Shackleton's Forgotten Men: The Untold Tragedy of the Endurance Epic (Adrenaline Classics) [Paperback]

Lennard Bickel (Author), Rt. Hon. Lord Shackleton K.C. P.C. O.B.E. K.C. P.C. O.B.E. (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 30, 2001 | Series: Adrenaline Classics

This is a dramatic true story of Antarctic tragedy and survival among the heroic group that was to lay supplies across the Great Ross Ice Shelf in preparation for the Endurance expedition. Launched by Shackleton (and led by Captain Aenaes Mackintosh), this courageous crew completed the longest sledge journey in polar history (199 days) and endured near-unimaginable deprivation. They accomplished most of their mission, laying the way for those who never came. All suffered; some died. Now Australian writer Lennard Bickel honors these forgotten heroes. Largely drawn from the author's interviews with surviving team member Dick Richards, this retelling underscores the capacity of ordinary men for endurance and noble action.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (March 30, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560253061
• ISBN-13: 978-1560253068
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #815,804 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gripping tale, but lousy maps, March 11, 2008

By 

S. Radler (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shackleton's Forgotten Men: The Untold Tragedy of the Endurance Epic (Adrenaline Classics) (Paperback)

This would have been a five-star book, had the maps not been so poorly presented. Of the three maps printed in the book, none of them have a scale, which is the cardinal sin of cartography. Ten miles? A hundred miles? Beats me. Also, while the map of all of Antarctica understandably does not have a north arrow (when you're at the South Pole, every direction is north), one of the smaller maps has south as up while the third has north as up, which is needlessly confusing.

These quibbles aside, the story is fascinating and heartbreaking at the same time. Saying "never have so many done so much for so little" sounds cliched, but it's true. What a horrible exercise in futility, although of course at the time the men did not know their efforts were for naught. Overall, I highly recommend this book and just wish the maps could be corrected.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Learn the other side of the adventure, December 12, 2001

By 

T. Schmitt (Issaquah, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shackleton's Forgotten Men: The Untold Tragedy of the Endurance Epic (Adrenaline Classics) (Paperback)

A very good story, but not as riveting as Shackelton's tail. After reading about Shackelton's misadventure's, it's easy to wonder what happened to the other half of his plan. In this book, the author clearly and vividly lays out the rest of the story, of the struggles of the crew, the conflicts of command and egos, of the disasters that imperiled lives, and the eventual results. If you're new to polar exploration history, then read Shackelton as your first book. If you've already read that, then read this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Story, January 14, 2003

By 

LYF "misodiva" (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shackleton's Forgotten Men: The Untold Tragedy of the Endurance Epic (Adrenaline Classics) (Paperback)

I have not read other books about this topic first. Therefore, I did not know the outcome of Shackleton's adventure. But I did learn of the endurance of the men on the otherside waiting for Shackleton. The book gives a very personal account of the men from the ship Aurora as they trek to leave supply stores for Shackleton's crossing of Antartica. It never ceases to amaze what human's can endure for exploration.