Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage in Never too Late to Read Classics

Aug 20, 2022 Sara rated it it was amazing

Shelves: non-fiction, exploration, adventure, seafaring

But the sea is a different sort of enemy. Unlike the land, where courage and the simple will to endure can often see a man through, the struggle against the sea is an act of physical combat, and there is no escape. It is a battle against a tireless enemy in which man never actually wins; the most that he can hope for is not to be defeated.

Wow, who knew an account of a failed expedition across Antarctica could be so emotional. I feel I crossed a continent with these men and that I was cold an ...more

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Dec 30, 2019 Josh Caporale rated it really liked it · review of another edition

My friend and fellow Gladiator, Jesi, was especially interested in voyages to the Arctic and Antarctic and after completing an individual review about Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage, she encouraged us to do the same. I thought this was an interesting and engaging experience to learn about this particular expedition that Ernest Shackleton made to Antarctica in August 1914. Shackleton made two voyages prior to this one: the first was as a member of Robert F. Scott's crew, while the seco My friend and fellow Gladiator, Jesi, was especially interested in voyages to the Arctic and Antarctic and after completing an individual review about Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage, she encouraged us to do the same. I thought this was an interesting and engaging experience to learn about this particular expedition that Ernest Shackleton made to Antarctica in August 1914. Shackleton made two voyages prior to this one: the first was as a member of Robert F. Scott's crew, while the second was one that he led, but both ended in failure. Though Shackleton was viewed as a celebrity for his efforts and even knighted upon his return, he actually wanted to accomplish an expedition to the South Pole.

Ernest Shackleton was described in this book as having "a monstrous ego and implacable drive" (page 16) and was deemed as "immature and irresponsible" (page 15), but his commitment and drive made him a more passionate leader that could motivate his people.

Being compared to other leaders on page 16:

"For scientific leadership, give me Scott
For swift and efficient travel, Amundsen
But when you are in a hopeless situation, when there seems no way out, get down on your knees
and pray for Shackleton."

Robert F. Scott and Roald Amundsen may have possessed technical strengths, but Shackleton possessed an ability that cannot be explained with technicalities, yet produces results from both his people and situations. It is like being a coach on a sports team, where being able to connect with and understand your players is ultimately more meaningful than formulas and game-related strategies. If you are a New York Jets fan and you remember enduring Adam Gase's tenure as head coach, you would know that Gase did a poor job connecting with and understanding the players on his team and was only concerned about formulas and the Xs and Os to making great plays, particularly on offense. Shackleton was more eccentric in the way he selected people.

For instance:

"Leonard Hussey was selected as a meteorologist on the basis that he 'looked funny.' He had no experience, but after taking extensive courses, he proved to be proficient." (20)

This book succeeds with the miniscule details in how it provides very clear color commentary about the men as people and what they did while they were on their voyage, be it activities, practices, particular belongings they kept or moved on from, or meals they would be most eager to have upon returning home. As this is the first noteworthy biography about this voyage, it lays down the groundwork on books about this structure that would be written and released later.

With that being said, I do have some criticism. I wish the epilogue encompassed more details than the ones that were shared in this piece. While a book like "Night" by Elie Wiesel was written and released shortly after his experiences, there was enough primary and secondary information, most notably diary entries, to tie up any loose ends. The fact that this book was left a bit open-ended was unnecessary.

This book was still a well-written, well laid out account about a pioneering, monumental voyage to Antarctica that is definitely worth looking into if you want to learn more about Ernest Shackleton and in particular this successful voyage to Antarctica. If you want to learn more about Shackleton, it is worth looking into more books about him as well. That will be the route I think when I decide I want to learn more about him. ...more

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