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A review by katejones
Mud, Sweat and Tears by Bear Grylls
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.