Rating: 
Summary: Truly amazing!
Review: Endurance is a true story about an explorer named Ernest Shackleton who tried to cross Antarctica. While traveling to Antarctica, his ship got trapped in ice. He was stuck on the ice with his crew for months until his ship, the Endurance, was abandoned. They then lived on the ice until they attempted to escape back to civilization. They hiked across miles of ice and sailed in life boats to Deception Island. Shackleton sailed to an Island nearly 500 miles away, then crossed the islands uncharted interior by foot. Finally he stumbled into the whaling station with his two companions and sent a relief ship to the rest of his crew on Deception Island.
This was a great book. It kept me on the edge of my seat through the entire book. The odds of the entire crew surviving was astronomical, and to think that Shackleton actually pulled off the rescue is amazing. It was a gripping story about survival. I would recommend this book to anybody who likes history, and to anybody wants to read about a truly amazing adventure.
Rating:
Summary: Fab!
Review: Excellent reading. I am an avid reader (about one book a week) and this certainly ranks near the top of what I've read this year. I was first turned on to the general subject after reading "The Worst Journey in the World," the story of Scott's ill fated South Pole expedition. Although I found that book a little long winded, there was no doubting the passion, courage, and emotions of the setting.I found Lansing's book to be a very easy read mixing just the right amount of detail and back story. Although you do not get a good picture of all 27 survivors, you do get a strong picture of the dozen or so key men. That would be the only fault in this narrative, but I suppose there are other sources to get the whole shabang. I would have like to have seen a "where are they now" sort of afterword, but nonetheless, the story is a solid, adventurous, unbelievable exhibit of man against nature and will against calamity. The story is very easy to follow. It has perhaps one of the greatest opening lines to a book ever "The order to abandon ship was given at 5:00 p.m." It is a real page turner. Highly recommended reading. I don't think I will ever utter the words "I'm freezing" or "I'm starving" again. Also, you must rent/buy the Enurance DVD narrated by Liam Neeson. This is an amazing DVD. Besides the beautiful tale that Lansing has brough to us, the only thing more amazing is to see the actual pictures and movie footage taken by Hurley (one of the survivors). Some of the shots are simply breathtaking. The DVD is the cherry on top.
Rating:
Summary: A Haunting Tale
Review: This book is a fine example of how truth is stranger than fiction. You could not make this stuff up. And yet, people lived this story and survived to tell the tale. Absolutely riveting. If you enjoyed "Into Thin Air", you will be spellbound by this true story. This book comes up time and again in dinner conversation. My entire family read it, passing the book from one person to the next. What is even more interesting is that there are artifacts that have survived. Films and pictures. Much like the Everest disaster, you can see a different generations version of the IMAX. Absolutely amazing!
Rating:
Summary: It defnitely puts our modern "troubles" into persective!
Review:
This isn't the type of book that I would normally read, but someone loaned it to me and I was hooked almost from Page 1. It's an awe-inspiring portral of the human spirit enduring incredible suffering and tribulation in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. It truly puts our own lives in perspective and demonstrates what humans are capable of when put to the test. My only gripe is that the story ended rather quickly. I would have loved to have had an additional chapter that detailed the aftermath of their journey, along with additional information about what happened to these men subsequent to their rescue. Overall, one of the most fascinating stories I've ever read.
Rating:
Summary: AMAZING ADVENTURE!
Review: I listened to this audio cd as I traveled from NYC to LA. This is an excellent book, a wonderful tale. I am going to get the actual book and read it in the near future. I highly recommend this story to anyone interested in history, the artic, or just great adventures!
Rating:
Summary: The Greatest survival story ever.
Review: Unfortunately we live in an age when the word "Hero" is used to describe some footballer for scoring a goal; or an actor that says something marginally controversial; not a man who drags himself and his comrades across the worst, most lethal terrain known to man. That tabloid overuse of the word "Hero" is to the detrement of the English language, as comparing men like these to a sports man is like comparing chalk and cheese. To read of their feats of bravery is an honour, few are worthy to stand in their shaddow. I must admit that I have always considered Sir Ernest Shackleton to be one of my all time heroes (along with Sir Douglas Barder), his tale of leadership, courage and endurance is covered well by other reviews, I would just like to say how much of an inspiration and enjoyable read Mr Lansing's book is. I came across the story of Sir Ernest when visiting the Fram museum in Norway (the Fram was Amundsen's ship that got him to the South Pole) and picked up the book as soon as I could; I was not disapointed! The book ends in tragedy. After achieving the impossible they returned to an England loosing over 5000 men a week to war in the trenches of Flanders. That such brave men volunteered to fight for King and Country after their horrendous ordeal is a tribute to their valour.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible journey
Review: Wow, this book took me on a journey that helped me realize what an incredible task Shackleton and his crew had to battle. The descriptions of the things that they had to overcome was quite good, giving me a sense of actually "being there". Not only that, the photos in this book, taken by crew member Hurley, were breath-taking. So much has been written and produced about this voyage, but this is the signature book. I have a more "coffee-tablish" book, and it is one that I will treasure. The writer makes you feel like you really are there. This was a total joy to read. I really enjoyed the background information on the crew members. My next task is to read one of the "leadership" books that describes the things that Shackleton did to keep his crew engaged in survival, and getting back home. I am an avid reader of these types of books, and it continues to amaze me that voyages like this one, as well as Lewis and Clark's, had little, or no, loss of life during some amazing times in our world and history.
Rating:
Summary: First read 40 years ago
Review: I first read Alfred Lansing's book on the Endurance as a
sophomore in high school. I was enthralled then and after recently reading again must confirm my initial impression.
Since then I have also read his book on the 1908 - 1909
south polar expedition, and although not as exciting as
Endurance, is notable for its level of detail. I stronly
recommend Endurance as the first book to read as an introduction
to a most remarkable explorer.
Rating:
Summary: A truly amazing portrait of man's ability to persevere.
Review: This is one of the 10 best books I've ever read; among such treasures as "The Grapes of Wrath" and Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle". For these men to have survived the harshest conditions known to man is an inspiration to people everywhere that, where there is a will, there is a way. When I go through a bitter cold Wisconsin winter again, I will never look at it in the same way I did before. The agony, frustration and longing these men endured was truly more than most men are capable of overcoming. In an age of modern conveniences where not having cable is considered a hardship, this book brings back the tough spirit of men who tested every fiber of their being. This book should be mandatory reading for all school-age children so they know there is a world beyond PlayStation and all the other trappings of our sedentary society. The adversity these men faced is beyond my comprehension. Buy the book! You won't be sorry!
Rating:
Summary: Amazing Voyage, Amazing Story
Review: I have never read a more truthful or compelling factual account of the miraculous voyage of Shackleton. Lansing reels you in and brings you into each character's mind and heart, and you automatically become a part of the crew. Precious few stories can bind you to the book as you read, but this one does.
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