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Mud, Sweat and Tears

Bear Grylls

4.15 · Rating details · 8,749 ratings · 777 reviews

Bear Grylls is a man who has always loved adventure. After leaving school, he spent months hiking in the Himalayas as he considered joining the Indian Army. Upon his return to England after a change of heart, he passed SAS selection and served with 21 SAS for three years. During this time, he broke his back in several places in a free-fall parachuting accident and it was ...more

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Hardcover, 352 pages

Published May 26th 2011 by Transworld Publishers Ltd (first published 2011)

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Apr 13, 2015 John Wiltshire rated it it was amazing

I was in a library yesterday and that face glared at me from a book stand. I couldn't resist. I'm already halfway through this and it's a cracking read. Bear isn't a gifted writer by any means, but his very honest, simple prose suits the story being told. I already knew a bit about Bear, as the army is a fairly tight-knit organisation. I knew he'd been to Eton, that he was in the SAS(R) and that he was a committed Christian, and of course I've watched most of his shows. But what's been I was in a library yesterday and that face glared at me from a book stand. I couldn't resist. I'm already halfway through this and it's a cracking read. Bear isn't a gifted writer by any means, but his very honest, simple prose suits the story being told. I already knew a bit about Bear, as the army is a fairly tight-knit organisation. I knew he'd been to Eton, that he was in the SAS(R) and that he was a committed Christian, and of course I've watched most of his shows. But what's been fascinating about this book is that the Bear you want to exist..a very humble, very fun guy who never boasts about anything in his life but has an unbelievable inner core strength, actually exists. What you see is what you get. I loved the early parts in this book about Bear's great-grandfather, a writer who--along with Kipling--pretty much defined what is it to be a gentleman, a man. I'll update when I've finished but so far I'd class this as mandatory reading for all men.
Finished.
I feel the need to read a biography of Bear now, if one exists. This guy is so incredibly modest that you don't actually get the full impact of his life and achievements until you close the last page, then you open it again and go...WTF? On top of being in the SAS(R), climbing Everest, Bear glosses quickly over crossing the frozen North Atlantic Arctic Ocean, going through training for the Legion, a global audience for his shows of 1.2 billion, writing 11 books (two best sellers), launching a global business, becoming a Lt Cdr in the RN, leading expeditions to the Antarctic, raising millions of pounds for charity and becoming the Chief Scout.
Bear...kudos, man.
I defy anyone to read this autobiography and not come away inspired to be just a slightly better man. No, I can't go back and pass SAS selection. I can't climb Everest. The Arctic is out. Similarly the southern cold place. Best-selling books...still working on that one. But I don't feel defeated at all by these inadequacies after reading this book. Bear's just that kind of guy.
Compulsory read. ...more

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Jan 27, 2012 Linda rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, non-fiction, biography, british-literature

Bear Grylls, the famous adventurer, will never cease to impress. My expectations, which were very high, were fulfilled and exceeded far beyond any limit.

The most humble, modest man doesn't seem at all changed from his new role as a celebrity. He tends to shun away from any kind of publicity and declined the offer to be the main star of "Man vs Wild" three times, before finally accepting to shoot a pilot, something he hasn't regretted, I'm sure. The thing with people like Bear is that you really Bear Grylls, the famous adventurer, will never cease to impress. My expectations, which were very high, were fulfilled and exceeded far beyond any limit.

The most humble, modest man doesn't seem at all changed from his new role as a celebrity. He tends to shun away from any kind of publicity and declined the offer to be the main star of "Man vs Wild" three times, before finally accepting to shoot a pilot, something he hasn't regretted, I'm sure. The thing with people like Bear is that you really get to know him during reading because he opens up totally.
The most important thing is that he is honest. He tells the reader everything, not only the good, innocent parts.

This book is funny, sad and thrilling:

It's funny because he seems such a mischevious, smiling guy that always stands up for his friends and family. Hence, he has got many friends. Not a single time in the entire book has he written something negative about someone. He sees the good in people, and emphasizes it. For that matter, he might not agree with everyone. He has a strong self-respect and never diverge from his morals and values in life.

It's sad because he has lost people he loves and he honours them beautifully. The kind of life he has chosen has small marginals, a balance between life and death. He cried on at least ten places in the book, either from grief or from the risk of never seeing his family again.

It's tremendously thrilling. His training and the SAS selection was exciting, since it's often considered so secretive. (He didn't reveal anything he shouldn't, and left out the details I had so looked forward to read. But he had to run it by the SAS for approval, and it couldn't involve anything confidential.) What a horrifying experience, people have died of plain exhaustion, trying to get in!

I couldn't stop reading when the nutcase decided to climb Mount Everest only months after breaking his back in three places in a parachute accident. I mean, come on! Enough is enough!

His constant expeditions seem to serve as encouragement, fuel, to his ever present love for challenges. And at the end of every adventure, he acknowledges the lessons needed to be learned and wisely reinforces his knowledge.

This is a great inspiration! Grylls is proof that you can achieve anything with perseverance and a strong mind. The sky has no limit. ...more

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Jun 12, 2012 Steve rated it liked it

At first, it came across as being poorly written technically. But as the book wore on, I realized that he intended the book to come across as if he were speaking to an audience, not writing a book. Once I recognized his style, I appreciated the book for what it was and thoroughly liked it. Plenty of stories which add color to Bear and what made him who he is today. His values come through strongly. Amazing to think of what he accomplished. I wish he gave more details on his SAS qualification but ...more

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Mar 20, 2015 Lucinda rated it it was amazing

Shelves: inspirational

Life’s journey and path isn’t always easy.
It is that inner strength shining within the most unremarkable people that never fails to amaze. Bear Grylls’ candid autobiography exposes the man behind the celebrity façade; a man of immeasurable heart and soul.
He is not perfect, flawless or fearless nor is he ‘taken in’ (like so many have been) by status and wealth. His Christian faith is what keeps him humbly grounded, alongside his perspective on life that’s ultimately broadened his horizons. I am ...more

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Sep 03, 2011 Gillian rated it it was amazing

Shelves: autobiography, biography

This book is amazing. I picked it up from the library because I assumed that an autobiography of Bear would be pretty easy holiday reading. I was right, in so far as I whipped through this book in three days of reading on planes and before bed, but it's not a particularly light and fluffy book. I was amazed at the physicality of the things that Bear has done, but I was also shocked by how self-reflective and well spoken Bear Grylls is. This book is not a piece of high literary style, but it's ...more

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Sep 27, 2017 Umut Rados rated it really liked it

I love Bear Grylls' TV shows, that's why I was interested in reading his biography. I listened to it on Audible actually, which was a really good performance. Definitely recommended.
I loved the book, as it sheds light to how he became who he is now. It was fun to read with a good pace, and without unnecessary details.
I would recommend it.

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Jun 21, 2012 Kathleen (Kat) Smith rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: christian-living, non-fiction, personal-memoir, biography

"Life continues to be an adventure, and in many ways more so than ever. I have had to learn to prioritize clearly in my life: to be safe, get home fast, and keep it fun - the rest is detail."

In Mud, Sweat and Tears: The Autobiography of Bear Grylls, I was inspired to pick this one up after reading a short article in Guideposts magazine about the life of the man we all know from his television show, Man vs. Wild on the Discovery Channel. Is all this staged? Where did his training come from? Why "Life continues to be an adventure, and in many ways more so than ever. I have had to learn to prioritize clearly in my life: to be safe, get home fast, and keep it fun - the rest is detail."

In Mud, Sweat and Tears: The Autobiography of Bear Grylls, I was inspired to pick this one up after reading a short article in Guideposts magazine about the life of the man we all know from his television show, Man vs. Wild on the Discovery Channel. Is all this staged? Where did his training come from? Why would anyone do this as a way to make a living?

This is where you will find yourself as you experience what it was like growing up as Bear Grylls. Being a born adventurer as a child, he often joined his father in expeditions that involved mountain climbing, romps through the mud and most of all a lesson in unconditional love and perseverance modeled through his eyes by his own father.

Bear struggled in school academically but was a huge lover of extreme sports, often found scaling the chapels on his school grounds at Eton College. He grew up and had a deep desire for adventure and soon found himself talking his best friend, Trucker into joining him at signing up for the Special Air Service or SAS, an elite group of what is known as the British Special Forces unit. The amount of challenges he would face there, would provide him with the additional support and love of adventure that would carry him through all of life's struggles.

He would later be called to put that mental and emotional training into affect, when during a parachuting accident, he would break his back in three places. It was one of many wake up calls where Bear would put his faith in God to the ultimate test, to see if he would ever walk again. He was almost lost to severe depression but realized without any goals to push for, he wouldn't likely recover. His next dream, to climb Mt. Everest at 23 years old. He remembered that from small acorns grow big oaks.

He would later on film almost six seasons of Man vs. Wild, Worst-Case Scenario, and a whole series on what it is like to go through basic training inside the French Foreign Legion; he would lead countless expeditions to Antarctica, the Himalayas, and the Arctic, raising more than 2.5 million dollars for children's charities around the world; he is considered the most admired person by the middle classes, second only to the Queen in the UK among many other things that have made him successful.

His words of advice after it's all said and done, "Every day is the most wonderful of blessings, and a gift that I never take for granted. Oh, and as for the scars, broken bones, aching limbs, and sore back? I consider them just gentle reminders that life is precious - and that maybe, just maybe, I am more fragile than I dare to admit" (pg 401).

I received Mud, Sweat, and Tears: The Autobiography of Bear Grylls compliments of William Morrow, a division of Harper Collins Publishers for my honest review. The one them that remains a constant in this book is that through hard work and perseverance, you can achieve whatever you want in life. His goal in writing this was to show his roots: the early, bigger missions that shaped him, and the even earlier, smaller moments that steered him to become the man, husband and father, he is today. He wrote this book as a way of passing down the life lessons he has learned to his three younger sons, and there are so many great quotes and take aways from this book. I rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars and really admire the circumstances that he had to endure during his life that makes Bear Grylls, the man he is today. ...more

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Sep 25, 2012 Jack Pringle rated it really liked it

I chose to read this book because I am a big fan of Bear Grylls's show Man vs Wild and I thought it would be very interesting to read this book. It fills in the 'autobiography' box on the bingo board.

My favourite quote in his book is: “I learnt another valuable lesson that night: listen to the quiet voice inside. Intuition is the noise of the mind.” This is a very wise quote coming from a man who sets himself to do stupid things. This quote teaches people that your instincts are what you can ...more

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Jan 02, 2017 Mark Jones rated it it was amazing

I rarely leave reviews, but I feel I must for one of my favorite books of all time.

My first time reading a book by Bear Grylls was his Survival Guide For Life, which lays out a variety of rules Bear gives to try and follow in your day to day life. Each one would be followed by some story from his own life, and these tales of wild adventures climbing mountains and piloting boats through storms were all reflections of what I'd always imagined a life well lived to look like. What was more, each I rarely leave reviews, but I feel I must for one of my favorite books of all time.

My first time reading a book by Bear Grylls was his Survival Guide For Life, which lays out a variety of rules Bear gives to try and follow in your day to day life. Each one would be followed by some story from his own life, and these tales of wild adventures climbing mountains and piloting boats through storms were all reflections of what I'd always imagined a life well lived to look like. What was more, each story was told in earnest prose which came off as completely unpretentious and genuine. I was, and I use what is perhaps an overused word with great sincerity, inspired.

Mud, Sweat and Tears has all the inspiration and sincerity found in A Survival Guide For Life, but it's instead presented in an engaging narrative. Bear Grylls runs the reader through his career from the time he was born until the very beginning of his TV career, with particular attention on his SAS selection and Everest expedition. Every success, and every setback, too, is discussed in a conversational, gently encouraging tone. For myself, a teen thinking far too much about what he'll make of his life, every chapter held some gem of information which had me dreaming bigger, reaching higher. My audiobook became something of a cure-all for whenever I felt down or uninspired; usually, I had only to listen for fifteen minutes and I'd be a good way to getting back on my feet. In going back to read the book a second time a few months down the road, the magic had not dissipated in the slightest.

Many have said how Bear Grylls is not the best of writers, but I don't know that I agree. In my mind, a writer's only true job is to convey his message in as powerful and engaging a way as possible, and here Bear Grylls has done just that. The book tells its readers to not back down, to face their challenges head-on, and to never give up, and it delivers these messages in such an earnest voice that you can't help but listen and agree. It's simple yet brilliant. You won't regret giving Mud, Sweat and Tears a try. ...more

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Jun 03, 2012 Craig rated it really liked it

Shelves: biographies

Wow. I learned so much through reading this book. Edward (Bear) Grylls is one of my new heros.

This book is basically about the man before "Man vs. Wild." He talks about his time at boarding school. His very intense SAS training, breaking his back after parachuting. His expedition to climb mount Everest. Meeting his wife and ultimately becoming the global scout master. What I loved about this book was his continuing steadfast faith that he used to help himself through some of the toughest of ...more

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Nov 12, 2015 Valentina Markasović rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-croatian, 2015-challenge

2015 reading challenge - a memoir

While no one would mistake Bear Grylls for a professional author, his writing is honest and down-to-Earth, just what this book needs.

When picking this book up in the library, I had a vague idea it would be like reading one of this shows, if that makes any sense. I expected to read about his adventures in Arctic or Sahara, but instead, it was an autobiography that spoke of so much more. We got to know his family and early years and then began the part that truly ...more

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Dec 01, 2014 Danny Tyran rated it really liked it

Shelves: adventure, i-have-one, memoirs

I stopped reading this book (at 64%) for days because I had enough of Bear’s bragging and his “tough guy nonsense”, as he called it himself. Oh, he doesn’t boast about all his own great qualities, not directly. He doesn’t say: "I am strong, enduring and tenacious". No, but he says by speaking about those who make what he is doing: "It takes strong, tough and resilient men to go through it". But since he is one of them and he went through it all, doesn’t it mean that he believes that he has the I stopped reading this book (at 64%) for days because I had enough of Bear’s bragging and his “tough guy nonsense”, as he called it himself. Oh, he doesn’t boast about all his own great qualities, not directly. He doesn’t say: "I am strong, enduring and tenacious". No, but he says by speaking about those who make what he is doing: "It takes strong, tough and resilient men to go through it". But since he is one of them and he went through it all, doesn’t it mean that he believes that he has the same qualities? Thus, I was fed up with it and I decided to take a break.

During this break, I wondered what differentiated a masochistic submissive of a guy climbing Everest. After all, to get to the summit, it is necessary to be ready to suffer. The sub’s master imposes him/her tests which the sub has to go through. The Dom makes him/her suffer physically and sometimes psychologically. Those who climb up to the summit live all the same difficulties. They live humiliation when, having to try a passage which they considered easy, they almost die on the spot. And pain... Yes, the climbers know it too and repeatedly. There is even some of them, if they survive, who lose limbs because of the freezing weather.

But the climbers decide to live it for their own pleasure only. They don't suffer for the pleasure or the happiness of their masters. Their masters, if they have one, is themselves. It’s an extremely egocentric and even narcissistic decision, because they want to be able to say for example: "I am the youngest climber who reached Everest’s summit". At least, the subs, if they act partially for their own pleasure and happiness, they act also for somebody else’s good; they are more selfless. And generally, their pleasure and happiness are proportionate to their master’s.

I had already watched several of Bear’s successful TV programs. I saw him eating insects, spiders, snakes and scorpions among other beasts and even drinking his own urine. When I drank my master’s piss, it wasn't MY urine. And I did it in a will of submission and communion with my master. It wasn’t just a show of how resilient I am. All right, Bear's programs has, he says, a mission to inform people of what they should do if they were in deep shit. But after having watched several episodes of his series, I wouldn’t pretend that I’d be able to survive if I found myself in a difficult situation, e.g. lost in a desert or far in a vast forest.

Nevertheless, I liked this book because it allows us to know better this uncommon man and because at the end, he finally stopped gazing his own navel and put gestures to help poor or sick children. He also became UK’s chief scout.
...more

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Feb 19, 2012 Robin rated it really liked it

In this memoir Bear tells the story of his life and death-defying adventures. It turns out that not only he a tough guy in mind and body, but he also has a sensitive side and a heart. A fun read if you are a Man vs Wild fan. My only criticism is that he spends a little too much time on the details of his SAS training and Everest adventure--don't get me wrong, they are both riveting and amazing stories but it got a little repetitive after a while.

He also confesses his real first name and mentions ...more

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May 31, 2016 Donna rated it really liked it

Shelves: non-fiction, autobiography-memoir

This is my second book by Bear Grylls. When I listened to the first one, I went and bought 5 copies of it for my children. This is perfect for them all. He is an all around great guy. Clean. Faithful. Honest. Great example. Hard worker. Inspirational. Positive. Dedicated. Driven. Family Man.

He quotes others a lot and uses cliches, but he does it to inspire and to drive his point home. So 4 stars. Maybe I should up this to 5.

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May 31, 2017 Ali rated it really liked it

What a thrill to read! Loved this adventure story from a man who earned the right to join an elite military squad and climbed Everest. Hard to put down and very inspiring.

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Jun 03, 2012 Corien rated it really liked it

Shelves: e-books, biografie, reisverhalen, favorites

I really enjoyed this book.

It starts with Bear's childhood and goes all the way up to I guess current time.
It's full of adventure and endurance, self-discipline, extremely hard training and the willingness to go against fear and take (somewhat crazy, but lessons learned) risks. He really has done a lot of living and traveling in his life! Not to mention climb a lot of rooftops and trees while at Eaton - I was really surprised about that.

A fighting spirit and faith seem to sum Bear up nicely, I really enjoyed this book.

It starts with Bear's childhood and goes all the way up to I guess current time.
It's full of adventure and endurance, self-discipline, extremely hard training and the willingness to go against fear and take (somewhat crazy, but lessons learned) risks. He really has done a lot of living and traveling in his life! Not to mention climb a lot of rooftops and trees while at Eaton - I was really surprised about that.

A fighting spirit and faith seem to sum Bear up nicely, but above all he seems to be a good family man who happened to get offered a job he really loves on TV (which he seems to love a bit less, and declined a few times, but it comes with the deal and it is a great way to reach and inspire a lot of people).

There are a lot of short chapters which makes for a fast and easy read, especially since there never is a dull moment and there are plenty of perilous ones. I feel like I've traveled and trained along with him a little bit. The book also gives you a lot to think about though, it definitely is not 'mindless' reading, there are some good lessons in there too.

I liked how little the TV show was mentioned. Even though I like the show, I've seen most of the episodes; all the content in the book was new to me.

And I finally learned how he got the nickname 'Bear'.. not because of his outdoorsyness, but from his sister when he was a baby! I guess it's more teddy bear than grizzly bear since she was always dragging him around, but I'm not sure about that? His real name is also mentioned in the book, and like he said it doesn't fit him as well as Bear. I have to admit I always thought he'd given himself that nickname (for being outdoorsy, or for fighting one, god knows) which I thought was a bit pompous. Turns out that is not the case, and even worse - for me for thinking it - pompous and Bear Grylls don't belong in one sentence at all.

I read the Kindle edition on a Kindle Touch. No issues, well laid out, good navigation.
There are chapter links at the start, index with keywords at the end, followed by a few nice photographs. And I learned a lot UK 'slang' words, or at least words I'd never heard of before.

I will definitely read more of his books. ...more

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Sep 10, 2015 N. rated it really liked it

An enjoyable memoir. At the beginning, Grylls describes his family and that part comes the closest to sounding egotistical, like a typical star memoir, although I think his objective was to give credit to those who made him what he is, rather than to say, "Here's how I turned out so awesome."

From his early history, the book goes into great detail about his time in the SAS. He glosses over his broken back and recovery (although that was clearly one of the most emotionally difficult experiences ...more

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Aug 07, 2017 Marija S. rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Once you get over the informal writing style, this book will be a pageturner.

It is impossible to rate somebody's life story, no matter how remarkable, so I am just revising the storytelling here - I didn't get used to the style but the book was quite gripping nevertheless. Most of the narrative was vague (I am not talking about confidential SAS material here) and repetitive (it was hard to move forward, always hard.. to... move... forward... Yeah, ok, that is what you'd expect from a military ...more

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Sep 27, 2019 Ken Hammond rated it really liked it

Shelves: non-fiction, bio, owned-books, owned-ebook, read-in-2019

Mud, Sweat and Tears by Bear Grylls Who dares wins, being scared shitless frequently, way to go Bear, actually learnt his name is Edward, bear is what his older sister called him, wow here I thought he had cool parents, but they were cool. His Dad's mantra love people in your life with your whole heart.

Mount Everest last count has killed 295 mountaineers since 1924, what's amazing he climbed it to get over retiring from the SAS 3 years in, after surviving a broken back from skydiving. He then ...more

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Mar 30, 2015 Sam Lissaman rated it really liked it

I decided to read this book because it has been siting on my book shelf for a while but I have never got around to reading it. I heard it was a good read so I decided to give it a go. I really enjoyed this book. Bear Grylls wrote about each part of his life and explained all about his childhood, his SAS training and also how he is bringing up his own children to love the wilderness. From reading this book I learnt how amazing some places around the world are and how dangerous, beautiful and ...more

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Feb 24, 2016 philip taua rated it it was amazing

i decided to read this book because i watched a lot of man vs wild on T.V.i wanted to learn why he chose this as a career working on a television show. i liked it a lot because it kept on the edge off my seat and made me want to read more and more.I learned that nothing is hard unless you make it hard for yourself.The story is based on bear gryls and why he chose this and how he grew up.Alps the in interesting thing is that he worked from a young age.

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Apr 13, 2014 Ryan rated it liked it

Very interesting memoir that focuses on Bear's grueling selection process for Special Armed Services, his Everest expedition, and the beginnings of Man vs Wild. Two stars off for the little tiny words formed into little tiny sentences in little tiny chapters (well over 100 of them). On the other hand, I think my 8 year old could probably read this on his own, so it's not all bad.

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Oct 12, 2016 Heather rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I was so excited to read this. Didn't expect it to be so thick, but I was glad it was! I was excited to read a thick book. I haven't read one in so long!
I didn’t like the present tense in the prologue& really hoped the rest of the book wasn’t like that!! Thankfully it wasn’t.
Very cool his great-grandfather wrote a self-help book, the first one.
His great-grandpa sounds like a great man: ‘Whenever he was in the Dakota, flying over to Northern Ireland, he always asked for the front seat, joking ...more

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Sep 25, 2019 Jungmin Park rated it it was amazing

I will be reviewing Mud, Sweat, and Tears (2011) by Bear Grylls. The general focus of my book is building confidence. The author constantly tells about his identity and adds some lessons he got from each event at the end of every chapters. I found out that what the author genuinely wants to do through this book is emphasizing that no matter how we were messed up and rebellious against the world, we can finally achieve what you want and success as long as we have our confidence. Thanks to his I will be reviewing Mud, Sweat, and Tears (2011) by Bear Grylls. The general focus of my book is building confidence. The author constantly tells about his identity and adds some lessons he got from each event at the end of every chapters. I found out that what the author genuinely wants to do through this book is emphasizing that no matter how we were messed up and rebellious against the world, we can finally achieve what you want and success as long as we have our confidence. Thanks to his true stories and honest feelings, he succeeds to encourage people with the idea “You can do it”.

The major theme of the text is focusing on yourself and try not to fall down, even the situation where you are in is really harsh and difficult. The major event that the author uses to show how he overcame his difficulties in his life is the time when he participated in England special forces selection, which is called SAS selection. He filled half of this book with his story in SAS training camp, and I enjoyed reading it because it gave a lot of lessons to me and the author’s belief and values of his life. What I consider to be the central idea among the story of SAS is that if he starts something that he really desired to do, there is no other selections: The only thing he can and must do is to survive with constant endurance to the end. During the whole story of SAS, he continuously shows his repeated failure and overcome but at the end, he finally success to be part in the SAS.

While he repeats the failure and success on training and being exhausted, he thought: “I knew nothing good in life ever came from quitting.” (210) All he got during the training was perseverance and endurance, and all he wanted to say through this book is also take a perseverance on everything you try. The general feature that this book is presenting is effort, and I think the author’s use of this feature in the book because it is clear theme and strongly emphasize what the author wants to teach to us. Thus, I think the author uses this feature very successfully.

I liked this book so much, because I think it is very useful in terms of teaching lessons of endurance, growing identity and confidence. Its feature is very unique that it has rare theme which is different from other typical autobiographies. I think other readers may like this book because for people who want to learn how to be patient and to be stronger, this book is going to be very helpful to teach them all of those things. Therefore, I would definitely recommend this book to other readers.

Grylls, Bear. Mud, Sweat and Tears. London: Transworld Publishers, 2011. eBook.

...more

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May 14, 2012 Mark Maguire rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: autobiography

This is an inspirational book.

I have read a number of Autobiographies over the years, but this particular book has to be one of the most sincere, and heartfelt, that I have ever encountered. I haven't been a fan of Bear Grylls for particularly long. The book was bought as a gift by my Wife who saw the chance to buy a copy for an aggressively low price as a part of a High Street promotion.

Immediately prior to the purchase; I had watched a few episodes of "Born Survivor" on Discovery and I was This is an inspirational book.

I have read a number of Autobiographies over the years, but this particular book has to be one of the most sincere, and heartfelt, that I have ever encountered. I haven't been a fan of Bear Grylls for particularly long. The book was bought as a gift by my Wife who saw the chance to buy a copy for an aggressively low price as a part of a High Street promotion.

Immediately prior to the purchase; I had watched a few episodes of "Born Survivor" on Discovery and I was pleased to be presented with the book, as I wasn't entirely sure as to the origins of Bear Grylls or what he stood for. I knew that he was "ex - Special Forces" and had appeared in "Man Vs Wild", but I had also heard that "Born Survivor" had been axed, and that Ray Mears was going to be "the new Bear" as a result of this. Therefore, the book was a timely intervention. I wanted to know more before everything changed.

Thankfully, Ray Mears is not "the new Bear" and a new series of "Born Survivor" has since commenced broadcast.

The book is an incredible journey from Childhood through to the present day. Each chapter is written in an open and honest style, and the writing style actively draws you into the heart of the matter and in turn, exposes the man behind the TV persona. Each chapter is a compelling read in it's own right. However when blended together; they present a compelling account of one man's life. The chapters on the SAS Test Week and his ascent of Everest are incredibly powerful testaments to one man's determination to achieve his goals. In addition, whilst "Faith" is mentioned during the various challenges that he overcame, it remains only a thread. It does not become overbearing or in any way contrived as can be the case in some personal treatise.

This is probably the reason as to why the book is so motivational and rewarding? It makes you realise that, he did not rely on "old friends" or "contacts" to achieve his goals, there was no sycophancy. Indeed, each chapter demonstrates how he actively pursued his goals and would not take "no" for an answer.

Having read the book; I now have a new found level of respect for this "average man". It has genuinely inspired me to take stock of my own position and actively seek more from it. It was a genuine revelation to read about how happy and fulfilled one man can be, without having to wade through chapter upon chapter of self-promoting; turgid and banal commentary. One man has achieved the perfect life balance, and all that he did was be himself. Above all, he remained kind; considerate and genuine. He did not distort himself. This is the key teaching that I have taken away from Bear Grylls.

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Mar 13, 2014 Rebecca Berto rated it it was amazing

Bear's autobiography is punchy, addictive and a wild ride in the reading experience itself.

I've been a fan of his Man vs. Wild show for years and his fierce determination and passion. But it took me about a year or two to finally get onto this book. I have to say I never read non-fiction unless it has to do with writing or publishing. And the last non-fiction, and non-writing/publishing-related book I've read was Portia de Rossi's autobiography more than a year and a half ago.

Boy I feel inspired Bear's autobiography is punchy, addictive and a wild ride in the reading experience itself.

I've been a fan of his Man vs. Wild show for years and his fierce determination and passion. But it took me about a year or two to finally get onto this book. I have to say I never read non-fiction unless it has to do with writing or publishing. And the last non-fiction, and non-writing/publishing-related book I've read was Portia de Rossi's autobiography more than a year and a half ago.

Boy I feel inspired and enlightened by reading something "real". Bear made me feel hopeless yet inspired--hopeless about how much I complain and how lazy I am; and inspired to change my attitude and go at life.

Bear's writing style is fast, action-like, written with purpose as if you are there with him on every adventure and moment. It took me through his ancestry, growing up as a lost kid, finding his passion for adventure, his SAS days, climbing everest, his recovery from breaking his back, and a conclusion about his life now.

Bear is such an "every" man. In fact, I'm going so far to say as he thinks he's more ordinary than most people. He has such humility. He believes he's not the best physically, he believes -- or at least he did back in his earlier days -- that he was nothing special and had to fight harder than most fit people to achieve success with his adventures. Reading the book, you believe that he's ordinary, nothing different. But think about the achievements almost all people on this earth have failed at that he can say he's done. If someone else had to speak about him, they'd say the opposite. But hearing how he narrates his life is quite special. Because after you read more of this book, you see just how absolutely extraordinary this man is.

And it gives you hope because he wasn't born a star or born with great talents or abilities. He just worked really hard, got lucky and never stopped being grounded.

After reading the way this man pushes himself (mostly mental, because let's face it: every body has a physical capability, and his mental strength far outshone the mere limit of a human body) I feel proud to have shared his stories.

If you've heard about the book or love Bear, read this. ASAP!

Five, big, brave and courageous stars! ...more

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Sep 02, 2011 Silpa Kohler rated it it was amazing

Inspiring. Positively inspiring.

Bear is a great storyteller – his autobiography is detailed, fast-paced and in parts really rather amusing. His passion, dedication and enthusiasm for the challenges he seeks out and conquers ooze out of this book – I almost want to give SAS selection a go myself!

The scene is set well from the start with Bear’s account of his family’s (tragic in places) past and then continues to tell the tale of his experience of being bullied at school and taking up karate as a Inspiring. Positively inspiring.

Bear is a great storyteller – his autobiography is detailed, fast-paced and in parts really rather amusing. His passion, dedication and enthusiasm for the challenges he seeks out and conquers ooze out of this book – I almost want to give SAS selection a go myself!

The scene is set well from the start with Bear’s account of his family’s (tragic in places) past and then continues to tell the tale of his experience of being bullied at school and taking up karate as a result. I found the chapters on his time in the SAS absolutely riveting. The intensity of the selection process really did come through and I was quite surprised to read that, despite all of his efforts, he had failed to make the cut first time around. However, as he mentions in the book and as Winston Churchill once said: ‘Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm’. As clearly demonstrated by the fact that Bear climbed Everest 18 months after breaking his back in a parachuting exercise, he does not quite understand the concept of quitting. (Incidentally, ‘Facing Up’ – which is Bear’s story of climbing Everest – is a fabulous read also. He goes into a lot more detail in this book than he does his autobiography.) Being a big fan of Man vs. Wild, I was pretty interested to hear about his trials and tribulations on this front. Although this part of the book was a little sparser than I was expecting, it just makes me excited to think there may be another instalment!

Bear is very open about his faith and in normal circumstances this can make for difficult reading if the reader is not quite as ‘passionate’ about the topic. However, while reading this book, I never once felt uncomfortable about his comments as they were always in the context of his experiences and I completely appreciated how important his faith was to him, especially when he was struggling.

The sections about his family (particularly his loving father), friends and Shara were all very touching to read. Such influences definitely sound as though they have helped to make him the person that he is today.

Bear has a great story to tell. I wonder what he will get up to in the future and whether there will be another biography in years to come – I do hope so… what a legend!
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Oct 10, 2015 Jason rated it it was amazing

Shelves: non-fiction, christian, adventure, mountaineering, nature, survival, biography-autobiography

All I can say is wow! Though I love survival shows I've found myself occasionally mocking Grylls over the years for taking more dangerous routes down a mountain than he needed to or for the time he got busted sleeping in a local hotel with his family. However, I can honestly admit that I underestimated the man. This was an impressive autobiography.

Aha Moment #1: what impressed me most about Grylls' life is how humble and how spiritual he is. I'm not saying he's perfect, but he has this uncanny ...more

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Jan 01, 2016 Sandeep rated it it was amazing

Rating 5/5.

This book is absolutely phenomenal.

What you can expect -

- More insight into Bear Grylls growing up as a kid.
- How he got selected as an SAS(R).
- How did he gave it all away due to a back breaking accident.
- How did he recover in order to climb Mt Everest.

I really am inspired after reading this. Bear Grylls himself says, he was not born fit/athletic. He had to work very hard. I could relate to this very much as I am also one who falls under the same category!

He started at a very ...more

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Nov 17, 2017 Jeremias.L rated it it was amazing

I read this book after I read the book "True Grit" also from Bear Grylls and I thought it cant realy get better than this, but belive me, it can. In this book Bear Grylls talks about the very begining of his life, which to me is very interesting because I have always wonderd what the childhood of a celebrity looked like. He would talk about all his fears and how he became who he is now. What I realy enjoyed was the way how Bear writes his book, beacuse I always thought that Bear Grylls cant be ...more

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About Bear Grylls

Bear Grylls

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Every year the death toll on Mount Everest rises, and for every ten mountaineers who make it to the top, one will die. Yet at 7:22AM on May 26th 1998, Bear Grylls entered The Guinness Book of Records as the youngest, and one of only around thirty, British climbers to have successfully climbed Everest and returned alive. He was only 23 years old.

The actual ascent took Bear over ninety days of ...more