Mud, Sweat and Tears – The Review
Written by Nikki-ann on Tuesday, 9 August , 2011 at 8:56 pm
Author: Bear Grylls
Publisher: Channel 4 Books
ISBN: 978-1-905-02648-7
Mud, Sweat and Tears is the story of Bear Grylls – family man, Chief Scout, former SAS soldier and all-round adventurer – as told by the man himself. Bear (birth name Edward!) has sought adventure from an early age and this book takes us not only from his childhood to becoming famous, but also tells us of his family history. In other words, we get the background information on not just what Bear has got up to in his varied and adventurous life so far, but also how and why he has become the man he is today.
As I sat reading this adventurous autobiography, I began to feel quite lazy! Bear has done so many things, pushing himself to his very limits, not just physically, but mentally too – climbing, sailing and parachuting, not forgetting training for the SAS and climbing Everest.
But these adventures have also lead to Bear nearly losing his life on more than one occasion. His faith and, most likely, his luck has saved him more than once! A parachute jump gone-wrong nearly paralysed Bear, while a fall on Everest nearly finished him off all together. However, Bear has never let these things get to him and, if anything, they’ve taught him a lesson as well as strengthened him.
This autobiography is inspiring and quite thrilling at times, but it’s also honest. Bear admits when he’s made mistakes or pushed his luck. The man truly has packed a lot into his life and he’s got a lot to be proud of.
While I really enjoyed reading Mud, Sweat and Tears, I have to be honest and say that I was slightly disappointed that more wasn’t covered in the book. Apart from his growing up, a lot of the book was focused on his SAS training and climbing Everest, and while they are big things (which not many people complete), I feel his other expeditions could have been covered with more than a line or two. But, then, maybe they have been left for another book. I know his TV shows have related books, so I can understand why they weren’t covered so much.
Something I have to note: Bear has been criticised in the past for faking or cheating in his TV shows. He does defend himself near the end of the book and admits that he made a mistake while filming one show which lead to the criticism. It was all because he missed his family. Bear Grylls is a normal man (though definitely more adventurous than your average person!) and is a family man at heart. His love for them is very evident throughout the book.
So, would I recommend this autobiography? Definitely! I especially enjoyed reading about his trip up Everest and would love to read more about his other expeditions. I’d certainly read another Bear Grylls book.
I’m an armchair adventurer!
Buy Mud, Sweat and Tears by Bear Brylls.
Bear Grylls is a British adventurer.
This is the 21st book I’ve read for the British Books Challenge.
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Please note: I received this book free from Transworld Publishers. However, this has in no way influenced my opinion of the book.
Comments (8)
Category: Auto-biography,Books,British Books Challenge,Reviews
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Comment by Yvonne
Made Tuesday, 9 of August , 2011 at 9:51 pm
Hi Nikki,
I have looked at the dust jacket blurb for this book, just the other day, as we had a copy of it handed into the charity shop for us to sell.
I admit that the guy has done some pretty amazing things in his life, but I can’t get past the ‘cheating’ thing for whatever reason, there is just no excuse, he should have just come clean and backed out of the challenge.
That is one of the reasons why I don’t tend to read biographies, because I am never sure just how much of what is written is strictly true, or how much embellishment there has been.
The other reason is that ‘celebrities’ (how I hate that word), write a biography of everything they have achieved in their lives, when most of them are so young, that they haven’t even begun to live yet.
Rant over, sorry!! I am glad that you enjoyed the book, but it probably isn’t one for me.
Comment by Beth Kemp
Made Wednesday, 10 of August , 2011 at 10:46 am
Interesting. I’ve never read a celeb autobiography, but he has at least had a genuinely interesting life. Sounds like his normal human side comes through in the book too.
Comment by Jo
Made Wednesday, 10 of August , 2011 at 6:02 pm
Not one I would read, but might be a good idea as a gift for my dad.
Comment by rashbre
Made Wednesday, 10 of August , 2011 at 8:18 pm
It sounds like an interesting read.
I don’t know anything about the ‘cheating’ you refer to, and whenever I’ve seen him on television he seemed like a regular (if adventurous) guy, so I’d probably regard whatever it is as a sort of blip (without knowing what it is, however).
Comment by miss m
Made Thursday, 11 of August , 2011 at 4:48 am
Edward? Oh my. Much less manly and tough than “Bear.” LOL
Comment by Shelleyrae
Made Friday, 12 of August , 2011 at 8:19 am
His show has just started on television here, it’s not really my thing but I have to give him some credit for bravery (or is it stupidity LOL)
Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out
Comment by Petty Witter
Made Friday, 12 of August , 2011 at 1:35 pm
Sounds interesting. I had no idea Bear was a chief Scout.
Comment by Charles Ravndal
Made Wednesday, 17 of August , 2011 at 11:10 pm
Bear Grylls is hot! Hahahha.
