The Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition

Rating:
Summary: A most remarkable story of survival.
Review: One of the best adventure stories about survival you will ever read. What is most remarkable is that it is true. It is written in a way that makes you feel as though you are living through the conditions with Shackleton and his men. It is marvelously highlighted by the astonishing professional photographs taken during the ordeal, and word-for-word excerpts from the diaries of Sir Earnest and several of his men. Forget about the Stallone, Swartzennegger, and Willis action movies --- read this book instead, it has it all. They don't make men like that anymore.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting, compelling and thorough
Review: After reading this book, I shared it with a friend, who shared it with another, and on and on. Everyone who has read it has commented on not just the incredible adventure related, but on how interesting the writing and photos are. Sir Ernest Shackleton and the crew of the Endurance is one of the greatest stories of survival and perseverence in this century. Ms. Alexandar includes many personal insights taken from the journal of most of the crew of the Endurance, giving insights I've not found in the other books I've read about the expedition. Incredible.

Rating:
Summary: The most inspiring story of survival and self-sacrifice
Review: This book created in me the most deep-seated sense of awe. At times I could hardly believe that what I was reading actually happened. Then I studied the remarkable photographs by Hurley and came to experience in a very small way, what an incredible adventure this was. I could not put this book down, as I became more and more involved in the lives of these men as they struggled for their survival. Shackleton was a truly gifted leader who never allowed himself the luxury of considering himself first. His efforts to save his men truly ranks as one of the most selfless accomplishments recorded. He knew the strength and weaknesses of all his men, and used this knowledge to inspire them to persevere in the face of unthinkable hardship. Afer reading this book, I came away with indelible images of those men's faces and their adventures forever etched in my mind. I can think of no better story to inspire us with a sense of the need for self-sacrifice to benefit our fellow man.

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Summary: Thank you, Ms. Alexander.
Review: I have read several of the first-hand accounts of the Endurance expedition (Shackleton, Worsley, Hurley) as well as some of the modern re-tellings of this marvelous tale (Alexander, Huntford, Lansing). Every one is enjoyable and each has its own peculiar charms. I feel that Ms. Alexander's book surpasses the others in two specific areas. First, of course, is its presentation of the Hurley photographs: no words can do justice to these images, and none are necessary. Second is its inclusion of biographical material on the later lives of the expedition members. As I read the accounts that preceded Ms. Alexander's, I often wondered what became of these men after their return to civilization, but only a few fragments were offered. Now, thanks to Ms. Alexander's research, much more of this information is easily accessible.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding story
Review: This is a much better read than A Perfect Storm, which was not a bad book but highly overrated. This one has much more: a truly incredible story, lots of well-written first hand accounts, outstanding photographs, a fascinating case study of leadership and group interaction under stress, and a poignant view of Anglo society at the time of WWI. The book strongly reminds me of Ambrose Bierce's excellent Undaunted Courage, an account of the Lewis & Clark expedition.

Rating:
Summary: Oustanding photographs
Review: The story of Shakleton's trip to the antarctic is another truly amazing story of survival and recounts one of the last "heroic" adventures of exploring our globe. The event at its time was overshadowed by WW I, but for nearly two years Shakelton and his crew remained either ice bound or adrift on ice flows until landing on uninhabited Elephant Island. From there Shakleton and a small crew crossed the south Atlantic in an open boat in terrifying conditions, made an improbable land fall and were able to effect rescue of the entire crew without a single fatality. In todays world of synthetic fleece, goretex, lihtweight, waterproof thermally efficient gear it is nearly incomprehensible to imagine being cold and wet for two years in antarctic conditions, and surviving. This is a great story of human forbearance, patience, endurance and faith. The writing is a bit flat and at times it seems drudgery to get through, but the story is compelling. The writing is based on diaries and other accounts are heavily utilized. It is the great photography of voyage photographer Frank Hurley that makes this book rank 4 stars by our book club. Readers in our group also read Lansing's account and felt it to be a superior writing of the ill-fated voyage.

Rating:
Summary: well-done and thorough
Review: I would recommend Endurance: Shackleton's Incedible Voyage by Alfred Lansing, published in 1959. I find it somewhat disturbing that much of the text seems to be taken verbatim from Mr. Lansing's book. Additionally, the reader must keep an open mind and remember that the photographs by Frank Hurley taken during the voyage and subsequent ordeal would not be available save for the efforts of the crew who returned for the photograhic plates. The American Museum of Natural History and Caroline Alexander should be forever indebted to these men as they cash in on their "endurance" with book signings and pricey exhibits. It should also be noted that the photos "make" the book and the exhibit,there are none in the original book by Lansing, which has withstood the test of time and stands on its own merits, and with little fanfare.

Rating:
Summary: One of the greatest reports of human courage
Review: This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to know the limits of the human being. What these men endured is beyond any possible imagination, proving there is no limit to what we can do. This story should be told to every single soul in this planet.

Rating:
Summary: Good quick read of an incredible journey
Review: Unbelievable photographs and diary entries make this book a wonderful record of an incredible journey. Read it!

Rating:
Summary: Read it from cover-to-cover in an evening
Review: Truly inspiring. What a story of survival. The pictures were amazing. Written in a way that makes you feel as if you were sitting at the table in "the Ritz."