Customer Reviews

Endurance

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Without a doubt the best adventure book I've ever read. I found myself reading section after section of this incredible story out loud to my wife. Part of the reason this particular book is so compelling is that it is written by the Captain of the Endurance and not someone removed from this epic by decades of perspective. A truly inspiring story.

You'll be embarassed to read this fantastic story of tremendous hardship and longsuffering hope as you sit in the comfort of your favorite chair or curled up under the covers in your bed. What a great accomplishment for these adventurers! How tough these men were! What a different era that was not so long ago!

I cannot imagine how they made it through the mess they were in. How is it possible to survive in perpetual cold and wet? The length of time they lived in the various components of this adventure, the amazing visual perspective and the power of nature at her worst which they experienced, and the strength of character and courage all these men exhibited combines to make a most inspiring tale --and it is all true!

I have always been attraced to artworks from that time that depict the frozen parts of the earth. Specifically, Frederick Church's painting of "The Icebergs", "The Aurora Borealis", and many other paintings of ships, ice, and wrecks by a variety of artists, as well as stories of exploration which have influenced me since my youth. Worsley's account of the Endurance has been a remarkable journey for me as well.

Skip the preface and foreward which give too much away --but read this book if you have any spirit of adventure within you! Prepare to be astounded at what we can do, at least what some of us can do when the need arises.

Jack Anglin

Frank Worsley starts his book just as he realizes that his ship Endurance is doomed to be crushed in the ice, and that's a good place to start, for the adventure was only about to begin. Worsley not only discusses the events of the Endurance expedition but his own adventures in WWI, during which his Q-ship rammed and sank a German U-boat and his final expedition with Sir Ernest Shackleton in 1922 aboard the Quest. Read this, also read "Shackleton's Boat Journey" also by Worsley, and of course Shackleton's own book "South." My only complaint about this new edition of Worsley's book is the addition of a preface by the tendentious, currently trendy, wildly overrated Patrick O'Brian, who clearly doesn't have the faintest idea what he's writing about. Read the original intro by Admiral of the Fleet Earl Jellicoe, ignore O'Brian, and then learn what courage and leadership truly are.

Frank Worsley begins his book just as he realizes that his ship Endurance is doomed to be crushed in the ice, and that's a good place to start, for the adventure was only about to begin. Worsley not only discusses the events of the Endurance expedition but his own adventures in WWI, during which his Q-ship rammed and sank a German U-boat, and his final expedition with Sir Ernest Shackleton in 1922 aboard the Quest. Read this, also read "Shackleton's Boat Journey" by Worsley, and of course Shackleton's own book "South." My only complaint about this new edition of Worsley's book is the addition of a preface by the tendentious, trendy, wildly overrated Patrick O'Brian, who clearly doesn't have the faintest idea what he's writing about. Read the original intro by Admiral of the Fleet Earl Jellicoe, ignore O'Brian, and learn what courage and leadership truly are.

Captain Worsley was not only one of Shackleton's right-hand men and experienced each part of this incredable adventure, he was a fantastic writer. He has captured all of the special moments in his detailed accounting. All readers will "re-live" the entire Endurance narration as I did.

I read this after "South" and I think it is the right way to go. Worsley not only recounts the difficulties of the journey, but makes no effort to hide his admiration for his great leader and friend. The way Shackleton manages to motivate his crew in an unimaginably hostile environment is an example of true, effective leadership. Adventurers and business men, children and adults should all read this book.

The only negative thing this reviewer found in this outstanding account was in the preface by Patrick O'Brien. His depth of research was not evident in his introduction as in the very first sentence he makes a glaring error in stating that Shackleton was on Scott's last expedition. An insignificant mistake but irksome to the student of polar exploration.