Starred review from September 15, 2014
Polar explorer Ernest Shackleton (18741922) needs little introduction, and yet a complete biography of his life has proven to be an elusive goal. Many authors have focused on the dramatic appeal of the failed and yet unforgettable Endurance expedition. Smith, who previously wrote about overlooked Antarctic hero Tom Crean, makes a significant effort to discuss Shackleton's personal and business relationships as well as his adventurous journeys. This look at his family, friends, and numerous well-known romantic entanglements both humanizes Shackleton and elevates his unusual achievements even further. He was a survivor who possessed near superhuman determination, and yet Smith makes it clear that he was also capable of the most common faults and failures. Through his use of reports, diaries, books, and the private papers of Shackleton's contemporaries, both those who admired and those who reviled him, and, most importantly, the men who served at his side, Smith provides a well-rounded look at the renowned explorer. It is Smith's writing style, however, that makes this biography such a page-turner and a wonderfully rich portrait of a twentieth-century icon. Shackleton has finally received the literary treatment his legendary life deserves.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)
October 15, 2014
"[Ernest] Shackleton today is a cult figure who has assumed a mythical, almost saintly status," writes journalist Smith (Great Endeavour: Ireland's Antarctic Explorers, 2010, etc.) in this fascinating exploration of the man behind the myth. Given high honors and knighted by the king, Sir Ernest Shackleton (1874-1922) could not find his feet on shore. The author describes him as a paradoxical figure, an inspirational leader who excelled at improvisation when he was on the ice but a restless and impatient person when he was back in England. Unable to "spot a charlatan in a business suit," Shackleton failed at a series of business ventures and "spent a life in the futile pursuit of riches, [leaving] behind a trail of debts" after his death during a fourth polar venture. Smith ranks Shackleton among the greatest explorers, yet he was held back by a lack of practicality, exemplified by his underestimation of the need for prowess in handling dogs and skis for ease of travel on ice. The author presents a lively account of the race to the South Pole, ultimately won by the Norwegian Roald Amundsen in 1911, and the bitter rivalry between Shackleton and his other British contender, Robert Scott. Although they sailed together in 1908, their first polar venture, they were directly contending for financial support as well as high honors. On the first (joint) trip, they succeeded in setting up a base and exploring the terrain, and Shackleton's second venture to the polar region brought him within tantalizing proximity to the pole. Both trips were scientific milestones. A third trip to Antarctica narrowly averted disaster when their ship was destroyed. Launched at the start of World War I, the expedition's sponsors were hard-pressed to find funding for a relief expedition. An illuminating perspective of the man, his mission and the era in which he lived.
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Starred review from October 15, 2014
One of the greatest Antarctic survival stories involves Ernest Shackleton (1874-1922) and his ship, Endurance, as it sailed the South Atlantic Ocean. For many, this series of facts encompasses one's total knowledge of the Irish explorer. Smith (An Unsung Hero: Tom Crean--Antarctic Survivor) seeks to change this vague understanding with the first comprehensive biography of Shackleton in 30 years. Shackleton joined various shipping companies beginning at age 16, gaining experience as he was promoted through the ranks. He made his first voyage in 1901, sailing to Antarctica on the British National Antarctic Expedition (Discovery), which set a farthest south record. In 1907, Shackleton led the British Antarctic Expedition (Nimrod), which set a new such record. That team is credited with discovering the Beardmore Glacier, reaching the summit of Mt. Erebus, and locating the South Magnetic Pole. The Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition (Endurance) launched in 1914, marking Shackleton's third voyage to Antarctica. Smith uses existing journals, correspondence, and family records that separate the man from the myth while creating a highly readable account. VERDICT Shackleton is admired for his leadership skills while his repeated off-ice failures are overlooked or unknown. Smith offers a fascinating assessment of his subject, one that will be enjoyed by readers of biographies, polar literature, and adventure stories.--Margaret Atwater-Singer, Univ. of Evansville Lib., IN
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