Race to the Pole
by James Cracknell
and Ben Fogle

Review by Charlie Cash

After conquering the perils of the Atlantic Ocean in an open boat, most people would wallow in the achievement – but not Fogle and Cracknell. Looking for their next challenge, they decided to face -45ºC temperatures, whiteouts and near-starvation to enter the race to the South Pole. This book documents the two men’s physical and emotional journey with Bristol Doctor Ed Coats: from training in giant freezers and pulling tyres across beaches, to facing the harsh realities of crossing 500 miles of one of the planet’s most hostile environments.

Despite their struggling together for 16 hours a day, the adventurers’ individual stories are from surprisingly polar-opposite perspectives. The extreme physical challenge is graphically documented but it is the tears, tantrums and triumphs that make this such an engaging book, often leaving you feeling that you have shared the journey with them – but without the risk of frostbite.

Hardback book
Published by Macmillan
ISBN 9780230739444
Price: £18.99