The Accidental Adventurer – The Review
Written by Nikki-ann on Sunday, 23 October , 2011 at 2:45 pm
Author: Ben Fogle
Publisher: Bantam Press
ISBN: 978-0-593-06849-6
The Accidental Adventurer charts Ben Fogle’s journey from a shy, geeky, homesick schoolboy through an array of adventures, marking him firmly as a national treasure. Ben has done so much in his life so far and I can’t ever imagine he’d stop.
Ben first came to our screens while taking part in Castaway, an early reality TV programme, back in 2000. Since then he has taken part in some of the toughest challenges on Earth such as rowing across the Atlantic ocean, walking to the South Pole, doing the 180 mile Marathon des Sables in the Sahara and ice-skating a 100 mile marathon across Sweden. He has also competed in some of the more odder challenges such as stinging nettle eating, worm charming, oyster eating and more. He might not be the best at these things, but Ben has never let that stop him, he gives everything a damn good go!
While Ben has led an extraordinary life, his book proves he’s just an ordinary, down-to-earth man who just won’t let shyness, laziness, illness, fears or anything else stop him. If Ben is given a challenge, he grabs it by the horns and rides it out, even if he does sometimes wonder if he’s taken on more than he can chew!
The Accidental Adventurer is an honest account of Ben’s life. It’s humourous (it certainly made me giggle when deep in Antarctica Ben decides to copy a penguin by running and flinging himself on to the ice and gliding across it on his belly!), compassionate and open. I loved reading all about Ben’s adventures, the highs and lows, and I was totally engrossed in it.
As an armchair adventurer (I love to watch travel/adventure programmes, but I’ve yet to get off my backside and do anything as exciting myself), The Accidental Adventurer has made me yearn to get up and do something, rather than plod along life’s path without challenging myself. Ben Fogle is a true inspiration and I’d be happy to have accomplished just a small fraction of what Ben has done so far.
I’d definitely recommend reading Ben Fogle’s The Accidental Adventurer and I can’t wait to see what Ben will get up to next!
Buy The Accidental Adventurer by Ben Fogle.
This is the 25th book I’ve read for the British Books Challenge.
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Please note: I received this book free from Transworld Publishers in return for a review. However, this has in no way influenced my opinion of the book.
Comments (6)
Category: Auto-biography,Books,Reviews
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Comment by Yvonne
Made Sunday, 23 of October , 2011 at 4:43 pm
Hi Nikki,
Like you, I am an armchair adventurer. I have got as far as the US, although only as far as Florida and we have spent some great vacations in Europe.
I guess that it is my own fault that I haven’t taken advantage of the opportunities open to me when Dave was working in the IT industry, travelling worldwide and getting paid for doing it. I suppose I thought that we would have the time to follow up on some of the great places he could recommend, when he had left the industry and had a little more time at home.
Sadly that is now not to be and I can only hope that people such as Ben continue to explore all the places and do all the things they want to do whilst they are able. Ben has certainly had some fantastic adventures and through the various media options, we are all able to share in his achievements. He has such a great personality, that you alomost feel that you are with him on his expeditions and adventures.
Where would you like to go and what would you hope to see, if you were given the opportunity?
Comment by bermudaonion (Kathy)
Made Sunday, 23 of October , 2011 at 8:47 pm
This sounds like a book I’d like! I can’t imagine taking on all of those challenges.
Comment by Lady Fi
Made Monday, 24 of October , 2011 at 4:36 am
Sounds like a great read!
Comment by Kathleen
Made Monday, 24 of October , 2011 at 6:12 am
Wow, he had led a fascinating life. I’d love to read this one and live vicariously through his adventures!
Comment by Friko
Made Monday, 24 of October , 2011 at 7:01 pm
I think Ben Fogle is anything but ordinary. He does things no ordinary person would envisage doing.
great chap!
Comment by Jess Haines
Made Monday, 24 of October , 2011 at 8:11 pm
Sounds like a good read! I’m not usually intrigued by biography or autobiography, but your review makes me curious about this one.
<3,
-J
