audiobook Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing in History

Review

151 of 157 people found the following review helpful. A True Life Adventure Expedition Stand OutBy Jess HayesWithin the genre of real life adventure books; Endurance is definitely a stand out. I am lucky to have a brother who regularly reads about explorers and wilderness adventures and recommends to me only the best of the best. Other must-reads in the genre are The Long Walk (though that turns out to be most likely fiction so I no longer recommend it); Into the Wild; and Arctic Adventure: My Life in the Frozen North. Endurance tells the true story of Ernest Shakleton and his crew's ill-fated and legendary expedition to Antarctica. It was likely one of history's best outcomes for what was essentially a disaster.At the time of launching; Shakleton's expedition was history's most extensively planned exploratory trip to Antarctic; complete with a photographer; scientists; carpenters and engineers (a crew of 27 in total). Shakleton's goal was to transverse and study Antarctic. When they set off in 1914; this expedition was the pride of the United Kingdom. Shakleton was the toast of the town for his bravery and expertise. For his bravery he is still toasted; but his polar expertise proved to be lacking. The ship he guided was no match for the South Pole's crushing cold and ice. Soon after arriving; the Endurance was stuck in ice; absolutely unable to move. The crew salvaged what it could and was forced to make do with dwindling supplies and provisions; eventually eating some of their beloved dogs.I won't dampen your reading pleasure by giving away too much of the unfolding events; but through a combination of amazing resourcefulness; outstanding leadership; and ultimately incredible luck on the part of Shakleton; the whole crew survived without a single life lost. Naturally; there was an abundance of suffering along the way; but also an impressive amount of team spirit and toughness. The book is inspirational and a quiet page turner.Please note; the "quiet page turner" part. Endurance is definitely an engrossing read; and once you get into it; you won't want to put it down. I found the book starts a bit on the slow side; at least for all its fanfare; but don't give up if you aren't immediately bowled over. You'll be justly rewarded if you stick with it.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. “One of the great adventure stories of our time.”By Julee RudolfBecause of author Alfred Lansing’s skilled storytelling; readers who tackle “Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage” will feel as close to the action as a fly on the wall of; say; their ship; the Endurance; or one of the tents they were forced to use as shelter once the ice through which they were traveling had crushed the vessel; sending into the sea.In writing the book; Lansing had access to crewmembers’ journals and interviewed “nearly all” of the men who were alive at that time. And it shows. Descriptions of scenery; harrowing events and even the details of daily (shipboard; icebound; ship-less) life paint a picture of a series of seemingly miraculous events that took place between the date of their departure on December 5; 1914 and the rescue of the last of the survivors on August 30; 2016. Only six weeks into the voyage; Endurance becomes trapped in ice. The rest of the story is that of 28 men struggling to survive in the cold near the South Pole. The men’s journal entries show that in spite of many instance during which their situation seemed dire; they rose to the challenge each and every time one presented itself. And because they were candid about what took place from day to day (and with plenty of time on their hands to write); readers learn about the personality and character of nearly every one of them; which adds to its appeal. Best of the book: Lansing’s superb storytelling; which allows readers a bird’s eye view into the life of these men who showed; day after day; week after week; month after month; that they had the right stuff. Also excellent: Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer; Shadow Divers by Robert Kurson and The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. You must buy this book. I guarantee you will like it! It is a truly inspiring story of courage; fortitude; and determination.By Roger MitchellThis is the incredible true story of an explorer / sea captain's efforts to save his crew after his sailing ship became locked in the ice of the Weddel Sea. just off Antarctica. As his ship was being crushed into splinters by the sea ice; Captain Shackleton led his crew across hundreds of miles of frozen ice; while pulling three small boats. After weeks of incredible hardship; they finally reached Elephant Island; the northern most point in the long Antarctic Peninsula..Here Shackleton chose a few of his strongest sailors; and they set off rowing one of the three boats to seek help from a British Whaling Station some 600 miles to the east on South Georgia Island.. The remaining men; more than 20 of them e left on a rocky spit of land 25 feet wide by 200 yards long . Those crew members who remained behind;overturned the other two boats and used them as a shelter. I.had the honor of visiting the place a few years ago..Buy. this book folks. It is a truly an inspiring story of courage and determination. 1 I