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An enthralling and illuminating biography of T. E. Lawrence - the
inspiration for the iconic film Lawrence of Arabia - from "The
World's Greatest Living Explorer" Ranulph Fiennes Co-opted by the
British military, archaeologist and adventurer Thomas Edward
Lawrence became involved in the 1916 Arab Revolt, fighting
alongside guerilla forces, and made a legendary 300-mile journey
through blistering heat. He wore Arab dress, and strongly
identified with the people in his adopted lands. By 1918, he had a
e20,000 price on his head. Despite people's fascination, Lawrence
has long remained unknowable, one of history's most enigmatic
explorers. But with in-depth knowledge of what it takes to venture
into the unknown, this authoritative biography from explorer
Ranulph Fiennes at last brings enthralling insight and clarity to
this remarkable life.
Pre-order the authoritative, illuminating biography of T. E.
Lawrence - the man who inspired the iconic film Lawrence of Arabia
- from "The World's Greatest Living Explorer" Ranulph Fiennes.
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Shackleton (Paperback)
Ranulph Fiennes
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R564
R482
Discovery Miles 4 820
Save R82 (15%)
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Ships in 10 - 15 working days
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Discover the exhilarating true story of Ernest Shackleton's
legendary Antarctic expedition Told through the words of the
world's greatest living explorer, Sir Ranulph Fiennes - one of the
only men to understand his experience first-hand . . . 'For anyone
with a passion for polar exploration, this is a must read' NEW YORK
TIMES 'THE definitive book on Shackleton and no one could have done
it better . . . an authentic account by one of the few men who
truly knows what it's like to challenge Antarctica' LORRAINE KELLY
_________ In 1915, Sir Ernest Shackleton's attempt to be the first
to traverse the Antarctic was cut short when his ship, Endurance,
became trapped in ice. He and his crew should have died. Instead,
through a long, dark winter, Shackleton fought back: enduring
sub-zero temperatures, a perilous lifeboat journey across icy seas,
and a murderous march over glaciers to seek help. Shackleton's epic
trek is one of history's most enthralling adventures. But who was
he? How did previous Antarctic expeditions and his rivalry with
Captain Scott forge him? And what happened afterwards to the man
many believed was invincible? In this astonishing account, Fiennes
brings the story vividly to life in a book that is part
celebration, part vindication and all adventure. _________ 'Fiennes
makes a fine guide on voyage into Shackleton's world . . . What
makes this book so engaging is the author's own storytelling
skills' Irish Independent 'Fiennes relates these tales of
exploration and survival, adding insight to Shackleton's journeys
unlike any other biographer' Radio Times Praise for Sir Ranulph
Fiennes: 'The World's Greatest Living Explorer' Guinness Book of
Records 'Full of awe-inspiring details of hardship, resolve and
weather that defies belief, told by someone of unique authority. No
one is more tailor-made to tell [this] story than Sir Ranulph
Fiennes' Newsday 'Fiennes' own experiences certainly allow him to
write vividly and with empathy of the hell that the men went
through' Sunday Times 'Fiennes brings the promised perspective of
one who has been there, illuminating Shackleton's actions by
comparing them with his own. Beginners to the Heroic Age will enjoy
this volume, as will serious polar adventurers seeking advice. For
all readers, it's a tremendous story' Sara Wheeler, The Wall Street
Journal
On the eve of his 80th birthday, Sir Ranulph Fiennes looks back at his
remarkable life and adventures.
He's climbed Everest not long after a heart bypass operation, he's run
seven marathons on seven continents, he's hauled loaded sledges across
both polar ice caps and he's circumnavigated the earth...
Ran Fiennes truly is the world's greatest explorer, and this book
celebrates his 80th birthday by showcasing his greatest achievements in
his own words. Featuring interviews and tributes from his friends,
colleagues and admirers, Around the World in 80 Years celebrates the
incredible life of a legendary explorer.
Pre-order the enthralling new biography of Ernest Shackleton by the
world's greatest living explorer, Sir Ranulph Fiennes. To write
about Hell, it helps if you have been there. In 1915, Sir Ernest
Shackleton's attempt to traverse the Antarctic was cut short when
his ship, Endurance, became trapped in ice. The disaster left
Shackleton and his men alone at the frozen South Pole, fighting for
their lives. Their survival and escape is the most famous adventure
in history. Shackleton is an engaging new account of the
adventurer, his life and his incredible leadership under the most
extreme of circumstances. Written by polar adventurer Sir Ranulph
Fiennes who followed in Shackleton's footsteps, he brings his own
unique insights to bear on these infamous expeditions. Shackleton
is both re-appraisal and a valediction, separating the man from the
myth he has become. Praise for Sir Ranulph Fiennes: 'The World's
Greatest Living Explorer' - Guinness Book of Records 'Full of
awe-inspiring details of hardship, resolve and weather that defies
belief, told by someone of unique authority. No one is more
tailor-made to tell [this] story than Sir Ranulph Fiennes' -
Newsday 'Fiennes' own experiences certainly allow him to write
vividly and with empathy of the hell that the men went through' -
The Sunday Times
In the late morning of May 29th 1953, the sun was shining brightly on the roof of the world, a gentle breeze was blowing and two men were there to witness it for the first time ever . Their names were Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay and the roof of the world was Everest.
This is the breathtaking story of how two very different yet equally determined men battled frost-biting temperatures, tumbling ice rocks, powerful winds and death-defying ridges to climb the world's highest mountain. Join these two unlikely heroes on the most amazing of adventures and discover the impact of hundreds of men and women that helped Hillary and Tenzing achieve their goal. But triumphs can be marred with tragedy as not everyone who climbs Everest survives ...
With a beautiful foreword by the greatest living explorer of our time, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, this brilliant book combines fresh and contemporary illustrations by Joe Todd-Stanton with Alexandra Stewart's captivating writing and publishes in time to celebrate the centenary of Edmund Hillary's birth. This unique narrative tells the story of how Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay made their mark on the world from birth right up to their final days and the impact they've had on Nepal today.
"Riveting stuff. Through the prism of his experience of the
military elite, Fiennes presents a dazzling history of the world's
best fighting units to amaze and enthral the reader." Damien Lewis,
Bestselling author of Zero Six Bravo Inspired by the heroic war
time escapades of his father, as well as drawing on his own
experiences in the special forces, acclaimed adventurer Sir Ranulph
Fiennes thrillingly explores the history of elite military units,
from ancient Sparta to the War on Terror. The best of the best,
these elite units have frequently been immortalised on the big
screen, and in computer games, for their daring deeds. Whether it
be fighting on the battlefield, storming forts and castles,
rescuing hostages, high stakes reconnaissance missions or the
dramatic assassination of enemy leaders, these are the men who are
relied upon to undertake dangerous missions of the highest stakes.
While celebrating the heroics of groups such as the SAS and Navy
Seals, Sir Ranulph also reveals the true stories of infamous
organisations such as The Assassins and Templar Knights. Uncovering
their origins, and examining their weapons and tactics, Sir Ranulph
showcases these units most famous missions, and reveals the men
behind them. Showing incredible courage, often in the face of
impossible odds, these units have also changed the course of
history along the way. Sir Ranulph discusses the reasons behind
their success and failures, with many notorious conflicts often
being decided by these elite units facing off against each other,
with the victor not only evolving warfare, but also consigning
their opponent to history. While these units traditionally prefer
to operate in the shadows, Sir Ranulph brings their remarkable
histories to the fore, told with his trademark ability to weave a
story which has seen him become one of Britain's most beloved
bestselling authors.
There are only few human beings who can adapt, survive and thrive
in the coldest regions on earth. And below a certain temperature,
death is inevitable. Sir Ranulph Fiennes has spent much of his life
exploring and working in conditions of extreme cold. The loss of
many of his fingers to frostbite is a testament to the horrors man
is exposed to at such perilous temperatures. With the many
adventures he has led over the past 40 years, testing his limits of
endurance to the maximum, he deservedly holds the title of 'the
world's greatest explorer'. Despite our technological advances, the
Arctic, the Antarctic and the highest mountains on earth, remain
some of the most dangerous and unexplored areas of the world. This
remarkable book reveals the chequered history of man's attempts to
discover and understand these remote areas of the planet, from the
early voyages of discovery of Cook, Ross, Weddell, Amundsen,
Shackleton and Franklin to Sir Ranulph's own extraordinary feats;
from his adventuring apprenticeship on the Greenland Ice Cap, to
masterminding over the past five years the first crossing of the
Antarctic during winter, where temperatures regularly plummeted to
minus 92C. Both historically questioning and intensely personal,
Cold is a celebration of a life dedicated to researching and
exploring some of the most hostile and brutally cold places on
earth.
A lavish account of pioneering polar photography and modern
portraiture, "Face to Face: Polar Portraits" brings together in a
single volume both rare, unpublished treasures from the historic
collections of the Scott Polar Research Institute (SPRI),
University of Cambridge, 'face to face' with cutting-edge modern
imagery from expedition photographer Martin Hartley.This unique
book by Huw Lewis-Jones is the first to examine the history and
role of polar exploration photography, and showcases the very first
polar photographs of 1845 through to images from the present day.
It features the first portraits of explorers, some of the earliest
photographs of the Inuit, the first polar photographs to appear in
a book, and rare images never before published from many of the
Heroic-Age Antarctic expeditions. Almost all the historic imagery -
daguerreotypes, magic lantern slides, glass plate negatives and
images from private albums - that have been rediscovered during
research for this book have never been before the public eye.Set
within a 'gallery' of 100 double page-spreads are 50 of the world's
finest historic polar portraits from the SPRI collection alternated
with 50 modern-day images by Martin Hartley, who has captured men
and women of many nations, exploring, working, and living in the
Polar Regions today. Each gallery spread, dedicated to a single
individual, gives a sense of the isolation and intense personal
experience each 'face' has had in living or travelling through the
polar wilderness, whether they be one of the world's greatest
explorers, or a humble cook.In addition to this remarkable
collection is a foreword written by Sir Ranulph Fiennes; a
fascinating exploration into 'photography then' - the history of
photography and its role in shaping our vision of the polar hero by
historian and curator of art at SPRI, Dr Huw Lewis-Jones; a
discussion between Dr Lewis-Jones and Martin Hartley about
'photography now', focusing on the essential role that photography
plays in modern polar adventuring; and an afterword entitled 'The
Boundaries of Light' by the best-selling author Hugh Brody.Does an
explorer need to appear frostbitten and adventurous to be seen as
heroic, and do we need faces like these to imagine their
achievement?Sir John Franklin is the first. The sun is high. He
adjusts his cocked hat, bound with black silk, and gathers up his
telescope. He shifts uncomfortably in his chair, positioned on the
deck of the stout ship Erebus, as she wallows at her moorings in
the London docks. It is 1845. The photographer, Richard Beard,
urges the explorer to stay still for just a moment longer. He
removes the lens cap, he waits, another minute, and then swiftly
slots it back in place. The first polar photographic portrait is
secured.Other senior officers of the exploration ships Erebus and
Terror had their photographs taken that day, optimistic and ever
hopeful. They appear to us now as if frozen in time. So too they
followed Sir John Franklin as he led them in search of a navigable
northwest passage, into the maze of islands and straits which forms
the Canadian Arctic.'Mr Beard, at Franklin's request, supplied the
expedition with a complete photographic apparatus, which was safely
stowed aboard the well-stocked ship alongside other technological
marvels: portable barrel-organs, tinned meat and soups, scientific
equipment, the twenty-horse-power engines loaned from the Greenwich
railway, and a library of over twelve hundred volumes. The camera
now formed part of the kit thought essential to travel to the
limits of the known world. Weighed down with stores, yet buoyant
with Victorian confidence, the expedition sailed from the Thames on
19 May. The ships were last seen in late July, making their way
northward in Baffin Bay, before vanishing without a trace - Huw
Lewis-Jones,from the essay 'Photography Then' in "Face to
Face".This title is available in both hardback and soft-cover. It
features placement: photography, exploration, travel. It contains
288 pages in full-colour, including images that have never before
been published. The South Pole was an awful place to be on 18
January 1912. Captain Scott and his four companions - Wilson,
Bowers, Oates, and Evans - had just found that the Norwegian
explorer Amundsen had beaten them to the prize one month earlier.
The photograph that the men took that day speaks volumes for their
achievement, of course, but there could be no truer record of their
total disappointment. The men look absolutely broken; a photograph
on top of everything else seems like a punishment. They are utterly
devastated. A life's ambition has been snatched from their grasp.
Now 800 miles from their base, they dragged themselves northward
into the mouth of a raging blizzard. Their photographs and letters
home, recovered with their bodies some time later, tell the sad
tale of their sacrifice - Sir Ranulph Fiennes.
Born Adventurer tells the story of Frank Bickerton (1889-1954), the
British engineer on Sir Douglas Mawson's Australasian Antarctic
Expedition of 1911-14. The expedition gave birth to what Sir
Ranulph Fiennes has called 'one of the greatest accounts of polar
survival in history' and surveyed for the first time the 2,000-mile
stretch of coast around Cape Denison, which later became Adelie
Land. The MBE was, however, only one episode in a rich and
colourful career. Bickerton accompanied the ill-fated Aeneas
Mackintosh on a treasure island hunt to R.L. Stevenson's Treasure
Island, was involved with the early stages of Sir Ernest
Shackleton's ill-fated Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, and
tested 'wingless aeroplanes' in Norway. Born Adventurer follows him
through his many experiences, from his flying career in the First
World War to his time in California, mixing with the aristocracy of
the Hollywood and sporting worlds, and from his safaris in Africa
to his distinguished career as an editor and screenplay writer at
Shepperton Studios. Stephen Haddelsey draws on unique access to
family papers and Bickerton's journals and letters to give us a
rich and full account of this incredible adventurer and colourful
man.
Fresh from finishing the Marathon des Sables, Ranulph Fiennes has
become the oldest Briton to complete this ultimate endurance test.
The world's greatest living explorer, has travelled to some of the
most remote, dangerous parts of the globe. Well-known for his
experiences at the poles and climbing Everest, he has also endured
some of the hottest conditions on the planet, where temperatures
regularly exceed 40 degrees and, without water and shelter, death
is inevitable.
A ground-breaking collection of stories, poems and articles about
Nepal covering the length and breadth of this enchanting nation and
its people. 'If you want a book in English that tells you about
Nepalese thinking, and gives a taste of the country's contemporary
literature, you could hardly do better than House of Snow' Daily
Telegraph 'One of the finest books I have read this year' Nudge
Books 'A well-curated sliver of works that highlight the richness
and variety of Nepal's literary contribution' Kathmandu Post In
2015, Sagarmatha frowned. Tectonic plates moved. A deadly
earthquake devastated Nepal. In the wake of disaster, House of Snow
brings together over 50 excerpts of fiction and non-fiction
celebrating the breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage
of this fascinating country. Here are explorers and mountaineers,
poets and political journalists, national treasures and
international celebrities. Featuring a diverse cast of writers such
as Michael Palin and Jon Krakauer, Lakshmiprasad Devko?a and Lil
Bahadur Chettri - all hand-picked by well-known authors and
scholars of Nepali literature including Samrat Upadhyay, Michael
Hutt, Isabella Tree and Thomas Bell. House of Snow is the biggest,
most comprehensive and most beautiful collection of writing about
Nepal in print.
Andrew Murray has been running since 2005 when he realised that it
might be a good way to see a bit of the world. Since then he has
been placed first overall in races in the Arctic, the Sahara, Outer
Mongolia and the jungle, amongst others. But in 2010 he devised a
challenge that put all his previous attempts in the shade - to run
from Scotland to the Sahara in one continuous push with no rest
days! It is 2,659 miles from John O'Groats at the northern tip of
mainland Britain to Merzouga in Morocco and Andrew planned to
complete the distance in 85 days. That's the equivalent of 100
marathons run end to end - and not a single day off to recover.
With minimal support, and in the middle of winter, trying to run an
ultra marathon every day was the challenge of a lifetime for
Andrew. As a medic, Andrew knew exactly what that would do to his
body...and it wasn't good news. Attempting to cram in a staggering
8,000 calories every day is extremely difficult and doesn't stop
the body from beginning to break down. This book is the story of
that run, interwoven between tales of extraordinary endurance
events in some of the most extreme locations in the world. It
answers the question, 'why do it?', and offers a gripping insight
into what drives an extreme athlete to break new ground. Helped by
family, friends, those he meets along the way, and a fiancee he's
shortly to marry, this is the story of one man's determination to
run in the history books. Andrew Murray's epic journey was the
subject of a highly successful BBC documentary and this book is the
inside story of what pushes one man to keep breaking the limits.
Even a planned 85 days wasn't enough to satisfy Andrew - in the end
he completed the distance in just 78 days. The book is introduced
by Sir Ranulf Fiennes.
'Life is too short to waste time on second-class ambitions. Go for
the big ones.' Now in his late seventies, Sir Ranulph Fiennes looks
back on a lifetime of exploration, and draws powerful, inspiring
lessons that we can all use when faced by the tribulations of
everyday life. Having crossed both Polar ice caps on foot, climbed
Everest and the Eiger, served in the SAS and circumnavigated the
world along its polar axis - a 53,000 mile odyssey that has never
been repeated - 'Ran' looks back from the summit of an incredible
life and teaches us how to: - Learn self-discipline, and master
fear - Plan for success, and make your own luck - Learn from
failure and strive to succeed - Keep going, whatever life throws at
you
THE SECRET HUNTERS is another absorbing thriller by Ranulph
Fiennes, the man the Guinness Book of Records called the 'world's
greatest living explorer'. Canada's North West Territories: the
arrival of a plane bound for the military's top secret Alert Base
is to change Derek Jacobs' life forever. Consumed by hatred, he is
unable to restrain himself from attacking one of the engineers. Who
is the engineer and what part did he play in the violent death of
Jacobs' mother in Nazi Germany? Jacobs joins the Secret Hunters but
can this elite group bring justice to the victims of genocide?
'Always the leader and always the best' Bear Grylls 'Fiennes has so
much to fit in, it's a wonder to grasp the full breadth of a
lifetime of adventuring' - Compass Magazine 'Even readers with a
broadly low tolerance for macho heroism will find themselves
gripped . . . compelling' - Time Out Sir Ranulph Fiennes has
travelled to the most dangerous and inaccessible places on Earth,
almost died countless times, lost nearly half his fingers to
frostbite, raised millions of pounds for charity and been awarded a
polar medal and an OBE. He has been an elite soldier, an athlete, a
mountaineer, an explorer, a bestselling author and nearly replaced
Sean Connery as James Bond. In his bestselling autobiography, Mad,
Bad & Dangerous to Know, he describes how he led expeditions
all over the world and became the first person to travel to both
Poles on land. He tells of how he discovered the lost city of Ubar
in Oman and attempted to walk solo and unsupported to the North
Pole - the expedition that cost him several fingers, and very
nearly his life. And now the extraordinary life story of the
world's greatest living explorer is re-published to celebrate his
75th birthday, with two new chapters to bring his story up to date
- telling of more mountains climbed, including his ascent to the
top of Mount Everest, and even more extraordinary and risky
adventures.
Five thousand years of military history. The best elite unites that
have fought across the globe. Their story told by acclaimed
adventurer and ex-SAS officer, Ranulph Fiennes. Throughout human
history the art of warfare has evolved into many forms across
numerous theatres, gradually becoming more sophisticated and
strategized as the centuries have progressed. From the Spartans of
Ancient Greece with their code of valour fighting to the last man;
to the US Navy SEALs who operate using the latest technology of the
21st-century. Across the vast array of military campaigns and
battles one can see that the majority of organised armies have been
comprised of enlisted men who would have their basic training. As
time progressed all countries saw the need to also have units that
were the 'best of the best', that would be fit and strong, and
enjoy the best training and weaponry available. These elite units
would be deployed to achieve extremely tough objectives; to guard a
valuable fortification or person; or to act as a barrier in a
crisis. The term 'elite' is the ultimate accolade and one to which
only the toughest would try to aspire to: undergoing intensive and
harsh physical training, and ultimately, sacrificing themselves for
the given objective. Ranulph Fiennes himself served in Britain's
toughest formation, the SAS. Since his military days he has won
acclaim as an extraordinary brave and resourceful artic adventurer.
It is fitting that he now looks back across 5000 years of military
history to pinpoint and celebrate the best elite units that served
and fought across the globe.
Ranulph Fiennes tells the story of his unconventional, exceptional
family, and reveals the ingredients for the man described by the
Guinness Book of Records as 'the world's greatest living explorer'.
Discover Sir Ranulph Twistelton-Wykham-Fiennes's personal
expedition to trace his extraordinary family through history. From
Charlemagne - himself a direct ancestor of the author - to the
count who very nearly persuaded William the Conqueror to retreat at
Hastings, many members of this unique clan have lived close to the
nerve centre of the ruler of their day. They number in their ranks
a murderer, a wife poisoner, a poacher, England's greatest female
traveller of the 17th century, and an extortionist Lord High
Treasurer, teen cousins who eloped, a noble lord hanged for
manslaughter, another hanged for adultery with the King's wife, and
many who, as admirals or major-generals, won famous battles. The
Fiennes' behind Cromwell provided the castle in which the
Parliamentarians made their first secret moves, the same building
in which twenty-one successive generations of the family have lived
for 600 unbroken years . . . And that is just a taster. A whirlwind
romp through the annals of time, peopled with the good, the bad and
downright mad among the Fiennes clan. - Sunday Telegraph
In June 2009, Caspar and Nichola created a plan to sail around the
world with their young children. Most people thought they were
crazy. But over the past seven years they've embraced every moment
of this momentous chapter of their lives. Five years of planning -
the vision, the values, the practicalities, the realities, the
excitement, the highs, the lows and the seemingly
adventure-stopping obstacles - led to two wonderful years of living
their dream - the magical and the scary; enjoying life and learning
as a family. This is Caspar's story. It's a story of a fabulous
sailing adventure but it's also so much more than that - it's an
inspirational tale for all those wishing they could do the same;
it's a practical guide to show you just how you can make it happen;
it's a motivational story of leadership and teamwork within a
family; and it's a funny, heart-warming tale of slightly
unconventional family life. The fascinating narrative of Caspar's
story is accompanied by useful text features such as tip boxes,
sidebars and chapter summaries, so that the reader can easily
extrapolate the necessary nuggets about how they can make the dream
a reality.
Sir Ranulph Fiennes is uniquely qualified to write a new biography
of Captain Scott. This is the first biography of Scott by someone
who has experienced the deprivations, the stress and the sheer
physical pain that Scott lived through; he has suffered all but the
final tragedy endured by the much maligned Scott. He is determined
to put the record straight. As well as being the definitive
biography of Scott, written with the full and exclusive cooperation
of the Scott Estate, this book traces the way that Scott's
reputation has been attacked and his achievements distorted. 'Sir
Ranulph Fiennes has done Captain Scott's memory some service...he
has certainly written a more dispassionate and balanced account
than Huntford ever set out to do.' - Simon Courtauld, Spectator
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