Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World

The Extraordinary True Story of Shackleton and the Endurance

By: Jennifer Armstrong

Narrated by: Taylor Mali

Length: 3 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

It's a survival story almost too incredible to believe, but it's the extraordinary true tale of endurance in the harshest environment on earth. Sir Ernest Shackleton and a crew of 27 men set off from England aboard the ship Endurance, intending to cross Antarctica from one side to the other. Instead, Endurance becomes icebound and sinks 100 miles from land, leaving Shackleton and his men to fight brutal perils on ice, land, and sea...or die trying. Through it all, Shackleton's mission never wavers: "But if you're a leader, a fellow that other fellows look to, you've got to keep going." Narrator Taylor Mali transports the listener into the heart of this death-defying adventure.

©1998 by Jennifer Armstrong (P)1996 Brent Thompson; 16 9; 2000 Audio Bookshelf

Critic reviews

2000 Winner of Publishers Weekly Listen Up Award: Children's Spoken Word
"Mali's intense narration drives listeners of all ages to experience the severe weather, lack of food, and incredible demands of exploration and survival." ( AudioFile)

Shorter account with some colorful voices

This book is not as exhaustive as the other one on Audible (Endurence), but is still well done and includes some details and insight that the other doesn't. The narrator also tries to immatate the accents of various crew members, so there's Scottish accents, Australian, Cockney, Welsh, Canadian, and so forth. This definitely livens things up quite a bit, although the story is so riveting it doesn't need it.

The best

It is boring in the beginning but at the end and middle is awesome, excellent, exciting, and surprising! Loved it!!!!!!!!!

Surprisingly Good Read

I came into this book having low expectations, I was so into the descriptive writing and the interesting story the men endured. I highly suggest this book.

Fantastic

This is one of the best biographies of factual history I have ever listened to. Well worth listening to over and over again!

Always Fascinating

I have read this book to my middle school students for 3 years. Now it was my turn to listen. The tale is so extraordinary that even the 4th time through it continues to fascinate me. Be sure to see the pictures in the printed copy. They add a lot to the story. Its too bad you don't get them with the audio version somehow.

Required reading for 7th grader

Would you consider the audio edition of Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World to be better than the print version?

I listened with my son and was completely engaged with the story and the narration.

What did you like best about this story?

Historically accurate story,

Gripping and relentless

I loved this book. I finished it in one sitting. I could not stop until the end.

While this is hardly a comprehensive account of the expedition ("Endurance" by Alfred Lansing is excellent in this regard, with much more detail and depth), I really prefer this telling -- very epic and cinematic.

My only criticism is the narration paled a bit in comparison to the narrative itself, but with material this inspiring that is a tall order -- and, frankly, I was so enrapt that I didn't even notice most of the time.

amazing story

This story was well written and well read. It is short but amazing. Thw spoilers at the beginning helped me enjoy the story . I wanted to learn more after hearing this book.

adventure at its best

What made the experience of listening to Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World the most enjoyable?

knowing it is a true story

What did you like best about this story?

the spirit and intefrity of the men on the ship

Have you listened to any of Taylor Mali’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I haven't listened to and of Taylor's before but I will look for them now.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Obcession

Any additional comments?

I particulary liked the part about the navigator being able to define their whereabouts in respect to longitude and latitude coordinates, using just the sun and a watch.

Well done

An incredible story . Told simply and accurately.
Very well done and enjoyable even for younger audience. Compliments to the narrator