Captain Scott - Ranulph Fiennes

[falling rain]

I've just finished reading this book
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Captain-Sco...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215324681&sr=1-1

A fantastic read and written by Ranulph Fiennes who has extensively researched his book and been to the places Scott and his team went to. Those guys were tough as hell and Scott was an incredible leader. If you like (true) adventure story books you'll love this.

I knew a bit about the story of the expedition before I read this, and now I have nothing but total admiration for those guys. Excellent!!

 

[Shambling Shaman]

True Explores, Pushing every thing to its limit and beyond.

 

[sandbender]

A great book that does much to put the record straight,

If you enjoyed this I'd also recommend Sir Ranulph's autobiography, 'Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know'...



http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mad-Dangero...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215327027&sr=1-1

 

[hiraeth]

Or even this one
www.amazon.co.uk/Living-Dangerously-Sir-Ranulph-Fiennes/dp/1590481445
Found it an exellent read have to get the new one though

 

[falling rain]

A great book that does much to put the record straight,

If you enjoyed this I'd also recommend Sir Ranulph's autobiography, 'Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know'...



http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mad-Dangero...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215327027&sr=1-1

I read that earlier this year sandbender very good too. Although it dosn't cover half the stuff Ranulph Fiennes has done and only briefly touches on each of his escapades with not enough detail. He could have done another 3 volumes at least !!! but still good though. I have to say though I thoroughly enjoyed his Captain Scott book. Too many people have criticised Scott over the years, and mainly people who havn't so much as been to Scotland when it's been snowing let alone the Antarctic. Fiennes has been there and done it.
Interestingly nearly all the polar explorers have acknowledged Scotts achievement as greater than Amundsens because they used nothing other than themselves - no dogs. Even Amundsen said Scotts team had acheived something monumental in exploration and a few of Amundsens team said it was a greater achievement than thier own.

I've also read these and they are good too. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beyond-Limi...=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215380604&sr=1-5
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Feather-Men...r_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215380732&sr=1-12

 

[rik_uk3]

A great book on Scott, well worth the read.

Also, as I've mentioned in another thread, get and read anything written by F. Spencer Chapman ("Freddie Chapman")

Interesting note that Shackleton was voted the 'perfect manager' at the end of the Royal College of Nursings Leadership Challenge course my wife completed a few years back.

Fridtjof Nansen is also very worth a read.

 

[NatG]

A great book that does much to put the record straight,

If you enjoyed this I'd also recommend Sir Ranulph's autobiography, 'Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know'...



http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mad-Dangero...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215327027&sr=1-1

seconded, was a tremendous read.

in the same sort of autobiographical adventure style, i woudl reccommend Simon Yates' books, also "Wildwood" by roger deakin and Andy Cavce's book which i'm reading now are good.

not real;ly bushcrafty but great reads, if anyone fancies readiong one, drop me a pm and you can borrow one for a week or two.

Nathan

 

[Tengu]

I have that book too, its very well researched.

 

[philaw]

I've read that one, too. It's a massive tome, but what struck me most was that the established view of Scott (out of his element, made poor equipment choices, etc) came from someone without experience of the same environment, who wouldn't even respond to Fiennes' counter argument.

It's simply awe-inspiring to read about Fiennes and his partner being recorded burning 11,000 calories a day at times; a world record. The strain involved must have been tremendous, and they're all heroic figures to me.

 

[Tengu]

Is he a descendent of Celia Fiennes, maybe?

`Ride a cock horse, to Banbury cross...`

 

[falling rain]

Is he a descendent of Celia Fiennes, maybe?

`Ride a cock horse, to Banbury cross...`

Could be some link. Broughton Castle (the Fiennes family home is near Banbury http://www.britainexpress.com/counties/oxfordshire/castles/Broughton.htm
I visited it last year, it's a lovely place. The chapel in the grounds has a graveyard full with Finnes family members over the years. Ranulph Fiennes lives on Exmoor still I think but belongs to this family. The house is only open to the public on certain days of the week at certain times of the year but worth a visit if you like history or stately homes.

 

[BOD]

He used to have a place around the corner from me in Parsons Green in 1981/2.

Bought some of his stuff after he was selling his equipment etc. after the Trans Globe expedition to lessen his considerable debts.

Wish I had bought more and kept some. Sold all my stuff when I left the UK in 86.

Fiennes and Scott have much in common so he is the perfect biographer for Scott - a belief in their strength of will, not the best of planning and occassional lapses of judgement.

(runs for cover to the other side of the world..... )