Irwin Fletcher answers “Why should I read this book instead of...”

Vlad asked this question about Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage:

Why should I read this book instead of Shackleton's own account? (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/143999.South)

Irwin Fletcher I've never read Shackleton's book but I hear it's not the greatest. I think it's similar to reading a book about space travel. You could read a memoir…moreI've never read Shackleton's book but I hear it's not the greatest. I think it's similar to reading a book about space travel. You could read a memoir of an Apollo astronaut but more often than not they're not the greatest authors, even with a co-author. They were trained for a life of test flying, engineering, exploration, etc. Even if they're the ultimate authority on the subject they don't always know how to tell a story or even express themselves. There are exceptions though, Michael Collins wrote a great book. Here we get an author with access to most of the surviving crew and their journals, doing the research work and putting together a very well-rounded account that tells everybody's story. Not just the more senior members (as I hear of the Shackleton account) or from one man's point of view. Here you don't just get Shackleton's thoughts but what the crew thought of him, for better or worse, at various times. (less)

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