Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage

Adventure stories can often be captivating if the story is told the right way. In the case of a non- fiction adventure, a solid bit of storytelling can leave the reader amazed and astonished, often in a more surprised state of mind than if the book was fictional. Such is the case with Endurance. For those not familiar with the journey, it all began on a relatively small, sea- going vessel. Ernest Shakleton was a man on a mission. He wanted to not just reach the South Pole- something that had already been done- but to traverse the entire Antarctic continent. He wanted to be the first person to accomplish such a feat, and he was bound and determined to make his goal a reality. Things did not go as planned, and Shackleton and his team were forced to focus on the only thing that mattered: Survival. Their shop was wrecked beyond repair and he and his crew were forced to live on floating ice sheets, food rations, seal blubber for fuel, and anything else to keep them alive. Their only hope was to reach one of the nearby outposts of civilization. But would they all make it back alive? Or would the merciless Antarctic cold prove too difficult an obstacle to surmount? I have heard about Ernest Shackleton and his voyage, but until I read this book, I didn’t know the specifics of how it turned out. The book is written in great detail and I found myself turning the pages quickly, anxious to know what would happen next. There were many points that would have caused some people to lose hope, but Shackleton was determined to get himself and his crew back to safety. This book’s strongest point is the writing itself. The descriptions are vivid, and chilling as expected. You feel like you are right there with Shackleton and his team; feeling the cold wind, yearning for a good meal, hoping to get the feeling back in your limbs, and dreaming of a good night’s sleep. But more than anything, your hope is to survive. Nothing matters unless you can escape the frigid conditions and eventually make your way back to civilization. One surprise with this book is that it includes a picture section. Like any good explorer, Shackleton made sure to have a team of photographers with him and the film managed to survive. There is one spoiler alert I should point out: If you want the suspense to continue, you may want to skip at least the last picture in this section, since it identifies the survivors. The Antarctic continent is among the harshest, if not the harshest, climate on the planet. Ernest Shackleton’s voyage to this unforgiving land and his attempt to rescue his crew are brought to life in the pages of Endurance. It’s a fantastic read and a story you will never forget.

First, let me suggest that if you want to buy this book, do a search for ISBN 0786708425. Other reviewers have commented that the edition I'm reviewing has some editing errors and a forward that might offend some. The 0786708425 edition doesn't have either problem. When you do a search for 0786708425 in Amazon, it brings up the cover of the book I read, which is a slightly different cover than the one for this review. Interestingly, that cover -- for the ISBN I'm recommending -- is not visible when we do a search for Endurance in Amazon. And is why I'm putting my review here instead of there, where no one could find it. That said, what more can I offer that the other 377 5-star reviews haven't said. You already know this is a terrific book. In my opinion, it's the best retelling of all. I haven't read all the other books, but I just can't imagine this tale being told any better than by Mr Lansing. After I read Lansing's book, I immediately started The Endurance by Caroline Alexander. She was a key element in the documentary that sparked my interest in the adventure, and for which I'm grateful, but her book is not the one you should read. Alexander's book is like reading the box score of a game. A dry recitation of the facts. The best part of her book is at the end, where she describes the subsequent lives of each of the men. One unfortunate soul died just months later on the battlefields of WW I. Another went on to great fame and professional success. Most lived long and fruitful lives. That was good to learn. But if Alexander's book does not grab you, Lansing's book will not let you go. He was a masterful writer. His book has fewer photos than Alexander's, but gives us a more detailed picture of daily life and the adventure's major events. We know how the story ends, but we can't wait to hear about it. Lansing brings us there with Shackleton and his men. I've since bought the first edition of the hard cover Lansing book, where it sits in the Deserted Island Books section of my home library. I've also sent my son a copy. I wish I had read this book as a youth. No physical discomfort in my life has been anywhere close to what Shackleton and his men endured. I've always tried to not be a complainer, but from now on, I won't even think it, much less voice it, when I'm too hot, too cold, too tired, too hungry. Whatever my discomfort, it won't begin to compare to The Endurance. An inspiring story, wonderfully told.

great story from the early days of arctic exploration. well written.

Hay seres que saben perseverar y no se rinden nunca. Desde artistas que logran una Capilla Sixtina, hasta este inolvidable aventurero y capitán Shackleton. Inevitable, acabé llorando. Conozco muy poquito de esa región y no puedo creer esa aventura. El ser humano puede superar todo si esta dispuesto.

Adorei ler este livro. Muito bom o relato dessa experiência incrível. Tive que pesquisar o significado de algumas palavras em inglês, que eram novas para mim, mas a leitura fluiu bem, porque a curiosidade vai te puxando ao longo do livro.

Love the book. Could not stop reading till last page, very interesting and well written.

What a reading experience! All challenges I have experienced became insignificant.

A breathtaking account of an impossible journey undertaken by people, seemingly from another world. If it were a novel, it would not be credible.