South

De: Ernest Shackleton

Narrado por: Rupert Degas

On 8 August 1914, five days after the outbreak of World War One, the Endurance, a wooden-hulled, coal-fired icebreaker, set sail for the South Pole, in a bid to complete the first-ever trans-Antarctic expedition, which would cross the continent from the Weddell Sea to Scott's base at Cape Evans, via the Pole. However, despite the best planning, the ship succumbs to the ice floes of the Weddell Sea, and is subjected to months of uncontrollable drifting before its crew makes a scramble for Elephant Island, where they battle constant cold and starvation. Faced with the most fearsome terrain and extreme conditions, it is up to Ernest Shackleton, commander of the Endurance, to lead his men back to safety and save them from the horrors of the ice.

Public Domain (P)2019 Naxos Audiobooks

Amazing

Last month I was in Antarctica and so I had a particular interest in this book. I now have an even better appreciation of what these men were able to accomplish. Traveling to Antarctica was amazing by itself but the day by day accounts of early explorers and the details of their adventures added so much to my experience.

Outstanding author and narrator - best version

I read Alfred Lansing's book years ago and it remains the best introduction to this amazing story. Yet Shackleton is also a good writer - precise and and mindful of the readers attention. It is well worthwhile, indeed better in some respects as a first-person account, a window into the personality of Shackleton. This brings us to Rupert Degas. His performance is one of the best audiobook readings I ever heard. He is a professional voice actor who commands a wide range of characters. In this book he is the voice of an early 20th century explorer. One can not tell he is acting, he sounds exactly like we might expect Shackleton to sound. It's amazing, there was never a slip or breaking through the barrier to remind us this actually a reader born in 1970. He is the definitive Shackleton voice. Finally the book is nearly 16 hours, but the South expedition ends around 10hrs, with the remaining being the Ross Sea Party. It is not nearly as well written. I quit after 10hrs which is fine by me, the second part is more of a bonus if you want it.

One of the most incredible stories ever.

Reads like a movie where you’re thinking, “no way could anyone live through that!” But they did. Over and over again you’ll be amazed. One of the greatest survival stories in all of history.

Great history portrayal

This is an amazing piece of history. These brave explorers were intelligent hearty individuals and were one of a kind. The storyteller is amazing and will transport the listener to a front row seat on this quest. AMAZING!