An Evening with Ranulph Fiennes

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful journey
Review: One day, on a book hunt at my local used book stores, I noticed an oversized photograph of a handsome man staring back at me from the top shelf. Turns out it wasn't a photograph, it was the cover of this book. A quick look at the book indicated that it was written by a british explorer, whom I had vaguely heard of. I decided to buy the book, as it's $2.00 price tag was very reasonable. The fact that it was an autographed first edition was an added bonus. I put it on my shelf, and thought little of it.

A few weeks later, I was looking for a book to take to help me to sleep. I grabbed this book off the unread book shelf. I was reading all night, following young Ranulph Fiennes as he attended Eton, fought in Oman, and pursued many historic expeditions. The book was written in an easy, conversational tone, and it was impossible to put down. It would have been worth buying at $100.00. I hope whomever decides to buy the book based on this review enjoys it as much as I did.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful journey
Review: One day, on a book hunt at my local used book stores, I noticed an oversized photograph of a handsome man staring back at me from the top shelf. Turns out it wasn't a photograph, it was the cover of this book. A quick look at the book indicated that it was written by a british explorer, whom I had vaguely heard of. I decided to buy the book, as it's $2.00 price tag was very reasonable. The fact that it was an autographed first edition was an added bonus. I put it on my shelf, and thought little of it.

A few weeks later, I was looking for a book to take to help me to sleep. I grabbed this book off the unread book shelf. I was reading all night, following young Ranulph Fiennes as he attended Eton, fought in Oman, and pursued many historic expeditions. The book was written in an easy, conversational tone, and it was impossible to put down. It would have been worth buying at $100.00. I hope whomever decides to buy the book based on this review enjoys it as much as I did.

Rating:
Summary: Ran Has a Talent For Finding Trouble.
Review: This book serves two purposes: 1) The recollections of an army officer and explorer; and 2) The redemption of said man.

Sir Ranulph, who is an actual Baronet, comes from one of the most illustrious families in Britain. Unfortunately, he initially inherited some of the worst personal traits which the British upperclass has to offer. He was sent to the right schools and eventually entered the adult world as a serviing British Army officer in one of the best regiments. Only after he was accepted into the elite British Special Air Service Regiment (SAS), did his true nature and worth appear.

Cashiered after an incredibly stupid "bit of fun," Sir Ran found his niche in life - explorer. It soon became apparent that he was a 19th Century British man trapped in the 20th Century, and the same conduct which had made Britain a world power was now a social embarrassment. As a member of the Royal Geographic Society, Sir Ran has gone on to conduct some of the most spectacular explorations in the world - and become a damned nice chap along the way. None better.

Sir Ran's recollections of his service and redemption in Oman are priceless. His military career was salvaged by an offer to serve as a "seconded" officer to the Sultan of Oman's Forces during the Dhofar Campaign of the 1970's. In this little known campaign, British "seconded" officers led Omani troops in successfully putting down a spreading Communist insurgency. Any officer or NCO who will be leading or advising indigenous troops should read this book. Sir Ran led, fed, sheltered, ate with and loved his Omanis - and they reciprocated. This is a sort of "Apocalypse Now" with a happy ending.

If you are looking for a personal journey along with high adventure, you can do no better that "Living Dangerously" by Sir Ranulph Fiennes.