Shackleton

This biography of Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton is a story of epic endurance and courage and also of tragic ineptitude, hardship, bitter rivalries, betrayal, and ultimately fatal disappointment

He is a biographer's dream: Ernest Shackleton was ruthless and ambitious, an unabashed adventurer, an inspired leader, a glorious failure. Also, for much of his life, he was beset by financial and romantic entanglements. Huntford, author of Scott and Amundsen (basis of the recent PBS series The Last Place on Earth), has written a superb account of heroic adventure, of ineptitude and disappointment. Shackleton left a career in the merchant marine to join Robert Scott's expedition on the Discovery (1900); sent home for reasons of health after the first season, he determined to try for the South Pole on his own. The bitter rivalry with Scott had begun. Shackleton's charm and powers of persuasion enabled him to raise money for his 19071909 expedition that came within 100 miles of the Pole. Back home, he was a national hero with financial troubles (he always sought instant fortune). Again, he found backers and planned the "last great journey" across the Antarctic continent. This produced epic adventure: the loss of Endurance in the ice and the long, open-boat journey to safety and rescue. It is one of the greatest survival stories of all time, and Huntford gives it full treatment. Readers interested in polar exploration will find this book hard to put down. Photos. January 14
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Despite his great leadership gifts, Ernest Shackleton (1874-1922), the Anglo-Irish Antarctic explorer, was dogged by failure. None of his business, political, or exploratory ventures achieved their goals. Yet the narratives of his expeditions still make gripping reading. Huntford, the author of Scott and Amundsen (the basis for a PBS miniseries), has written the definitive life of Shackleton, copiously detailed and documented. Some readers may be shocked by the negative portrayal of Scott, Shackleton's rival, and the revelations of British ineptitude in polar exploration, and others may be overwhelmed by the profuse detail, but this book belongs in all exploration collections. J.F. Husband, Framingham State Coll. Lib., Mass.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.