be someone else I would want to be Bear Grylls!
Great book, very interesting and exciting.
If I could be someone else I would want to be Bear Grylls!
mo_whales's review
4.0
I did not expect to like this book, I picked it up on a lark and found myself really enjoying it.
robinsbooks's review
4.0
In this memoir Bear tells the story of his life and death-defying adventures. It turns out that not only he a tough guy in mind and body, but he also has a sensitive side and a heart. A fun read if you are a Man vs Wild fan. My only criticism is that he spends a little too much time on the details of his SAS training and Everest adventure--don't get me wrong, they are both riveting and amazing stories but it got a little repetitive after a while.
He also confesses his real first name and mentions how he became "Bear."
He also confesses his real first name and mentions how he became "Bear."
smoore05's review
4.0
Bear Grylls: Mud, Sweat, and Tears.
This book was very surprising and well written. Some of the things that Bear had done before turning twenty five is amazing. The suspense was well built upon, and his ideas flowed well together. He seemed to keep everything pretty straight forward and from the heart, and with books about yourself it's nice to get the inside mind, and not just the normal things we see in the world of show business. 5/5
This book was very surprising and well written. Some of the things that Bear had done before turning twenty five is amazing. The suspense was well built upon, and his ideas flowed well together. He seemed to keep everything pretty straight forward and from the heart, and with books about yourself it's nice to get the inside mind, and not just the normal things we see in the world of show business. 5/5
_elisebeth's review against another edition
5.0
"Life doesn't often give us second chances. But if it does, be bloody grateful."
After reading this book I just want to give Bear a nice warm cup of tea, a cuddly blanket and let him rest for a minute.
The man is a true inspiration! This book follows his journey through childhood, the teen years and into early adulthood. From boarding school to the Special Forces to climbing Everest at 23 years old!
I can't think of the proper words to explain how amazing this book is; it just simply is! Bear doesn't hold back in detail and ensuring you get the message that he is trying to tell you through his experiences and it's refreshing and eye opening! This man has survived so many things that most of us wouldn't even dare think of doing and he is nothing but humble about it.
He admits to his recklessness, his mistakes and misjudgements that almost cost him his life over and over again, but he learns from it and that's enough to make me want to read on and on.
But I have to say my favourite part is when he talks about proposing to his wife; stark naked after they just went skinny dipping! Hilarious! The affection he has for his friends and family comes across so strongly and I love that about Bear, he's just a normal guy that amazing things have happened to and he doesn't forget that.
I could never, EVER, even imagine doing a quarter of what he has done and continues to do so I applaud him whole-heartedly for having that drive, spirit and ambition to follow his life long dreams.
After reading this book I just want to give Bear a nice warm cup of tea, a cuddly blanket and let him rest for a minute.
The man is a true inspiration! This book follows his journey through childhood, the teen years and into early adulthood. From boarding school to the Special Forces to climbing Everest at 23 years old!
I can't think of the proper words to explain how amazing this book is; it just simply is! Bear doesn't hold back in detail and ensuring you get the message that he is trying to tell you through his experiences and it's refreshing and eye opening! This man has survived so many things that most of us wouldn't even dare think of doing and he is nothing but humble about it.
He admits to his recklessness, his mistakes and misjudgements that almost cost him his life over and over again, but he learns from it and that's enough to make me want to read on and on.
But I have to say my favourite part is when he talks about proposing to his wife; stark naked after they just went skinny dipping! Hilarious! The affection he has for his friends and family comes across so strongly and I love that about Bear, he's just a normal guy that amazing things have happened to and he doesn't forget that.
I could never, EVER, even imagine doing a quarter of what he has done and continues to do so I applaud him whole-heartedly for having that drive, spirit and ambition to follow his life long dreams.
katejones's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book.
It starts with Bear's childhood and goes all the way up to I guess current time.
It's full of adventure and endurance, self-discipline, extremely hard training and the willingness to go against fear and take (somewhat crazy, but lessons learned) risks. He really has done a lot of living and traveling in his life! Not to mention climb a lot of rooftops and trees while at Eaton - I was really surprised about that.
A fighting spirit and faith seem to sum Bear up nicely, but above all he seems to be a good family man who happened to get offered a job he really loves on TV (which he seems to love a bit less, and declined a few times, but it comes with the deal and it is a great way to reach and inspire a lot of people).
There are a lot of short chapters which makes for a fast and easy read, especially since there never is a dull moment and there are plenty of perilous ones. I feel like I've traveled and trained along with him a little bit. The book also gives you a lot to think about though, it definitely is not 'mindless' reading, there are some good lessons in there too.
I liked how little the TV show was mentioned. Even though I like the show, I've seen most of the episodes; all the content in the book was new to me.
And I finally learned how he got the nickname 'Bear'.. not because of his outdoorsyness, but from his sister when he was a baby! I guess it's more teddy bear than grizzly bear since she was always dragging him around, but I'm not sure about that? His real name is also mentioned in the book, and like he said it doesn't fit him as well as Bear. I have to admit I always thought he'd given himself that nickname (for being outdoorsy, or for fighting one, god knows) which I thought was a bit pompous. Turns out that is not the case, and even worse - for me for thinking it - pompous and Bear Grylls don't belong in one sentence at all.
I read the Kindle edition on a Kindle Touch. No issues, well laid out, good navigation.
There are chapter links at the start, index with keywords at the end, followed by a few nice photographs. And I learned a lot UK 'slang' words, or at least words I'd never heard of before.
I will definitely read more of his books.
It starts with Bear's childhood and goes all the way up to I guess current time.
It's full of adventure and endurance, self-discipline, extremely hard training and the willingness to go against fear and take (somewhat crazy, but lessons learned) risks. He really has done a lot of living and traveling in his life! Not to mention climb a lot of rooftops and trees while at Eaton - I was really surprised about that.
A fighting spirit and faith seem to sum Bear up nicely, but above all he seems to be a good family man who happened to get offered a job he really loves on TV (which he seems to love a bit less, and declined a few times, but it comes with the deal and it is a great way to reach and inspire a lot of people).
There are a lot of short chapters which makes for a fast and easy read, especially since there never is a dull moment and there are plenty of perilous ones. I feel like I've traveled and trained along with him a little bit. The book also gives you a lot to think about though, it definitely is not 'mindless' reading, there are some good lessons in there too.
I liked how little the TV show was mentioned. Even though I like the show, I've seen most of the episodes; all the content in the book was new to me.
And I finally learned how he got the nickname 'Bear'.. not because of his outdoorsyness, but from his sister when he was a baby! I guess it's more teddy bear than grizzly bear since she was always dragging him around, but I'm not sure about that? His real name is also mentioned in the book, and like he said it doesn't fit him as well as Bear. I have to admit I always thought he'd given himself that nickname (for being outdoorsy, or for fighting one, god knows) which I thought was a bit pompous. Turns out that is not the case, and even worse - for me for thinking it - pompous and Bear Grylls don't belong in one sentence at all.
I read the Kindle edition on a Kindle Touch. No issues, well laid out, good navigation.
There are chapter links at the start, index with keywords at the end, followed by a few nice photographs. And I learned a lot UK 'slang' words, or at least words I'd never heard of before.
I will definitely read more of his books.