Shackleton's Boat Journey [Paperback]

Frank Arthur Worsley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2002

This is an account of the Shackleton boat journey. The journey began in August 1914 in London and the next the world knew of Shackleton was in May 1916, when three ragged men staggered into the whaling station at Grytviken on South Georgia.

Editorial Reviews

Review

One of the great survival stories of all time. --Library Journal

[L]ucid prose leavened by dry British wit. --San Francisco Chronicle, Paul McHugh, 17 September 1998

One of the great survival stories of all time. -- Library Journal

[L]ucid prose leavened by dry British wit. --San Francisco Chronicle, Paul McHugh, 17 September 1998

About the Author

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. Worsley died in 1943.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 164 pages
• Publisher: Birlinn Ltd; 3rd edition (February 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841580635
• ISBN-13: 978-1841580630
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #425,618 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #53 in Books > Travel > Polar Regions > Antarctica
  • #92 in Books > History > Australia & Oceania > Polar Regions

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful writing & engrossing reading., December 30, 1999

By 

A. J. Watson "Bones" (Newcastle-on-Tyne, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shackleton's Boat Journey (Paperback)

To find yourself having no choice but to set out to sea, in the middle of a south polar winter, with the only hope of rescue 800 miles off would reduce most people to despair. It's a mark of the stuff that these men were made of that they reached their goal, intact, then went back to rescue their comrades. I find it difficult to imagine how they navigated in those low latitudes, in a roiling sea, howling gales and limited visibility; Worsley tells you how... He also has the writers' gift of transporting you from your comfortable chair to the freezing, wet, cramped conditions of their boat - and yet still bringing to life the thoughts and feelings of this rare breed of men. As Olivia Tsosie says, it should be recommended reading for all teenagers, so they understand what life can dole out and yet you can still turn the tables on fate, instead of sitting back and letting life ride roughshod over you.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Adventures of spirit and flesh, November 22, 1999

By 

Olivia Tsosie (Santa F¿ NM usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shackleton's Boat Journey (Paperback)

Frank Worsley's description of the boat journey he made with Shackleton and two other crewmen of the Endurance is remarkable not only for the adventure it tells, but for the language it is told in and the largeness of spirit that it demonstrates. When I first read this--a battered copy in the local library--I felt that every teenager in the United States should have the opportunity to experience the strength of character, understanding and fine prose style Worsley demonstrates in this tremendously exciting adventure story. His description of Shackleton's leadership qualities is insightful and generous. His own navigational miracle of bringing this tiny craft across the wildest seas in the world to the relatively small island of South Georgia is understated. This book is inspirational in the best sort of honest and clear way. I have been to Elephant Island and S. Georgia and my admiration is increased by the experience.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy this book!!, February 4, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Shackleton's Boat Journey (Paperback)

I have read several books on Shackelton's expedition and this is by far the best. Worsley's wonderful description of the journey from Elephant Island to South Georgia will keep you turning the pages. Don't hesitate, buy it. You won't be disappointed!!