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South  By  cover art

South

By: Ernest Shackleton
Narrated by: Geoffrey Howard
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Publisher's summary

His destination Antarctica, his expectations high, veteran explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton set out, on the eve of the First World War, in pursuit of his goal to lead the first expedition across the last unknown continent. Instead, his ship, the Endurance, became locked in sea ice, and for nine months Shackleton fought a losing battle with the elements before the drifting ship was crushed and his crew marooned.

Shackleton's gripping account of his incredible voyage follows him and his men across 600 miles of unstable ice floes to a barren rock called Elephant Island. It records how, with a crew of four, he crossed 850 miles of the worst seas in a 22-foot-long open boat and how, after landing on South Georgia Island, they then had to traverse over 20 miles of mountainous terrain to reach the nearest outpost of civilization. Shackleton recounts, too, the efforts of his support party aboard the Aurora, who in temperatures of -50 degrees and winds of 80 m.p.h. still managed to drop off supplies on the opposite side of the continent, little suspecting the fate of the Endurance and the ordeal of its crew.

An astonishing story that explores the limits of unparalleled human courage, Shackleton's South ranks among history's greatest adventures.

©1970 Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton (P)2000 Blackstone Audiobooks

What listeners say about South

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Gripping, moving, brilliant story

I listened to this one in the car on my way to and from work each day. As the end approached, I would sit in my car and listen - I couldn't bring myself to turn off the player. I even cried, twice. I never cry.

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25 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Very detailed, recommend The Endurance though

I listened to this after finishing The Endurance, that has a more rounded tale from multiple points of view. This book has a second part that tells of the journey of the Aurora, and it’s all very interesting. But the first part is the more successful with no loss of crewmen, and the second part that details the less successful part of the south expedition even ends with war records for the poor guys that went from one nightmare to another. Overall The Endurance was a book that left me impressed by the power of human will and South was a book that made me sad by the sacrifices demanded in exploration.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Best part is by Sir Ernest

The first 2/3 of the book focus on Shackelton's trek. The book loses some appeal after he switches to the Ross Sea party efforts. The narrator, while wonderful in general, does a poor job of identifying either through pauses or other effects, when Shackelton is quoting from diaries.

For readers not familiar with the story, Sir Ernest (the Boss) was one of the true leaders of the modern era. His expedition to cross Antarctica went horribly wrong, but his amazing leadership and vision brought the 27 men under his command out of the ice into safety with only minor injuries.

His description of the events are at the same time scientific and lyrical. He is equally at home discussing the pressure ridges of the ice as he is describing the amazing sunsets and twilights.

A great listen.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely remarkable story

What did you love best about South?

Its remarkable because its a true story. I doubt any fiction writer could think this one up. You can only stand back and admire their courage, skill and determination against all the odds.

Which character – as performed by Geoffrey Howard – was your favorite?

Shackleton who else.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Overall the way Shackleton genuinely cared for his men.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Couldn’t finish

Book was too boring, narration wasn’t good either. Story seems cool but the book itself is just a mundane account of things. Got to where the ship was destroyed and had to call it

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Diary of an Antarctic expedition

This is more a diary than a novel and therefore goes into considerable detail which perhaps does not add to the story; particularly in the latter chapters.

However, it is a story of focus, leadership and managing the risks of such a perilous journey.jb

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

A great adventure, a moderate read

This is one of the greatest sea adventures of all times but the combination of Shackleton's modesty in his writing and the narrator's determinably non-theatrical presentation, this book was a bit of a disappointment.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

they don't make 'em like that any more

I was cought up in the recounting of an event that I thought couldn't get any worse, and then the book moved me to a situation going on at the same time, so much worse, time and time again. riviting. A time when men were men and hardship was a test ment to be overcome. I listened to it three times just to make sure I didn't miss anything.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Great for its age. We're for read if you want to hear what happened after.

Just like all books ranged before the last century. The book is rambling and without much narrative flow. Yet the story is so epic. That's totally rei read the endurance And I really want to hear what happened after. If you read endurance I suggest reading the last chapter It gives a summary of where did all the characters go.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Heroic, brave men

The fact that what you are reading is real is mind boggling. These men survived because of their camaraderie and leadership.

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