If you have ever had that feeling of impending death? When you ride over a ridge and the track before you is covered in deep sand or deep red bull dust and corrugations. Then you will have experienced fear. Fear is a complete shut down of your ability to move forward, Benji Brundin confronts his own fear and analyses where that fear comes from.
The book is a deeply personal journey exploring the human frailty of fear. It explains why fear prevents us from reaching our goals. The book is not specifically about adventure riding. But many of the adventures that Benji describes ring a bell of solidarity. If you read the book you will get a deeper appreciation of the courage needed by some people who become adventure riders. For another book that explores a similar topic consider my review of Dirt and Dust by Amelia Olsen
Reading Hunting Fear, I thought back to that scene by Yoda in Star Wars. Yoda explaining to Luke Skywalker about fear “There is no try. Do or Do Not”. In his book there are many such examples of Benji having to make this decision.
What is fear?
Fear is that the paralysing disbelief in your abilities that shoots through your body like a lightening bolt hitting a tree, then settles into a nagging chorus of “You’re not good enough” “You’re going to fail” blah blah blah. It is a useful emotion that provides the adrenaline your body needs to escape a life threatening situation or to prepare you to fight off a dangerous enemy. On the other side of fear is the elation in having achieved the seemingly impossible. For many people when faced with fear they will err on the side of caution and self preservation and turn back, slow down or just not do it. For adventure riders, kayakers, mountain climbers, skiers and any other adventurer, this is the time when you have to dig deep and face those things that you fear the most.
Benji’s takes the reader on a personal journey, from him being expelled from the police academy, subsequent failure of his marriage. He traces his journey from a fear of failure to his eventual salvation in a world record feat of endurance. It is a great journey of self discovery, that as adventurers many of us will be able to relate to. His open and honest account of the good and bad in his life provides a genuine engagement with reader that makes his story believable. He presents a side of himself that many of us would find difficult to expose, and in so doing he draws you into his journey.
What is the book about?
The book is about one man’s journey to gain psychological fitness, to evaluate the belief’s that always lead to him to fail at whatever he does. In his darkest moment he formulates a plan to travel around Australia, to leave it all behind him. He buys a van and then as if as a second thought buys a dirt bike. Having never ridden a dirt bike, the story uses the bike as a transition tool. As he become a better rider, he challenges himself more and more. Each time he has to overcome his fear. Until the ultimate challenge crossing all ten Australian Deserts.
Summary
Hunting Fear is not a book about motorcycle touring, but it has so much value to those of us who ride motorcycles. From the difficult situations you find yourself in and the decisions you have to make. The ability to be almost overwhelmed with fear, but to look it in the eye and say “Not today”.
This is the message of Benji’s narrative. It appeals to me as an interesting observation on the importance of facing your fears head on and enjoying the journey. Benji’s descriptions of some of the characters he meets is priceless.
This is a good book to read, it’s not a literary piece of work like “Jupiter’s Travels” but it comes from the heart and speaks to us all.
Where to buy
This book can be purchased through Amazon at the link provided below. If you purchase through this link I will receive a small commission. This does not in anyway influence my comments or criticism of the book. I believe in trying to be objective so that you can rely on my evaluation when making a purchase.
Click here to buy – Hunting Fear by Benji Brundin
