South

The Story of Shackleton's Last Expedition, 1914-1917

By: Sir Ernest Shackleton

Narrated by: Steven Crossley

As war clouds darkened over Europe in 1914, a party led by Sir Ernest Shackleton set out to make the first crossing of the entire Antarctic continent via the Pole. But their initial optimism was short-lived as ice floes closed around their ship, gradually crushing it and marooning twenty-eight men on the polar ice. Alone in the world's most unforgiving environment, Shackleton and his team began a brutal quest for survival. And as the story of their journey across treacherous seas and a wilderness of glaciers and snow fields unfolds, the scale of their courage and heroism becomes movingly clear.

Public Domain (P)2011 Tantor

Great narrator for a gripping story

I've read several other accounts of this expedition, but hadn't previously gone straight to the source. Shackleton's writing is a bit drier and more occupied with meteorological detail than later descriptions of the journey, like Alfred Lansing's 1959 Endurance, but any reader who is used to nonfiction from the late 19th and early 20th centuries will easily adjust to the tone and get into the book. And, of course, it gets much more dramatic about 3 hours in, when the Endurance is crushed in the ice and sinks.

Crossley's narration is fantastic, he really brings Shackleton's words to life. It feels like having SIr Ernest in the room with you, telling you his story.

WOW! These were MEN!

Incredible! These were men of men. Superior leadership gave these men no option but to survive. Its interesting to hear if from Shackleton's perspective. Superb story well worth a listen!

Amazing

What a fantastic account of resilience and perseverance in the face of many challenges while exploring the arctic in the early 1900’s

An incredible adventure gone wrong, and then right again.

Earnest Shackleton's expedition to Antarctica is an incredible story, and it is really cool to hear it in the authors own words. I must say that it can be hard to follow at times, given my lack of background in naval terminology.

This is a must read.

If there were 10 books that one must read during their lifetime this is one. Leadership, courage and a level head with extraordinary leadership. Anyone who leads whether in business or a family can learn from Shackleton's way.