book review :: Mad, Bad & Dangerous To Know
I first heard about the author of this autobiography when he made a guest appearance on Top Gear.  Listening to the few brief stories he told while on the show, I was fascinated to know more.  After a bit of research, I found out of the many books he has written, that this particular book was more of a story about his whole life, rather than snippets of various adventures.  Ran Fiennes has completed many polar expeditions during his 63 years, attempted Mt Everest, and climbed the Eilier North Face.  But my favourite part of this book, was when he completed 7 marathons in 7 days, on 7 different continents.  Due to time zones, he actually completed them in 6 days, but the 7x7x7 is a little more poetic.  The other part of his life story that I enjoyed was his overpowering love for his first wife Ginny.  This poor woman put up with a lot, being married to a man who made a living through expeditions, but managed to forge a career of her own, creating and running one of England's first organic Angus beef farms, almost single-handed.

At times, this book can be a little heavy going.  Ranulph's recount of the various polar experiences can be a little tech-heavy.  But in the end, this is an amazing account of the life of an amazing man.

One thing that I will take from it is a particular passage, actually written by his mate on the 7x7x7 marathons, Mike Stroud:
When, following our success, many experts in both the USA and Britain, expressed disbelief at what we had achieved, they did not realise that they could have done it too.  The difference is only one of perception.  Whereas most people look at very big challenges, whatever the field or their walk of life, and start from the position "I can't", Ran and I make a simple word substitution and say "Why can't I?"  "I can't run seven marathons" easily transforms into the question, "Why can't I run seven marathons?"  Once it was asked, we felt obliged to find the answer.

Rating :: 2.5 out of 5 stars
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