Antarctic Destinies: Scott, Shackleton, and the Changing Face of Heroism [Paperback]

Stephanie Barczewski (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 9, 2009

This book covers the two most famous expeditions of the heroic age of Antarctic exploration, Robert Falcon Scott's Terra Nova expedition of 1910-12 and Ernest Shackleton's Endurance expedition of 1914-16. For decades after his tragic death on the return journey from the South Pole, to which he had been beaten by five weeks by the Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, Scott was regarded as a saint-like figure with an unassailable reputation born from his heroic martyrdom in the frozen wastes of the Antarctic. In recent years, however, Scott has attracted some of the most intense criticism any explorer has ever received. Shackleton's reputation, meanwhile, has followed a reverse trajectory. Although his achievements were always appreciated, they were never celebrated with nearly the same degree of adulation that traditionally surrounded Scott.
Today, Scott and Shackleton occupy very different places in the polar pantheon of British heroes. Stephanie Barczewski explores the evolution of their reputations, and finds it has little to do with new discoveries regarding their lives and characters, but far more to do with broader cultural changes and changes in conceptions of heroism in Britain and the United States.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Exciting...As Stephanie Barczewski observes in "Antarctic Destinies," the meaning of the tales — along with their moral lessons and cultural appeal — has shifted over the course of a century." —The Wall Street Journal

(Michael J. Ybarra )

"Antarctic Destinies is a fascinating story of culture and cultural identity. Barczewski raises interesting questions about what it means to be a hero and how heroes are made. [Barczewski's] book is an excellent and thought-provoking addition to the literature on these two compelling men and their incredible expeditions." —The Seattle Times

(David B. Williams )

"Barczewski's book is a valuable addition...her unusual analysis of our Antarctic heroes provides us with a mirror in which we can see our own failings reflected in our changing cultural ideals."

Reviewed by David W.H. Walton in Times Higher Education Supplement, 2008.

"A brilliantly innovative way of exploring how society changes."

Reviewed in Good Book Guide, 2008

"...Any general-interest library strong in exploration history and Antarctic history in general will find this invaluable." —James A. Cox, Midwest Book Review, May 2008

"[T]o read Barczewski's account of Shackleton's hazardous enterprise is to be thrilled by his resourcefulness. Every detail is fascinating... Antarctic Dertinies is fascinating proof that, far from being fixed, history is the one subject that is going to be constantly rewritten."

Reviewed by Roger Lewis in Daily Express, 2008

"a painstakingly researched and hugely readable book"

Reviewed in The Scotsman, 2008

A well researched historiography of the volimunous literature on both of these explorers...fascinating." British Scholar Journal, September 2008.

"Barczewski (Clemson) has written a cultural history of the changing reputations of two Antarctic explorers, Robert Scott and Ernest Shackleton...Barczewski examines even the minutest references to the two explorers in memorials, books, and media...her discussion of Roland Huntford's Scott and Amundsen (CH, Nov'80) as the key to the decline in Scott's esteem is levelheaded and addresses many of Huntford's excesses well. Her conclusions could be summed up in a quote from her text: "Heroes' reputations will inevitably change as fashions change." Modern reputations rest on what is valued now, and what society wants to believe of the past in light of those values. Summing Up: Recommended. All academic levels/libraries." —R. M. Bryce, CHOICE, February 2009

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 "[A] compelling narrative. This is a fine contribution to the literature, one which serious polar enthusiasts can read with profit and enjoyment." -The Polar Times

"This book makes clear that we pick the heroes that fit our times... On encountering this book there will inevitably be those who say "Oh no, not another book about Scott and Shackleton!" And I agree that we need no further tales of derring-do on the ice to burden our bookshelves. What we do need is what this book provides—examination of the cultural currents upon which explorers are borne and that ultimately determine what it all means." (Terra Incognitae, The Journal for the History of Discoveries )

“Exciting…As Stephanie Barczewski observes in "Antarctic Destinies," the meaning of the tales — along with their moral lessons and cultural appeal — has shifted over the course of a century.” —The Wall Street Journal

(, )

"Antarctic Destinies is a fascinating story of culture and cultural identity. Barczewski raises interesting questions about what it means to be a hero and how heroes are made.  [Barczewski's] book is an excellent and thought-provoking addition to the literature on these two compelling men and their incredible expeditions.” –The Seattle Times

(, )

“…Any general-interest library strong in exploration history and Antarctic history in general will find this invaluable.” –James A. Cox, Midwest Book Review, May 2008

“Barczewski (Clemson) has written a cultural history of the changing reputations of two Antarctic explorers, Robert Scott and Ernest Shackleton…Barczewski examines even the minutest references to the two explorers in memorials, books, and media…her discussion of Roland Huntford's Scott and Amundsen (CH, Nov'80) as the key to the decline in Scott's esteem is levelheaded and addresses many of Huntford's excesses well. Her conclusions could be summed up in a quote from her text: "Heroes' reputations will inevitably change as fashions change." Modern reputations rest on what is valued now, and what society wants to believe of the past in light of those values. Summing Up: Recommended. All academic levels/libraries.” –R. M. Bryce, CHOICE, February 2009

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 “[A] compelling narrative. This is a fine contribution to the literature, one which serious polar enthusiasts can read with profit and enjoyment.” -The Polar Times

"This book makes clear that we pick the heroes that fit our times... On encountering this book there will inevitably be those who say "Oh no, not another book about Scott and Shackleton!" And I agree that we need no further tales of derring-do on the ice to burden our bookshelves.  What we do need is what this book provides—examination of the cultural currents upon which explorers are borne and that ultimately determine what it all means." (, )

About the Author

A specialist in modern British cultural history, Stephanie Barczewski is Professor of History at Clemson University in South Carolina, USA, where she has taught since 1996. In 2005 she became Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies in the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities at Clemson. She is the author of numerous books.

Product Details

• Paperback: 412 pages
• Publisher: Continuum; Reprint edition (June 9, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0826445624
• ISBN-13: 978-0826445629
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.9 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,770,947 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #42 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( S ) > Shackleton, Ernest

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Strange hybrid, March 26, 2008

By 

Melissa L. Shogren (Redmond, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Antarctic Destinies: Scott, Shackleton, and the Changing Face of Heroism (Hardcover)

Meant for both Heroic Age of Polar Exploration novices and experts, Antarctic Destinies ultimately proves rather disappointing for both. The author did an outstanding job of reading and collecting popular literature about her subject, however, there is too much basic background on Robert Scott and Ernest Shackleton for those who are polar afficionados, and too much detail about how these men were viewed in their day and ours for the reader who is unfamiliar with the countless books written on Scott and Shackleton.

For the fan of polar exploration, it is interesting to read about the rise and fall of Scott, and the fall and rise of Shackleton. However, the author makes promises she does not keep. Throughout the book, there are hints that she will discuss why Shackleton's reputation as an almost superhuman leader of men in tight situations is overblown. The author, however, does not get around to disputing Shackleton's reputation until the Epilogue, and then only mentions briefly the diaries of two of Shackleton's men, James Wordie and Leonard Hussey. She does discuss very briefly the Ross Sea Party fiasco, but Shackleton was not directly involved in leading those men. Instead, she drops comments like "It does not matter that much of this is hyperbole (praise from a modern British writer about Shackleton)at best and utter falsehood at worst; what matters is that Moore, like her readers, believes that it is true, because that is the Shacklton she imagines, and wants to imagine." There is then no discussion about what makes it either hyperbole or why the writer is lying.

Two final notes: there are a few typographical errors with words either left out or misused, and it would have been nice to have a bibliography of the many works the author read in preparation. Instead, the reader is left to comb the very copious notes.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Authoritative account, April 6, 2008

By 

Richard Reaney "Richard Reaney" (Napier - New Zealand) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Antarctic Destinies: Scott, Shackleton, and the Changing Face of Heroism (Hardcover)

An authoritative and well researched review. The author has used her literary skills with inteligence and there is evidence of a degree of passion for her subject. I have enjoyed the book immensely.
I don't consider this a book for the novice. One needs a reasonable understanding of Antarctic exploration and history to appreciate the finer points encountered.
There is a bias towards Scott in her comparisons, but the author makes her position clear from the outset;in fact her reason for writing the account.
I am full of admiration for her exhaustive research on the achievements of the two explorers and their life and times. I have found the account a wonderful addition to my Antarctic Library and it is already being used as a source of reference to other work.
There some factual errors in the text and in one photo along with some typographical errors, which are disappointing in such an authoritative review, but do not detract from the substance of the theme.
I have pleasure in recommending this work. I believe all 'Antarcticans' would enjoy this account which offers a catalyst to 'polarise' ones views on the destinies of these two explorers.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A very disappointing book, March 7, 2010

By 

Keith Frampton (Fitzroy, Victoria Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Antarctic Destinies: Scott, Shackleton, and the Changing Face of Heroism (Hardcover)

As someone who tries to read everything published about the heroic age of Antarctic exploration I awaited this book with anticipation. What I expected to read from the description, introduction and other opening words was a book looking at the rise and fall of Scott & Shackleton and providing an insight into the attitudes of the time they were from with regard ot heroism and reputation. I was very disappointed. The book has two main sections. First, a biased and poor re-telling of some aspects of both of their explorations, with contradictions, and also what appeared to be deliberate omissions and partial statements to support just one point of view. The second section, while extensively researched, appeared to be written to continue to support the same bias. So the material and quotations were very selective, significant sources and other author's comments and arguments were overlooked or omitted. Unlike the books promise, I did not walk away with either an understanding of the real reasons and nature of their public persona and reputation, nor any further understanding of the attitudes of their times that drove these perceptions. This is not a book I would recommend.