Quick review: My Heroes

by Ranulph Fiennes

It might better be titled " My list of harrowing things," as to a large degree his heroes all come from periods of atrocity (apart from mountain climbers and polar explorers who, from my perspective, don't seem quite so heroic when placed next to those who had no choice in nazi Germany or Rwanda etc).

Often brutal, it's not a bed-time book.  And my lasting impression is more on the awfulness than the heroes.  But there are stories here that make you wonder what you're complaining about in ordinary life.

One interesting facet he never comments on is that many of the heroes are religious - ranging from a passing reference about a Navy SEAL to the obvious and integral nature of Christianity to Gladys Aylward.  It would be interesting to know if he noticed this too, and what his conclusions are....