Facing the Frozen Ocean [Hardcover]

Bear Grylls (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2, 2004

This is the account of five British men in an open, rigid inflatable boat fighting for their lives in perhaps the most dangerous and unpredictable seas in the world. It started out as a carefully calculated attempt to complete the first unassisted crossing of the frozen north Atlantic in a rigid inflatable boat, but it became a terrifying battle against storm-force winds, crashing waves and icebergs as large as cathedrals. Starting from the remote north Canadian coastline, Grylls and his crew crossed the infamous Labrador Sea, pushed on through ice-strewn waters to Greenland and then found themselves isolated in a perfect storm 400 miles from Iceland.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"'An epic story of hardship, friendship and faith' Daily Telegraph '[Grylls'] writing allows you to feel you are sitting alongside him on his adventure... I could taste the salt spray in every sentence and the bone numbing chill in every paragraph' Herald Express 'Grylls is certainly proof that the age of great explorers has not completely passed us by.' Scotsman" --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Bear Grylls spent three years with the British Special Forces. During this time he had a horrendous parachuting accident in southern Africa, breaking his back in three places. Three years later he overcame the odds to become one of the youngest British climbers ever to reach the summit of Mount Everest, and this story forms the basis for his bestselling memoir, Facing Up. Bear Grylls is one of the most successful motivational speakers on the world circuit. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Macmillan (April 2, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1405041501
• ISBN-13: 978-1405041508
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,983,521 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing story, I can't believe they survived, September 27, 2007

By 

Alan Noble - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Facing the Frozen Ocean (Paperback)

This book is the account of Bear Grylls and 4 others crossing the North Atlantic Sea in a 40ft rigid inflatable boat. Picture similar conditions to "The Deadliest Catch" on Discovery Channel, only in a boat that sits 2 feet above sea level. At one point their tiny boat was subject to Force 7 winds (a moderate Gale) which caused a cruise ship traveling the same seas to turn back from its trip while Grylls' team ventured on.

Yes this book had a great story, but the thing I liked the most about it was its small lessons in life. Through Grylls' experiences you learn a lot about leadership, courage, teamwork, and a great deal of other things. There was a quote from the book when Charlie and Nige had been helming the boat for nearly an hour, after 2 days of no sleep, being soaking wet, and in freezing cold waters. When Nige had to ask for help at the helm and Bear notes "Often people think of climbers, sailors, and explorers as being brave, but few men are really brave enough to be honest." And he explains that in times of life and death its not about trying to be brave and make it through, but being honest and knowing that other's lives are in your hands, and valuing that more than your own pride.

Man vs Wild may be fake, but Bear Grylls is not. This really happened, as recorded in the book, and Grylls did risk his life on this ocean. Several times they came close to death and only by God's grace did they make it through.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If this book doesn't inspire you, you are dead inside!, June 17, 2008

By 

Erik P. Anderson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Facing the Frozen Ocean (Paperback)

This book will inspire you to get off your butt and go do something with your life.

Very well written. A+

4.0 out of 5 stars Extremely lucky journey, October 26, 2011

By 

Warden - See all my reviews

This review is from: Facing the Frozen Ocean (Paperback)

Bear and his crew went through extraordinarily tough conditions and with luck survived in one piece! A great read, for boaters and any one who appreciates a good adventure. Only complaint; no maps of the trip or plans of his specially built RIB.