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Mad, Bad & Dangerous to Know: The Autobiography

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Awesome is a sadly overused word these days, but I genuinely think it is the most fitting word to describe the man that is Ranulph Fiennes.

The life of Sir Ranulph Fiennes is the stuff of legends. Special Forces, mercenary, author, in consideration for the part of James Bond after Connery, arctic explorer, in fact "Worlds greatest living explorer" as judged by Guiness Book of World Records, ran 7 marathons in seven continents in seven days only half a year after bypass surgery. Not many people can, even with a bit of poetic liberty in their description, match the resume of Sir Fiennes.

In this gripping, well written, fantastic book, Sir Fiennes describes some 40 years of adventures and expeditions, including a stint in the service of the sultan of Oman, blowing up 20th century fox property, circumnavigation around the globe along the Greenwich meridian, amputating four fingers on his left hand in his garden shed, each and every single one of these stories in itself worthy of a book on its own.

There are many, many autobiografies on the market today. Most of them are from celebrities with less than extraordinary lives offering a bit of entertainment, but here we have a genuine, awe-inspiring, effulgent adventurer who has done it all telling his story. We learn of the physical stamina and the strength of will it takes to be an arctic explorer, of the sacrifices and bounties connected with that particular endeavor, and of the wonderful and dangerous place our earth can be.

In spite of his amazing track record, he is modest and down to earth. He doesn't claim to be the 'toughest man alive', but tells his story in a casual, humouristic, and self-deprecating manner. This book is not only the story of a man beyond the normal limits of physical and mental endurance, nor is it just a jolly good read, it is inspiring in the truest sence of the word. He even gives you advice on how to get going with your own arctic expedition.

One can not but feel strangely inadequate and humble, yet at the same time elated and inspired after reading this volume. It is in another sadly overused word, brilliant.

Highest possible recommendation.

Sir Ranulph Twisleton-Wykhan-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

Ranulph Fiennes has lead a most extraordinary and inspirational life and `Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know' is the autobiography that recounts it for us. He has participated in numerous endurance events and has achieved many world first explorations and to read of his tenacity and determination is at times awe inspiring. From his early days in the SAS, boating the Yukon, the worlds first global circumnavigation via the poles, a desert archaeology expedition, an Antarctic crossing, running 7 marathons in 7 days across 7 continents, his attempt at climbing Everest and finally his Eiger climb, this book offers up adventure and explorers spirit on every page. This is written in a clear and engaging style, although I did find it lacking in real emotion at times. It is a rich, description of his various exploits, but you never truly know how he feels about them. There are two sections of photos, but these aren't on the glossy paper typically used for these sections in books and they are in black and white. Never the less, they illustrate the various expeditions and events from his life well. All in all this is an interesting and inspirational book and if you enjoy adventure/survival books then this is well worth reading. Other polar books worth reading if this has piqued your interest are `Mawsons Will' (which is one of the best Polar books I have ever read) and the account of James Cracknell and Ben Fogles Antarctic race.

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Ranulph Fiennes is unbelievable. He has lived a life of extraordinary adventure, and has made a living for himself and his family in doing so. This book details his life and many adventures. Fiennes was the first person to travel to both the North and the South Poles by land. Among the most noteworthy of his accomplishments is his running one marathon per day on each of the seven continents on seven consecutive days---so..... seven 26.2-mile marathons in seven days, and he completed them within three months of a heart attack and double bypass operation! Mr. Fiennes is also a gracious humanitarian, and has raised much money for charity during his many adventures. This is truly an amazing book and a must-read for adventure lovers.

Somehow I thought that the explorer stories such as the ones Ranulph Fiennes dedicated his life to are nothing but a thing of the past - it's all been done, right? Nothing further from the truth. A gripping autobiography about an amazing life story: SAS, mercenary in the middle east, world explorer, and an amazing speaker and author.

Ranulph offers a view into his childhood and education (a roller coaster, to say the least), his early years in the army, and his graduation for what most of us know him, his arctic expeditions! The book offers plenty of fascinating expedition stories and encounters with the extreme temperatures and situations - his determination makes you appreciate what we're all capable of if we put our minds to it.

As only aside, I strongly recommend you pick up the Audio CD presentation by Ranulph: "An Evening With Ranulph Fiennes". The content overlaps with the book, but offers a much more graphical perspective that will make you both laugh and cry in pain!

This book astounded me. Anyone who has a intrigued mind and wonders what life is all about or what is the purpose of living, he/she should read this book. It is by far the best adventure book I have ever read.

He's mad. And so are we.