Beyond the Limits: The Lessons Learned from a Lifetime's Adventures by Ranulph Fiennes New edition

by Ranulph Fiennes

The book is brand new and will be shipped from US.

Genres: Travel, Adventure, Nonfiction, Autobiography, Biography

Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Sir Ranulph Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes, 3rd Baronet, OBE, better known as Ranulph (Ran) Fiennes, is a British adventurer and holder of several endurance records.

Fiennes has written books about his army service and his expeditions as well as a book defending Robert Falcon Scott from modern revisionists. In May 2009, aged 65, he climbed to the summit of Mount Everest. According to the Guinness Book of World Records he is the world's greatest living adventurer.

Reviews

[Simon Shrewsbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great collection of anecdotal lessons learned from an exciting life of endurance challenges.

[Rachel Welton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful photos. Writing is a rehash of his familiar tales, but always worth revisiting.

[Roger Adams]

Ireland kee

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extraordinary story of his life and expeditions. Brave, fiercely determined but ultimately he's surely mad as a hatter? :-)

[Austin Parry · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Oana · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a tough choice between "It was ok" and "I liked it." I did like it, but it certainly wasn't quite on the same level as other adventure memoirs. I guess Ranulph Fiennes wrote this book as a quasi-business book: each chapter ends with a list summarizing the lessons he learned along the way. The book is a quick survey of his expeditions, with some chapters focused on his "failed" expeditions (though those of us who have never been on a polar expedition should beware of scoffing at explorers and adventurers - we wouldn't make it two steps over a glacier). Unlike some people who find Fiennes arrogant, I found him likable and even quite introspective. I can see how he takes criticism very seriously and tried to learn from it.

What the book could have used were more maps. In my edition, there was only one map, of the Canadian north. A map of Oman, BC, and Antarctica would also have helped. The way the expedition for the city of Ubar was treated became a little misleading, too. Fiennes was clear in the text that he never did find the real Ubar, yet a careless reader would miss that between the recounting of the media coverage and the book blurbs themselves. One last thing that could be improved in a future edition is a historical mistake. Greely's expedition that Fiennes dated to 1924, should actually be 1884.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ranulph is an incredible modern-day example of someone who never gives up and pushes his body to the limit and beyond on a regular basis. After reading some of the challenges he has faced during his lifetime in this book, I have recognised that it is remarkable that he is still alive and well.
He recounts each of his incredible feats separately and generally in turn and his writing style is hugely modest, while defending some of the reoccurring criticisms which have been a feature of his relationship with the press.
This sort of book really opens the eyes and puts things into perspective. It teaches a variety of lessons, many of which I will remember and cherish in later life.
Above all, in my opinion, if one can take just one lesson from this book it would be to "man up".

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does exactly as it says on the tin, in the straightforward, no-nonsense way you'd expect from the man dubbed the World's Greatest Living Explorer. Finnes takes several of his achievements in turn, detailing various events, his decisions, and their outcomes, then distills the essence of each into a series of bullet points.

This book should be required reading for outdoor leaders and expedition planners, and even has its place for project managers and leaders in other fields. For anyone looking for an account of Sir Ran's life with a layman's interest, you should check out his autobiography Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know instead.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting account of his travels and expeditions. Amazing photography. The authour is a bit full of himself, but aren't all adventurers??

[Jihan Davincka · Rating 5 out of 5]

The quotes are...perfect :).

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is filled with pictures that bring the words to life. I've never been interested in real life accounts of explorers but after hearing him speak last year I became intrigued. I'm glad I read it. He summarises each chapter with some key learnings that can be applied throughout life.