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happylilkt's review against another edition
5.0
For scientific discovery give me Scott; for speed and efficiency of travel give me Amundsen; but when disaster strikes and all hope is gone, get down on your knees and pray for Shackleton.
MY (now) FAVORITE AUDIOBOOK
This book had been on my radar for a while, and I picked it up as part of an audible two-for-one deal several months ago as I saw Simon Prebble was the narrator. On a whim (or maybe because I had seen the headlines of the discovery of Endurance's shipwreck a few weeks ago) I started reading it this week. I found it so gripping I finished it in about 2 days. (It usually takes me 2 months to finish an audiobook..(!!))
I knew all the major spoilers for Shackleton's journey, but this book was still one of the best audiobooks I've ever listened to—not just because the story itself is so epic, but because the text is simply but powerfully written, and the performance by narrator Simon Prebble is, well, perfect.
The book opens with Shackleton and his crew abandoning the Endurance and then goes back to the beginning. It's an interesting, but effective choice. (It's no surprise to learn that author Lansing was a journalist in his choice to lead with this crucial scene.)
The book was written in 1959, but reads like it was written this year. Again, credit goes to Lansing's straightforward journalistic style. I understand he had access to most, if not all, of the diaries and journals from the trip and also conducted extensive interviews with the 10 last surviving members.
I had no shame in weeping at the end of this book. Just thinking about the endurance of these men makes me emotional even now. I found their examples incredibly inspiring personally. Also, sometimes I kinda sorta feel like humanity might be the worst, but stories like this remind me that humanity has some of the very best in it too.
MY (now) FAVORITE AUDIOBOOK
This book had been on my radar for a while, and I picked it up as part of an audible two-for-one deal several months ago as I saw Simon Prebble was the narrator. On a whim (or maybe because I had seen the headlines of the discovery of Endurance's shipwreck a few weeks ago) I started reading it this week. I found it so gripping I finished it in about 2 days. (It usually takes me 2 months to finish an audiobook..(!!))
I knew all the major spoilers for Shackleton's journey, but this book was still one of the best audiobooks I've ever listened to—not just because the story itself is so epic, but because the text is simply but powerfully written, and the performance by narrator Simon Prebble is, well, perfect.
The book opens with Shackleton and his crew abandoning the Endurance and then goes back to the beginning. It's an interesting, but effective choice. (It's no surprise to learn that author Lansing was a journalist in his choice to lead with this crucial scene.)
The book was written in 1959, but reads like it was written this year. Again, credit goes to Lansing's straightforward journalistic style. I understand he had access to most, if not all, of the diaries and journals from the trip and also conducted extensive interviews with the 10 last surviving members.
I had no shame in weeping at the end of this book. Just thinking about the endurance of these men makes me emotional even now. I found their examples incredibly inspiring personally. Also, sometimes I kinda sorta feel like humanity might be the worst, but stories like this remind me that humanity has some of the very best in it too.
bperl's review against another edition
5.0
Hell is no inferno, but a freezing wasteland.
Shackleton and his Trans-Antarctic Expedition survived unimaginable trials - the loss of their vessel (the aptly named Endurance), months camped on treacherous ice floes, an open-boat journey through the most dangerous seas known to man, and an overland journey across the uncharted and deadly interior of South Georgia Island.
At every turn of bad luck, I couldn’t help but say to myself, “Surely NOW they’ve seen the worst of it. NOW things will turn around.” Yet still the ordeal continued, harsher and more vicious than ever before.
An incredible book, and a testament to a hardy breed of men which we may not see again for a long time to come.
Shackleton and his Trans-Antarctic Expedition survived unimaginable trials - the loss of their vessel (the aptly named Endurance), months camped on treacherous ice floes, an open-boat journey through the most dangerous seas known to man, and an overland journey across the uncharted and deadly interior of South Georgia Island.
At every turn of bad luck, I couldn’t help but say to myself, “Surely NOW they’ve seen the worst of it. NOW things will turn around.” Yet still the ordeal continued, harsher and more vicious than ever before.
An incredible book, and a testament to a hardy breed of men which we may not see again for a long time to come.
danastaples's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it, incredible survival story. Though I still like “In the Kingdom of Ice” better— a similar story, but with much more historical context & detail.
kpwilliamson's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.5
quentinwal's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.0
a16y's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.25