Product Description

In August 1914, Sir Ernest Shackleton and a crew of 27 set sail aboard the "Endurance" bound for the South Atlantic. Their goal was to be the first men to cross Antarctica. Caroline Alexander tells the story of Shackleton's expedition accompanied by the photographs of Australian Frank Hurley.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #36275 in Books
• Published on: 1999-11-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Melding superb research and the extraordinary expedition photography of Frank Hurley, Endurance, by Caroline Alexander is a stunning work of history, adventure, and art that chronicles "one of the greatest epics of survival in the annals of exploration." Setting sail as World War I broke out in Europe, the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, led by renowned polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, hoped to become the first to cross the Antarctic continent. But their ship, Endurance, was trapped in the drifting pack ice, eventually splintering and leaving the expedition stranded on floes--a situation that seemed "not merely desperate but impossible."

Most skillfully Alexander constructs the expedition's character through its personalities--the cast of veteran explorers, scientists, and crew--with aid from many previously unavailable journals and documents. We learn, for instance, that carpenter and shipwright Henry McNish, or "Chippy," was "neither sweet-tempered nor tolerant," and that Mrs. Chippy, his cat, was "full of character." Such firsthand descriptions, paired with 170 of Frank Hurley's intimate photographs (comprehensively assembled here for the first time), penetrate the hulls of the Endurance and these tough men, revealing the seldom-seen domestic world of expedition life--the singsongs, feasts, lectures, and camaraderie--so that when the hardships set in, we know these people beyond the stereotypical guise of mere explorers and long for their safety.

Alexander reveals Shackleton to be an inspiring optimist: "A leader who put his men first." Throughout the gruelling ordeal, Shackleton and his men show what endurance and greatness are all about. Endurance is an intimate portrait of an expedition and of survival. Readers will possess a newfound respect for these daring souls and know better their unthinkable toil and half-forgotten realm of glory. --Byron Ricks, Amazon.com

Customer Reviews

An Incredible Photographic Account!
In the quest to cross the Antartic Continent in 1914, brave-hearted soul Captain Ernest Shackleton and his twenty-seven man crew set sail on a perilous, nearly deadly journey. Less than 100 miles from their destination the "Endurance" became hopelessly trapped in an ice floe; slowing breaking apart. Their ordeal of living on this drifting berg for months, only to be stranded on a solid piece of land later for nearly two years is mind-boggling.

The personal accounts of the crew members daily treacherous turmoils, coupled with an undefeatable and inspired leader (Shackleford) is devastating. Photographer Frank Hurley supplied some of the most breathtaking and dynamic pictures of the saga of the trip, one can only become overwhelmed with the enormity of the dilema. It is simply too real and too heartbreaking.

This beautfully crafted "coffee table" book is one of many released regarding the extraordinary plight of this team against nature. Although author Caroline Alexander borrows heavily from previous accounts and repeats some of the adventures from her earlier "Mrs. Chippy's Last Expediton", "Endurance" is the classic adventure tale of the last Century.

A wonderful coolaboration of writer/photographer, this makes a great gift. A 'beyond Hollywood' story that many have never heard, much less seen in this manner makes it extraordinary!

Gripping, spell binding, breathtaking pictures, WOW!
I am a slow reader, and rarely finish books because my mind wanders, having A.D.D. but I'm on my 3rd read of THE ENDURANCE. I've always loved sailing ships, I nearly cried when "she died." Frank Hurley's pictures are breathtaking. The fact that he was able to save them through the ordeal is remarkable. Also the fact that Shackleton was able to keep his crew's morale up, and that they all survived. He truly cared for his men. Rare indeed. God was truly with them all. Caroline Alexander has done the world and history buffs a great service putting the story and the pictures together in one volume. I salute you lady. Frank Haley fhhaley@juno.com

This account is from the heart
At some point in our lives, the story of the achievement of the crew of the Endeavour passes from inconsequential history-lesson to life-enriching inspiration of a truly human kind. For me, that moment was reading Lansing's 'Endurance'. And in Lansing's book, as with this one, it is the diaries of the men that command the attention and convey the almost unbelievable hopefulness of the human spirit. Here, that strength and that hope is brought to life through the beauty of Hurley's photographs. The diary accounts and the almost impossibly detailed images together capture a sense of the struggle that neither words or images alone could convey. Alexander uses the words to tell us what the public face of the images could never say, and the images to express a humanity deeper than words could convey. Together, the balance generates a sense of true, unabashed wonder. As we look into the eyes of those yet to suffer so long against such impossible odds, we wonder how could they endure so long? And unable to resist the terrible thought: in their place, could we?