First published in 1987, this book takes Ranulph Fiennes from his South African boyhood and army career to the series of breathtaking expeditions which have justly earned him the title of "the world's greatest living explorer". Since then, however, his determination to seek new challenges and, more importantly, to conquer them has led him to attempt to reach the North Pole without dogs or motorized equipment, to find the lost city of Ubar, hidden in the Arabian desert, and most recently, his extraordinary journey across the Antarctic to the South Pole. Writing with honesty and good humour, Ranulph Fiennes gives us a taste of the excitement, the hardship, the vital teamwork and the sheer courage that is the life of the modern explorer. He is an English hero in the classic mould - a man of whom it can be said that he has been everywhere and done everything.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Sir Ranulph Fiennes was the first man to reach both poles (by surface travel) and the first to cross the Antarctic Continent unsupported. In the 1960s he was removed from the SAS Regiment for misuse of explosives but, joining the army of the Sultan of Oman, received that country's Bravery Medal on active service in 1971. He is the only person yet to have been awarded two clasps to the Polar medal for both Antarctic and the Arctic regions. Fiennes has led over 30 expeditions including the first polar circumnavigation of the Earth. In 1993 Her Majesty the Queen awarded Fiennes the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for 'human endeavour and charitable services,' because, on the way to breaking records, he has raised over GBP5 million for charity.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From AudioFile
Ranulph Fiennes leads expeditions for a living. In this recording he relates astonishing tales of his adventures to a theater audience. He describes his business cycle, which starts with "scrounging for sponsorship," and says his "boss" is his literary agent because each expedition needs to be able to produce promotion worth more than the sponsorship. Fiennes begins with the idea that he will travel only to hot places, so he hovercrafts 4,000 miles up the Nile River. Later, turning to the opposite extreme, Fiennes leads the first polar circumnavigation of the Earth and the first unsupported crossing of the Antarctic continent. Fiennes's storytelling style is laconic and hilarious. This wonderful production is a cross between comedy and amazing tales of endurance. A.B. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ran Has a Talent For Finding Trouble.,
By A Customer
This review is from: Living Dangerously (Charnwood Large Print Library Series) (Hardcover)
This book serves two purposes: 1) The recollections of an army officer and explorer; and 2) The redemption of said man.Sir Ranulph, who is an actual Baronet, comes from one of the most illustrious families in Britain. Unfortunately, he initially inherited some of the worst personal traits which the British upperclass has to offer. He was sent to the right schools and eventually entered the adult world as a serviing British Army officer in one of the best regiments. Only after he was accepted into the elite British Special Air Service Regiment (SAS), did his true nature and worth appear. Cashiered after an incredibly stupid "bit of fun," Sir Ran found his niche in life - explorer. It soon became apparent that he was a 19th Century British man trapped in the 20th Century, and the same conduct which had made Britain a world power was now a social embarrassment. As a member of the Royal Geographic Society, Sir Ran has gone on to conduct some of the most spectacular explorations in the world - and become a damned nice chap along the way. None better. Sir Ran's recollections of his service and redemption in Oman are priceless. His military career was salvaged by an offer to serve as a "seconded" officer to the Sultan of Oman's Forces during the Dhofar Campaign of the 1970's. In this little known campaign, British "seconded" officers led Omani troops in successfully putting down a spreading Communist insurgency. Any officer or NCO who will be leading or advising indigenous troops should read this book. Sir Ran led, fed, sheltered, ate with and loved his Omanis - and they reciprocated. This is a sort of "Apocalypse Now" with a happy ending. If you are looking for a personal journey along with high adventure, you can do no better that "Living Dangerously" by Sir Ranulph Fiennes.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A wonderful journey,
This review is from: Living Dangerously (Hardcover)
One day, on a book hunt at my local used book stores, I noticed an oversized photograph of a handsome man staring back at me from the top shelf. Turns out it wasn't a photograph, it was the cover of this book. A quick look at the book indicated that it was written by a british explorer, whom I had vaguely heard of. I decided to buy the book, as it's $2.00 price tag was very reasonable. The fact that it was an autographed first edition was an added bonus. I put it on my shelf, and thought little of it.A few weeks later, I was looking for a book to take to help me to sleep. I grabbed this book off the unread book shelf. I was reading all night, following young Ranulph Fiennes as he attended Eton, fought in Oman, and pursued many historic expeditions. The book was written in an easy, conversational tone, and it was impossible to put down. It would have been worth buying at $100.00. I hope whomever decides to buy the book based on this review enjoys it as much as I did.
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