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Jun 30, 2011

Bird Brian rated it:

The history of early Antarctic exploration is filled with tough-as-nails men, who braved the punishing elements and the desolate unknown. Any one of those explorers deserves recognition, but among them all, Ernest Shackleton stands out as an icon of daring, leadership and tenacity. Against all odds, he saved his crew from freezing and starvation, after their ship, The Endurance got trapped, and eventually crushed, in pack ice. Shackleton and his men spent the Antarctic winter on the ice, More...

10 comments like (21 people liked it)

Dec 16, 2009

Xio rated it:

I. f'n adore these men. As far as I'm concerned I AM one of these men. (Only the godforsaken tundra I explore is urban U.S)

I don't want to hear any of your goddimmed complaints until you've been stranded on South Georgia Island living in wet clothing on a diet of seal, penguin then penguin and seal, looking forward to a period of immobilty so that nothing of your nerves picks up information of icy damp material touching raw, chafed, bruised skin...

And you know, all of tha More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Dec 22, 2007

Debbie rated it:

This book stands out mostly for the inclusion of many photographs of the expedition, taken by Frank Hurley. Dreadful though it must have been to have the Endurance trapped in the ice, the photographs are beautiful, especially those that show all the ship's surfaces limned with ice.

Unfortunately, the writing fails to capture the terror and the beauty of the later stages of the expedition, when the men were fighting for their lives against the cold, the sea, and the empty wastes of th More...

2 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jun 22, 2008

Suzanne rated it:

Saw this exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem when the book came out. The exhibit had many of the Frank Hurley photographs from the book along with artifacts, actual film, explanations etc.
This was a remarkable exhibition and one to remember when we think we have had a bad day....A great choice for adventuresome, inquisitive teenagers 14 years or older, or younger depending on their maturity. There are some gruesome images (starvation, eating seal meat etc) And, they are real, More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Oct 08, 2008

Vanessa rated it:

As a big fan of Alfred Lansing's version of the story, I had to read this one too. It is a worthy complement to Lansing's "Endurance" and contains a great deal more detail on some situations, interpersonal relations and the psychological impact on the men who went through this incredible experience - all stuff that Lansing tactfully omits. Added to that, there are many more of Frank Hurley's dazzling photographs. I would recommend reading this in addition to Lansing's work.

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Aug 28, 2011

Natalie rated it:

The exhibition catalog for the exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History is more than a coffee-table book, this beautifully photo illustrated history of the Endurance expedition is a must read/must see for anyone interested in the history of polar exploration.

Alexander, who writes so ably and knowledgeably about polar exploration also recently penned The Race to the South Pole in National Geographic's Sept 2011 issue.

Illustrations and photos like this one by He More...

0 comments like (4 people liked it)

Jun 18, 2008

Will rated it:

I was lucky enough to attend a lecture by the author shortly after the book was released, and managed to get an autograph. I'm especially happy I did, as this book is a visceral experience. It was lovingly crafted and the publisher did not cut corners, particularly on the excellent grade paper. All the more important, because the reproduction of the photography is superb.

Here is one of the very, very few great adventures from the age before our communications became global, when mail More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

May 11, 2007

Raghu rated it:

This book is about the abortive trans-Antarctic expedition led by Ernest Shackleton between 1914-16. Caroline Alexander has written a superb, well-researched and absolutely gripping account of the journey and the subsequent epic survival of all the men against all odds once the ship sinks deep in the Weddel sea.
Shackeleton shows extraordinary leadership and courage in attempting an impossible 800-mile journey in the roughest oceans on a 22-foot boat to reach South Georgia island with five More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Feb 09, 2012

Lori rated it:

Another of the books I read for my group dynamics class. We analyzed what it was about Shackelton that made him such a great leader in the face of adversity. The account exemplified qualities of effective leadership as well as important characteristics of group members.
Donald H. McGannon said: “Leadership is action, not position.” I found this quote to be very applicable to the message behind this book. Shackleton acted with determination as he made the welfare of his men his number one More...

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Jan 20, 2011

Jenifer rated it:

I read this version second. It's awesome because it has all the amazing photos and is especially descriptive of the techniques and pains used to capture the images and preserve them. It's fun to see a head-shot of each of the main characters. This version also offers much more information about getting ready for the expedition and what happened to each of the men afterwards.

This author was able to stress more of the incredible details of the voyage. After the Endurance was entrapped in More...

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Jan 31, 2010

Cym rated it:

The story of the trek of Ernest Shackleton and his crew across Antarctica in 1914-1915 is told in this magnificent biography in a manner so that the reader feels a part of the crew. The trip was undertaken in the wooden ship Endurance with sails billowing and steam engines throbbing on its way into the icy domain of South Georgia and the South Pole. It was not the first mission to the frozen world.

Danger vested immediately as the ship was consumed by the icy forces of raw nature an More...

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Nov 02, 2009

Gary rated it:

After reading the Lansing book, I thought I would not enjoy this as much, except for the excellent photos taken by expedition photographer Frank Hurley. However, I found that Alexander was able to glean more from the participants through their diaries than Lansing was either willing or able to do. She did a better job of revealing their character and flaws. I now understand one of the possible reasons why Shackleton's wife commanded that his body be returned to South Georgia Island to be buried More...

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Dec 17, 2009

Emily rated it:

I read Lansing's book on this same topic and I was hooked on the story. While this story didn't go into as many details as Lansing's book, it did provide a glimpse into the relationships and thoughts of many of the men. The author's dependence on diaries really gave a the reader a clue as to how everyone felt as they struggled to survive. I also like how the photographs were strewn throughout the book and humanized a lot of the men. A great retelling of an an amazing adventure!

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Dec 23, 2008

Michelle rated it:

I picked up this book by accident, thinking it was the Alfred Lansing account. I ended up reading them both, and am glad I had this version, from the Nat'l History Museum, to supplement the other. About a third of it is pictures, and they are amazing. The other, more famous book has only 4 or 5 slides. The text is very similar, with the Lansing version being a little bit more readable. An interesting tidbit I got from my chance reading of this book is that one of the famous pictures from the or More...

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Apr 02, 2009

Stacy rated it:

I remember my mom read this a while back, right after it came out, and she raved for a while about these amazing men and what they survived. It took me a while to read it myself, but I found myself raving on to other people about how these guys willed themselves to survive this horrible ordeal, how long can people wear the same clothes (years, apparently), how miserable it would be to be sleeping for a year in a reindeer sleeping bag that's shedding hair and rotting around you, how would it be t More...

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Feb 07, 2008

Lael rated it:

Just one word. Brrrrrrrr. The photos are amazing, and the story of survival intriguing. The real question that came out of this for me is "What makes a hero?"

1 comment like (1 person liked it)

Oct 28, 2011

Simon rated it:

I was able to finish this book is basically one day of reading. It's well-written, and it is a great story of courage and determination. The author does not do much to delve into the psyche of each man on the expedition (you will find yourself having trouble remembering the names and the personalities attached to them, just because there are quite a few of them), and in fact, does not even analyze Shackleton much.

But it does tell the story in a compelling, artful way. I will definitely More...

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Aug 07, 2011

Keith rated it:

I read this book over the course of about 3 days. It was fascinating reading, and I read quickly so as to actually finish it. I considered how their travails compared to those endured by those who are successful in any endeavor. They were not successful in their goal of traversing Antartica, but were successful in coming back without loss of life. I suppose that is because of the perseverence of their leadership.

The constrast in tenacity between their leader, and some who gave up is More...

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Apr 22, 2008

Jon marked it as to-read

I began reading this at work and started getting really excited. The pictures are great.

3 comments like (1 person liked it)

Sep 14, 2011

Brian rated it:

British explorer Shackleton’s failed attempt to cross the Antarctic continent on foot

Five stars for the fantastic black and white photography of the failed expedition, and four stars (maybe) for the succinct description of the expedition.

The voyage starts off somewhat underwhelming with the total failure to make land due to the ice, but becomes pretty amazing when the party must escape from the ice after the endurance is crushed, the long voyage of the James Caird boat More...

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Sep 20, 2011

Nancy rated it:

I read through the night to finish it. At 3am I thought I would put it down and go to sleep, but how could I leave Shackleton, Crean, and Worsley just as they were setting out on foot in a desperate bid to get to the nearest whaling station on the island of South Georgia in order to get help for the men they had left behind. In a sheer act of will, they cross 22 miles of treacherous uncharted territory, traversing mountains, ice, and glaciers. It takes them 36 hours, with only short intervals o More...

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Dec 07, 2011

Kenno82 rated it:

This is the first book that I have read about the Shackleton expedition. Amazing story, but I found the writing a bit dry. It wasn't gripping like a story of this nature should be. Alexander makes some interesting points regarding Shackleton as a leader, and a lot of Hurley's photos are included. However, there's little insight into what the members would've been going through physically and emotionally. All in all, not a bad introduction to the story... but I'm sure there's better accounts. I'l More...

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Jul 04, 2011

Rene rated it:

Fascinating. I could hardly put this book down. The topic of exploration and survival in the antarctic was so interesting to me. I loved how the author discussed leadership and what made people likable in such dire circumstances. It made me stop and think about qualities I appreciate in others and what kinds of personality traits I would like to improve in myself. I also couldn't help but think about the fabrics and survival materials we have now in addition to the foods that would be avail More...

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Mar 27, 2011

Ken rated it:

What’s better than the tale of Shackleton’s Antarctic Expedition? The tale of Shackleton’s expedition WITH PICTURES!

The tale of the Endurance crew is probably the most extraordinary true-adventure tale of all-time. And this book is my favorite retelling of the story. The B&W photos are gorgeously reproduced, and Alexander even tells some details of how they were taken and preserved.

The inclusion of photos is very significant to me; they make the tale really come alive. This More...

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Mar 29, 2010

Dawn rated it:

For some reason, I find myself obsessed with books about Antarctic and Arctic exploration in the final years before radio and telegraph. This story is thrilling. The photos taken on the expedition (included in the book) are amazing. I really felt like I got to know these guys. Reading their story made me appreciate the abundance of food in our kitchen, hot water in our bathroom, and clean clothes! Shackleton was an incredible leader, evidenced by the fact that he didn't lose a single member More...

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Aug 26, 2008

Manuel rated it:

This is one of those books I've seen at book stores and libraries for some time. I believe it was also one of the books we sold at a gallery I onced worked at.

As I said, its one of those books I might have picked up and glanced at the photographs and then put back and forget about it.

I dont know what posessed me to pick it up at the library a few days ago, but once I started reading it I couldnt put it down.

All those historic Artic and Antartic expeditions h More...

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Jun 04, 2008

Melinda rated it:

While reading this book, I kept thinking why would anyone even want to take on such a challenge, unless it was really "worth" something. These men went through such unbelievable circumstances in the name of adventure! They had a goal that they set out to accomplish, even though there were many odds against them, and knowing of many similar attempts that had either failed or been extremely hard on the participants. But I found myself being amazed at their willingness to do this for t More...

3 comments like

Jul 08, 2010

Kathy rated it:

This is an amazing book about the failed attempt to travel across Antartica in 1915. Exquisite narrative full of entries from many of the crew's diaries, totally amazing pictures taken by Frank Hurley, on the expedition to take photos for a subsequent book. Unbeliveable hardship and cold, yet Shackleton kept it all together and they didn't lose a man. I'm not sure courage or strength like this exists in our modern comfort-society. If you like this one, try The Terror, a great novel based on More...

2 comments like

Nov 27, 2011

Dan rated it:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here

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Dec 12, 2008

Carol Ann rated it:

This wonderful book is based on diarys kept by most of the members of the expedition. Ms. Alexander has printed black and white photos taken by resident photographer Frank Hurley, an Australian. This was a man before his time. I enjoy reading books about explorers because I do not have the guts to be one. I read this book which took place in antarctica whilst wearing turtlenecks with sweaters with a shawl around me, along with hot herbal tea.

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