In Shackleton's Wake [Hardcover]

Arved Fuchs (Author), Martin Sokolinsky (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2001

Following the steps of Ernest Shackleton in an open wooden boat in the icy Weddell Sea

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Fuchs, one of the first two men to cross the Antarctic on foot, decided to reenact the boat journey of Shackleton's 1915-16 Antarctic expedition, after its ship Endurance sank, to refuge on Elephant Island and later to South Georgia, the subject of many books, including Shackleton's own South (1919) and Melinda Mueller's riveting poem, What the Ice Gets (2000). His replica of Shackleton's lifeboat James Caird rode south aboard a containership and, on the final leg, a cruise liner. Fuchs is conscious of the irony in that and in being in satellite communication at all times as well as with an escort vessel bearing a film crew documenting the voyage. But he is also conscious of Shackleton's leadership qualities and the serious technical errors he made, which required, along with courage and (another irony) endurance, almost miraculous good luck for the expedition members' survival. A worthwhile addition to any collection of true sea adventures. Roland Green
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"A worthwhile addition to any collection of true sea adventures." -- A.L.A. Booklist

"In Shackleton's Wake is a terrific advenure story and a great read..." -- Sailing, April 2002

"This book's a keeper. It is full of interesting facts and information, told in a very readable style." -- Good Old Boat, Jan./Feb. 2002

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Sheridan House (October 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1574091387
• ISBN-13: 978-1574091380
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,139,034 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars I'll never understand why . . ., April 8, 2007

By 

Danton McDiffett (Kansas USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In Shackleton's Wake (Sheridan House S.) (Hardcover)

people feel the urge to risk their lives in endeavors like this one! I had to wonder about the incredible amount of money that must go to re-enact such a dangerous voyage, too. But the story makes fascinating reading. A first-person account of sailing some of the most treacherous seas in the world really brings out the dangers faced--involuntarily--by Ernest Shackleton and his men.

One change I wish for the book: a detailed map comparing Fuchs' journey with Shackleton's. Fuchs mentions several options Shackleton might have taken, but without a map, I can't see them for myself. Otherwise, this is a very readable (though I did have trouble with nautical terms, not being a sailor myself) and interesting addition to the literature of polar adventure.