I read this book years ago & fascinated by it. The tale is engrossing. I love this type of real historical inspiring adventure.
A true adventure that reads like a fictional tale. Amazing story.
It seems like a miracle that Shackleton's entire party survived their ordeal against such daunting odds and extreme weather - frigid temperatures, gale force winds, rain, sea water, and ice. The story of their experiences is inspiring from start to finish.
While I remember much about the expedition from history I decided to read this condensed version for a firsthand view of the voyage. Stranded on the ice and watching their ship, Endurance, crushed by the ice pack must have been disheartening. However, Shackleton seems to be a good leader.
The group launches three boats hoping to reach land and safety. The trip is filled with gales, rain, snow and ice that needs to be chipped from the boats time and again. The chances of reaching a small island in the vast ocean is daunting but they have to try. It's the only way to survive.
Imagine living on ice for a third of a year. Somehow when the food becomes short something happens to give them a bit more. In in the boats they are trying to reach land over deadly waters with a cross current. No longer can they camp on ice especially after they almost lose two members of the party when the ice floes split. The boats are in open water using makeshift sails and oars . The groups launches boats hoping to reach land and safety. The trip is filled with gale force winds, rain, snow and ice that needs to be chipped from the boats time and time again. The chances of reaching a small island in the vast ocean is daunting but they have to try. It's the only way to survive. The final trek over St. George's unknown rugged interior to the whaling station by three members of the party is another unbelievable effort.
The group launches three boats hoping to reach land and safety. The trip is filled with gales, rain, snow and ice that needs to be chipped from the boats time and again. The chances of reaching a small island in the vast ocean is daunting but they have to try. It's the only way to survive.
Imagine living on ice for a third of a year. Somehow when the food becomes short something happens to give them a bit more. In in the boats they are trying to reach land over deadly waters with a cross current. No longer can they camp on ice especially after they almost lose two members of the party when the ice floes split. The boats are in open water using makeshift sails and oars . The groups launches boats hoping to reach land and safety. The trip is filled with gale force winds, rain, snow and ice that needs to be chipped from the boats time and time again. The chances of reaching a small island in the vast ocean is daunting but they have to try. It's the only way to survive. The final trek over St. George's unknown rugged interior to the whaling station by three members of the party is another unbelievable effort.
Amazing story, Must read, even for those who are not too adventurous.
Good book but a little hard to get thru(likely just the writing style). Author brings to life the events of Ernest Shackleton's quest to cross Antarctica on foot and the ordeal he and the crew went thru when they unexpectedly get trapped in the ice.
This is one of the most amazing survival stories in human history, and Alfred Lansing does an incredible job of putting you into the minds of these men as they survive the impossible. I never read books more than once, but I make an exception for this book. I have read it several times and it never ceases to amaze.
I cannot recommend this highly enough. A must read for any fan of literature about adventure or sailing. Also a great read for anyone that just likes a great story. It's a bonus that is actually true!
Richard (Founder-PBS) - 
