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My Outdoor Life

By: Ray Mears
Narrated by: Ray Mears, Simon Shepherd
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Summary

Ray Mears is a household name through his television series Tracks, World of Survival, Bushcraft Survival, The Real Heroes of Telemark, and many more.

He is a private individual who shuns publicity whenever possible and would prefer to let his many skills tell their own tale - until now.

In My Outdoor Life, Ray tells of his childhood and the formative years when he first developed a passion for both bushcraft and the martial arts skills that are central to his life. Having travelled the world several times over, he is no stranger to risk and has had more than his fair share of dangerous and life-threatening encounters to share with his listeners. But his life is so much more than a tale of derring-do. Shortly after he returned to England having narrowly survived a serious helicopter crash, his father died. Just a year later, he had to face the death of his first wife, Rachel. The book conveys the many sides of Ray Mears, taking us up to the present day - including the previously untold story of his involvement in the man-hunt for murderer Raoul Moat. My Outdoor Life gives us all a chance to share a life story as rich and as inspirational as a walk in woods with the man himself, Ray Mears.

©2013 Ray Mears (P)2014 Hodder & Stoughton
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Critic reviews

"Moving...gripping...The rather old-fashioned qualities he admires in others: fortitude, understatedness, loyalty, above all stoicism, are the same ones we admire in him. Long may he survive." ( Daily Mail)

What listeners say about My Outdoor Life

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Ray Myers an exceptional and unique eoodsma

well written and structured book. Ray Myers is truly at the top of his game and I look forward to seeing him on the t.v. A truly remarkable man.

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chalk and cheese

I've always enjoyed Ray's tv programmes. he comes over as knowledgeable, amiable and able to get along with anybody. in this book he comes across as so far up himself that I really disliked him. I just found the book very irritating and Ray not someone I wanted to spend time with.

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Fantastic

Presenting his life story, Ray Mears gives am informative introduction him self. It was nice to hear his voice at the beginning. It's a shame he did not narrate the audio book in it's entirety - of course I'm sure there are reasons for this. Now the Narrator was superb and one gets the impression they have studied Rays vocals to the letter. I found my self hearing Rays voice in place of the narrator.

I'm 2/3 of the way through and it's brilliant to gain an insight to the vanishing indigenous peoples of the world and many a high tale is told.

a great book can't recommend highly enough.

A

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Very eye-opening

Thanks to Ray for taking the time to tell his story of how his passion first began and how he has pursued this as a lifelong career the tragedies and tribulations he has been through in his life to bring him to where he is now

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better with Ray

would have been better if Ray performed the book. The orator was a bit cheesy.

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Wonderful

Brilliant book by and about a national treasure, or if he isn't quite that yet then he certainly should be. Definitely recommended.

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Not narrated by Ray

Despite Ray Mears being listed as co-narrator, he only provides 2 minutes of introduction.

If, like me, you prefer books narrated by the author, you will be disappointed.

Having said that, it's a well written book and well read. Good insight into a very interesting life. Written in Ray's unique style (sometimes comes over a touch arrogant), which may not be to everyone's taste, but fans as myself will enjoy immensely.

Well worth a listen.

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Excellent insight to Ray the man.

This book is excellent and really gives an insight to Ray Mears rarely seen in his TV shows. However I was disappointed that Ray's reading ended after the Prologue and felt that some of the story telling was lost in Simon's interpretation.

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Absolutely fascinating!!

This book was fascinating! I found myself desperate to push on and find out more! What a thoroughly interesting life he has has! Amazing!

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Brilliant

An absolutely fantastic listen. I made journeys just to carry on listening. What a truly honest and open account of what has been (so far) a very remarkable life.

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