Status
Checked out
Collection
Publication
Signet Books (1999), 418 pages
Description
Biography & Autobiography. History. Travel. Nonfiction. HTML: When Sir Henry Ernest Shackleton was beaten to the South Pole in 1912, he decided to trek across the continent via the pole instead. Before his ship even reached the continent it was crushed in pack ice. Shackleton managed to bring his entire team home by his masterful leadership through a series of incredible events. He has become a cult figure and a role model for great leadership..
User reviews
LibraryThing member lunacat
As Europe becomes increasingly unsettled, and countries prepare for war, one British adventurer is getting ready for a dangerous and life-threatening expedition of his own. Following the conquest of the South Pole, Shackleton set his sights on what he called 'the one remaining great object of
What follows is the account of the expedition, complete with precise lists, geographical positions and weather, first as they try to land on Antarctica, get trapped for months in the pack ice as it freezes around them, their ship being crushed by the ice, and then their desperate attempts, not to complete their task, but simply to survive and return to civilisation.
A dry, studious account occasionally interjected with light humour, such as descriptions of penguins nonsensical behaviour, the enormity of their struggle is difficult to comprehend. The monotony and futility of any action is clear – stranded on a chunk of ice, having watched their ship crushed, with provisions running short and over 1000 miles to help, this is truly the meaning of Endurance (the name of the ship they lost).
Specific lists of the food they have (and lack), continuing wondering as to the progression of the war and those loved ones at home, and the depletion of resources all round are charted, and both the madness and the foolhardy bravery of these men are hard to ignore, and even harder to imagine.
The accompanying tale, that of the men sent to the other side of the continent to place supply depots ready for the group they thought would be crossing land, is even more desperately futile to listen to – knowing as the reader does, that their travails are all for nothing, as the expedition has already failed.
This is an epic disguised in the staid and precise tones of an English gentleman adventurer, who – despite everything – is always determined in his tenacity and unwillingness to give up in the face of adversity. Foolhardy, yes, but with unbelievable courage.
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Antarctic journeying', a trans-continental crossing of Antarctica, via the pole. Having raised the money required, and despite the outbreak of World War I on the 3rd of August, he was commanded to proceed.What follows is the account of the expedition, complete with precise lists, geographical positions and weather, first as they try to land on Antarctica, get trapped for months in the pack ice as it freezes around them, their ship being crushed by the ice, and then their desperate attempts, not to complete their task, but simply to survive and return to civilisation.
A dry, studious account occasionally interjected with light humour, such as descriptions of penguins nonsensical behaviour, the enormity of their struggle is difficult to comprehend. The monotony and futility of any action is clear – stranded on a chunk of ice, having watched their ship crushed, with provisions running short and over 1000 miles to help, this is truly the meaning of Endurance (the name of the ship they lost).
Specific lists of the food they have (and lack), continuing wondering as to the progression of the war and those loved ones at home, and the depletion of resources all round are charted, and both the madness and the foolhardy bravery of these men are hard to ignore, and even harder to imagine.
The accompanying tale, that of the men sent to the other side of the continent to place supply depots ready for the group they thought would be crossing land, is even more desperately futile to listen to – knowing as the reader does, that their travails are all for nothing, as the expedition has already failed.
This is an epic disguised in the staid and precise tones of an English gentleman adventurer, who – despite everything – is always determined in his tenacity and unwillingness to give up in the face of adversity. Foolhardy, yes, but with unbelievable courage.
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LibraryThing member bookheaven
Compelling true story about Antarctic expedition in 1914.
LibraryThing member Polaris-
Quite simply awesome. And I don't use the word lightly, considering it is very much an overused word. Ernest Shackleton was a hero not only because of what he endured, but because of how he led. As opposed to Robert Scott who made a series of errors (as well as experiencing some genuine bad luck
This book tells the almost incredible tale of how his 1914 expedition failed early in its stated aims, but ultimately triumphed against a series of truly fearsome circumstances in the most inhospitable place on earth. Survival on the ice after the crushing destruction of their ship the Endurance, followed by the break-up of the ice and the harrowing escape over the ice floes into the open waters on board the Endurance's 3 lifeboats until the sanctuary of the bleak Elephant Island. Here is where the story begins anew as 'Uncle' Shackleton and 5 men depart for help leaving behind the remaining expedition team on the remote barren island with a protective shelter of 2 upturned lifeboats and a veneer of sealskins, and a diet consisting of pemmican hoosh, ship biscuit, seal blubber and seal meat when that could be hunted...
If all this hadn't been enough, the rescue party then attempts the crossing of the extreme South Atlantic (acknowledged as arguably the most treacherous open sea on the planet) in the remainng lifeboat - the James Caird. All the while Shackleton keeps his men going with his leadership skills and navigational expertise. His fellow rescue party undoubtedly play their part too in performing this miracle of marine adventure. Several hundred miles away their destination - South Georgia - is found. The journey is not yet over though as Shackleton and 2 others must traverse the unmapped mountainous spine of the island to the relative 'civilisation' of the remote whaling station at Grytviken. This final task proves almost the most dangerous...
The fact that Shackleton's team makes it to safety and in turn returns to Elephant Island to rescue the stranded expedition (by now clearly on the verge of madness and possible cannibalism) - without a single lost soul speaks volumes for his leadership capabilities and also for this generation's incredible resilience in the face of adversity in what Shackleton called 'the White War'. The tale is all the more powerful in the knowledge that many of the brave men on return to a Europe at war in 1916 must tragically go to battle again, and that so many fall in those foreign fields.
One of the most inspiring and exhillirating books you will ever read.
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with inclement weather) culminating in disaster in 1912, Shackleton's primary concern above all aspects of his mission were the men under his command. In 1908 - on his earlier 'farthest south' expedition, he turned himself and his men around when within reach of the elusive Pole. He had realised that due to depleted rations and muscles, in the face of extremely adverse weather, if they attained their stated aim of the Pole, they would not return alive. As it was, he had to be hauled on a sledge for the last slog by his two exhausted team-mates, as he was too weakened to carry on unaided...This book tells the almost incredible tale of how his 1914 expedition failed early in its stated aims, but ultimately triumphed against a series of truly fearsome circumstances in the most inhospitable place on earth. Survival on the ice after the crushing destruction of their ship the Endurance, followed by the break-up of the ice and the harrowing escape over the ice floes into the open waters on board the Endurance's 3 lifeboats until the sanctuary of the bleak Elephant Island. Here is where the story begins anew as 'Uncle' Shackleton and 5 men depart for help leaving behind the remaining expedition team on the remote barren island with a protective shelter of 2 upturned lifeboats and a veneer of sealskins, and a diet consisting of pemmican hoosh, ship biscuit, seal blubber and seal meat when that could be hunted...
If all this hadn't been enough, the rescue party then attempts the crossing of the extreme South Atlantic (acknowledged as arguably the most treacherous open sea on the planet) in the remainng lifeboat - the James Caird. All the while Shackleton keeps his men going with his leadership skills and navigational expertise. His fellow rescue party undoubtedly play their part too in performing this miracle of marine adventure. Several hundred miles away their destination - South Georgia - is found. The journey is not yet over though as Shackleton and 2 others must traverse the unmapped mountainous spine of the island to the relative 'civilisation' of the remote whaling station at Grytviken. This final task proves almost the most dangerous...
The fact that Shackleton's team makes it to safety and in turn returns to Elephant Island to rescue the stranded expedition (by now clearly on the verge of madness and possible cannibalism) - without a single lost soul speaks volumes for his leadership capabilities and also for this generation's incredible resilience in the face of adversity in what Shackleton called 'the White War'. The tale is all the more powerful in the knowledge that many of the brave men on return to a Europe at war in 1916 must tragically go to battle again, and that so many fall in those foreign fields.
One of the most inspiring and exhillirating books you will ever read.
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LibraryThing member caimanjosh
Shackleton's 'Endurance' expedition is without question one of the most amazing and compelling adventure stories of all time. It is a true testament to the power of leadership and the ability of men to persevere in the face of incredible odds and prolonged suffering.
That said, Shackleton's account
In summary, an incredible story, but very dry prose.
That said, Shackleton's account
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of the expedition is probably the least interesting of all of the accounts that I've yet read. It suffers from typical old-fashioned British understatement, and as a result, episodes that were in fact dramatic and harrowing come across as rather routine and unremarkable. Some might extol the virtues of such humility in prose, but those looking for an entertaining read would be well off to read another author's account of the expedition. A truly great leader of men was Shackleton, but as an author, I believe he left something to be desired. Try Caroline Alexander's or Alfred Lansing's accounts of the Endurance expedition first, and then if you want to hear his own account, read Shackleton's afterwards. In summary, an incredible story, but very dry prose.
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LibraryThing member Fluffyblue
The story of Sir Ernest Shackleton's eventful journey across the south pole, told from his perspective and then from the perspectives of some of the other groups that were stationed at different parts of the Antarctic and also the ships. Interesting and at times harrowing.
LibraryThing member CliffBurns
One of the bravest stories ever told...
LibraryThing member Niecierpek
Fascinating and very dramatic.
LibraryThing member AlCracka
I read this casually, a little at a time. It's one of the great adventure stories of all time, and smashing stuff (get it?) but...here's how it works: it's based on the journals of Shackleton and everyone else in his party - he gives others lots of time too - and the entries can be a little
Shackleton's a surprisingly good writer, though. Clear, engaging and often funny. That livens up the doldrum periods - but also, the effect of the long passages in which nothing dramatic happens is that when something does happen, it happens with extraordinary, direct impact. His account of - minor spoiler, I guess? - the final destruction of the Endurance is just crushing. An incredibly powerful moment. The immediacy of the epistolaryish format, with its you-are-here feel, makes the big moments of the expedition directly heartbreaking.
After his account of the main expedition, he starts completely over with what happened with the other boat, the Aurora. (You will have forgotten they exist by this time.) This is a tough one; it's just as compelling a story - they actually had it worse, if you can believe that, and again it's based on journals so it has that you're-right-there! feel to it, but there's no avoiding the fact that, having slogged all the way through Shackleton's brutal story, you groan a little when you realize you're about to start over.
I guess I'd suggest laying it aside and picking it up later for this part. It is much shorter, at least. And it's much shorter even than it looks, because after the story of the Aurora's landing party (again, this really is great stuff on its own), Shackleton backtracks again, to the people who stayed on the Aurora, and that part is utterly skippable. Nothing whatsoever happens. I read it so you don't have to. Just stop there.
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repetitious. Like, y'know, "Still stuck on an iceberg. Cold and hungry." Shackleton's a surprisingly good writer, though. Clear, engaging and often funny. That livens up the doldrum periods - but also, the effect of the long passages in which nothing dramatic happens is that when something does happen, it happens with extraordinary, direct impact. His account of - minor spoiler, I guess? - the final destruction of the Endurance is just crushing. An incredibly powerful moment. The immediacy of the epistolaryish format, with its you-are-here feel, makes the big moments of the expedition directly heartbreaking.
After his account of the main expedition, he starts completely over with what happened with the other boat, the Aurora. (You will have forgotten they exist by this time.) This is a tough one; it's just as compelling a story - they actually had it worse, if you can believe that, and again it's based on journals so it has that you're-right-there! feel to it, but there's no avoiding the fact that, having slogged all the way through Shackleton's brutal story, you groan a little when you realize you're about to start over.
I guess I'd suggest laying it aside and picking it up later for this part. It is much shorter, at least. And it's much shorter even than it looks, because after the story of the Aurora's landing party (again, this really is great stuff on its own), Shackleton backtracks again, to the people who stayed on the Aurora, and that part is utterly skippable. Nothing whatsoever happens. I read it so you don't have to. Just stop there.
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LibraryThing member napgeorge
The greatest adventure story ever, by one of the greatest leaders ever.
LibraryThing member Clueless
An absolutely riveting story of incredibly resourceful, heroic and courageous men. The privations were mind boggling in this most inhospitable corner of the world. Even then Shackleton was concerned about extinction of humpback whales. Shackleton was so amazingly knowledgeable about a diverse
Lay in a supply of casseroles and get somebody else to ferry the kids back and forth to school for a few days because when you pick this book up you won't be able to put it down until you're done.
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number of relevant subjects; weather, geography, geology, oceanography (especially in regards to sea ice - naturally) and sociology.Lay in a supply of casseroles and get somebody else to ferry the kids back and forth to school for a few days because when you pick this book up you won't be able to put it down until you're done.
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LibraryThing member untraveller
This is a great book regardless of the format. I thought the side notes would be better than they turned out to be, but they were still fun. The pics are ridiculously good!
LibraryThing member JBreedlove
A personal account of Shackletons doomed trip to the South Pole and his heroic return from almost certain oblivion. Well written, crisp, and eye-opening.
LibraryThing member AliceAnna
A little tedious at times but an amazing account of the men who survived after their ship was crushed by ice and sunk in an Antarctic expedition. How only 3 men of 56 died is nothing short of astounding and Shackleton's leadership was a huge reason why the vast majority survived months of privation
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and horrendous conditions. Show Less
LibraryThing member RobertP
Amazing story of leadership, determination, duty and ability.
LibraryThing member untraveller
As always, a great book and a great story.M cop is the U.S. first.
LibraryThing member encephalical
A tale where I kept going, "What?!" Amazing fortitude exhibited by all, though hints of cracking here and there.
A thing which struck me while reading was when Shackleton referred to people by name and when he did not. By his account, the carpenter was probably one of the most essential team members
The appendix on whaling counts was horrifying, the collapse of the humpback population being captured in real time. The other appendix sections give master lessons on how to write up results from failed experiments.
A thing which struck me while reading was when Shackleton referred to people by name and when he did not. By his account, the carpenter was probably one of the most essential team members
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but is rarely referred to by name, just "the carpenter." Other British classisms appear here and there.The appendix on whaling counts was horrifying, the collapse of the humpback population being captured in real time. The other appendix sections give master lessons on how to write up results from failed experiments.
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LibraryThing member breic
Although already familiar with the story from Lansing's "Endurance," I still found Shackleton's recounting worthwhile. It is a little slow at the beginning, and quite slow at the end when he describes the travails of the support expedition on the other side of Antarctica. But there is some
> Three emperor penguins made their appearance in a lead west of the ship on May 3. They pushed their heads through the young ice while two of the men were standing by the lead. The men imitated the emperor's call and walked slowly, penguin fashion, away from the lead. The birds in succession made a magnificent leap 3 ft. clear from the water on to the young ice. Thence they tobogganed to the bank and followed the men away from the lead.
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surprisingly good writing, lots of adventure in an amazing place, insights on leadership. > Three emperor penguins made their appearance in a lead west of the ship on May 3. They pushed their heads through the young ice while two of the men were standing by the lead. The men imitated the emperor's call and walked slowly, penguin fashion, away from the lead. The birds in succession made a magnificent leap 3 ft. clear from the water on to the young ice. Thence they tobogganed to the bank and followed the men away from the lead.
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LibraryThing member Stbalbach
This classic needs little introduction, being among the top three most famous accounts of the golden age of polar exploration (the other two Worst Journey and Scott's journals). Unlike most books about polar misadventures this has a happy ending and remains optimistic throughout. I am impressed by
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the clarity of the writing, Shackleton is not a poet but has an eye for detail and respect for the reader. It has a symmetry mirroring the circular route. I listened to the audiobook performance by Rupert Degas. A remarkable interpretation where the sum is greater than the parts. There are still actors around able to perform in-period so we can hear the words as they were meant to spoken, not unlike the skills of a Shakespearean actor. Hurrah. Show Less
LibraryThing member wbell539
This book is an opportunity to gain a massive increase in your vocabulary of terms relating to seamanship and antarctic exploration.
LibraryThing member Pferdina
Something about these polar expeditions fascinate me. Why groups of men thought it would be a good idea to sail in a wooden ship to Antarctica and then walk across the continent dragging their food and supplies behind them, wearing reindeer skins and canvas, I will never understand. They are so
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cheerful about it, too. Poor Smith, he died of painful scurvy in a tent during a blizzard, but he smiled and joked until the end. What a great guy! I don't deny that these feats were amazing and inspiring, I just wonder how bad regular life in England was to make these journeys seem like any kind of alternative. Show Less
LibraryThing member pokarekareana
As war broke out in Europe in August 1914, Ernest Shackleton led a daring expedition south to Antarctica. The expedition's goal was to cross Antarctica from one side to other, via the South Pole. This book is his personal account of three years' struggle.
Shackleton's writing, whilst not especially
Shackleton is a humble narrator, who makes no attempt to glorify his own actions and presents an intriguing story of adventure, survival, and blubber. He has utterly won me over - except, perhaps, regarding the merits of eating penguin.
Shackleton's writing, whilst not especially
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poetic, is deeply engaging. I read the whole book in slightly longer than a day, drawn in by images of frozen seas, men living on drifting ice floes for months at a time, and the many challenges of finding food (and not becoming a whale's lunch) in such a harsh environment. I was particularly struck by their absolute isolation; at a time when war was ravaging Europe, the expedition members had no idea what was happening back home for extended periods of time. The book also provides excellent perspective on how nature can so easily hinder the most ambitious of human endeavours. Shackleton is a humble narrator, who makes no attempt to glorify his own actions and presents an intriguing story of adventure, survival, and blubber. He has utterly won me over - except, perhaps, regarding the merits of eating penguin.
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LibraryThing member Tikimoof
Coming into this book, I'd decided I wanted to read a "happier" tale of polar expeditions - no human died on the Endurance side of this trip. At the end of this book, I learned once again that it was blind luck that nobody died.
Shackleton was unbelievably lucky that the Endurance sank as slowly as
This also included so much animal death, retold in some really eerily creepy ways. The explorers all loved the penguins, but loved dissecting their stomachs and eating them more (it is a starvation scenario so the unashamed eating is definitely understandable, but the gleeful way Shackleton described catching the penguins was pretty haunting).
I dunno. Seeing how hard it was for them to get off the continent, and then how hard it was to get ships to Elephant Island to rescue the rest, I can understand why nobody was in a hurry to throw money at the endeavor. It put a lot of things into perspective.
Shackleton was unbelievably lucky that the Endurance sank as slowly as
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it did, considering all the trips back that the crew was able to make to get flour and other necessities. I don't know whether they should have tried harder to sledge across the ice floes - after George Washington De Long's inhuman attempt to get off the ice pack near the North Pole, Shackleton's attempts seem pretty wimpy.This also included so much animal death, retold in some really eerily creepy ways. The explorers all loved the penguins, but loved dissecting their stomachs and eating them more (it is a starvation scenario so the unashamed eating is definitely understandable, but the gleeful way Shackleton described catching the penguins was pretty haunting).
I dunno. Seeing how hard it was for them to get off the continent, and then how hard it was to get ships to Elephant Island to rescue the rest, I can understand why nobody was in a hurry to throw money at the endeavor. It put a lot of things into perspective.
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Subjects
Awards
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1919
Physical description
418 p.; 4.2 inches
ISBN
0451198808 / 9780451198808