Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage

published	1999 by Carroll & Graf
binding	Paperback
isbn	078670621X (isbn13: 9780786706211)
pages	288
description	In the summer of 1914, Sir Ernest Shackleton set off aboard the Endurance bound for the South Atlantic. The goal of his expedition was to cro...more [close] In the summer of 1914, Sir Ernest Shackleton set off aboard the Endurance bound for the South Atlantic. The goal of his expedition was to cross the Antarctic overland, but more than a year later, and still half a continent away from the intended base, the Endurance was trapped in ice and eventually was crushed. For five months Shackleton and his crew survived on drifting ice packs in one of the most savage regions of the world before they were finally able to set sail again in one of the ship's lifeboats. Alfred Lansing's Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage is a white-knuckle account of this astounding odyssey. Through the diaries of team members and interviews with survivors, Lansing reconstructs the months of terror and hardship the Endurance crew suffered. In October of 1915, there "were no helicopters, no Weasels, no Sno-Cats, no suitable planes. Thus their plight was naked and terrifying in its simplicity. If they were to get out--they had to get themselves out." How Shackleton did indeed get them out without the loss of a single life is at the heart of Lansing's magnificent true-life adventure tale.
date added	02-21-07 edit book

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Patrick rated it:

(review of isbn 029782919X)

02/03/08

bookshelves: 5q-book-group

Has a copy to sell/swap — Read in February, 2008

recommended to Patrick by: Vanessa
recommends it for: 5Q Book Group

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Jason rated it:

02/16/08

Read in January, 2005

Endurance was a truly apt name for this book, and the ship captained by Ernest Shackleton. Sailing in hopes of crossing the Antarctic continent to reach the South Pole, Shackleton, his ship and crew were caught in the ice pack of the Weddell Sea only one day's journey from the Northwest coast of Antarctica. Over an agonizing ten months in the middle of the frozen ocean, the Endurance was ultimately crushed by the ice as its crew and Shackleton looked on helplessly. Undaunted, though caught qu...more Endurance was a truly apt name for this book, and the ship captained by Ernest Shackleton. Sailing in hopes of crossing the Antarctic continent to reach the South Pole, Shackleton, his ship and crew were caught in the ice pack of the Weddell Sea only one day's journey from the Northwest coast of Antarctica. Over an agonizing ten months in the middle of the frozen ocean, the Endurance was ultimately crushed by the ice as its crew and Shackleton looked on helplessly. Undaunted, though caught quite literally in the middle of nowhere, Shackleton led his men on an improbable journey to rescue.

Alfred Lansing does an admirable job shepherding the reader through a story that largely stands on its own. Lansing's writing is accessible and vivid, allowing the reader to step into the shoes of Shackleton, which is both a blessing and curse. After his ship was crushed, and his supplies depleted or sunk, Shackleton led his men over the pack ice for five months, surviving on seals, fish and - only when all hope was nearly lost - their pack dogs, until the ice broke up, and the crew was able to sail their three lifeboats to the relative safety of Elephant Island. Of course, Elephant Island, in 1914, provided little shelter, or hope of rescue. As opposed to watching his men starve, Shackleton took a bold step, and small crew, electing to attempt to sail 800 open ocean miles in one of his 22-foot lifeboats from Elephant Island to South Georgia Island, home to the whaling base where they ultimately found help.

Shackleton, his boat the James Caird, and small crew reached South Georgia Island a staggering 17 days after leaving Elephant Island. Upon reaching land, and just when the reader believes the story must be over, Shackleton and his team must instead traverse the frozen mountain ranges of South Georgia Island with nothing more than the clothes on their backs and a single ice pick. After 36 hours in the mountains, Shackleton somehow managed to reach safety, as well as a boat that was capable of rescuing his crew on Elephant Island, all of whom survived.

Shackleton's story is one not of only survival under the most debilitating and demoralizing conditions, but also of true leadership in the face of overwhelming difficulty. There is no doubt that Lansing delivers the details well, as it is impossible for the reader not to feel the scale of Shackleton's achievement. Most people shiver at the thought of spending one frozen night in the wilderness. Simply thinking of Shackleton and the James Caird sailing 12-foot frozen seas for 17 days is almost incomprehensible.

Whether or not you are a fan of survival stories or tales of great British sailors, Endurance is worth your effort. Reading it will give you a true appreciation of the ability of human beings of all kinds to adapt and persist when put under even the most extreme pressure and stress. ...less

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