#203: The Real Life Most Interesting Man in the World

The Art of Manliness

Philosophy, Society & Culture, Education

4.7 • 14.8K Ratings

🗓️ 23 May 2016

⏱️ 49 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

You've probably all seen the Dos Equis 'Most Interesting Man in the World' commercials. He goes on great adventures, has tremendous stories to tell, is friends with the rich and famous, etc.
The Dos Equis man is a fictional character. But here's the thing: there was a man from 19th century who would put the Most Interesting Man in the World to shame. And you've probably never heard of him. Frederick Russell Burnham was a world-famous scout, took part in multiple wars all around the world, prospected for gold and oil and jewels in the world's roughest environments, and befriended Teddy Roosevelt amongst many other famous men of the era.
There's a new book about his life called The Splendid Savage, written by Steve Kemper. Today on the show we discuss Frederick Russell Burnham, including what drove him to take part in all these adventures and what men today can learn from his life.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Bratmike here and welcome to another edition of the Art of Manliness podcast.
0:18.2	We probably all seen the dosekis most interesting man in the world commercials.
0:22.4	Guy goes on great adventures, has great stories to tell, friends with the rich and famous.
0:28.1	He's a fictional character.
0:29.7	But here's the thing, there was a guy in the 19th century that would put the most interesting man in the world to shame.
0:35.7	His name is Frederick Russell Burnham.
0:37.7	He was a world famous scout that did time was tutored by some of the great mountain men of the American West.
0:44.7	Not only scouted in America and took part in the Apache Wars, went over to Africa for some adventures, took part in the board wars that were going on over there,
0:52.7	in colonial Africa.
0:54.7	All the time, prospecting for diamonds, oil, gold, you name it, he was doing that on the side as well.
0:59.7	Went to the Klondike to do some prospecting there. Went to Mexico to go on some adventures and take part in some of the hygiene and Mexican revolution.
1:08.7	And then he also, I mean, he also was friends with some of the most influential men in world history.
1:15.7	Teddy Roosevelt was a close friend of his. He was friends with some of the big capitalists of the day.
1:20.7	He was friends with Lord Baden Powell, the founder of the Boy Scout movement.
1:23.7	And in fact, as we'll see, Frederick Russell Burnham had a significant amount of influence on the Boy Scout movement.
1:28.7	Anyways, lots of stories from this guy. There's a new book out about his life.
1:32.7	It's called Splendid Savage, the restless life of Frederick Russell Burnham.
1:36.7	The author, Steve Kemper, and I have him on the show today to discuss this guy who's not letting many people know about him today, but he has lived an amazing life.
1:43.7	We're going to talk about his story. He's a complex character.
1:46.7	He's a product of his times. Why he went on all these adventures. What was driving him and what we could possibly learn from him.
1:53.7	So without further ado, Steve Kemper, a Splendid Savage, Frederick Russell Burnham.
2:02.7	Steve Kemper, welcome to the show.
	...

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