Endurance

Shackleton's Incredible Voyage

By: Alfred Lansing

Narrated by: Simon Prebble

Length: 10 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

This is a new reading of the thrilling account of one of the most astonishing feats of exploration and human courage ever recorded.

In August of 1914, the British ship Endurance set sail for the South Atlantic. In October 1915, still half a continent away from its intended base, the ship was trapped, then crushed in the ice. For five months, Sir Ernest Shackleton and his men, drifting on ice packs, were castaways in one of the most savage regions of the world.

Lansing describes how the men survived a 1,000-mile voyage in an open boat across the stormiest ocean on the globe and an overland trek through forbidding glaciers and mountains. The book recounts a harrowing adventure, but ultimately it is the nobility of these men and their indefatigable will that shines through.

©1959 Alfred Lansing (P)2007 Blackstone Audo, Inc.

Critic reviews

Nominee, 2008 Audie Award, Nonfiction, Unabridged

"[O]ne of the most extraordinary tales of heroism and determination in the history of exploration.... Prebble's narration will bring to life the despair, elation, and sheer will of these men to survive, and to triumph, together." (AudioFile)

Most excellent!

I LOVED this book. The day to day accounts through journals of these men were absolutely gripping. The performance of the narrator added so much to the audio- he was energetic and used inflection to really make the story come to life. This harrowing tale will keep you spellbound and on the edge of your seat from start to finish!

amazing, true story. great detail a

amazing true story. great detail s and wonderfully told. highly recommend this to anyone who loves history.

What a great adventure!

If you could sum up Endurance in three words, what would they be?

Challenge, bravery, endurance

Who was your favorite character and why?

Captain Shackelton is a great leader who inspires his team at every turn. It happens that he is the lead person on this expedition, but it is his strength of purpose and considered actions that make him the leader--not his position.

Which scene was your favorite?

The story continues with each scene more compelling than the one before. The final small expedition to find life and ultimately, survival, was very suspenseful and gratifying.

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

The necessity of amputating one man's toes and the description of the scene was very moving, followed by the patient's first wish: a cigarette!

Any additional comments?

Yes, this is history, which normally I would bypass. But the story is magnificent. There is a documentary produced in 2014 which I want to see!

Amazing Story

Where does Endurance rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is a great book, it is well written and narrated.

What did you like best about this story?

I bought this book when it was a daily special and I was very pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it. I would have never even thought of it had it not been on sale.

Which character – as performed by Simon Prebble – was your favorite?

they are all good.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

There is no way I could do that.

Endurance understatement.

A gripping story read by a masterful narrator. When purchased this book I wasn't sure it could hold my attention.
This story will be remembered a life time.

WOW!

No words to adequately describe the determination, resilience and toughness of these men. It's hard to believe anyone in this day and age of comfort and instant gratification, would or could survive, if faced with these circumstances today.

Wow. Incredible.

Highly recommend! This book was amazing! It kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn't wait to listen each day until it was over.

phenomenal

a wonderful true story showcasing the best of the human spirit while the rest of the world was busy tearing itself apart.

When men have greatness thrust upon them

I was overwhelmed with emotion as this audiobook came to a close. This account of Earnest Shackleton’s expedition with his crew of 27 men to seek glory crossing the Antarctic continent transforms into a harrowing survival story where each man had to transcend himself and unite into a cohesive brotherhood to persevere through brutal conditions and defy near impossible odds to survive. Shackleton’s leadership demonstrated that responsibility is synonymous with love. His dedication to his men and leading by example brought out the greatness in them when it counted, even as he and they had moments of weakness and failure that are faithfully recorded.

The British narrator’s voice fit the story just right for me, setting the mood of stoic heroism, brotherhood, and the impersonal implacable consciousness required to endure through demoralizing setbacks, devastating disappointment, constant peril, and immobilizing uncertainty. Other than perhaps Steven Pressfield’s novel, “Gates of Fire”, set during the battle at Thermopylae, I cannot recall a fictional, let alone a true story, that conveys this as poignantly.

Immortal glory!

Wow....

This book is like nothing I can describe. I cannot imagine what these men went through. By far one of my favorite books.