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February 16
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Jason
gave
to:
Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage (Paperback)
by Alfred Lansing
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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read in January, 2005
Jason said:
"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 onl...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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Jason
gave
to:
Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer (Paperback)
by James L. Swanson
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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read in January, 2007
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Jason
gave
to:
Benjamin Franklin: An American Life (Paperback)
by Walter Isaacson
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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read in January, 2007
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January 18
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Jason
gave
to:
The Old Man and the Sea (Scribner Classics)
by Ernest Hemingway
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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Jason
gave
to:
The Return of the King (The Lord of the Rings, Part 3)
by J.R.R. Tolkien
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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Jason
gave
to:
The Two Towers (The Lord of the Rings, Part 2)
by J.R.R. Tolkien
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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Jason
gave
to:
The Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings, Part 1)
by J.R.R. Tolkien
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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Jason
gave
to:
The Hobbit (Paperback)
by J.R.R. Tolkien
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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Jason
marked as to-read:
Brothers: The Hidden History of the Kennedy Years (Hardcover)
by David Talbot
bookshelves:
to-read
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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Jason
marked as to-read:
John Adams (Paperback)
by David McCullough
bookshelves:
to-read
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my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
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