Customer Reviews

South: The Last Antarctic Expedition of Shackleton and the Endurance (Explorers Club Classics)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Fascinating and exciting book. Shackelton writes in the most British of style -- he describes an ice floe splitting beneath his tent in the same plain delivery as the description of a depth sounding. The book is overflowing with the most amazing of events, placing Shackelton's crew in an adventure every bit as great as Lewis and Clark's expedition (read the Ambrose book "Undaunted Courage" if you like this one).

This is a fine edition, as it includes approx. eighty photographs of the expedition. From the outset of the voyage to the harrowing crossing of St. George Island, this guy would put today's extreme adventure-seekers to shame.

Ernest Shackleton's description of his voyage into and subsequent escape from Antartica is amazing. The matter of fact tone with which he describes his adventure seems wildly juxtaposed on the events which he led his men safely through. It's an interesting read which gives some glimpse into the calm and mechanically rational mind of Shackleton, the reason he and his men survived. I highly recommend this book.

Shackleton was an amazing man full of true grit and true leadership. Among the many things that stand out in his story of survival is the importance of keeping a journal. Even after many supplies and equipment were left on the ice, the men were instructed to continue to carry their journals. And what if they had not? Where would be the true story that outshines most fictional adventure stories in the minds and imaginations of many, including myself?

If you want to read more about Antarctica, I suggest T.H. Baughman's "Before the Heroes Came."

Ernest Shackleton treats us to adventure and daring against dangers that most of us can only imagine ... 30 below zero, 90 mph winds, killer whales, crushing ice, dead reckoning across the open sea. His ship is stuck in the ice for 10 months before being crushed, throwing 27 men and 100 dogs on the ice flow that is ever shrinking. Escaping from the roaring crushing ice to the open sea is a death defying feat that only leads to more danger from giant swells and frozen sea spray that soaks cloths and sleeping bags and threatens to sink their tiny boats ...and they are still 800 miles from any civilization.

Incredible, absolutely. And through it all Shackleton manages to describe the beauty of the ice and the wonderment of all that surrounds the hapless little ship and its mighty men.

A reading must for those of us who lust after adventure.

A fascinating and chilling account of almost two years of living under some of the most adverse conditions conceivable. Shackleton is a master at managing a limited amount of resources and in practicing the psychology necessary to keep his men alive. He writes in a totally understated narrative yet the reader can actually feel the blowing snow, smell the burning seal blubber and and taste the hoosh. Shackleton is truly an unsung hero!

I am sure Ernest Shackleton's account of his adventure deserve a better edition than this one. It's more like a bunch of typed pages, printed by some demestic inkjet printer, and gathered by some cheap glue.

I was eager for this book, after reading four other books about the Endurance odissey. But this one is so poor that I returned it immediately after opening the package. I hope you don't make the same mistake. Try another edition.South: the story of Shackleton's 1914-1917 expedition

I previously read Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage about Shackleton's voyage on the Endurance. I decided to read Shackleton's version of events and it was not even close to being as good a read as "Endurance". What the captain and crew accomplished is astonishing and a great testament to courage. This book may be good if you are familiar with sailing, as there are lots of latitude and longitude coordinates. It seems almost an entire chapter is filled with the weather observations of a support ship stuck in the ice and drifting for several weeks - not very compelling reading. I skimmed most of this chapter as it held no real content. I believe most readers would enjoy Lansing's work much better.

After more than a year of seeing pretty much nothing but ice and snow, and living in, at times, sub-zero temperatures, Sir Ernest Shackleton writes about his camp's current conditions; "Drifts four feet deep covered everything, and we had to be continually digging up our scanty stock of meat to prevent its being lost altogether... On this day, and for the next two or three also, it was impossible to do anything but get right inside one's frozen sleeping bag to try and get warm. Too cold to read or sew, we had to keep our hands well inside, and pass the time in conversation with each other." He's so matter-of-fact... no fluff here. He just tells it like it is. I love that about this book. The conditions worsen by leaps and bounds as the story continues, but I'll leave that for you to explore on your own. Anyway, the first few chapters are very informative regarding how the expedition was planned, where they were headed, how they got there, etc... for me, it started a little slow, but I understand why the writer wanted to include this information. So, then you get into the "meaty" survival stuff... and is it ever so fascinating. And for me, it's especially fascinating because it doesn't seem to be sugar-coated, as so many writers are proned to do when telling their story. In fiction, I don't mind so much the way a writer gives you every detail, written ever so eloquently, but when it comes to true stories... especially survival stories, I personally just want to hear the straight talk. A GREAT SURVIVAL STORY AND PERFECTLY WRITTEN for this reader.

What an expedition! There is a lot to be learned about leadership and survival by the adventurers on this journey. If you like men against the elements, who survive by their wits and never ever give up, this is the tale for you. A great winter read.

In "South", Sir Ernest Shackleton takes us on an exciting adventure to explore the South Pole- one of the most remote and harsh environments on Earth. His expeditionary team was made up of tough, seasoned explorers, climbers and boatsmen- and they met up with disaster more than once with ice storms, blizzards, sub-zero temperatures and "white outs" where they couldn't even see their feet. It is a stunning achievement that any of these men survived- much less charted new territory. Shackleton did survive- but failed in his ultimate quest to map the entire area around the South Pole and its adjacent ice cap- yet his exploits became legendary among the world's explorers.

The Shackleton expedition around the turn of the 20th century set out to explore and map the South Pole- and they knew in advance it would be tough- with sea ice jamming sailing routes and hazardous weather almost certain to slow them down. They made several attempts- and succumbed to the weather and lack of supplies with splitting up the team- and almost met total disaster. However, rowing in an open boat in bone-chilling winds and high seas, they managed to survive and get back to civilization- despite not achieving thei goals. Shackleton tells the story in sharp, crisp language- the "stiff upper lip" style of late 19th century British gentlemen. His prose is inspiring- one section even mystical, when he describes touching "the face of God" after one particularly harrowing stretch of mishaps.

"South" is a wonderful adventure book, a history book and a motivational book- all in one. I highly recommend that those who enjoy these genres read this great story- and take from it many lessons which Shackleton wanted to share with the world.

-Gene Pisasale
Author, "Lafayette's Gold- The Lost Brandywine Treasure" and
"Vineyard Days"