~ Book Reviews ~

‘My Daddy is Climbing Denali’ by Samuel Sidiqi
Chris Shirley MA FRGS Chris Shirley MA FRGS

‘My Daddy is Climbing Denali’ by Samuel Sidiqi

On the surface, it’s a children’s book about a father preparing to climb Denali, the tallest mountain in North America. But in reality, it goes much deeper, telling a story about adventure, purpose, and the quiet influence of leading by example.

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‘Winter Skills: Essential Walking and Climbing Techniques’ by Andy Cunningham and Allen Fyffe
Chris Shirley MA FRGS Chris Shirley MA FRGS

‘Winter Skills: Essential Walking and Climbing Techniques’ by Andy Cunningham and Allen Fyffe

As the official handbook for Mountain Training’s winter leadership qualifications, "Winter Skills: Essential Walking and Climbing Techniques" by Andy Cunningham and Allen Fyffe is a comprehensive guide designed to equip individuals with the necessary knowledge and techniques for safe and effective movement in winter mountain environments.

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‘Winged Scalpel’ by Dr Richard Villar
Chris Shirley MA FRGS Chris Shirley MA FRGS

‘Winged Scalpel’ by Dr Richard Villar

Winged Scalpel by Dr Richard Villar, a former SAS doctor, is a gripping and deeply insightful memoir that chronicles the extraordinary life and career of an orthopaedic surgeon who has worked extensively in war zones and disaster-stricken areas around the globe.

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‘Beyond Possible’ by Nimsdai Purja
Chris Shirley MA FRGS Chris Shirley MA FRGS

‘Beyond Possible’ by Nimsdai Purja

Beyond Possible by Nimsdai Purja (aka ‘Nims) is an electrifying memoir that captures the extraordinary feat of summiting the world's 14 highest mountains in less than seven months — an accomplishment that redefined the boundaries of human endurance and resilience.

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‘Running on empty’, by Marshall Ulrich
Chris Shirley MA FRGS Chris Shirley MA FRGS

‘Running on empty’, by Marshall Ulrich

"Running on Empty" by Marshall Ulrich offers an exhilarating and deeply personal glimpse into the mind of an ultramarathon runner, chronicling his astounding run across America.

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‘ The Row to Recovery ’ by Sam Peters
Chris Shirley MA FRGS Chris Shirley MA FRGS

‘ The Row to Recovery ’ by Sam Peters

In 2011, six ex-servicemen embarked on an arduous mission to row across the Atlantic Ocean, an endeavour accomplished by fewer people than those who have summited Everest.

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‘Journeys to Impossible Places’, by Simon Reeves
Chris Shirley MA FRGS Chris Shirley MA FRGS

‘Journeys to Impossible Places’, by Simon Reeves

Simon Reeve's "Journeys to Impossible Places" takes us readers on a visceral and captivating tour through some of the most remote and challenging locations on Earth – and it reading it certainly feels like you’re there with him!

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‘We are Explorers’, by Kari Herbert
Chris Shirley MA FRGS Chris Shirley MA FRGS

‘We are Explorers’, by Kari Herbert

‘We Are Explorers’ by Kari Herbert delves into the really captivating stories of fourteen women whose adventurous spirits and curiosity led them to extraordinary discoveries around the world.

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‘Facing Up’ by Bear Grylls
Chris Shirley MA FRGS Chris Shirley MA FRGS

‘Facing Up’ by Bear Grylls

"Facing Up: A Remarkable Journey to the Summit of Mount Everest" is an inspiring piece by British adventurer Bear Grylls, that was first published in 2000 and a memoir of Grylls's journey to the summit of Mount Everest at the age of 23.

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‘My Life as an Explorer’ by Roald Amundsen
Chris Shirley MA FRGS Chris Shirley MA FRGS

‘My Life as an Explorer’ by Roald Amundsen

Roald Amundsen's ‘My Life as an Explorer’ is a staple for any would-be adventurer or explorer, detailing his extraordinary life and unparalleled achievements.

This memoir, published just a year before his mysterious disappearance at the North Pole, is a compelling and intimate glimpse into the highs and lows of Amundsen's stellar career, which surpasses those of his more famous rivals, Ernest Shackleton and Robert Falcon Scott.

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‘The Places in Between’, by Rory Stewart
Chris Shirley MA FRGS Chris Shirley MA FRGS

‘The Places in Between’, by Rory Stewart

"The Places in Between" is a travel memoir written by Rory Stewart, a British author, diplomat, and politician. Published in 2004, the book details Stewart's journey on foot across Afghanistan in early 2002.

Stewart's trek took him from Herat in the west to Kabul in the east, a distance of over 600 miles, traversing through some of the most remote and inhospitable terrain in Afghanistan. His journey was particularly significant as it occurred shortly after the fall of the Taliban regime and during a period of transition in the country.

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Rowing the Pacific, by Mick Dawson
Chris Shirley MA FRGS Chris Shirley MA FRGS

Rowing the Pacific, by Mick Dawson

A hugely engaging piece of work, Mick, outlines his story from his time in the Royal Marines, the career transition from the military in to becoming a professional Yacht skipper, to how he got started in ocean rowing, and then his preparation for the north pacific route from Japan to San Francisco.

First rowing the Atlantic Ocean in 2001, Mick’s story is funny, intimate, gripping, and a moving account of trying to complete his goal of rowing across the north pacific.

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