Mountain Man: 446 Mountains. Six Months. One Record-Breaking Adventure

by James Forrest, Tom Lawrence (Reading)

Nicknamed 'Mountain Man' by the Sunday Telegraph, James Forrest is the record-breaking adventurer who climbed every mountain in England and Wales in just six months - the fastest ever time. Solo and unsupported, he walked over 1,000 miles and ascended five times the height of Everest during his 446-peak challenge. And he did it all on his days off from work, proving it is possible to integrate an epic adventure into your everyday life. 

From collapsing tents and horrific storms to angry farm dogs and near-fatal mountaineering mishaps, James endured his fair share of hardship out in the hills. But the good times far outweighed the bad. He slept wild under the stars, met eccentric locals, and exchanged the 21st century social media bubble for a simpler, more peaceful existence. What did he learn along the way? That life is more fulfilling when you switch off your phone and climb a mountain. 

This is the humorous and inspiring story of an extraordinary adventure, featuring moments of drama and jeopardy, beautiful descriptions of the landscape, entertaining digressions on the places visited and people met and raw and personal accounts of the highs and lows James encountered every step of the way. 

Listeners will be inspired and motivated by James' amazing adventure, and so the book concludes with a section on how you can achieve your next adventure - whether it's something to get the kids involved in at half term, a fun challenge to tackle solo or with friends or, like James', a record-breaking attempt of epic proportions, James will guide you through everything you need to do to plan and execute your adventure, as well as give you some great ideas, too.

Genres: Nonfiction

Audio CD

Published November 12, 2019

Reviews

[Josh · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. However, Forrest's hurried and scattered style (that mimics his hiking challenge) prevents him from giving the reader a rich, adventurous or funny experience. It is rare that I do not finish a book once started, but I had to put this one down before the end. It is better as a personal journal for him.

[Fraser McClennan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A twee and joyless account of an otherwise impressive feat.

[Malcolm Schaffer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book after listening to an interview with the author where he came across very well.The book chronicles his substantial achievement of climbing all the mountains of England and wales in a period of six months, a substantial achievement made more so by his somewhat chaotic approach where things get forgotten or broken on a frequent basis.My problem with the book is my problem with his challenge.He has to zoom from hill to hill to meet his target and it doesn’t give him much time to breathe in the beauty of his surroundings and inevitably that translates to what he can give the reader and too often it’s just a couple of lines on done this one done another .it reduces his expedition to a bit of a bore for the reader which is a shame in his epilogue he briefly recounts having subsequently done the same challenge in Ireland and Scotland but they don’t seem to be transferring into a substantial publication - sadly perhaps as well

[Anne Ignatius · Rating 2 out of 5]

Put this book down only half way through and won't be finishing it.
A very superficial review of an amazing feat. For me I didn't feel any substance or depth to the stories but more of a cry for recognition. If the author had dug a little deeper and brought us on the journey of the actual climbs rather than top level overview reciting what he climbed and when, I would have been drawn in more. Fantastic achievement but not retold in a captivating manner

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the background about how he managed to do this around work, the challenge that this gave him and his relationship, the mental side of things, the teasing from his brothers, the mishaps and really liked the final chapter on how to bring adventure into your life.

He made a choice... simple words yet very powerful

[Laura Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me laughing out loud SO many times. I loved following James' adventure and especially because he makes adventuring so accessible - even if you have a job! Really, really enjoyed this.

'Anyone can live adventurously, you just have to choose to do so.'

[Thomas Spooner · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspirational, funny and down to earth read. It's really interesting to learn how James has this ability to make something so epic and challenging sound so normal. This book has definitely made me think about my own life and how I can change things in it to make it more adventurous.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Such a fun and hilarious story, very inspiring! If anyone has an interest in the outdoors this is a must read!

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is as high paced as the adventure. Light-hearted and upbeat, a little bit geeky and obsessive, but grounded and enjoyable. Makes me want to replicate the experience!

[Ian Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that this book was made for me a middle age guy in the middle of Cumbria adding peaks. It was well written. The Author was likeable and enjoyable to read.

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun adventure, monotonous read.

[Nicki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not that interesting an adventure & the start of every chapter begins with a really dull list of mountains & their heights.

[Steve Chilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author set out climb all the Mountains of Wales and England in six months whilst holding down a full time job. I liked the way he was able to make such a big challenge seem plausible and credit to him for achieving what he did. There are some funny moments in the book, usually around big or small disasters. I love the honesty he shows and the descriptions of the reality of the walking, camping etc, that makes this one of the best books of its kind.

[Michaela · Rating 1 out of 5]

As someone who loves nothing more than a good hiking adventure I thought I would love this book, but unfortunately like a lot of other reviews I just couldn't finish it despite multiple attempts. It is very stop start, written more as a good memoir for him rather than in a style that can be easily read or listened to.