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Mud, Sweat and Tears cover art

Mud, Sweat and Tears

By: Bear Grylls
Narrated by: Tom Patrick Stephens
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Summary

Bear Grylls is a man who has always sought the ultimate in adventure. Growing up on the Isle of Wight, he was taught by his father to sail and climb at an early age. As a teenager he found identity and purpose through both mountaineering and martial arts, which led the young adventurer to the foothills of the mighty Himalaya and a grandmaster's karate training camp in Japan. On returning home, he embarked upon the notoriously gruelling selection course for the British Special Forces to join 21 SAS - a journey that was to push him to the very limits of physical and mental endurance. Then, in a horrific free-fall parachuting accident, Bear broke his back in three places. It was touch and go whether he would ever walk again. However, only eighteen months later Bear became one of the youngest ever climbers to scale Everest, aged only 23. But this was just the beginning of his many extraordinary adventures . . .Known and admired by millions, Bear Grylls has survived where few would dare to go. Now, for the first time, Bear tells the story of his action-packed life.

Gripping, moving and wildly exhilarating, Mud, Sweat and Tears is a must-read for adrenalin junkies and armchair adventurers alike. Narrated by Tom Patrick Stephens, who Bear approved himself (since he was off adventuring!)

©2011 Bear Grylls (P)2012 Random House Audiobooks

What listeners say about Mud, Sweat and Tears

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    5 out of 5 stars
  • R
  • 05-05-12

I love this guy

Listened to the whole book in a day. The bloke is amazing and his book was a joy.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

What a trooper

Great read. The book focuses on his training and the climb. One very lucky guy that I can relate to in the back injury department. Its still an incredible journey in the short time this book goes on for and it leaves you wanting more. Better go watch some Man Vs wild now.

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6 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Not what I had hoped for

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No - I would not recommend this book to a friend, at least not a friend who is an adult. I do, however, think it's very suitable for adolescents - probably the age of the scouts of whom he is 'chief'. I admire Bear Grylls' exploits very much, and enjoy watching his TV appearances. Sadly, I found this book very poorly written (the narration was fine). The standard of language was very basic and, for me, that detracted from the story. It's not all bad - it's easy to listen to on account of the simple language, and there were some anecdotes which I found interesting. Overall, however, I was disappointed and am consequently unlikely to buy any other books by Bear. I'll stick to his TV shows!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

The best

This is the best autobiography I have ever read. Well written and narrated. Excellent, compelling.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A story well told.

loved it, had me laughing out loud in places and wanting to know more about what happened next.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

one of the best

such a great book bear has done so much with his life from such an early age
just wish it was read by him

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

motivational listen

I loved this book man that never gives up when probably didn't need to coming from well off family and got plenty of stick for that just goes to show how tough this man is body and mind from sas training breaking his back to mountain climbing king that didn't give in


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amazing

really good insight into bears life, i really enjoyed the climbing everest part, and hearing what the sas selection process was like

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Simply Brilliant

Wow such respect for Bear amazing. Such inspiration such words of wisdom . Truly a cat with 9 lives. Book brilliantly written that keeps you wanting to listen for more.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

exceptional down to earth read / listen

well written, emotional journey filled with excitement, wonder, apprehension but a cannot put down read/ listen.
bring it on

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  • Lincoln
  • 13-09-12

Inspirational

What did you love best about Mud, Sweat and Tears?

Bear Grylls is human he just tries harder and never gives up.
A completely honest and inspirational listen.

Which scene was your favorite?

Climbing Everest. Always thought it was something that I might want to do. It no longer is.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

This book made me late for work many times as I sat in my car not wanting to stop the adventure.

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  • Alex
  • 10-09-19

Original, inspiring, challenging, sobering

Listening for a second time over and will surely do many times more in the future.

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  • Henrik
  • 13-03-18

What an original human being.

Amazing story.. ..just Got totally lost in the timeframe.....and then it was over...darn.
I love this guy.. .

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Vijayakumar
  • 20-08-17

good one

if u like adventures, I'm sure u will love this.
superbly narrated.packed with interesting moments and incidents. really enjoyed it. thanks audible.😀

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  • James Cox
  • 02-06-15

Exciting and enjoyable

The book has had me gripped for the past week. I've not wanted to stop listening to it at all.

Its read very well and not like a robot.

If you like adventure, outdoors and exploring, I recommend this to you.

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  • Tobias
  • 26-09-14

Inspiring and captivating

Where does Mud, Sweat and Tears rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I was skeptical about audiobooks in general at first, but after listening to this I was pleasently surprised. The narrator does an excellent job in bringing the words to life and the story is both very captivating and inspiring.

Who was your favorite character and why?

As a biography is goes without saying that my favorite character was Bear himself.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite moment was during SAS selection. Because I listened to the book while running, it inspired me to push myself a little further.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It's funny to get an insight in the number of adventures, big and small, that Bear has been involved in. You can't help but chuckle and think: "what a lovable idiot"

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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  • Kristoffer
  • 21-03-14

Better than I would have thought

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Its quite good simple entertainment.

What about Tom Patrick Stephens’s performance did you like?

He did quite well.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Not so much - it is a fairly simple book, and while its a good story it lacks the level to become really inspirational.

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  • David K.
  • 10-04-13

Transparent – Honest – Inspiring!

The narration is exceptional and perfectly suitable to the content.

The content itself is transparent, honest and inspiring.

Without question, a must listen!

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  • Jason
  • 04-02-13

Great read!

Would you listen to Mud, Sweat and Tears again? Why?

No, Once you know the story I don't feel the need?

What was one of the most memorable moments of Mud, Sweat and Tears?

His summit of Everest and what he overcame.

What about Tom Patrick Stephens’s performance did you like?

He sounded similar to Bear, so it was as if he was talking.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

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  • Overall
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  • Scott
  • 13-01-13

Mud, Sweat and Tears.. Great name for a title.

What did you love best about Mud, Sweat and Tears?

Bears honesty, humbleness and determination.

Any additional comments?

This is a great book for anybody, the underlying key principles told in the book can be applied to anybody with any situation. I highly recommend it.. To the point that this is the first review I have ever written an I've been an Audible member for nearly two years. Give this book a go!

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