Endurance

By: Alfred Lansing

Narrated by: Tim Pigott-Smith

Length: 6 hrs

Publisher's Summary

The year was 1915. Equipment and food supplies were totally inadequate. After battling its way for six weeks through thousands of miles of pack ice and located only a day's sail from its destination, the Endurance became locked inside an island of ice. Yet Ernest Shackleton enabled all 27 of his men to survive for over a year on the ice-bound Antarctic seas - leadership without equal. This gripping account is based on contemporaneous diaries and interviews conducted by the author with these exceptional men.

©1959 Alfred Lansing (P)2000 by The Audio Partners Publishing Corp.

Critic Reviews

"One of the most gripping, suspenseful, intense stories anyone will ever read [or hear]." (Chicago Tribune)
"One of the greatest adventure stories of our time." (The New York Times Book Review)

The Best You'll Find

I truly enjoy reading the remarkable tales of unsung heroes in this world. Ernest Shackleton is one of them. Start to finish, this book kept me thinking, waiting, and imagining like few books ever have. Forget reality shows, forget mysteries... This book is a dose of "true reality and courage". Absolutely Fabulous!!

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

I looked forward to my commute

This must be the most incredible human survival story ever. A great tale. Probably the best Audible book I've ever bought. I found myself unable to get out of the car because I wanted to get to the next "page". The actual hardcover book does have some wonderful pictures and maps which make the story even better, but the Audible version was great nonetheless.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Get the Unabridged one (also on Audible)

This incredible story should be heard in all its detail. This version is good; the unabridged one is phenomenal.

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

Good Leadership Lessons

Another reviewer commented that this story was the Apollo 13 of its time. That is a perfect description. Beyond that, there are lots of leadership lessons one can take from "watching" Ernest Shackleton lead a group through a prolonged and difficult time. As the story is told, he maintained leadership and vision in extraordinary times.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

The Apollo 13 Of Its Day

An extraordinary story, compellingly told. I found myself coming home from work and still listening in the driveway, riveted by the endless string of seemingly impossible challenges these brave explorers had to overcome. All of this without the benefit of radios, electricity and the like, to say nothing of a "Mission Control" to guide them. If you have any appreciation for the strength and nobility of the human spirit and will, you will enjoy this book.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Unbelievable

I had heard in general terms about this adventure gone bad. But the actual events as depicted through this book which is based on the actual diaries of the members and crew of the Endurance are truly remarkable. The narration is well done. Listening to this actually made me purchase other books on the subject.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Absolutely Incredible True Story!!

Certainly one of the most incredible stories of human survival and endurance in history. You will constantly be amazed at how this Ill-fated Antarctic expedition refused to quit in the face of all the fierce obstacles in the harshest conditions on Earth.

Shackleton, a Hero for the Ages

So, I have always found Shackleton and other explorers compelling, and I will probably get the e-book version, but the narration here doesn't work for me, and I do love Tim Pigott-Smith. So what went wrong?

I wonder if actors like Tim Pigott-Smith should do audio narrations? I love him on film and I'm shocked that I can't stand his narration. The whole point of this story is that it is, in its very essence, exciting! Compelling! Pigott-Smith "acts" the whole thing. It doesn't need acting! It just needs telling! Please, just tell me the story. The writing sells it. The writing tells me what the landscape, the ice (of course, the main character here) is doing, the characters, the narrative! I don't need anyone to make it "exciting!" I don't need to be sold on what is at stake!

What a shame. Pigott-Smith, you are a great actor, and I love you, but scale it back, please! Your voice is more than adequate. No acting required. Thanks.

Riveting

Could not stop listening to this book until it was over. Amazing story, well told.

take you back in time

a unbelievable account of men WHO gave there all to a expedition few would have ever attempt

As soon as I'd finished it I started it again

This is a very good listen; because it reads like a novel I found myself having to remind myself that it all actually happened. It's a like a Jack London novel but for grown ups with added humour, factual detail and real characters.

10 of 10 people found this review helpful

Gripping

I now understand the astonishing extent of the crew of the Endurance's achievement. This is often ascribed to Shackleton's leadership but what came through to me from this account was the importance of individuals working together with specialist skills and maintaining each others' morale. Tim Piggott-Smith is one of the best narrators, even when not much is happening, he keeps you enthralled.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Endurance

What a fascinating and realistic story about the privations, resolve and ultimate success of a team of human beings surviving in the worst weather in the world. With each new problem the team seemed to grow stronger and I felt that the difficulties would ultimately overcome them, but no, not a chance. I was walking my dog in the woods when Shackleton and his men finally made it to South Georgia and it brought a tear to my eye. So, in the final chapter I actually gave a little cheer when everyone was safe. Marvellous!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Unbelievable

Hard to believe this happened! The emotions come across on every page. From hope and excitement to fear and endurance. A journey to be read!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful