Page 46 - 2020 AMA Winter

BOOKREVIEW
AMA BOOK REVIEWS
Reviewed by Lee Magowan
MOUNTAIN MAN
BY JAMES FORREST
James Forrest is a relatable and everyday guy who took on a challenge and smashed it out of the park.
You could say we all have it in us to do something similar... that is, until he spells out the truth and the harsh realities of the physical and mental self-torture he went through along the way. James he has been very modest when the chips were down and he dug that bit deeper for something else to get him going, this is what many of us can relate to and understands through our occupation.
This challenge is an epic adventure without travelling to an extreme location in a harsh climate or environment, it’s on our national doorstep with our national weather...and for many trotting up many of these mountains is a day or weekend experience. For James he lived and breathed it for six months. James mentioned that it may not be cool adventures... well he’s wrong... its super cool! (You don’t need to be an extreme adventurist)
Honest advice from James... ‘a little outdoorsy grit and adventurous spirit, anyone can go on a big adventure – Including you’... is inspiring me to plan something out of the normal military Adventure Training two week expedition bubble.
James reflects very well on how he used his adventure to reflect during lockdown and how he now visions progression. I have reflected on lockdown and feel I need to fly, be that proverbial peacock!
The discussions between James and his wife Becky are broadly similar to ones I’ve had with my wife and as comical as many end up...the route to the answer is never simple. James came up with a great idea to reconnect to nature, challenge himself and prove adventures are still possible in our ever growing population of day tourists to our beautiful and wonderful mountain ranges. It’s not about the photos... its food for the soul!
What I loved most about this book is that it isn’t just a story of someone bagging hills; it’s an educational piece of writing, the information, knowledge and explanations of how, why and what, are invaluable. I thought I knew loads about the hills but clearly not, reading the book was a learning piece for me. I really enjoyed it and I absolutely recommend this book for everyone, from interested hill walkers, seasoned mountaineers or anyone who wants to read about the human drive to push their mental and physical condition over a prolonged period.
James very wisely gives solid advice on how to plan your own epic
adventure; I feel this is perfectly placed to provoke an action either as a solo venture or with friends.
The big take away from this book is that the adventure is on our door step, I feel we have lost that level of isolation and solitude and forgotten what is out there. James found people, found the quiet and I absolutely feel he found himself and to reflect on my own outdoor and career experiences, James has shown incredible Courage, Discipline and Respect.
It’s a great book and a worthy Gold winner of the outdoors awards 2019. Go and get a copy...you won’t be disappointed.
NATURE OF SNOWDONIA, 2ND EDITION
BY MIKE RAINE
As an outdoor book lover I was super excited for the second edition to come out. I used the first edition to help me swat up on the valuable information for my ML assessment, I took it out on walks in Snowdonia and it became my go to
for every walk. The second edition is sig- nificantly thicker and loaded with more content (no mule required) that I wish I had for my summer assessment. I gave my first edition to a soldier who is training for his ML assessment, in the space
of 4 weeks of having it his knowledge massively increased and his confidence... obviously now I have the second edition I will know much much much more!
46 / ARMY MOUNTAINEER