Self-Help Worlds

Abstract

A Survival Guide for Life was published in 2012 by Bantam Press in London. Bear Grylls, the book’s author, is a well-known British media personality. On his website, Grylls portrays himself as an outdoorsman, adventurer and survivalist:

Bear Grylls has become known around the world as one of the most recognized faces of survival and outdoor adventure. His journey to this acclaim started in the UK on the Isle of Wight, where his late father taught him to climb and sail. Trained from a young age in martial arts, Bear went on to spend three years as a soldier in the British Special Forces, serving with 21 SAS. It was here that he perfected many of the skills that his fans all over the world enjoy watching him pit against mother-nature. (Grylls, no date-c)

Along these lines, the story continues. A biographical sketch tells readers of free-fall parachuting accidents in Africa, journeys to remote regions — from Antarctica to the Arctic — and mountaineering expeditions to Mount Everest. It also highlights his high-profile media work for Channel 4 and Discovery Channel, claiming that the ‘Discovery Channel’s Emmy nominated TV show Man Vs. Wild and Born Survivor […] has become one of the most watched shows on the planet, reaching an estimated 1.2 billion viewers’ (Grylls, no date-c).