The Feather Men [Mass Market Paperback]

Ranulph Fiennes (Author)

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback
• Publisher: Penguin Books Canada, Limited (2000)
• ASIN: B000KOKTE8
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book to make you think., December 8, 2004

By 

Ned Middleton (British professional underwater photo-journalist & author) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Feather Men. (Hardcover)

Sir Ranulph Twisleton Wickham Fiennes BT, OBE (and holder of the Polar Medal with Bar!) is undoubtedly the greatest living British explorer. He also served as an officer with the Special Air Service Regiment in the early seventies at a time when I was attached to that Regiment as a corporal in the Pay Office. We met briefly then and again in the late eighties when I was involved with Operation Raleigh. Though "Ran" - as he introduced himself on the latter occasion, has no reason to recall either meeting, I will always remember this man as someone with great presence who has come to symbolise great things and great achievements. In many ways he is the most British of men.

In his book "The Feather Men," the reader is left wondering whether or not it is a work of fact or fiction. It is an enthralling and exciting read and I am surprised it has not yet been made into a film.

Throughout the world there are certain "standards." For example, people might refer to a specific make of car, as that country's equivalent of a Rolls Royce. This is because Rolls Royce has become the standard for excellence in the making of cars. Similarly, when describing the world's Special Forces, they often refer to certain elite organisations as that country's equivalent of the SAS.

I had the privilege of serving with the SAS over 30 years ago but was never SAS trained. Ran Fiennes was and, therefore, knows what he is talking about. That is why you will be left wondering.

Altogether and excellent book.

NM
British Army Major (retired).

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thrilling & True, December 13, 1999

By 

Tony ALLWRIGHT (Dublin, Ireland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Feather Men (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a marvellous account of derring-do, very skilfully related. I was living in Oman, the setting of most of the story, whilst reading the book. Discrete checks of many of the facts and visits to Christian cemetries in Muscat where some of the characters lie convinced me that the story is in fact true despite its incredible tortuosity. Unputdownable, and also disturbing.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Please dont let hollywood turn this into a terrible movie! It is too good a book to be marred by filmmakers, October 8, 2009

By 

Kevin Fisher "Kevin" (Richardson Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Feather Men (Mass Market Paperback)

This is an amazing book, both informative and entertaining! The adventure throws you through much history and culture, I learned a lot from this book.

Its too good of a story to be real. That said, the story is too good to be made up.

At times it feels too theatrical to be real, but then again much of the story is choppy, random, filled with holes, you don't get all the answers you want. Certain things you get no information about, while other parts are extremely detailed. This makes it seem more realistic.

I think it is mostly true, but I definitely want it to be true, so I am biased as heck.