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Review
'Rip-roaringly readable'
(Guardian )'Even readers with a broadly low tolerance for macho heroism will find themselves gripped . . . compelling'
(Time Out )'It's exhausting just reading about his exploits, so it is a perfect bedtime book. It's delightful to plump up one's duck-down pillows while vicariously enduring Fiennes's successive plunges into the deadly waters of the Artcic, and his festering crotch-rot.'
(Helena Drysdale, New Statesman Books of the Year )'It is lively and vivid, and often exciting as we anticipate each plunge into deadly Arctic waters. There are some wonderful throwaway lines . . . So, not an alien species after all but - as they say - a national treasure.'
(Spectator )'enthralling' (Independent )
Review
Acclaim for CAPTAIN SCOTT: 'No-one is better placed than Fiennes to understand what Scott may have experienced or to appreciate the enormity of his achievement. A gripping tale of courage and adventure.' (Daily Mail )
'A valuable corrective . . . One by one, and with commendable attention to detail, Fiennes explodes the accumulated myths. The world will remember Scott and, to a lesser extent, Fiennes when the memory of the mean-spirited and misleading Huntford has long since melted away.' (Justin Marozzi, Sunday Telegraph )
'He is uniquely qualified . . . because only someone who has "man-hauled" across Antarctica can know what went on. Fiennes's own experiences certainly allow him to write vividly and with empathy of the hell that the men went through. He has valuable insights into the running of the Royal Geographical Society and the mounting of an expedition, and he does indeed right some wrongs.' (The Sunday Times ) --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.
'A valuable corrective . . . One by one, and with commendable attention to detail, Fiennes explodes the accumulated myths. The world will remember Scott and, to a lesser extent, Fiennes when the memory of the mean-spirited and misleading Huntford has long since melted away.' (Justin Marozzi, Sunday Telegraph )
'He is uniquely qualified . . . because only someone who has "man-hauled" across Antarctica can know what went on. Fiennes's own experiences certainly allow him to write vividly and with empathy of the hell that the men went through. He has valuable insights into the running of the Royal Geographical Society and the mounting of an expedition, and he does indeed right some wrongs.' (The Sunday Times ) --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
49 of 52 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Sir Ranulph Twisleton-Wykham-Fiennes was once described by his prospective father-in-law as "Mad, Bad & Dangerous to Know." He is also described by the Guinness Book of Records as "the world's greatest living explorer" and this is the major part of the story of his life. I say `part' because, since this book was published in 2008, Ran Fiennes (as he is known) finally conquered Everest - at the age of 65!, in early 2009.
Throughout the book there is one single overriding quality which stands out above all others; For all the accolades poured upon this man, few bother to mention the fact that he is an engaging writer with the gift of capturing the reader's attention. Whether he is white-water rafting or walking to the South Pole, he has the knack of including his readers as part of the team and takes them along for the ride. This is why this book is so hard to put down.
It is an honest account of the life of someone unable to sit still. From his earliest recollections and formative years we move on to his service as an officer with 22 SAS and being required to leave after some exuberant exploits with explosives (and a betrayal by the press!) from where he later re-emerges as a Trooper (private soldier) in one the SAS reserve squadrons. An illuminating account of his active service in Oman is followed by an even more exciting narrative in which, his team travelled along some of the most dangerous and uncharted rivers in the world from the Yukon to the USA as a celebration of British Columbia's centenary. He was also considered by Cubby Broccoli for the part of James Bond!
The next 16 chapters are filled with expeditions and explorations too numerous to mention here. They include his circumnavigating the globe via both Poles, his use of an old hacksaw to saw off the ends of two fingers lost to frostbite and so many other achievements and hardships it is difficult to believe they were all undertaken by one man. Liberally filled with anecdotal accounts - such as the briefest explanation of the Royal Scots Greys, this book answers questions I had not yet asked.
Throughout it all, however, there comes across an image of the man himself and of his love for his family. In an excellently crafted autobiography, we meet Ginny, his childhood sweetheart and later the wife he almost never won. We continuously learn of her active involvement and support in his many exploits until we finally discover her own unsuccessful fight against cancer. Her passing is recorded with such simple honesty that no reader will fail to feel her loss as though she were one of their own family. The darkness which followed is such that we find great relief in seeing this fine person eventually able to continue his life as before. Completing seven marathons in seven days on seven continents, he just persists in exciting and astounding those who observe. By the time he finds a new love and a new family, we have become so close to this "central character" that we find ourselves experiencing relief and wishing him well.
On finishing this, quite amazing, story, I was left with the clear impression that somehow this was only the beginning and that more was to come. Already, he has finally conquered Everest but I doubt that even that magnificent feat will be the finale to this man's performance in the role of living his own life. Of one thing, however, I can be certain; Nobody will record his feats better than the man himself and I eagerly await part two of this incredible journey. This book cannot disappoint any reader.
NM
Throughout the book there is one single overriding quality which stands out above all others; For all the accolades poured upon this man, few bother to mention the fact that he is an engaging writer with the gift of capturing the reader's attention. Whether he is white-water rafting or walking to the South Pole, he has the knack of including his readers as part of the team and takes them along for the ride. This is why this book is so hard to put down.
It is an honest account of the life of someone unable to sit still. From his earliest recollections and formative years we move on to his service as an officer with 22 SAS and being required to leave after some exuberant exploits with explosives (and a betrayal by the press!) from where he later re-emerges as a Trooper (private soldier) in one the SAS reserve squadrons. An illuminating account of his active service in Oman is followed by an even more exciting narrative in which, his team travelled along some of the most dangerous and uncharted rivers in the world from the Yukon to the USA as a celebration of British Columbia's centenary. He was also considered by Cubby Broccoli for the part of James Bond!
The next 16 chapters are filled with expeditions and explorations too numerous to mention here. They include his circumnavigating the globe via both Poles, his use of an old hacksaw to saw off the ends of two fingers lost to frostbite and so many other achievements and hardships it is difficult to believe they were all undertaken by one man. Liberally filled with anecdotal accounts - such as the briefest explanation of the Royal Scots Greys, this book answers questions I had not yet asked.
Throughout it all, however, there comes across an image of the man himself and of his love for his family. In an excellently crafted autobiography, we meet Ginny, his childhood sweetheart and later the wife he almost never won. We continuously learn of her active involvement and support in his many exploits until we finally discover her own unsuccessful fight against cancer. Her passing is recorded with such simple honesty that no reader will fail to feel her loss as though she were one of their own family. The darkness which followed is such that we find great relief in seeing this fine person eventually able to continue his life as before. Completing seven marathons in seven days on seven continents, he just persists in exciting and astounding those who observe. By the time he finds a new love and a new family, we have become so close to this "central character" that we find ourselves experiencing relief and wishing him well.
On finishing this, quite amazing, story, I was left with the clear impression that somehow this was only the beginning and that more was to come. Already, he has finally conquered Everest but I doubt that even that magnificent feat will be the finale to this man's performance in the role of living his own life. Of one thing, however, I can be certain; Nobody will record his feats better than the man himself and I eagerly await part two of this incredible journey. This book cannot disappoint any reader.
NM
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I like to read biographies about people who have achieved something and have a good story to tell. Ranulph Fiennes definately fits into that category. I took this book to turkey for a holiday read. I read this book in 40 degree heat whilst reading about Fiennes' travels in minus 40 degree plus temperatures! The man is definately mad, has a cardiac arrest, then recovers and runs seven marathons in seven days! I am not a climber or an arctic adventurer by far, so i was a bit confused by some of the terminology. This aside a very enjoyable book about a modern day hero.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
this book gives an amazing insight into one of britains greatest explorers, a must have book a++++++++++
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Ranulph Fiennes
This book allows one to enter the mind of a well-disciplined, determined and ambitious British gem. It tells the story of mind over matter, from the man himself. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Calum
An Incredible Life
It's difficult to know where to start when reviewing this book. It really is like reading a Bond novel - and in fact he did audition for the part of James Bond even though he'd... Read more
Published 3 months ago by J. Lock
Mad, Bad, and Dangerous to know. But a pleasure to read
The book came well in time for the required purpose.
What a family and what a man!
His story is as good as any tale of fictional endeavour, so this is a thoroughly good... Read more
What a family and what a man!
His story is as good as any tale of fictional endeavour, so this is a thoroughly good... Read more
Published 4 months ago by BCB
Too many near misses to feel any empathy
I was really looking forward to reading this book, as I held Ranulph Fiennes in such high regard & I still do. Read more
Published 4 months ago by JohnJenner
a superb autobiography by a remarkable man
One of the most enjoyable autobiographies i have ever read, which inspired me to read two more books by Ran Fiennes which I have greatly enjoyed too. Read more
Published 4 months ago by markr
Good Read
This is a book to get your teeth into. It's really an autobiography of Fienne's life to date, told in easy to read chapters and with a good deal of modesty. Read more
Published 5 months ago by formidible
the modern day scott of the antartic!
ranulph has done it all. been in the sas, trekked the antartic, climbed everest, run marathons plus much more. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Gcrikey
interesting and inspiring, funny too
I love biographies, especially inspiring tales and this fits the bill. Ranulph Fiennes has such a story to tell, from a SAS disaster to 7 marathons in 6 days, with the last in a... Read more
Published 8 months ago by D. J. PITT
This is a must read
One of the most inspiring and entertaining books I have read. Ranulph Fiennes makes a habit of triumphing in the face of adversity and his achievements leave you open... Read more
Published 8 months ago by E. M. Wall
Absolutely fantastic
What a great read! The content I give maximum stars, but the writing is a bit weird all the way through. Read more
Published 10 months ago by John Hunt
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