The harrowing story of the ill-fated Endurance; now in paperback.In August 1914; Ernest Shackleton and 27 men sailed from England in an attempt to become the first team of explorers to cross Antarctica from one side to the other. Five months later and still 100 miles from land; their ship; Endurance; became trapped in ice. The expedition survived another five months camping on ice floes; followed by a perilous journey through stormy seas to remote and unvisited Elephant Island. In a dramatic climax to this amazing survival story; Shackleton and five others navigated 800 miles of treacherous open ocean in a 20-foot boat to fetch a rescue ship.Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World vividly re-creates one of the most extraordinary adventure stories in history. Jennifer Armstrong narrates this unbelievable story with vigor; an eye for detail; and an appreciation of the marvelous leadership of Shackleton; who brought home every one of his men alive.
#734152 in Books Alma Guillermoprieto 2005-02-08 2005-02-08Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.99 x .64 x 5.24l; .50 #File Name: 0375725814304 pagesDancing with Cuba A Memoir of the Revolution
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Cuba failing through the lens of a dancerBy Tony SchwalmThis book is a commentary on a failing economic system as seen through the eyes of young woman utterly committed to ballet. That she has the acumen to look back twenty-five years and make sense of what she felt then and bring it to the page now makes her a wonderful storyteller. Her narrative provides a portal into a world few Americans understood except as a menace; and her change over the course of six months is a captivating tale told well. Read the book as a personal essay; not a commentary on politics; though it is.7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Portrait of the Artist as a Young DancerBy tortugaThe person who stressed this is a memoir is on target though I think it is quite well written. As a long time admirer of Guillermoprieto's journalism I found this a fascinating and unfaiingly honest account of her life as a dance teacher in Cuba before she became a writer. IT IS a memoir and the self pity of her young self is conveyed with a brutal honesty--it is the middle-aged writer descibing where she once was and her perspective is a perfect balance of scorn and affection for who she was. If you are looking for a wide ranging view of the revolution; this is not the book you want to read; though you will get a very interesting perspective on life in Cuba in the early 1970s. If you have not read anything by her before; read The Heart That Bleeds and Looking for History (as well as Mark Danner's The Massacre at El Mozote; a story she was responsible; with Ray Bonner at the Times; for breaking in 1982. She is a remarkable writer and this memoir was one of my favorite reads of the last several years.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy heidi rotterdamGreat book! Especially for those who plan a trip to Cuba.
