Endurance: An Epic of Polar Adventure [Hardcover]

Frank Arthur Worsley (Author), Patrick O'Brian (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1999

"You seriously mean to tell me that the ship is doomed?" asked Frank Worsley, commander of the Endurance, stuck impassably in Antarctic ice packs. "What the ice gets," replied Sir Ernest Shackleton, the expedition's unflappable leader, "the ice keeps." However, it did not get the ship's twenty-five crew members, all of whom survived an eight-hundred-mile voyage across sea, land, and ice to South Georgia, the nearest inhabited island. First published in 1931, Endurance tells the full story of that doomed expedition and incredible rescue, as well as relating Frank Worsley's further adventures fighting U-boats in the Great War, sailing the equally treacherous waters of the Arctic, and making one final (and successful) assault on the South Pole with Shackleton. It is a tale of unrelenting high adventure and a tribute to one of the most inspiring and courageous leaders of men in the entire history of exploration. A native New Zealander, Frank A. Worsley served as a reserve officer in the Royal Navy before becoming captain of the Endurance. He commanded two ships in World War I, for which he was decorated, sailed with Shackleton again in 1921, and in 1925 was the joint leader of the British Arctic Exploration. He died in 1943.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"If we were killed, at least we had done everything in our power to bring help to our shipmates. Shackleton was right. Our chance was a very small one indeed, but it was up to us to take it."

The voyage of HMS Endurance is legendary in the annals of polar exploration. In August 1914 the ship set sail for Antarctica, where she became trapped in the pack ice and eventually sank. The last of her stranded men were not rescued until August 30, 1916. Originally published in 1931, this tale by F.A. Worsley, captain of the Endurance, captures all the tension of the doomed expedition. Written in the first person, Worsley's prose makes you feel as if you were struggling alongside him as he watches two icebergs plowing their way through the pack ice toward their camp; desperately slides down an icy mountainside in pitch darkness, traveling some 3,000 feet in less than three minutes; and wrestles with the admiralty bureaucracy when trying to rescue the remainder of the crew. His relief is palpable when, after a series of setbacks, triumphs, and narrowly avoided disasters, all hands survive the two arduous years.

While this book is filled with adventures, its real strength is the highly affectionate portrait of Sir Ernest Shackleton, leader of the expedition to cross Antarctica, by his "good old Skipper." In Worsley's words, Shackleton "did the most dangerous things but did them in the safest way"--and his leadership and careful planning saved the lives of his men. Patrick O'Brian, author of the popular Aubrey-Maturin saga of the 19th-century English navy, has written a new introduction for this edition. Worsley's tale of survival against all odds will thrill sea dogs and landlubbers alike. --C.B. Delaney

Review

Worsley was continually at Shackleton's side, and he, in this long, very highly detailed book, is the man to write about him. -- Patrick O'Brian, author of "Master and Commander" and "Blue at the Mizzen"

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 310 pages
• Publisher: W W Norton & Co Inc (April 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393046842
• ISBN-13: 978-0393046847
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #671,313 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #21 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( S ) > Shackleton, Ernest
  • #87 in Books > Travel > Polar Regions > Antarctica

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 6 Stars - Incredible strory, A Great Book, September 5, 2001

By 

Salil Punalekar (Dublin, California, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Endurance (Paperback)

An absolutely unbelievable expedition and survival story. Cleary the greatest exploration of all times. Fantastic and gripping description of the hardship that the Endurance crew of 28 men had to face for one year in the harshest terrian in the world.

There are many books written on the epic voyage of Edurance. This one written by F A Worsley, the captain of the ship, who was constantly by Shackelton's side is definitely a thorough description of the entire journey, their troubles, their struggle, their joys and hope thru the voyage.

A must read for everyone. especially those interested in adventure travel, exploration and expeditions.

Also a great book on leadership lessons.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Leadership and Courage, July 17, 2000

By 

Ross Sargent - See all my reviews

This review is from: Endurance: An Epic of Polar Adventure (Hardcover)

Having just returned from Salem, Massachusetts and visiting the Peabody Museum which is exhibiting Hurley's photographs (and some movie footage) of the Endurance voyage, I continue to be moved by the character of these men. If you want to know what constitutes leadership qualities as well as individual and collective character then read this book. You will come away asking all sorts of questions from "where do we get these men" to "do the times make the man", as well as a host of other questions. In an era of celebrity worship and self promoting it is inspiring to read of a time when men were committed to the long haul and did not opt for a short term payoff. Alas, you will also come away with a feeling that only so much in the way of leadership skills can be taught or learned...much comes from the early cut of the man fashioned in the womb and in his youth.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Chapter on Survival and Will, October 12, 2001

By 

A NJ Reader (NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Endurance: An Epic of Polar Adventure (Hardcover)

I read this book because I had a passing interest in the story of the doomed ship. What I found was a great tale of will and courage in the face of overwhelming odds. This book sparked my interest in polar exploration and the explorers. Shackleton's story is a great one that should be read by anyone with an interest in Man's triumph over nature.

Note, the reader should have some prior background of the Endurance, since the book starts with the ships destruction.