Well impressed!, 26 Sep 2008
I had the choice between this book and the readers digest equivalent. The Book People were at work so all I got was a quick look through and decided on this one pretty much just down to the fact this book had little maps which provided an overveiw of each walk - I have to have maps wherever I go because I will get lost otherwise.

I got back to my desk, had a look at reviews on Amazon for both books and was pleased when the Readers Digest one didnt seem to do too great but this was then blown away because this book had NO reveiws.. and to be honest I don't know why.

When I got home I had a good look through and I was very pleased this was my choice.. it is so well thought out. I'm not particularly into walking but I do go camping now and again and I bought it for ideas of what to do and where to go.

* The book provides a number of walks on the Coast of England Scotland and Wales, and also a couple of little isles.
* The 1st page gives an overview of the British Isles with each walk located by number and colour-coded to the difficulty of the walk.
* The walks are featured in the book in numbered order as you go clockwise round the map of Brtain so you dont have to go routing through the whole book to find a particular walk.
* Each walk is not only colour-coded for easy, meduim or hard, but it also tells you whether it has access for wheelchairs and/or pushchairs, and also tells you how long in miles each walk is.
* Each walk has a small box with a little map in which gives an overview of each walk with the route highlighted in yellow (be careful because now and again there will be a road which is coloured a slightly different shade of yellow which can be confusing if you're not careful!). With the map there is also a bit more info, including the start and finishing points of the walk.
* On the maps the are numbers which represent specific sights or buildings, etc. for the walk and these are explained and described quite in depth in the walk decription, along with various colour photos so you can identify the features and grasp and appreciate the history of each town/village/area.
* The maps also show camping sights, parking, etc which most maps do, just so you are more aware of your surroundings.

There are walks for everyone whether you are more into the countryside or picturesque citys or marinas. I can't wait to go camping again and using the book although the coast of Britian isn't covered 100%, it's a good start!

The only thing I will say it that I could do with it being a little bit smaller and wlaker-user friendly only because I WILL be taking it around with me and I think it may get ruined as I'm rambling through one of it's walks, probably reading it as I go just to make sure I don't miss anything!

As I said I bought it for something to do when I am holidaying within Britain so as a novice I think it is great. If you are a more accomplished walker then perhaps you'll need to go to a bookshop to flick through to make sure you don't already know the stuff in it.

Even so I would definately recomend it to anyone even slightly interested in this sort of thing because there is so much information but not too much to overwhelm you, it is very user friendly in its layout and the information in it and a real bargain (I am even more impressed I got it brand new for £5!) but I would be prepared to pay Amazons price also.

Well impressed!, 26 Sep 2008
I had the choice between this book and the readers digest equivalent. The Book People were at work so all I got was a quick look through and decided on this one pretty much just down to the fact this book had little maps which provided an overveiw of each walk - I have to have maps wherever I go because I will get lost otherwise.

I got back to my desk, had a look at reviews on Amazon for both books and was pleased when the Readers Digest one didnt seem to do too great but this was then blown away because this book had NO reveiws.. and to be honest I don't know why.

When I got home I had a good look through and I was very pleased this was my choice.. it is so well thought out. I'm not particularly into walking but I do go camping now and again and I bought it for ideas of what to do and where to go.

* The book provides a number of walks on the Coast of England Scotland and Wales, and also a couple of little isles.
* The 1st page gives an overview of the British Isles with each walk located by number and colour-coded to the difficulty of the walk.
* The walks are featured in the book in numbered order as you go clockwise round the map of Brtain so you dont have to go routing through the whole book to find a particular walk.
* Each walk is not only colour-coded for easy, meduim or hard, but it also tells you whether it has access for wheelchairs and/or pushchairs, and also tells you how long in miles each walk is.
* Each walk has a small box with a little map in which gives an overview of each walk with the route highlighted in yellow (be careful because now and again there will be a road which is coloured a slightly different shade of yellow which can be confusing if you're not careful!). With the map there is also a bit more info, including the start and finishing points of the walk.
* On the maps the are numbers which represent specific sights or buildings, etc. for the walk and these are explained and described quite in depth in the walk decription, along with various colour photos so you can identify the features and grasp and appreciate the history of each town/village/area.
* The maps also show camping sights, parking, etc which most maps do, just so you are more aware of your surroundings.

There are walks for everyone whether you are more into the countryside or picturesque citys or marinas. I can't wait to go camping again and using the book although the coast of Britian isn't covered 100%, it's a good start!

The only thing I will say it that I could do with it being a little bit smaller and wlaker-user friendly only because I WILL be taking it around with me and I think it may get ruined as I'm rambling through one of it's walks, probably reading it as I go just to make sure I don't miss anything!

As I said I bought it for something to do when I am holidaying within Britain so as a novice I think it is great. If you are a more accomplished walker then perhaps you'll need to go to a bookshop to flick through to make sure you don't already know the stuff in it.

Even so I would definately recomend it to anyone even slightly interested in this sort of thing because there is so much information but not too much to overwhelm you, it is very user friendly in its layout and the information in it and a real bargain (I am even more impressed I got it brand new for £5!) but I would be prepared to pay Amazons price also.

A great survival book, 18 Nov 2008
I have read several survival-outdoors guides but this is one is the best.
I particularly enjoyed the introduction and the first few chapters that explained the basics, ie fire and shelter .I almost makes want to try out in the local park.

There are very good illustrations and pictures and book is a nice size to make reading easy.

Most of the things described in the book can be tried with few materials and the explanations are simple to follow.

Overall a great guide ,well illustrated and easy to practice.

regard with a healthy dose of skepticism., 25 Jul 2008
I watched the first episode of Born Survivor on Channel 4, excited that a new survival expert had come along to go with Ray Mears.

... About half way through, I turned it off, and have never watched another of his shows again. He's a showman, not an educator, and he uses both a stunt team, and a team of survival experts to choreograph his programmes (what kind of survival programme needs choreography to appeal?). He insists on doing things the fast, dangerous way, and I saw (in only 25 minutes of run time) one occasion where he was flat out wrong- NEVER use your knife as a spear; it takes 10 seconds to simply sharpen a stick with it instead, and you don't risk your most important survival tool breaking on submerged rocks.

Since I am to assume that this is an indication of the contents of the book- it's the book of the programme, after all- I would spend my money more wisely; if, for some strange reason, you can only buy one survival manual, go with a book by a real ex-SAS man (not TA, as in bear's case, although he disguises the fact), Chris Ryan's Ultimate Survival Guide (not exactly ultimate, but very good all the same). Ideally, get a bushcraft book by Ray Mears or Ray Kochanski as well, who, incidentally, don't pretend to be alone in the wilderness whilst staying in a hotel. These will cover some aspects in slightly more detail than they can be in a book of Chris Ryans' scope.

I've just read the blurb at the top of the page- "fighting off grizzly bears"!? Don't be ridiculous.

The only reason I give this 2 stars is because it's likely to have at least some good information from his team of experts- certainly, I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt. Either way, it definitely won't find a home in my outdoors library. There are many far better publications out there.

The Bear Necessities, 05 Jan 2008
I got this as a christmas present and it is an excellent resource. interesting and well written this is a must for anyone with an interest in the outdoors or just for anyone who wants to know what to do if stranded in the harshest enviroments.

Well impressed!, 26 Sep 2008
I had the choice between this book and the readers digest equivalent. The Book People were at work so all I got was a quick look through and decided on this one pretty much just down to the fact this book had little maps which provided an overveiw of each walk - I have to have maps wherever I go because I will get lost otherwise.

I got back to my desk, had a look at reviews on Amazon for both books and was pleased when the Readers Digest one didnt seem to do too great but this was then blown away because this book had NO reveiws.. and to be honest I don't know why.

When I got home I had a good look through and I was very pleased this was my choice.. it is so well thought out. I'm not particularly into walking but I do go camping now and again and I bought it for ideas of what to do and where to go.

* The book provides a number of walks on the Coast of England Scotland and Wales, and also a couple of little isles.
* The 1st page gives an overview of the British Isles with each walk located by number and colour-coded to the difficulty of the walk.
* The walks are featured in the book in numbered order as you go clockwise round the map of Brtain so you dont have to go routing through the whole book to find a particular walk.
* Each walk is not only colour-coded for easy, meduim or hard, but it also tells you whether it has access for wheelchairs and/or pushchairs, and also tells you how long in miles each walk is.
* Each walk has a small box with a little map in which gives an overview of each walk with the route highlighted in yellow (be careful because now and again there will be a road which is coloured a slightly different shade of yellow which can be confusing if you're not careful!). With the map there is also a bit more info, including the start and finishing points of the walk.
* On the maps the are numbers which represent specific sights or buildings, etc. for the walk and these are explained and described quite in depth in the walk decription, along with various colour photos so you can identify the features and grasp and appreciate the history of each town/village/area.
* The maps also show camping sights, parking, etc which most maps do, just so you are more aware of your surroundings.

There are walks for everyone whether you are more into the countryside or picturesque citys or marinas. I can't wait to go camping again and using the book although the coast of Britian isn't covered 100%, it's a good start!

The only thing I will say it that I could do with it being a little bit smaller and wlaker-user friendly only because I WILL be taking it around with me and I think it may get ruined as I'm rambling through one of it's walks, probably reading it as I go just to make sure I don't miss anything!

As I said I bought it for something to do when I am holidaying within Britain so as a novice I think it is great. If you are a more accomplished walker then perhaps you'll need to go to a bookshop to flick through to make sure you don't already know the stuff in it.

Even so I would definately recomend it to anyone even slightly interested in this sort of thing because there is so much information but not too much to overwhelm you, it is very user friendly in its layout and the information in it and a real bargain (I am even more impressed I got it brand new for £5!) but I would be prepared to pay Amazons price also.

A great survival book, 18 Nov 2008
I have read several survival-outdoors guides but this is one is the best.
I particularly enjoyed the introduction and the first few chapters that explained the basics, ie fire and shelter .I almost makes want to try out in the local park.

There are very good illustrations and pictures and book is a nice size to make reading easy.

Most of the things described in the book can be tried with few materials and the explanations are simple to follow.

Overall a great guide ,well illustrated and easy to practice.

regard with a healthy dose of skepticism., 25 Jul 2008
I watched the first episode of Born Survivor on Channel 4, excited that a new survival expert had come along to go with Ray Mears.

... About half way through, I turned it off, and have never watched another of his shows again. He's a showman, not an educator, and he uses both a stunt team, and a team of survival experts to choreograph his programmes (what kind of survival programme needs choreography to appeal?). He insists on doing things the fast, dangerous way, and I saw (in only 25 minutes of run time) one occasion where he was flat out wrong- NEVER use your knife as a spear; it takes 10 seconds to simply sharpen a stick with it instead, and you don't risk your most important survival tool breaking on submerged rocks.

Since I am to assume that this is an indication of the contents of the book- it's the book of the programme, after all- I would spend my money more wisely; if, for some strange reason, you can only buy one survival manual, go with a book by a real ex-SAS man (not TA, as in bear's case, although he disguises the fact), Chris Ryan's Ultimate Survival Guide (not exactly ultimate, but very good all the same). Ideally, get a bushcraft book by Ray Mears or Ray Kochanski as well, who, incidentally, don't pretend to be alone in the wilderness whilst staying in a hotel. These will cover some aspects in slightly more detail than they can be in a book of Chris Ryans' scope.

I've just read the blurb at the top of the page- "fighting off grizzly bears"!? Don't be ridiculous.

The only reason I give this 2 stars is because it's likely to have at least some good information from his team of experts- certainly, I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt. Either way, it definitely won't find a home in my outdoors library. There are many far better publications out there.

The Bear Necessities, 05 Jan 2008
I got this as a christmas present and it is an excellent resource. interesting and well written this is a must for anyone with an interest in the outdoors or just for anyone who wants to know what to do if stranded in the harshest enviroments.

Enjoyable adventure tale, maybe a little lightweight, 28 Sep 2007
This book is the story of Bear Grylls' attempt to cross the arctic Atlantic ocean in an open inflatable beat. Bear leads a team of five on this challenge, and he tells the story of how the trip was organised and how close it came to disaster.

I've read Bear's tale of climbing Everest (Facing Up) which is, to be honest, the better book. Facing the Frozen Ocean was an enjoyable holiday read but it didn't grip me in the same way that the Everest adventure did. Partly, I suspect that's because Bear himself loses the impetus to continue these adventures part-way through the trip; there is one appalling leg of the journey where death was very, very close. An angry Atlantic is no place to be in an open boat -- running out of fuel and left helpless in 20-foot swells. Bear questions why he is involved in this kind of escapade when he could be at home with his young family... and that sense of disengagement is obvious to the reader.

However, you also learn all about prepping for an expedition like this, and get a vivid description of what it was like. Bear's writing (or editor!) improves in this book so the text flows more easily than in Facing Up.

Overall, it's a fast-paced adventure tale -- just not one to rank among the classics.

Facing the Frozen Ocean, 05 Sep 2005
This book was amazing. It left me speechless. I was hardly able to put the book down. I guarantee your feet will be itching and you will want to get out there and see and do the same things that the Bear and his crew did. I felt like I had had been a part of his journey, at times imagining what they must have gone through and the sheer determination that they all showed put a lump in my throat.

An excellent book, I would recommend it to anyone.

Too light to be gripping., 13 Aug 2004
This is a great adventure story for lovers of 'cold weather travel writing'. I love Everest and North/South Pole literature and this was great as something other than that. The pace is good and the author relays a lot of his feelings to the reader.
But.
After reading David Hempleman-Adams or Jon Krakauer I felt there was something missing in this narrative, there wasn't enough.
There wasn't enough information and there wasn't enough emotion.
The author gives over the odd paragraph for the other team members to have their say and I think this deflects from what could be a gripping narrative. For example they may be in the middle of a storm and suddenly the narrative will break - and so and so says -. I think it would have better if the author had relayed how he felt.

The information is adequate but compared to say The Kon-Tiki Expedition, where every little detail is given and therefore draws the reader right in, this is sparse and skeletal.

I hugely admire Bear Grylls and his team but the emphasis is on 'his team' which he points out every five minutes, he needs to remember that in situations like this a leader is in name only, one member is pretty useless without the other and I started to find it a little irritating after a while that he saw the need to point out that he was the leader on every page.

Overall it's a great story and I would recommend it. It will never be a travel classic but to be fair to the author he isn't a travel writer, he's an explorer with a story to tell and he does this well enough.

Facing the Frozen Ocean: One man's dream to lead a team acro, 24 Jun 2004
One of the best books l have ever read and inspired me to book Bear to tell his story at our last Sales Conference....needless to say he was as good as his book and l felt very humbled to be sat there listening to his story.

can't wait for publication, 03 Nov 2003
I followed this expedition in the press and cannot wait to hear what they felt when they were in those storms!
What a story.
Rod

Well impressed!, 26 Sep 2008
I had the choice between this book and the readers digest equivalent. The Book People were at work so all I got was a quick look through and decided on this one pretty much just down to the fact this book had little maps which provided an overveiw of each walk - I have to have maps wherever I go because I will get lost otherwise.

I got back to my desk, had a look at reviews on Amazon for both books and was pleased when the Readers Digest one didnt seem to do too great but this was then blown away because this book had NO reveiws.. and to be honest I don't know why.

When I got home I had a good look through and I was very pleased this was my choice.. it is so well thought out. I'm not particularly into walking but I do go camping now and again and I bought it for ideas of what to do and where to go.

* The book provides a number of walks on the Coast of England Scotland and Wales, and also a couple of little isles.
* The 1st page gives an overview of the British Isles with each walk located by number and colour-coded to the difficulty of the walk.
* The walks are featured in the book in numbered order as you go clockwise round the map of Brtain so you dont have to go routing through the whole book to find a particular walk.
* Each walk is not only colour-coded for easy, meduim or hard, but it also tells you whether it has access for wheelchairs and/or pushchairs, and also tells you how long in miles each walk is.
* Each walk has a small box with a little map in which gives an overview of each walk with the route highlighted in yellow (be careful because now and again there will be a road which is coloured a slightly different shade of yellow which can be confusing if you're not careful!). With the map there is also a bit more info, including the start and finishing points of the walk.
* On the maps the are numbers which represent specific sights or buildings, etc. for the walk and these are explained and described quite in depth in the walk decription, along with various colour photos so you can identify the features and grasp and appreciate the history of each town/village/area.
* The maps also show camping sights, parking, etc which most maps do, just so you are more aware of your surroundings.

There are walks for everyone whether you are more into the countryside or picturesque citys or marinas. I can't wait to go camping again and using the book although the coast of Britian isn't covered 100%, it's a good start!

The only thing I will say it that I could do with it being a little bit smaller and wlaker-user friendly only because I WILL be taking it around with me and I think it may get ruined as I'm rambling through one of it's walks, probably reading it as I go just to make sure I don't miss anything!

As I said I bought it for something to do when I am holidaying within Britain so as a novice I think it is great. If you are a more accomplished walker then perhaps you'll need to go to a bookshop to flick through to make sure you don't already know the stuff in it.

Even so I would definately recomend it to anyone even slightly interested in this sort of thing because there is so much information but not too much to overwhelm you, it is very user friendly in its layout and the information in it and a real bargain (I am even more impressed I got it brand new for £5!) but I would be prepared to pay Amazons price also.

A great survival book, 18 Nov 2008
I have read several survival-outdoors guides but this is one is the best.
I particularly enjoyed the introduction and the first few chapters that explained the basics, ie fire and shelter .I almost makes want to try out in the local park.

There are very good illustrations and pictures and book is a nice size to make reading easy.

Most of the things described in the book can be tried with few materials and the explanations are simple to follow.

Overall a great guide ,well illustrated and easy to practice.

regard with a healthy dose of skepticism., 25 Jul 2008
I watched the first episode of Born Survivor on Channel 4, excited that a new survival expert had come along to go with Ray Mears.

... About half way through, I turned it off, and have never watched another of his shows again. He's a showman, not an educator, and he uses both a stunt team, and a team of survival experts to choreograph his programmes (what kind of survival programme needs choreography to appeal?). He insists on doing things the fast, dangerous way, and I saw (in only 25 minutes of run time) one occasion where he was flat out wrong- NEVER use your knife as a spear; it takes 10 seconds to simply sharpen a stick with it instead, and you don't risk your most important survival tool breaking on submerged rocks.

Since I am to assume that this is an indication of the contents of the book- it's the book of the programme, after all- I would spend my money more wisely; if, for some strange reason, you can only buy one survival manual, go with a book by a real ex-SAS man (not TA, as in bear's case, although he disguises the fact), Chris Ryan's Ultimate Survival Guide (not exactly ultimate, but very good all the same). Ideally, get a bushcraft book by Ray Mears or Ray Kochanski as well, who, incidentally, don't pretend to be alone in the wilderness whilst staying in a hotel. These will cover some aspects in slightly more detail than they can be in a book of Chris Ryans' scope.

I've just read the blurb at the top of the page- "fighting off grizzly bears"!? Don't be ridiculous.

The only reason I give this 2 stars is because it's likely to have at least some good information from his team of experts- certainly, I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt. Either way, it definitely won't find a home in my outdoors library. There are many far better publications out there.

The Bear Necessities, 05 Jan 2008
I got this as a christmas present and it is an excellent resource. interesting and well written this is a must for anyone with an interest in the outdoors or just for anyone who wants to know what to do if stranded in the harshest enviroments.

Enjoyable adventure tale, maybe a little lightweight, 28 Sep 2007
This book is the story of Bear Grylls' attempt to cross the arctic Atlantic ocean in an open inflatable beat. Bear leads a team of five on this challenge, and he tells the story of how the trip was organised and how close it came to disaster.

I've read Bear's tale of climbing Everest (Facing Up) which is, to be honest, the better book. Facing the Frozen Ocean was an enjoyable holiday read but it didn't grip me in the same way that the Everest adventure did. Partly, I suspect that's because Bear himself loses the impetus to continue these adventures part-way through the trip; there is one appalling leg of the journey where death was very, very close. An angry Atlantic is no place to be in an open boat -- running out of fuel and left helpless in 20-foot swells. Bear questions why he is involved in this kind of escapade when he could be at home with his young family... and that sense of disengagement is obvious to the reader.

However, you also learn all about prepping for an expedition like this, and get a vivid description of what it was like. Bear's writing (or editor!) improves in this book so the text flows more easily than in Facing Up.

Overall, it's a fast-paced adventure tale -- just not one to rank among the classics.

Facing the Frozen Ocean, 05 Sep 2005
This book was amazing. It left me speechless. I was hardly able to put the book down. I guarantee your feet will be itching and you will want to get out there and see and do the same things that the Bear and his crew did. I felt like I had had been a part of his journey, at times imagining what they must have gone through and the sheer determination that they all showed put a lump in my throat.

An excellent book, I would recommend it to anyone.

Too light to be gripping., 13 Aug 2004
This is a great adventure story for lovers of 'cold weather travel writing'. I love Everest and North/South Pole literature and this was great as something other than that. The pace is good and the author relays a lot of his feelings to the reader.
But.
After reading David Hempleman-Adams or Jon Krakauer I felt there was something missing in this narrative, there wasn't enough.
There wasn't enough information and there wasn't enough emotion.
The author gives over the odd paragraph for the other team members to have their say and I think this deflects from what could be a gripping narrative. For example they may be in the middle of a storm and suddenly the narrative will break - and so and so says -. I think it would have better if the author had relayed how he felt.

The information is adequate but compared to say The Kon-Tiki Expedition, where every little detail is given and therefore draws the reader right in, this is sparse and skeletal.

I hugely admire Bear Grylls and his team but the emphasis is on 'his team' which he points out every five minutes, he needs to remember that in situations like this a leader is in name only, one member is pretty useless without the other and I started to find it a little irritating after a while that he saw the need to point out that he was the leader on every page.

Overall it's a great story and I would recommend it. It will never be a travel classic but to be fair to the author he isn't a travel writer, he's an explorer with a story to tell and he does this well enough.

Facing the Frozen Ocean: One man's dream to lead a team acro, 24 Jun 2004
One of the best books l have ever read and inspired me to book Bear to tell his story at our last Sales Conference....needless to say he was as good as his book and l felt very humbled to be sat there listening to his story.

can't wait for publication, 03 Nov 2003
I followed this expedition in the press and cannot wait to hear what they felt when they were in those storms!
What a story.
Rod

Wainwrights TV walks, 28 Feb 2008
Great pictorial guide using Wainwrights original drawings for 18 walks. Taken from the BBC and Granada tv series. Accompanied by detailed but simple descriptions of what to expect during the walks. Good selection of fell walks from each direction of the Lake District.

Well impressed!, 26 Sep 2008
I had the choice between this book and the readers digest equivalent. The Book People were at work so all I got was a quick look through and decided on this one pretty much just down to the fact this book had little maps which provided an overveiw of each walk - I have to have maps wherever I go because I will get lost otherwise.

I got back to my desk, had a look at reviews on Amazon for both books and was pleased when the Readers Digest one didnt seem to do too great but this was then blown away because this book had NO reveiws.. and to be honest I don't know why.

When I got home I had a good look through and I was very pleased this was my choice.. it is so well thought out. I'm not particularly into walking but I do go camping now and again and I bought it for ideas of what to do and where to go.

* The book provides a number of walks on the Coast of England Scotland and Wales, and also a couple of little isles.
* The 1st page gives an overview of the British Isles with each walk located by number and colour-coded to the difficulty of the walk.
* The walks are featured in the book in numbered order as you go clockwise round the map of Brtain so you dont have to go routing through the whole book to find a particular walk.
* Each walk is not only colour-coded for easy, meduim or hard, but it also tells you whether it has access for wheelchairs and/or pushchairs, and also tells you how long in miles each walk is.
* Each walk has a small box with a little map in which gives an overview of each walk with the route highlighted in yellow (be careful because now and again there will be a road which is coloured a slightly different shade of yellow which can be confusing if you're not careful!). With the map there is also a bit more info, including the start and finishing points of the walk.
* On the maps the are numbers which represent specific sights or buildings, etc. for the walk and these are explained and described quite in depth in the walk decription, along with various colour photos so you can identify the features and grasp and appreciate the history of each town/village/area.
* The maps also show camping sights, parking, etc which most maps do, just so you are more aware of your surroundings.

There are walks for everyone whether you are more into the countryside or picturesque citys or marinas. I can't wait to go camping again and using the book although the coast of Britian isn't covered 100%, it's a good start!

The only thing I will say it that I could do with it being a little bit smaller and wlaker-user friendly only because I WILL be taking it around with me and I think it may get ruined as I'm rambling through one of it's walks, probably reading it as I go just to make sure I don't miss anything!

As I said I bought it for something to do when I am holidaying within Britain so as a novice I think it is great. If you are a more accomplished walker then perhaps you'll need to go to a bookshop to flick through to make sure you don't already know the stuff in it.

Even so I would definately recomend it to anyone even slightly interested in this sort of thing because there is so much information but not too much to overwhelm you, it is very user friendly in its layout and the information in it and a real bargain (I am even more impressed I got it brand new for £5!) but I would be prepared to pay Amazons price also.

A great survival book, 18 Nov 2008
I have read several survival-outdoors guides but this is one is the best.
I particularly enjoyed the introduction and the first few chapters that explained the basics, ie fire and shelter .I almost makes want to try out in the local park.

There are very good illustrations and pictures and book is a nice size to make reading easy.

Most of the things described in the book can be tried with few materials and the explanations are simple to follow.

Overall a great guide ,well illustrated and easy to practice.

regard with a healthy dose of skepticism., 25 Jul 2008
I watched the first episode of Born Survivor on Channel 4, excited that a new survival expert had come along to go with Ray Mears.

... About half way through, I turned it off, and have never watched another of his shows again. He's a showman, not an educator, and he uses both a stunt team, and a team of survival experts to choreograph his programmes (what kind of survival programme needs choreography to appeal?). He insists on doing things the fast, dangerous way, and I saw (in only 25 minutes of run time) one occasion where he was flat out wrong- NEVER use your knife as a spear; it takes 10 seconds to simply sharpen a stick with it instead, and you don't risk your most important survival tool breaking on submerged rocks.

Since I am to assume that this is an indication of the contents of the book- it's the book of the programme, after all- I would spend my money more wisely; if, for some strange reason, you can only buy one survival manual, go with a book by a real ex-SAS man (not TA, as in bear's case, although he disguises the fact), Chris Ryan's Ultimate Survival Guide (not exactly ultimate, but very good all the same). Ideally, get a bushcraft book by Ray Mears or Ray Kochanski as well, who, incidentally, don't pretend to be alone in the wilderness whilst staying in a hotel. These will cover some aspects in slightly more detail than they can be in a book of Chris Ryans' scope.

I've just read the blurb at the top of the page- "fighting off grizzly bears"!? Don't be ridiculous.

The only reason I give this 2 stars is because it's likely to have at least some good information from his team of experts- certainly, I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt. Either way, it definitely won't find a home in my outdoors library. There are many far better publications out there.

The Bear Necessities, 05 Jan 2008
I got this as a christmas present and it is an excellent resource. interesting and well written this is a must for anyone with an interest in the outdoors or just for anyone who wants to know what to do if stranded in the harshest enviroments.

Enjoyable adventure tale, maybe a little lightweight, 28 Sep 2007
This book is the story of Bear Grylls' attempt to cross the arctic Atlantic ocean in an open inflatable beat. Bear leads a team of five on this challenge, and he tells the story of how the trip was organised and how close it came to disaster.

I've read Bear's tale of climbing Everest (Facing Up) which is, to be honest, the better book. Facing the Frozen Ocean was an enjoyable holiday read but it didn't grip me in the same way that the Everest adventure did. Partly, I suspect that's because Bear himself loses the impetus to continue these adventures part-way through the trip; there is one appalling leg of the journey where death was very, very close. An angry Atlantic is no place to be in an open boat -- running out of fuel and left helpless in 20-foot swells. Bear questions why he is involved in this kind of escapade when he could be at home with his young family... and that sense of disengagement is obvious to the reader.

However, you also learn all about prepping for an expedition like this, and get a vivid description of what it was like. Bear's writing (or editor!) improves in this book so the text flows more easily than in Facing Up.

Overall, it's a fast-paced adventure tale -- just not one to rank among the classics.

Facing the Frozen Ocean, 05 Sep 2005
This book was amazing. It left me speechless. I was hardly able to put the book down. I guarantee your feet will be itching and you will want to get out there and see and do the same things that the Bear and his crew did. I felt like I had had been a part of his journey, at times imagining what they must have gone through and the sheer determination that they all showed put a lump in my throat.

An excellent book, I would recommend it to anyone.

Too light to be gripping., 13 Aug 2004
This is a great adventure story for lovers of 'cold weather travel writing'. I love Everest and North/South Pole literature and this was great as something other than that. The pace is good and the author relays a lot of his feelings to the reader.
But.
After reading David Hempleman-Adams or Jon Krakauer I felt there was something missing in this narrative, there wasn't enough.
There wasn't enough information and there wasn't enough emotion.
The author gives over the odd paragraph for the other team members to have their say and I think this deflects from what could be a gripping narrative. For example they may be in the middle of a storm and suddenly the narrative will break - and so and so says -. I think it would have better if the author had relayed how he felt.

The information is adequate but compared to say The Kon-Tiki Expedition, where every little detail is given and therefore draws the reader right in, this is sparse and skeletal.

I hugely admire Bear Grylls and his team but the emphasis is on 'his team' which he points out every five minutes, he needs to remember that in situations like this a leader is in name only, one member is pretty useless without the other and I started to find it a little irritating after a while that he saw the need to point out that he was the leader on every page.

Overall it's a great story and I would recommend it. It will never be a travel classic but to be fair to the author he isn't a travel writer, he's an explorer with a story to tell and he does this well enough.

Facing the Frozen Ocean: One man's dream to lead a team acro, 24 Jun 2004
One of the best books l have ever read and inspired me to book Bear to tell his story at our last Sales Conference....needless to say he was as good as his book and l felt very humbled to be sat there listening to his story.

can't wait for publication, 03 Nov 2003
I followed this expedition in the press and cannot wait to hear what they felt when they were in those storms!
What a story.
Rod

Wainwrights TV walks, 28 Feb 2008
Great pictorial guide using Wainwrights original drawings for 18 walks. Taken from the BBC and Granada tv series. Accompanied by detailed but simple descriptions of what to expect during the walks. Good selection of fell walks from each direction of the Lake District.

A non-walker, 28 Sep 2006
This is an absolute must-have if you have any interest walking. Even if you have no interest in walking you can't fail to be taken in by the consistently detailed drawings and conversational prose. Each and every page contains the most beautiful pen drawn maps, views and very accurate drawings of the Lakeland fells themselves. Further, Wainwright takes the reader through each fell climb in his own handwriting which, startlingly, justifies to both margins with not a hyphenated word in sight - a feat in itself which I've not seen elsewhere. Perhaps I'm impressed because I'm a graphic designer but I really don't see how anyone could be disappointed with this fascinating book.

Excellent introduction to Wainwright, 07 Jan 2006
This is a charming (yet also practical) introduction to Wainwright's series of Lake District guides, being a very personal response by an obvious aficionado. Much of the book consists of excerpts from the works themselves, with Wainwright's maps and drawings; these are excellent in themselves, and well chosen - often, the selections are based on AW's own 'Top Fells' and 'Top Summits' (not necessarily the same). Davies contributes illuminating and perceptive introductions to the excerpts, highlighting what is so special about AW - the meticulousness, the jokes (even cartoons), the comprehensiveness. Although there have been changes to the Lake District since the books were originally written, the fells themselves are largely unchanged, and this remains a useful practical guide, if used with an up-to-date map. AW - for this reader, anyway - emerges from the book with reputation enhanced.

Well impressed!, 26 Sep 2008
I had the choice between this book and the readers digest equivalent. The Book People were at work so all I got was a quick look through and decided on this one pretty much just down to the fact this book had little maps which provided an overveiw of each walk - I have to have maps wherever I go because I will get lost otherwise.

I got back to my desk, had a look at reviews on Amazon for both books and was pleased when the Readers Digest one didnt seem to do too great but this was then blown away because this book had NO reveiws.. and to be honest I don't know why.

When I got home I had a good look through and I was very pleased this was my choice.. it is so well thought out. I'm not particularly into walking but I do go camping now and again and I bought it for ideas of what to do and where to go.

* The book provides a number of walks on the Coast of England Scotland and Wales, and also a couple of little isles.
* The 1st page gives an overview of the British Isles with each walk located by number and colour-coded to the difficulty of the walk.
* The walks are featured in the book in numbered order as you go clockwise round the map of Brtain so you dont have to go routing through the whole book to find a particular walk.
* Each walk is not only colour-coded for easy, meduim or hard, but it also tells you whether it has access for wheelchairs and/or pushchairs, and also tells you how long in miles each walk is.
* Each walk has a small box with a little map in which gives an overview of each walk with the route highlighted in yellow (be careful because now and again there will be a road which is coloured a slightly different shade of yellow which can be confusing if you're not careful!). With the map there is also a bit more info, including the start and finishing points of the walk.
* On the maps the are numbers which represent specific sights or buildings, etc. for the walk and these are explained and described quite in depth in the walk decription, along with various colour photos so you can identify the features and grasp and appreciate the history of each town/village/area.
* The maps also show camping sights, parking, etc which most maps do, just so you are more aware of your surroundings.

There are walks for everyone whether you are more into the countryside or picturesque citys or marinas. I can't wait to go camping again and using the book although the coast of Britian isn't covered 100%, it's a good start!

The only thing I will say it that I could do with it being a little bit smaller and wlaker-user friendly only because I WILL be taking it around with me and I think it may get ruined as I'm rambling through one of it's walks, probably reading it as I go just to make sure I don't miss anything!

As I said I bought it for something to do when I am holidaying within Britain so as a novice I think it is great. If you are a more accomplished walker then perhaps you'll need to go to a bookshop to flick through to make sure you don't already know the stuff in it.

Even so I would definately recomend it to anyone even slightly interested in this sort of thing because there is so much information but not too much to overwhelm you, it is very user friendly in its layout and the information in it and a real bargain (I am even more impressed I got it brand new for £5!) but I would be prepared to pay Amazons price also.

A great survival book, 18 Nov 2008
I have read several survival-outdoors guides but this is one is the best.
I particularly enjoyed the introduction and the first few chapters that explained the basics, ie fire and shelter .I almost makes want to try out in the local park.

There are very good illustrations and pictures and book is a nice size to make reading easy.

Most of the things described in the book can be tried with few materials and the explanations are simple to follow.

Overall a great guide ,well illustrated and easy to practice.

regard with a healthy dose of skepticism., 25 Jul 2008
I watched the first episode of Born Survivor on Channel 4, excited that a new survival expert had come along to go with Ray Mears.

... About half way through, I turned it off, and have never watched another of his shows again. He's a showman, not an educator, and he uses both a stunt team, and a team of survival experts to choreograph his programmes (what kind of survival programme needs choreography to appeal?). He insists on doing things the fast, dangerous way, and I saw (in only 25 minutes of run time) one occasion where he was flat out wrong- NEVER use your knife as a spear; it takes 10 seconds to simply sharpen a stick with it instead, and you don't risk your most important survival tool breaking on submerged rocks.

Since I am to assume that this is an indication of the contents of the book- it's the book of the programme, after all- I would spend my money more wisely; if, for some strange reason, you can only buy one survival manual, go with a book by a real ex-SAS man (not TA, as in bear's case, although he disguises the fact), Chris Ryan's Ultimate Survival Guide (not exactly ultimate, but very good all the same). Ideally, get a bushcraft book by Ray Mears or Ray Kochanski as well, who, incidentally, don't pretend to be alone in the wilderness whilst staying in a hotel. These will cover some aspects in slightly more detail than they can be in a book of Chris Ryans' scope.

I've just read the blurb at the top of the page- "fighting off grizzly bears"!? Don't be ridiculous.

The only reason I give this 2 stars is because it's likely to have at least some good information from his team of experts- certainly, I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt. Either way, it definitely won't find a home in my outdoors library. There are many far better publications out there.

The Bear Necessities, 05 Jan 2008
I got this as a christmas present and it is an excellent resource. interesting and well written this is a must for anyone with an interest in the outdoors or just for anyone who wants to know what to do if stranded in the harshest enviroments.

Enjoyable adventure tale, maybe a little lightweight, 28 Sep 2007
This book is the story of Bear Grylls' attempt to cross the arctic Atlantic ocean in an open inflatable beat. Bear leads a team of five on this challenge, and he tells the story of how the trip was organised and how close it came to disaster.

I've read Bear's tale of climbing Everest (Facing Up) which is, to be honest, the better book. Facing the Frozen Ocean was an enjoyable holiday read but it didn't grip me in the same way that the Everest adventure did. Partly, I suspect that's because Bear himself loses the impetus to continue these adventures part-way through the trip; there is one appalling leg of the journey where death was very, very close. An angry Atlantic is no place to be in an open boat -- running out of fuel and left helpless in 20-foot swells. Bear questions why he is involved in this kind of escapade when he could be at home with his young family... and that sense of disengagement is obvious to the reader.

However, you also learn all about prepping for an expedition like this, and get a vivid description of what it was like. Bear's writing (or editor!) improves in this book so the text flows more easily than in Facing Up.

Overall, it's a fast-paced adventure tale -- just not one to rank among the classics.

Facing the Frozen Ocean, 05 Sep 2005
This book was amazing. It left me speechless. I was hardly able to put the book down. I guarantee your feet will be itching and you will want to get out there and see and do the same things that the Bear and his crew did. I felt like I had had been a part of his journey, at times imagining what they must have gone through and the sheer determination that they all showed put a lump in my throat.

An excellent book, I would recommend it to anyone.

Too light to be gripping., 13 Aug 2004
This is a great adventure story for lovers of 'cold weather travel writing'. I love Everest and North/South Pole literature and this was great as something other than that. The pace is good and the author relays a lot of his feelings to the reader.
But.
After reading David Hempleman-Adams or Jon Krakauer I felt there was something missing in this narrative, there wasn't enough.
There wasn't enough information and there wasn't enough emotion.
The author gives over the odd paragraph for the other team members to have their say and I think this deflects from what could be a gripping narrative. For example they may be in the middle of a storm and suddenly the narrative will break - and so and so says -. I think it would have better if the author had relayed how he felt.

The information is adequate but compared to say The Kon-Tiki Expedition, where every little detail is given and therefore draws the reader right in, this is sparse and skeletal.

I hugely admire Bear Grylls and his team but the emphasis is on 'his team' which he points out every five minutes, he needs to remember that in situations like this a leader is in name only, one member is pretty useless without the other and I started to find it a little irritating after a while that he saw the need to point out that he was the leader on every page.

Overall it's a great story and I would recommend it. It will never be a travel classic but to be fair to the author he isn't a travel writer, he's an explorer with a story to tell and he does this well enough.

Facing the Frozen Ocean: One man's dream to lead a team acro, 24 Jun 2004
One of the best books l have ever read and inspired me to book Bear to tell his story at our last Sales Conference....needless to say he was as good as his book and l felt very humbled to be sat there listening to his story.

can't wait for publication, 03 Nov 2003
I followed this expedition in the press and cannot wait to hear what they felt when they were in those storms!
What a story.
Rod

Wainwrights TV walks, 28 Feb 2008
Great pictorial guide using Wainwrights original drawings for 18 walks. Taken from the BBC and Granada tv series. Accompanied by detailed but simple descriptions of what to expect during the walks. Good selection of fell walks from each direction of the Lake District.

A non-walker, 28 Sep 2006
This is an absolute must-have if you have any interest walking. Even if you have no interest in walking you can't fail to be taken in by the consistently detailed drawings and conversational prose. Each and every page contains the most beautiful pen drawn maps, views and very accurate drawings of the Lakeland fells themselves. Further, Wainwright takes the reader through each fell climb in his own handwriting which, startlingly, justifies to both margins with not a hyphenated word in sight - a feat in itself which I've not seen elsewhere. Perhaps I'm impressed because I'm a graphic designer but I really don't see how anyone could be disappointed with this fascinating book.

Excellent introduction to Wainwright, 07 Jan 2006
This is a charming (yet also practical) introduction to Wainwright's series of Lake District guides, being a very personal response by an obvious aficionado. Much of the book consists of excerpts from the works themselves, with Wainwright's maps and drawings; these are excellent in themselves, and well chosen - often, the selections are based on AW's own 'Top Fells' and 'Top Summits' (not necessarily the same). Davies contributes illuminating and perceptive introductions to the excerpts, highlighting what is so special about AW - the meticulousness, the jokes (even cartoons), the comprehensiveness. Although there have been changes to the Lake District since the books were originally written, the fells themselves are largely unchanged, and this remains a useful practical guide, if used with an up-to-date map. AW - for this reader, anyway - emerges from the book with reputation enhanced.

Learning to breathe - FANTASTIC!, 18 Aug 2008
My mother-in-law recommended this book and I was a bit sceptical. However it is absolutely brilliant! I laughed & cried. A really honest account. I couldn't put the book down. I hope one day I'm lucky enough to meet the guy because he seems like a top chap. I climb a little bit myself although nothing like Andy Cave's level. It reassuring to see that in his early years he was just as scared on Stanage as I am today - so maybe there is hope for me.

From pits to peaks, 01 Aug 2008
As a rock-climber Andy Cave plays in the premier league, and as a mountaineer he has performed on some of the most exacting of Alpine and Himalayan routes. His book will be welcomed by those wishing to read of cutting edge exploits, but it does more than recount experiences and record achievements. He has a passion for striving higher, yet at age sixteen years it was downwards to the coal face that he followed the footsteps of his father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Adopting a forthright approach Andy Cave provides a parallel portrayal of his early life with limited prospects, but an expanding future when he quit his job as a miner to devote himself to mountain activities and to pursue his education.

At weekends Andy Cave escaped the pit, first to nearby rock outcrops, then further afield to the greater mountain ranges. `Learning to Breathe' traces the evolution of a skinny youth, attracting the nickname `Rickets', into one of Britain's foremost climber-mountaineers, and it does so in four main sections. The first `Dust' covers from schooldays, into the mining industry, and out into the light. Along with many anecdotes the second section describes some magnificent routes including Divine Providence on Mont Blanc and Gasherbrum IV in the Himalaya, laced with comment on companions' relationships ranging from `scab' miner enemies to instructor or guide friends. A major section `Space' details his epic on Changabang in 1997. The final section `Ash' pulls together the hardships and tragedies of coal mining and mountain climbing with a single chapter headed `The Cost'.

What may be viewed as a high point on the North Face of Changabang was also a lifetime low with disaster whilst descending the South Face. Andy Cave treats the expedition with the same thoughtfulness as for sensitive family issues, and the same clear insight as for horrific features of the mining industry, and the same openness when revealing outrageous and gripping episodes in the mountains; all told with integrity whether describing disagreements with fellow miners or explaining unfair feelings towards climbing partners.

From family ties, feelings of guilt, and broken friendships in the pits there are honest comparisons with the fears he exposes in his climbing. It is this intertwining of contrasting worlds that gives `Learning to Breathe' a different if not unique twist, and the non-mountaineering element strengthens what is essentially a mountaineer's autobiography. After Changabang Andy Cave returned to his mining background to research into language variety and identity among former miners. His PhD in socio-linguistics has paid off with a keen ear for dialogue and an ability to share and reflect on delight and distress in his life, but it is obvious that Andy Cave has always been and continues as a natural raconteur. With enthusiasm and humour he pitches his tales in an attractive self-effacing style that is easy to read and completely engaging.

There is nothing dewy-eyed about `Learning to Breathe' and any fears may be dispelled with regard to fashioning of Andy Cave and mountaineering as a sentimental story like Billy Elliot and ballet. However the book encompasses a dramatic transformation, and perhaps the publisher's dust wrapper statement says it all: "From the depths of the pit to the roof of the world - an extraordinary odyssey".


An excellent book from an excellent mountaineer, 04 Dec 2007
Andy Cave has been one of Britains leading mountaineers for quite a while. I have been waiting for a book to be released on his life (and achievements). This book does not disappoint. It's well written - being easy to read and containing enough facts to keep you interested all the way through. Would recommend.

Outstanding, 25 Mar 2006
Having tried to read several mountaineering books, by experienced mountaineers, I have realised that there understanding of what makes a good read, is not the same as their undoubted mountaineering talent, there are sometimes, too many references which detract from the story.
Having read, and enjoyed all of Joe Simpsons excellent books, I spotted Andy Caves book. I was as much drawn to his background, as I live only 15 miles from where he was raised, as I was by his exploits. Andys writing talent is superb. I was unable to put the book down, and look forward in hope to reading more of his work, either fiction or non-fiction. Well recommended even if you have no interest in mountaineering or climbing.

Excellent, 31 Dec 2005
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which is definitely one of the best I've read in 2005. Andy has a very keen ear for dialogue and tells his stories extremely well. I hope that this is not the last book he writes.

I am slightly surprised that the book has not had a higher profile. Perhaps there is too much coal-mining for the mountaineers and too much mountaineering for those interested in coal mining?

Well impressed!, 26 Sep 2008
I had the choice between this book and the readers digest equivalent. The Book People were at work so all I got was a quick look through and decided on this one pretty much just down to the fact this book had little maps which provided an overveiw of each walk - I have to have maps wherever I go because I will get lost otherwise.

I got back to my desk, had a look at reviews on Amazon for both books and was pleased when the Readers Digest one didnt seem to do too great but this was then blown away because this book had NO reveiws.. and to be honest I don't know why.

When I got home I had a good look through and I was very pleased this was my choice.. it is so well thought out. I'm not particularly into walking but I do go camping now and again and I bought it for ideas of what to do and where to go.

* The book provides a number of walks on the Coast of England Scotland and Wales, and also a couple of little isles.
* The 1st page gives an overview of the British Isles with each walk located by number and colour-coded to the difficulty of the walk.
* The walks are featured in the book in numbered order as you go clockwise round the map of Brtain so you dont have to go routing through the whole book to find a particular walk.
* Each walk is not only colour-coded for easy, meduim or hard, but it also tells you whether it has access for wheelchairs and/or pushchairs, and also tells you how long in miles each walk is.
* Each walk has a small box with a little map in which gives an overview of each walk with the route highlighted in yellow (be careful because now and again there will be a road which is coloured a slightly different shade of yellow which can be confusing if you're not careful!). With the map there is also a bit more info, including the start and finishing points of the walk.
* On the maps the are numbers which represent specific sights or buildings, etc. for the walk and these are explained and described quite in depth in the walk decription, along with various colour photos so you can identify the features and grasp and appreciate the history of each town/village/area.
* The maps also show camping sights, parking, etc which most maps do, just so you are more aware of your surroundings.

There are walks for everyone whether you are more into the countryside or picturesque citys or marinas. I can't wait to go camping again and using the book although the coast of Britian isn't covered 100%, it's a good start!

The only thing I will say it that I could do with it being a little bit smaller and wlaker-user friendly only because I WILL be taking it around with me and I think it may get ruined as I'm rambling through one of it's walks, probably reading it as I go just to make sure I don't miss anything!

As I said I bought it for something to do when I am holidaying within Britain so as a novice I think it is great. If you are a more accomplished walker then perhaps you'll need to go to a bookshop to flick through to make sure you don't already know the stuff in it.

Even so I would definately recomend it to anyone even slightly interested in this sort of thing because there is so much information but not too much to overwhelm you, it is very user friendly in its layout and the information in it and a real bargain (I am even more impressed I got it brand new for £5!) but I would be prepared to pay Amazons price also.

A great survival book, 18 Nov 2008
I have read several survival-outdoors guides but this is one is the best.
I particularly enjoyed the introduction and the first few chapters that explained the basics, ie fire and shelter .I almost makes want to try out in the local park.

There are very good illustrations and pictures and book is a nice size to make reading easy.

Most of the things described in the book can be tried with few materials and the explanations are simple to follow.

Overall a great guide ,well illustrated and easy to practice.

regard with a healthy dose of skepticism., 25 Jul 2008
I watched the first episode of Born Survivor on Channel 4, excited that a new survival expert had come along to go with Ray Mears.

... About half way through, I turned it off, and have never watched another of his shows again. He's a showman, not an educator, and he uses both a stunt team, and a team of survival experts to choreograph his programmes (what kind of survival programme needs choreography to appeal?). He insists on doing things the fast, dangerous way, and I saw (in only 25 minutes of run time) one occasion where he was flat out wrong- NEVER use your knife as a spear; it takes 10 seconds to simply sharpen a stick with it instead, and you don't risk your most important survival tool breaking on submerged rocks.

Since I am to assume that this is an indication of the contents of the book- it's the book of the programme, after all- I would spend my money more wisely; if, for some strange reason, you can only buy one survival manual, go with a book by a real ex-SAS man (not TA, as in bear's case, although he disguises the fact), Chris Ryan's Ultimate Survival Guide (not exactly ultimate, but very good all the same). Ideally, get a bushcraft book by Ray Mears or Ray Kochanski as well, who, incidentally, don't pretend to be alone in the wilderness whilst staying in a hotel. These will cover some aspects in slightly more detail than they can be in a book of Chris Ryans' scope.

I've just read the blurb at the top of the page- "fighting off grizzly bears"!? Don't be ridiculous.

The only reason I give this 2 stars is because it's likely to have at least some good information from his team of experts- certainly, I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt. Either way, it definitely won't find a home in my outdoors library. There are many far better publications out there.

The Bear Necessities, 05 Jan 2008
I got this as a christmas present and it is an excellent resource. interesting and well written this is a must for anyone with an interest in the outdoors or just for anyone who wants to know what to do if stranded in the harshest enviroments.

Enjoyable adventure tale, maybe a little lightweight, 28 Sep 2007
This book is the story of Bear Grylls' attempt to cross the arctic Atlantic ocean in an open inflatable beat. Bear leads a team of five on this challenge, and he tells the story of how the trip was organised and how close it came to disaster.

I've read Bear's tale of climbing Everest (Facing Up) which is, to be honest, the better book. Facing the Frozen Ocean was an enjoyable holiday read but it didn't grip me in the same way that the Everest adventure did. Partly, I suspect that's because Bear himself loses the impetus to continue these adventures part-way through the trip; there is one appalling leg of the journey where death was very, very close. An angry Atlantic is no place to be in an open boat -- running out of fuel and left helpless in 20-foot swells. Bear questions why he is involved in this kind of escapade when he could be at home with his young family... and that sense of disengagement is obvious to the reader.

However, you also learn all about prepping for an expedition like this, and get a vivid description of what it was like. Bear's writing (or editor!) improves in this book so the text flows more easily than in Facing Up.

Overall, it's a fast-paced adventure tale -- just not one to rank among the classics.

Facing the Frozen Ocean, 05 Sep 2005
This book was amazing. It left me speechless. I was hardly able to put the book down. I guarantee your feet will be itching and you will want to get out there and see and do the same things that the Bear and his crew did. I felt like I had had been a part of his journey, at times imagining what they must have gone through and the sheer determination that they all showed put a lump in my throat.

An excellent book, I would recommend it to anyone.

Too light to be gripping., 13 Aug 2004
This is a great adventure story for lovers of 'cold weather travel writing'. I love Everest and North/South Pole literature and this was great as something other than that. The pace is good and the author relays a lot of his feelings to the reader.
But.
After reading David Hempleman-Adams or Jon Krakauer I felt there was something missing in this narrative, there wasn't enough.
There wasn't enough information and there wasn't enough emotion.
The author gives over the odd paragraph for the other team members to have their say and I think this deflects from what could be a gripping narrative. For example they may be in the middle of a storm and suddenly the narrative will break - and so and so says -. I think it would have better if the author had relayed how he felt.

The information is adequate but compared to say The Kon-Tiki Expedition, where every little detail is given and therefore draws the reader right in, this is sparse and skeletal.

I hugely admire Bear Grylls and his team but the emphasis is on 'his team' which he points out every five minutes, he needs to remember that in situations like this a leader is in name only, one member is pretty useless without the other and I started to find it a little irritating after a while that he saw the need to point out that he was the leader on every page.

Overall it's a great story and I would recommend it. It will never be a travel classic but to be fair to the author he isn't a travel writer, he's an explorer with a story to tell and he does this well enough.

Facing the Frozen Ocean: One man's dream to lead a team acro, 24 Jun 2004
One of the best books l have ever read and inspired me to book Bear to tell his story at our last Sales Conference....needless to say he was as good as his book and l felt very humbled to be sat there listening to his story.

can't wait for publication, 03 Nov 2003
I followed this expedition in the press and cannot wait to hear what they felt when they were in those storms!
What a story.
Rod

Wainwrights TV walks, 28 Feb 2008
Great pictorial guide using Wainwrights original drawings for 18 walks. Taken from the BBC and Granada tv series. Accompanied by detailed but simple descriptions of what to expect during the walks. Good selection of fell walks from each direction of the Lake District.

A non-walker, 28 Sep 2006
This is an absolute must-have if you have any interest walking. Even if you have no interest in walking you can't fail to be taken in by the consistently detailed drawings and conversational prose. Each and every page contains the most beautiful pen drawn maps, views and very accurate drawings of the Lakeland fells themselves. Further, Wainwright takes the reader through each fell climb in his own handwriting which, startlingly, justifies to both margins with not a hyphenated word in sight - a feat in itself which I've not seen elsewhere. Perhaps I'm impressed because I'm a graphic designer but I really don't see how anyone could be disappointed with this fascinating book.

Excellent introduction to Wainwright, 07 Jan 2006
This is a charming (yet also practical) introduction to Wainwright's series of Lake District guides, being a very personal response by an obvious aficionado. Much of the book consists of excerpts from the works themselves, with Wainwright's maps and drawings; these are excellent in themselves, and well chosen - often, the selections are based on AW's own 'Top Fells' and 'Top Summits' (not necessarily the same). Davies contributes illuminating and perceptive introductions to the excerpts, highlighting what is so special about AW - the meticulousness, the jokes (even cartoons), the comprehensiveness. Although there have been changes to the Lake District since the books were originally written, the fells themselves are largely unchanged, and this remains a useful practical guide, if used with an up-to-date map. AW - for this reader, anyway - emerges from the book with reputation enhanced.

Learning to breathe - FANTASTIC!, 18 Aug 2008
My mother-in-law recommended this book and I was a bit sceptical. However it is absolutely brilliant! I laughed & cried. A really honest account. I couldn't put the book down. I hope one day I'm lucky enough to meet the guy because he seems like a top chap. I climb a little bit myself although nothing like Andy Cave's level. It reassuring to see that in his early years he was just as scared on Stanage as I am today - so maybe there is hope for me.

From pits to peaks, 01 Aug 2008
As a rock-climber Andy Cave plays in the premier league, and as a mountaineer he has performed on some of the most exacting of Alpine and Himalayan routes. His book will be welcomed by those wishing to read of cutting edge exploits, but it does more than recount experiences and record achievements. He has a passion for striving higher, yet at age sixteen years it was downwards to the coal face that he followed the footsteps of his father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Adopting a forthright approach Andy Cave provides a parallel portrayal of his early life with limited prospects, but an expanding future when he quit his job as a miner to devote himself to mountain activities and to pursue his education.

At weekends Andy Cave escaped the pit, first to nearby rock outcrops, then further afield to the greater mountain ranges. `Learning to Breathe' traces the evolution of a skinny youth, attracting the nickname `Rickets', into one of Britain's foremost climber-mountaineers, and it does so in four main sections. The first `Dust' covers from schooldays, into the mining industry, and out into the light. Along with many anecdotes the second section describes some magnificent routes including Divine Providence on Mont Blanc and Gasherbrum IV in the Himalaya, laced with comment on companions' relationships ranging from `scab' miner enemies to instructor or guide friends. A major section `Space' details his epic on Changabang in 1997. The final section `Ash' pulls together the hardships and tragedies of coal mining and mountain climbing with a single chapter headed `The Cost'.

What may be viewed as a high point on the North Face of Changabang was also a lifetime low with disaster whilst descending the South Face. Andy Cave treats the expedition with the same thoughtfulness as for sensitive family issues, and the same clear insight as for horrific features of the mining industry, and the same openness when revealing outrageous and gripping episodes in the mountains; all told with integrity whether describing disagreements with fellow miners or explaining unfair feelings towards climbing partners.

From family ties, feelings of guilt, and broken friendships in the pits there are honest comparisons with the fears he exposes in his climbing. It is this intertwining of contrasting worlds that gives `Learning to Breathe' a different if not unique twist, and the non-mountaineering element strengthens what is essentially a mountaineer's autobiography. After Changabang Andy Cave returned to his mining background to research into language variety and identity among former miners. His PhD in socio-linguistics has paid off with a keen ear for dialogue and an ability to share and reflect on delight and distress in his life, but it is obvious that Andy Cave has always been and continues as a natural raconteur. With enthusiasm and humour he pitches his tales in an attractive self-effacing style that is easy to read and completely engaging.

There is nothing dewy-eyed about `Learning to Breathe' and any fears may be dispelled with regard to fashioning of Andy Cave and mountaineering as a sentimental story like Billy Elliot and ballet. However the book encompasses a dramatic transformation, and perhaps the publisher's dust wrapper statement says it all: "From the depths of the pit to the roof of the world - an extraordinary odyssey".


An excellent book from an excellent mountaineer, 04 Dec 2007
Andy Cave has been one of Britains leading mountaineers for quite a while. I have been waiting for a book to be released on his life (and achievements). This book does not disappoint. It's well written - being easy to read and containing enough facts to keep you interested all the way through. Would recommend.

Outstanding, 25 Mar 2006
Having tried to read several mountaineering books, by experienced mountaineers, I have realised that there understanding of what makes a good read, is not the same as their undoubted mountaineering talent, there are sometimes, too many references which detract from the story.
Having read, and enjoyed all of Joe Simpsons excellent books, I spotted Andy Caves book. I was as much drawn to his background, as I live only 15 miles from where he was raised, as I was by his exploits. Andys writing talent is superb. I was unable to put the book down, and look forward in hope to reading more of his work, either fiction or non-fiction. Well recommended even if you have no interest in mountaineering or climbing.

Excellent, 31 Dec 2005
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which is definitely one of the best I've read in 2005. Andy has a very keen ear for dialogue and tells his stories extremely well. I hope that this is not the last book he writes.

I am slightly surprised that the book has not had a higher profile. Perhaps there is too much coal-mining for the mountaineers and too much mountaineering for those interested in coal mining?

Excellent Mountain Skills Book, 04 Mar 2008
This is just the book to have if you are into hillwalking in the UK hills. The good old Langmuir book was just a little too long winded and complex and never managed to get anything out of.

However the Mountain Leader book or the green book has been my bible when preparing for my Mountain Leader. Whenever I forgot something from my training I just pulled this book out from my shelf and looked it up.

I advise anyone interested in hillwalking to consider buying the Mountain Leader Handbook.

At last a replacement to Eric Langmuir's "Mountain Leadershi, 10 Mar 2003
At last a replacement to Eric Langmuir's "Mountain Leadership. Any one who uses the mountains in the UK or leads groups in the mountains needs to have read this book. It tailors very neatly with the Mountain Leaders Award syllabus, making it vital to any one doing there Mountain Leaders Award, BELA or WGA.

It does not assume you’re a mountaineering guru nor is it to basic and patronising.

All mountain users should be equipped with the knowledge to minimise perceived and real risk as well as deal with the resulting problems of travelling in a mountainous environment, and this book contains all the basic information you will need. It is easily and clearly explained in simpler format than previous books and the navigation rivals Peter Cliffes “Mountain Navigation”, for its ease of understanding.

If you use the UK mountains; use this book.

Well impressed!, 26 Sep 2008
I had the choice between this book and the readers digest equivalent. The Book People were at work so all I got was a quick look through and decided on this one pretty much just down to the fact this book had little maps which provided an overveiw of each walk - I have to have maps wherever I go because I will get lost otherwise.

I got back to my desk, had a look at reviews on Amazon for both books and was pleased when the Readers Digest one didnt seem to do too great but this was then blown away because this book had NO reveiws.. and to be honest I don't know why.

When I got home I had a good look through and I was very pleased this was my choice.. it is so well thought out. I'm not particularly into walking but I do go camping now and again and I bought it for ideas of what to do and where to go.

* The book provides a number of walks on the Coast of England Scotland and Wales, and also a couple of little isles.
* The 1st page gives an overview of the British Isles with each walk located by number and colour-coded to the difficulty of the walk.
* The walks are featured in the book in numbered order as you go clockwise round the map of Brtain so you dont have to go routing through the whole book to find a particular walk.
* Each walk is not only colour-coded for easy, meduim or hard, but it also tells you whether it has access for wheelchairs and/or pushchairs, and also tells you how long in miles each walk is.
* Each walk has a small box with a little map in which gives an overview of each walk with the route highlighted in yellow (be careful because now and again there will be a road which is coloured a slightly different shade of yellow which can be confusing if you're not careful!). With the map there is also a bit more info, including the start and finishing points of the walk.
* On the maps the are numbers which represent specific sights or buildings, etc. for the walk and these are explained and described quite in depth in the walk decription, along with various colour photos so you can identify the features and grasp and appreciate the history of each town/village/area.
* The maps also show camping sights, parking, etc which most maps do, just so you are more aware of your surroundings.

There are walks for everyone whether you are more into the countryside or picturesque citys or marinas. I can't wait to go camping again and using the book although the coast of Britian isn't covered 100%, it's a good start!

The only thing I will say it that I could do with it being a little bit smaller and wlaker-user friendly only because I WILL be taking it around with me and I think it may get ruined as I'm rambling through one of it's walks, probably reading it as I go just to make sure I don't miss anything!

As I said I bought it for something to do when I am holidaying within Britain so as a novice I think it is great. If you are a more accomplished walker then perhaps you'll need to go to a bookshop to flick through to make sure you don't already know the stuff in it.

Even so I would definately recomend it to anyone even slightly interested in this sort of thing because there is so much information but not too much to overwhelm you, it is very user friendly in its layout and the information in it and a real bargain (I am even more impressed I got it brand new for £5!) but I would be prepared to pay Amazons price also.

A great survival book, 18 Nov 2008
I have read several survival-outdoors guides but this is one is the best.
I particularly enjoyed the introduction and the first few chapters that explained the basics, ie fire and shelter .I almost makes want to try out in the local park.

There are very good illustrations and pictures and book is a nice size to make reading easy.

Most of the things described in the book can be tried with few materials and the explanations are simple to follow.

Overall a great guide ,well illustrated and easy to practice.

regard with a healthy dose of skepticism., 25 Jul 2008
I watched the first episode of Born Survivor on Channel 4, excited that a new survival expert had come along to go with Ray Mears.

... About half way through, I turned it off, and have never watched another of his shows again. He's a showman, not an educator, and he uses both a stunt team, and a team of survival experts to choreograph his programmes (what kind of survival programme needs choreography to appeal?). He insists on doing things the fast, dangerous way, and I saw (in only 25 minutes of run time) one occasion where he was flat out wrong- NEVER use your knife as a spear; it takes 10 seconds to simply sharpen a stick with it instead, and you don't risk your most important survival tool breaking on submerged rocks.

Since I am to assume that this is an indication of the contents of the book- it's the book of the programme, after all- I would spend my money more wisely; if, for some strange reason, you can only buy one survival manual, go with a book by a real ex-SAS man (not TA, as in bear's case, although he disguises the fact), Chris Ryan's Ultimate Survival Guide (not exactly ultimate, but very good all the same). Ideally, get a bushcraft book by Ray Mears or Ray Kochanski as well, who, incidentally, don't pretend to be alone in the wilderness whilst staying in a hotel. These will cover some aspects in slightly more detail than they can be in a book of Chris Ryans' scope.

I've just read the blurb at the top of the page- "fighting off grizzly bears"!? Don't be ridiculous.

The only reason I give this 2 stars is because it's likely to have at least some good information from his team of experts- certainly, I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt. Either way, it definitely won't find a home in my outdoors library. There are many far better publications out there.

The Bear Necessities, 05 Jan 2008
I got this as a christmas present and it is an excellent resource. interesting and well written this is a must for anyone with an interest in the outdoors or just for anyone who wants to know what to do if stranded in the harshest enviroments.

Enjoyable adventure tale, maybe a little lightweight, 28 Sep 2007