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Anonymous
Posted September 30, 2010
Out Cold
The title Endurance really does justice to describe what the book is full of. Other than the fact that it is the name of the ship that Ernest Shackleton and his crew of twenty seven other men set out on. The goal of the journey was to cross the Antarctic Continent overland from east to west in the open icy wasteland of the Weddell Sea. They had to abandon ship was because the ice beginning to destroy the ship, and ended up where they began just on the opposite side of South Georgia Island. There were a handful important themes and messages in this book. But only a few really stood out. While facing death through hunger, frost bite, and well below freezing temperatures, the crew of the Endurance fought hard and won. They had to fight with themselves to keep going. This crew, with its captain showing the highest amount, had unbreakable endurance. This book also shows just what those twenty-eight men were made of. And the importance of team work. While other men would have given up and died they kept going and had the same number of men at the end of the journey as they did in the beginning. Another important theme of this book is courage. Ernest Shackleton and his crew had some tough courage. And again, Shackleton having an amazing amount of courage pushed his crew to fight and went against the odds of survival to keep them alive. The title really captures the overall theme of this book. I very much enjoyed this book overall. The message really inspired me but also gave me some history of an incredible journey of the Antarctic. This also helped me see what one man, and a team of men, are capable of doing. The way that the author took the actual records of the men that were there, and put them into chronological order was very well done. And including the right amount of detail about the landscape along with the physical and character descriptions of the men really painted a clear picture in my head. I also enjoyed reading about what the men did during the time that they were stranded. Especially training and racing the dog teams. I didn't like reading about what they had to do for food though. Which ended up being the dog teams and penguins, but it was what they had to do to stay alive. It was also quiet difficult to continue reading only to find that the crew had hit another setback. Or that they somehow were worse off than they were before. Hungrier, colder, and even more exhausted, with hope of surviving becoming less and less. If you want to read a true story of adventure, adversity, hardship, broken sprits, and amazing Endurance, this book is for you
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BCI76020
Posted June 19, 2010
Adventure account; second to none!
The year is 1915 and one of the greatest survival adventures takes place in the World's most inhospitable environment. It is almost impossible to believe that for a period of two years, 28 men survived the challenges they faced without the availability of today's technology and survival equipment.
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I am almost exhausted just from reading this account and cannot begin to imagine how the crew of the Endurance managed against all odds.
For the reader, it is an adventure like no other and a book that one cannot put down until the very end. Both historically correct and enthralling, this is a "must read" for anyone interested in history, adventure and man's ability to conquer nature. -
hckyply66
Posted February 7, 2010
I Also Recommend:
An Epic of Polar Adventure
Endurance, written by Alfred Lansing, is an inspiring story that encourages men and women to try the impossible. The story is of twenty eight men who survived in Antarctica with little to no supplies for months. The tale cannot help but motivate its readers to try things they never thought they could do before. It is truly a heart-warming story that is great for all categories of readers. When I first picked up Endurance, I had no expectations. I wasn't very interested in the subject; I was just looking for the book to not be completely horrible. But when I hit page one and it jumped right into the action, I was hooked. I think that Endurance is geared toward readers a little older than me, but that still did not stop me from loving the book. People my age would enjoy this book if they like action and an epic story of problem solving. Parts of the book were slow, but most of it was fast paced and exciting. I would definitely recommend this book to all types of readers, if not only to expand their horizons. Endurance can also be a slightly challenging read at times. It often sights quotes from the crew's many diaries. The language that they use in these quotes is different, but not anything that disrupts the flow of the novel. One must keep in mind when reading from the diaries of the crew men that the expedition took place in 1914. One of the parts that I found the most interesting was when they were forced to move into the rowboats after the Endurance was crushed between slabs of ice. When they first got into the water, they had much difficulty moving because they kept on hitting ice and they weren't used to rowing yet. But eventually, as a reader sees time and again throughout the novel, they overcome their struggle. It amazed me that even with all the hardships that they had to face, they pulled through and every member of the crew survived. That is a feat worth reading about. I recommend this book to any and all readers interested in one of the greatest exploration tales of the twentieth century. Also, to readers who want another exhilarating read like Endurance, I recommend the book Between a Rock and a Hard Place, by Aron Ralston.
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RockyMtnBuzzard
Posted July 25, 2009
I Also Recommend:
The definitive book on the 1914 Shackleton expedition
This book was written around 1950, the author having interviewed all expedition members still living, and gaining access to the diaries of those who were not. The book describes both the physical ordeals and the psychological ones. It shows Ernest Shackleton's perceptive leadership styles in dealing with men of diverse temperaments. A readable and thrilling story of one of history's most amazing stories of seamanship and, yes, Endurance.
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Shellyy
Posted June 10, 2009
A Great Read for Everyone
Endurance, written by Alfred Lansing, is an inspiring story that encourages men and women to try the impossible. The story of twenty-eight men surviving in Antarctica with nothing cannot help but motivate its readers to try things they never thought they could do before. It is truly a heart-warming story that is great for all readers.
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When I first picked up Endurance, I had no expectations. I wasn't very interested in the subject; I was just looking for the book not to be completely horrible. But once I hit page one and it jumped right into the action, I was hooked. I think that most people my age would enjoy this book if they liked action and a story of problem solving. Part of the book was slow, but most of it was up-and-moving. I would definitely recommend this book to everybody my age and older. I think that if you were younger than thirteen or fourteen that you wouldn't truly understand the struggle that the men were going through. Endurance is also a slightly challenging read. It often sights quotations from the men's diaries. They talked different in 1915 than they do currently, so some people may find difficulty in understanding it.
The part that I found the most interesting was when they were forced to move into the rowboats after their floe that they were traveling on was cracking too much. When they first got into the water, they had much difficulty moving because they kept on hitting ice and they weren't used to rowing. But eventually, they overcame their struggle and got used to it. It amazed me that through every problem and struggle that appeared, they made their way through it, and in the end, they all survived.
Alfred Lansing was an American journalist writer. He is best known for his writing of Endurance. I enjoyed Endurance very much and will be sure to read any other books written by Lansing. I would also like to read another book on the same subject: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage. I found the story very compelling and I encourage everyone to read Endurance. You will put it down feeling refreshed and knowing that you have just read a great book. -
RunningHorse
Posted April 27, 2009
An outstanding adventure, testing the human spirit and the endurance of mankind
This book was riveting and full of human strength and the will to survive. It is the true story of a captain who became an unexpected hero, and his bold crew that fought bravely for their lives, guiding the lost and freezing crew through uncharted and frozen Artic waters. Their intelligence, perseverant spirits and strong will to survive that made the book hard to put down.
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Anonymous
Posted January 10, 2008
Outstanding Biographical Story Highlighting True Courage
There is a style of writing that is simple and heartfelt. Writing that is able to evoke deep human emotion and feeling without any pomp and circumstance. Endurance is a fine example of this style and stands alone in a sea of Reality Works that have flooded bookstores. Perhaps it is because this book was written in a different era. Written in the early stages of WWI, the world was just learning of the cruelties of large scale warfare, something that would become all to common an occurance in the 19th century. Perhaps this is why the book has no need for added flavor to make it exciting or thrilling. The survival of a group of men who faced almost impossible odds needs no exaggeration.
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Anonymous
Posted October 3, 2007
Shackleton is a great leader.
I couldn't put this book down at night even though I knew I had a long day of hard work ahead of me the next day. I learned lessons of how to work through difficult times, manage diverse groups by effective leadership, as well as an appreciation for the courage and determination it takes for exploration. This is one of those reads that you will reccomend it to family and friends.
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Anonymous
Posted November 5, 2007
A reviewer
I just finished this book and I must say it is the most awesome true-life human struggle/survival story I have ever read. And to tell you the truth, I am amazed it has never been made into a movie. Sometime between now, and before you go to you death bed, read this book. You will be glad you did. AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME!!!!!
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Anonymous
Posted July 6, 2005
Incredible sums it up
This was amazing, a true testament to iron will and outstanding leadership. It was one of those stories where you keep saying to yourself 'Well, it can't get any worse.' Then the next page would hit. I read this book over two years ago and remain astounded at what the crew of the Endurance endured and overcame. If I remember right, it was written simply and clearly. Definately a book I will read again.
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Anonymous
Posted November 7, 2004
History at its BEST
This book should be a required read for all high school students. What an incredible bit of history, and a story of what it means to endure with strength and determination. A historical triumph, and a fabulous read!
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Anonymous
Posted July 24, 2004
He was poles apart
Adventurers are often very boring personalities. There are a few wild cards and Shackleton was probably the wildest of them all. It was his big passionate heart that ultimately made him famous, giving his all to bring his men home alive. While Shackleton never actually saw the South Pole he remains the most admired of the polar explorers, and Lansing's account of the sinking of Endurance and the epic haul to safety shows why: Shackleton's story is more exciting than that of the genius Amundsen; and more inspiring than Scott's tragic tale. This is a great book. During the last of Shackleton's trudge to save his men he and his two companions believed there was a fourth presence walking with them, like a ghost. It's not something that's ever been fully explored, although it sparked a revival in the Spiritualist movement in Britain after the Great War. Shackleton called Antarctica ``that weird white world'' and at last there is a new book that gives thge most convincing and shocking picture of how weird that world can get. IN THE GHOST COUNTRY is about Peter Hillary's walk to the South Pole in the company of his dead mother and other dead friends. AMAZING.
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Anonymous
Posted May 19, 2004
Good story of bravery and determination
This is the story of Ernest Shackleton and his crew of men who's goal was to sail to Antarctica and walk across the continent, a pretty big dream. The name of the book is from the ship they sailed in 'Endurance'. This book was written very well and goes into much detail about the men aboard the ship and it takes you back in time to sail with Shackleton and his men. The book was written in such detail thanks to the diaries of the men aboard and the interviews with the surviving members of the crew. This is a good book for someone who enjoys reading 'happily ever after' true stories. But who doesnt love a story like that? This was a good read and I enjoyed it. So the next time you want to read a real life story about determination, bravery, and the exploration of new land, read 'Endurance....'
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Anonymous
Posted September 21, 2003
Outstanding, One of the best books to read
The 1914 story of the Endurance passing through the Antarctica and their long period of time standed on an ice burg. With out readig this book i would have never knew how Shackelton and his crew ever got around the Continent and stayed alive.
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Anonymous
Posted April 25, 2003
A Primer on Leadership for Teens
Underneath this tale of fantastic survival is a story about leadership. If you are teaching a group of teenagers about life and how to succeed there are vignettes throughout the book that present microcosms of how to lead and be successful in life. For example the advantage of being absorbed in concern about your fellow man (the incident of the sleeping man that almost was swallowed up by pack ice except for Shakelton's constant vigilance), the wisdom in traveling lightly and quickly in adversity (the incident when they 'toboggan' down the mountain on their travel worn fannies to avoid freezing, or the wisdom in not stocking up huge inventories of food as it would diminish the urgency to get out--the proverbial 'boiling a frog' problem), and the advantage of looking at the current realities soberly but wisely ---and without whining (what Jim Collins in Good to Great calls the Stockdale Paradox and seen many times in the book where other crews went insane this crew partied, or faced incredible difficulties like crossing the Straights of Magellan in a row boat--100 foot waves--with optimism). An incredible true story about human potential and leadership. Great for dissecting with teenagers to learn important life lessons.
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Anonymous
Posted March 12, 2003
Gripping, harrowing, triumphant
The story of the ill-fated 1914 Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, bent on glory, but ultimately humbled to the barest thread of survival. The Endurance becomes locked in an ice pack in the Weddell Sea, and is eventually crushed and sunk. The ship goes screaming into the icy deep. The men scurry for safety onto the surrounding ice. And that's just the beginning. I'm frankly surprised ANYONE survived this horrendous ordeal; if this were a novel, I'd say it's far-fetched. But it happened, and all hands survived. Imagine an acute scarcity of food, months on end in darkness, an interminable landscape of featureless whiteness, no sanitary facilities, and all through this you're cold and wet, and it's windy, and the temperature's below zero. You eat your sled dogs. You're nauseated from undercooked food. Your face and hands are frostbitten. You shiver even in your sleep. And no one knows you're marooned. Your only escape is to travel by open boat through the gale-wracked Drake Passage¿the most treacherous body of water on Earth. Imagine your fingers are frozen numb, and yet you must chip off ice from the sail, and raise the sail, and tie the lines fast. Otherwise you'll sink and die. These men did the impossible¿and they lived to tell about it.
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Anonymous
Posted December 23, 2002
Incredible adventure!
Any thoughtful reader will stop and wonder why this horrific adventure ever took place. The question is complimented by the knowledge that most of these men undertook the voyage voluntarily for the sake of adventure. My advice to the reader is to put this thought out of your mind, sink more deeply into your armchair and let the story unfold. You'll begin to see that these men were different than you or I; bold men who wanted or needed something in their lives to stir up their amazing resolve. This relatively short book does a remarkable job of relaying how Shackleton and his men used both their brains and bodies to save not themselves from a hopeless end.
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Anonymous
Posted April 20, 2002
phenomenal - read this book!
Am reading this right now & can't put it down. Would give it 6 stars if I could. Even knowing what happens, am on the edge of my seat. The book puts you right in the middle of it - except that you're not freezing & hungry while you read it. I'd seen movies on the expedition (the original & A&E's with Kenneth Branagh), both excellent, but only the book gives me a sense of how it was to be in their shoes. Amazes me that they all lived through it, & I still don't see how they survived such cold & misery. Sure puts things in perspective. I will remember this next time I complain about being chilly when the temp goes down to 65, or if the supermarket's out of my brand of cereal.
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Anonymous
Posted April 25, 2002
great adventure tale
This is one of the greatest tales of polar adventure. Even if you are not interested in the whole saga of arctic travel you will love this book. A flawed hero, a hostile climate and true heroism. Sir Ernest was one of the greats..he got his men home!
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Anonymous
Posted January 24, 2002
Against all odds !
If you like true advernture books this is one of the best! This book brings you to places you will never ever see. It will take you, and you will live a life you never lived beore. A masterfully written; gripping true life Adventure.
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