Jim Eyre

Startling. Funny interludes from the first half of a hard life, well lived. Interspersed with Jim's trademark cartoons and with a few photos as well. The late Jim Eyre was one of the UK's most respected cavers leading many discoveries in the heydays of the 50s and 60s. His trademark humour shines on every page.

The book is divided up into four approximate sections, Each containing several chapters. However the primary organisation is chronological through Jim's life. A few incidents get picked out and detailed for a few paragraphs before we move on to something else often with little connection to the previous area. The main topics covered are Jim's early life in Navy, having joined up at 17 for the last of the WWII years, his UK caving experiences, his UK Cave Rescue incidents and his trips caving abroad.

AS a current UK caver his Navy life is of little interest. However it is well told, and does convey very well life in the UK at that time. The contrast between Jim's experiences as an Ordinary rating versus those of equivalent times as described by Monsarrat and Forester are well worth noting.

His UK caving, rescue and foreign trips go to show just how much harder life was in the 60s compared to the 'comfortable' excursions we make today. The trend doesn't bode well for the future, and I'm interested in reading the Sequel (the Game goes on) to see what Jim had to say about more modern techniques. Many of the incidents are quite scary and only by good luck did Jim pull through - but he was equally selfless in his help on rescue shouts. Although he normally manages to find something humourous in most situations, the tragic and eventually fatal Neil Moss rescue in Peak Cavern was very tactfully and movingly described. However Jim doesn't really write about how it effects him personally. This is true throughout the book - Jim describes the events but not how he feels about them. Given the rough and ready humour of most cavers of my acquaintance the language is remarkably restrained, and apart from the quotes from speakers in their native dialect, very easy to read.

The cartoons are especially good - Jim's knobbly knees are prominent throughout, and his masterly summery of a cavers dilemma are deftly captured. Overall this is a must read for anyone who knew Jim, or is interested in the Uk caving scene. It will be of interest to anyone in the wider caving and outdoor community, but is probably somewhat confusing for the casual reader unacquainted with caving terms or pothole difficulties. There is no glossary.

I found it riveting throughout.

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