South! The Story of Shackleton's Last Expedition 1914-1917
'South! The Story of Shackleton's Last Expedition 1914-1917' Summary
The expedition also included more than 70 dogs who were kept in the charge of an experienced veterinary doctor. However, the Endurance soon ran into problems. Within a month of its departure, it hit an ice floe and was completely trapped in frozen ice. It began to drift northwards, dashing Shackleton's hopes of an early culmination. South! The Story of Shackleton's Last Expedition 1914-1917 by Ernest Shackleton is a brilliant portrayal of this doomed enterprise told by the leader himself.
What makes the book so interesting is Shackleton's own matter of fact courage and his extreme sense of responsibility for his crew. The book which was published long after the actual events took place, was released just a year before Shackleton's death. His physical and mental health were completely broken and the outbreak of war had also taken its toll. Though he suffered from serious ill-health, he insisted on being conscripted and also undertook several diplomatic missions on behalf of the British Government. He was an extremely charismatic figure, worshipped by his crew members and deeply admired by statesmen like Winston Churchill. He died of a heart attack in the South Georgia Islands near South America and he was buried there on the request of his wife. This was indeed a fitting end to his life, “on a island far from civilization, surrounded by stormy tempestuous seas and in the vicinity of one of his great exploits,” as his physician noted in his personal diary.
South... is mainly compiled from the logs of the Endurance and the Aurora, with plenty of observations and descriptions by Shackleton himself. The harsh and terrible beauty of the snowy continent are wonderfully and passionately described.
For readers who love the drama of an expedition to the least known ends of the earth, led by a figure of such heroic proportions, this is indeed a great read.
Book Details
Language
EnglishOriginal Language
EnglishPublished In
1919Author
Ernest Shackleton
United Kingdom
Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton was an Anglo-Irish Antarctic explorer who led three British expeditions to the Antarctic. He was one of the principal figures of the period known as the Heroic Age of Antar...
More on Ernest ShackletonDownload eBooks
Listen/Download Audiobook
- Select Speed
Related books
The Romance of Piracy by Edward Keble Chatterton
Published in 1914, This Book provides a fascinating insight into the Golden Age of Piracy, a period spanning from the late 17th century to the early 1...
How I Found Livingstone by Sir Henry Morton Stanley
Sir Henry Morton Stanley is famously quoted for saying "Dr Livingstone, i Presume?". Born in Wales, he migrated over to the United States at the age o...
Rambles in New Zealand by John Carne Bidwill
In this, Bidwill shares his experiences of exploring the country's vast wilderness, including the rugged mountains, dense forests, and pristine rivers...
Travels in Brazil, Volume 1 by Henry Koster
In "Travels in Brazil, Volume 1," prepare to be swept away on an extraordinary adventure through the uncharted realms of Brazil's untamed beauty and c...
Safar Nameh, Persian Pictures: A Book Of Travel by Gertrude Bell
Embark on an extraordinary journey through the enchanting landscapes and vibrant culture of Persia with "Safar Nameh, Persian Pictures: A Book Of Trav...
Celebrated Women Travellers of the Nineteenth Century by W. H. Davenport Adams
This captivating literary piece, delves into the inspiring journeys of notable female adventurers who defied societal norms and explored the world. W...
The Journey of Coronado by Pedro de Castaneda
In 1540, Francisco Vásquez de Coronado led an army from Mexico is search of the fabled golden cities of Cíbola. The Spaniards found no riches—instead,...
A Visit to the Holy Land, Egypt, and Italy by Ida Laura Pfeiffer
Ida Pfeiffer travelled alone in an era when women didn't travel. She went first on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, then went on to Egypt and Italy. Und...
In the Arctic Seas by Francis McClintock
It is fascinating to learn about 19th Century men who braved extreme elements of cold and ice for months at a time. In ways most modern men would not,...
A Gringo In Mañana-Land by Harry La Tourette Foster
Foster was a World War I veteran, world wanderer, journalist, embassy attaché, stoker on ships, miner, stowaway, bandit’s prisoner in Mexico, who wrot...
Reviews for South! The Story of Shackleton's Last Expedition 1914-1917
No reviews posted or approved, yet...