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Race to the Pole cover art

Race to the Pole

By: James Cracknell, Ben Fogle
Narrated by: James Cracknell, Ben Fogle
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Summary

A very British adventure: the first race to the South Pole since Scott and Amundsen, 100 years ago

New Year's Day, 2009. Somewhere on the bottom of the world, six teams of adventurers and explorers have gathered to race one another, on foot, to the South Pole. It is the first time that anyone has undertaken such a race in almost a hundred years; the first time since the great Norwegian, Roald Amundsen, beat Captain Scott to the same goal in 1911.

The stakes are high, as double-Olympic Gold-winning medallist James Cracknell and TV presenter and adventurer Ben Fogle must contend with hidden crevasses, frostbite and the favourites to win: a team of teak-hard former soldiers from Norway, trained in Arctic warfare. Temperatures as low as minus 45 degrees Celsius lie in store for the teams as they attempt to ski across 800 kilometres of unforgiving, icy wilderness, pulling behind them sledges laden with equipment, tents and food.

Race to the Pole is a rip-roaring 'boy's own' adventure packed with excitement, humour and even a few tears. But with just a few months to learn to cross-country ski before the start, and with national pride at stake, can Ben and James re-write history and beat the Norwegians?

©2009 James Cracknell and Ben Fogle (P)2009 Macmillan Digital Audio

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cracking Cracknell n Fogle

Brilliant detailed account from the 2 lads ... had previously enjoyed the Crossing account of their Atlantic row ... but this account was even better ...Ben is a natural and highly skilled story teller, however James Cracknell take a bow - brilliant told story by the Olympian with some witty quips to break up the amazing achievement in the harsh conditions of the South Pole. Chapeau

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A gripping and amazing story

An awesome adventure, that made me want to here more. Hat’s off to those guys...

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Heartwarming and sometimes painful...

This story of human endeavour plays with your emotions throughout. I fell in and then out of love with Ben, Ed and James several times as they each suffered or did some really kind things for each other and were then individually selfish and unlovable at times as you listen on.
Such a brilliant account of their super human effort to race to the South Pole.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Honest and inspirational

Although neither Ben Fogal or James Cracknell are authors or journalists, this book flows along and keeps you hooked due to the sheer misery that they had to endure and their desire to continue at all costs.

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Brilliant as usual.

Loved the crossing and have read a number of Ben’s other books. My favourites without doubt. This was excellent and inspiring

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awesome

another amazing book from Ben. however I very much missed hearing anything from the 3rd competitor, ed.

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A Must Download

Not only An excellent book but very inspirational. Made better by being read by the authors, it makes you feel like you are part of the story.
i will keep listening to this book over and over again...

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Very Funny as well as a great story.

This is a great story of grit and determination, really inspiring.

The main reason I am writing a review is because so many say James Cracknell spoils it with his reading, it’s the total opposite, he makes it.
Ben Fogle is so “everything is wonderful, the snow is sparkly, the sun is shiny” as well as not reading in his natural voice.James is the perfect counter, he’s the Karl Pilkington of Audiobooks, this guy could suck the sparkle out of just about anything, he’s so funny, so dry. Nothing impresses him, his piss taking of the other 2, particularly Ben is hilarious.
I laughed all the way through it.

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loved every minute of it...

absolutely fantastic to listen... great story,great achievement... Many thanks for this. Hope to hear more adventure from you..

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Epic tale of adventure

Where does Race to the Pole rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Overall I enjoyed the book and could not wait to undertake my evening commute to sit and listen to the continuing saga. I would put this in the top 25% of my audio book collection.

What did you like best about this story?

The quality of the details of the continuing saga of their adventure.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Ben Foggel has easy vocal delivery and you really feel he could be sat next to you in the pub but I did find James's delivery somewhat stilted in comparison as if he could only recount the tale in short sharp bursts.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The end was incredibly emotional after they realised the enormity of what they had achieved.

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1 person found this helpful