Facing the Frozen Ocean: One Man's Dream to Lead a Team Across the Treacherous North Atlantic

by Bear Grylls

At the age of twenty-three, Bear Grylls became one of the youngest Britons to reach the summit of Mount Everest. At extreme altitude youth holds no advantage over experience, nevertheless, only two years after breaking his back in a freefall parachuting accident, he overcame severe weather conditions, fatigue and dehydration to stand on top of the world's highest mountain. Facing Up is the story of his adventure, his courage and humour, his friendship and faith. Facing the Frozen Ocean tells of a carefully calculated attempt to complete the first unassisted crossing of the frozen north Atlantic in an open rigid inflatable boat. But this expedition became a terrifying battle against extreme elements and icebergs as large as cathedrals. Starting from the remote north Canadian coastline, Grylls and his crew crossed the infamous Labrador Sea, pushed on through ice-strewn waters to Greenland and then found themselves isolated in a perfect storm 400 miles from Iceland. This is a compelling, vivid and inspirational tale.

Genres: Nonfiction, Adventure, Travel, Survival, Biography, Christianity

537 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 2, 2004

About the author

Bear Grylls has become known around the world as one of the most recognized faces of survival and outdoor adventure. His journey to this acclaim started in the UK on the Isle of Wight, where his late father taught him to climb and sail. Trained from a young age in martial arts, Bear went on to spend three years as a soldier in the British Special Forces, serving with 21 SAS. It was here that he perfected many of the skills that his fans all over the world enjoy watching him pit against mother-nature. Despite a free-fall parachuting accident in Africa, where he broke his back in three places, and after enduring months in military rehabilitation, Bear went on to become one of the youngest ever climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Bear went on to star in Discovery Channel's Emmy nominated Man Vs Wild and Born Survivor TV series, which has become one of the most watched shows on the planet. Off screen, Bear has lead record-breaking expeditions, from Antarctica to the Arctic, which in turn have raised over £2.5million for children around the world. In recognition of his expertise and service, Bear was appointed as the youngest ever Chief Scout to 28 million Scouts worldwide, awarded an honorary commission as a Lieutenant-Commander in the Royal Navy, and has authored 10 books, including To My Sons.

Reviews

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This man is seriously a bit bonk bonk. I cannot believe they survived this adventure. It was unbelievable. I would have to get them to the next port before I could put the book down. Even knowing they made it, because he wrote the book, it was heart pumping to say the least. I love that at the end he talked about not doing adventures quite like that one anymore because he has a family.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story about Bear Grylls, a famous British survival adventurer and his dream of crossing the treacherous north Atlantic in a open inflatable boat.
As you start to read this book, you feel like you are one of the men in the mission. Bear Grylls tells his true story with such passion that you feel you are with him in that small little boat as waves keep on hitting your face. It is truly an incredible account of what humans can achieve and how humble we are compared to nature. It is a page turner in which you feel as you cannot leave these men alone in the middle of the ocean.
It is not only a book about courage and strength like the usual adventure storiesyou but it is more an account of how true friendship, compassion and faith can help you overcome even the toughest obstacles.

[Ashley K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bear's first story Facing Up was great, and this was even better! I think what makes this story great is the how it is written, and also the story itself is amazing. Bear Grylls is a very rare individual, and the world would be a great place is there were more people like him.

The men in this story overcame incredible situations, over and over again, and you get to be right there with them. This story was more heart pumping then his Everest summit, because there was no stopping, there was no down time.

Just amazing.

Read it.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exciting and somewhat scary read based on a true story. I admire Bear Grylls immensely as I would never be able to do it!

[Mr. Eric Studman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed reading both books. Easy to read, lots of facts and detail without becoming boring. Gives an insight into his personality and what drives him.

[Glen Cheeran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite a short and quick book in comparison to the last few I've read. But it was good, gave me an insight into the sea, it's power and majesty. Put into perspective how insignificant we are in the face of the forces of nature.
There were two main parts were it was intense but it wasn't that much of a thriller as such. It was good though. But it wouldn't top some of the other books I've read. But then again, it wasn't trying to be a fantasy adventure action story - it was just a recount of a transatlantic voyage in an open rubber inflatable boat.

[Sudhakar Gupta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved reading about this good old ocean adventure filled with its fair share of hardships and drama. Grylls' writing was simple and honest, and the book was full of his many reflections on working with teams, handling oneself in situations outside their control, and life in general which made it a delight to read. It was refreshing to see a person of his repute emphasize that luck plays just as important a role in such an adventure as preparation or perseverance or courage.

[Morgan B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bear Grylls gets a lot of well deserved criticism for deliberately putting himself in dangerous "survival" situations on TV because he knows he is surrounded by a full camera crew that can bail him out, but his achievements outside of the TV are not to be laughed at. Crossing the frozen North Atlantic in basically a pontoon boat is an absolute bonkers achievement and this story keeps you hooked from start to finish.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started very slow but was much better once they started the actual journey. A lot of build up which is fairly technical.

Only discovered the glossary of terms at the back when I was nearly finished. It’s a useful tip if you don’t know much about boats.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book better than Grylls' "Facing Up," although both were very good. I especially enjoyed the last chapter with Bear's reflections, which I found vulnerably beautiful and honest.

How much fun would it be to be a journalist covering one of Bear's adventures for a few hours!

[Cassidy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another fantastic book from Bear Grylls' own adventures. Once again honest, funny and down-to-earth, I thoroughly enjoyed this exciting read.

[Kimbra Goodwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Felt like I was in the boat for this adventurous float!

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read during our lockdown.
Funny his gym buddy was a well known vicar nick named the Pope.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly decent read.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredible story. How they survived. Silly name for a kid Bear but he seems like a good person and a very good leader.

[Chelsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chose this one as a pallet cleanser. Bear's writing is always easy to understand and straightforward.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book to read, amazing how they managed to complete the challenge after all the issues they had with bad weather etc.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stellar writing once again from Bear. Always an inspiration.

[Jack Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devoured in a matter of days. I've read this book a few times and it never fails to enthrall and inspire me. A fascinating tale of adventure, danger, and human kindness and comradery.

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm sorry, but I love Bear Grylls!

Now that that is out of the way, I'll also say that this journey sounds absolutely horrible. A quote from Charlie:

"People still ask me what it was like on the ocean, and the best I can do is say that it was like parking an open-topped people-carrier in a car wash, and living in it for two weeks with four other men, during an earthquake, in sub-zero temperatures." (people-carrier = minivan, btw)

Delightful, yes?

Anyway, it's an adventure story and a survival story and a story about friendship and faith and how going through all that and (somewhat miraculously) living to tell about it maybe makes you rethink your life and the things you really want out of it. I like the way Grylls talks about his family and how important it is to him that he actually be there for them, rather than dead because of some extreme adventure or another like this one. I can definitely respect that, and it puts all the Man vs. Wild controversy a number of years back into perspective just a bit.

Grylls may not be the most amazing writer in the world, but I love the way he tells his stories, and his honesty about what's happening and how he thinks about it makes them a joy to read. For me, at least.

Um, did I mention that I love Bear Grylls?

Heh.

[Mavis Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yeah, so it's not the best adventure book I've ever read. Even as huge a Bear Grylls fan as I am, I was still happy when it was over. A bit meandering... a bit sanctimonious. But then again, it IS a memoir and you're allowed those types of liberties in what is essentially your diary mass marketed for public consumption.

I'm not sorry I read it and I did read the entire book but I'm happy to be moving on.

If I had to rank it with other adventure books, I'd put Alive! in the number 1 spot followed by Into Thin Air and amongst those Facing the Frozen Ocean would be probably in the 5-6 range.

I'll give it a 3-star here but in my heart of hearts it's probably more a 2er.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes you from Bear's original thought "can a Rigid Inflatable Boat cross the Arctic without backup?" Though the journey of creating such a boat, obtaining sponsorship, and selecting his team. To the page turning ups and downs (literally) of the crossing itself.
Bear is very honest with himself and this honesty make him very endearing, he is loyal to his friends/team, he always speaks positively about all the people he meets. But for me the most impacting statement was how he realised he was no good as a dead hero to his wife and son, and this drove him to complete the mission alive, and to consider very seriously what "adventures" he was to take in the future.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love "Man vs. Wild". Bear Grylls says it's ok to be lost: as long as you know how to get water from elephant dung;) This book predates M vs.W by about 5 years. This is a autobiographical account of his trans-arctic journey in a raft....a raft on steriods but a raft nonetheless. Bear waxes poetic as he and his crew battle rough seas that destroy ships triple his boat's size. A must read read for manly survival freaks....now I'm off to see if our new duvet cover fits.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bear Grylls is my hero. This is the 2nd book of his that I have read and I flew through it. Extremely well-written. He really makes you feel like you're there with him experiencing the emotions of a violent storm at sea. Wow. Why this guy does stuff like this is beyond me, but I'm glad he does because I get to experience it through his books without having to actually be there. Highly recommended book.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an ardent fan of Man vs. Wild, how could I NOT read this book? I couldn't put it down! The things that Mother Nature put in front of Bear and his crew stressed me to the point that if I didn't already know that he survived, I don't know if I could finished the book. I don't know how he survived...I suppose by the grace of God and the seat of his pants. Great read for those who like adventure and the Great Outdoors.

[Paul Clarkson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a easy to read account of Bear Grylls successful attempt to cross the North Atlantic in an RIB.[return][return]Grylls is honest and at times vulnerable about the expedition. [return][return]This book is also about leadership. Not in the 'traditional' leadership style but in a reflective and thought provoking way.

[Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

It would be a mistake too muddle up Bear Grylls the TV product with the author of this book.

A much more considered and thoughtful man comes across on the written page than does the one squeezing water out of elephant faeces on the TV.

As long as you don't ask yourself "why bother" this is an interesting adventure yarn.

[Ginni Brinkley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this almost straight after 'Facing up' and liked it even more. Bear and his friends clearly went through a dreadful ordeal in the freezing seas around the Arctic, which was described in great detail. I found myself even more taken up in this one than in the narration of Bear's climb up Everest. I also really appreciated the times Bear talked about his faith. Loved it.

[Vicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little bit of research for my own expedition. An honest and readable account by Grylls of his team's crossing of the North Atlantic in a RIB, that is, an open inflatable powerboat. Encountering massive seas and storm conditions in remote areas, the crew come close to disaster on a couple of occasions, testing their resolve to the limit.

[Ruchir Pathak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I searched and found this book of Bear Grylls, the MAN VS.WILD GUY. And instantly I bought it. one of the best book I've read. The essence of adventure is intact, no drama only reality. The survival story and book also contains some colored images of the voyage. Read it if you haven't.