Over my holiday i read his autobiography 'Mud, Sweat and Tears' which is a fascinating read.Grylls is known as a man who runs into danger, loves adventure and who is a born survivor. I love watching the extremeness and quite frankly, from an average person's view, ridiculously crazy things he does in his shows. TV aside, there are lots of ingredients which make this book an interesting read; Martial arts training, joining the SAS(R), breaking his back in 3 places, then climbing Everest 18 months later, there's even romance along the way. But one thing caught my eye above all else; his faith and relationship with Jesus Christ.
To be honest it was refreshing to read an autobiography of a famous person from tv in which Jesus, while not the main focus, plays a particularly strong roll in their life story. Bear's testimony of coming to faith was very interesting to read on pages 92 - 94. In this section he writes;
"Christ comes to make us free, to bring us life in all its fullness. He is there to forgive us where we have messed up (and who hasn't), and to be the backbone in our being."
Bear Grylls [Mud, Sweat And Tears pg 94]
As a Christian reading this book i loved reading Bible verses being quoted by, and prayers prayed by a man whom i only know of (and highly respect) because of a television show. This is quite an unusual occurance in our day, and as i've already said, it was refreshing to read this aspect of faith in a work that was not faith based in its purpose of being written (although i'll be surprised if Christian bookshops up & down the country don't begin selling it - thats just how they work . . .)
Before leaving the Christian aspect of the book i would say that some may be put off by certain words used by Bear, by his visit to see mother Teresa, or other events shared in the story.
Adventure
Bear's life has been an adventure reaching depths few of us ever have to drag ourselves through and heights even fewer ever enjoy. And it's impossible to read about this man and not feel infected by the call of adventure, risk taking and life. Go on and get the book, enjoy and have your own adventure . . .
Some details you may or may not want to know:
Amazon price: Hard Back - £9.50, Kindle £8.55
- Hardcover: 416 pages
- Publisher: Channel 4 (26 May 2011)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 190502648X
- ISBN-13: 978-1905026487
- Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 15.4 x 4 cm
