Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 21-25 of 163
 What an Adventure, and Pictures,Too. December 30, 2005
A Southern Reader (New Orleans, LA United States)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I don't know why I keep reading these sagas of sufferring and adventure about polar expeditions,but I do.Of course, Shackleton's Anarctic expedition is one of the best of the bunch.
A much told tale, but it just never gets old. Ms Alexander's book is definitely one of the better ones on the subject.Not only does she cover the well told tale of Shackleton's and his men's heroism, but she includes all those wonderful pictures of the characters. And in a twist I hadn't see elsewhere, she covers what eventually happenned to all of the men. Just an outstanding book.
Great book with outstanding pictures September 1, 2005
Amanda Gebhardt
1 out of 7 found this review helpful
In reading this book I am amazed at the needless hardships these men have endured and even thou they failed how much you can learn about leadership in this book. The lack of common since surely hurt them to no end. I felt Shackleton even thou always optimistic among the men did not learn from his past failures or obtain very much common since but put his own desire to succeed before the safety or well being of the men.
Overall it is a very interesting story and I enjoyed the pictures immensely it really brings the story to life.
Enduring 'Endurance'. August 26, 2005
Denis Andrews (Henley-on- Thames, England.)
An excellent book, lavishly illustrated, which considerably enhances this absorbing tale of hardship and courage in bitter weather conditions, which would otherwise bt difficult to visualise.
 Read Alfred Lansing's Book August 15, 2005
Keith Renn (Philadelphia, PA USA)
45 out of 52 found this review helpful
Several days after purchasing Caroline Alexander's, "The Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition" from Amazon.com, I read a few customer reviews that recommended Alfred Lansing's 1959 classic: "Endurance: Shakelton's Incredible Journey." These reviews extolled Lansing's book, and pointed-out how Alexander's was essentially a rewrite of this earlier work. Consequently, I also purchased his book, and thoroughly enjoyed reading the two of them while on vacation a few weeks ago. (I had already begun Alexander's book -- so, completed it before beginning Lansing's.)
Alexander's book has one (and only one) distinct and obvious advantage over Lansing's -- the inclusion of scores of the original expedition photographs taken by Frank Hurley (the ship's photographer). These photos are incredible and make Alexander's book indispensable to anyone interested in Shakelton's Endurance expedition.
That said -- here's why I gave her book only ONE STAR. In the Acknowledgements" section of her book, Alexander makes only a one sentence reference to Lansing's earlier work -- something to the effect of, "An exciting sea adventure." (although more elaborately stated).
Yet, Lansing's "Endurance: Shakelton's Incredible Journey" is a far better account of the Endurance expedition than is Alexander's -- better written, longer (maybe 50% more narrative), far more detailed in its entirety, much more interesting and exciting to read, PLUS: IT WAS FIRST..!!
It surprises me that Alexander paid no real tribute to Lansing's earlier work -- which in many respects seems to have been simply reworded by Alexander. There are, for certain, some substantive differences between the two books (owing the the large amount of source materials, including crew diaries) -- but, on the whole, these are not of real significance; and on balance, Lansing's book tells the entire story much better than Alexander's and is a much more exciting read.
So, buy them both -- Alexander's for the photographs and supplemental information and Lansing's for the tremendous narrative and historical significance. But please Caroline: Give credit where credit is due...
One of my most treasured books May 6, 2005
Sue (Florida USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition by Caroline Alexander has become one of the most treasured books on my shelf.
I never knew about the real Endurance adventure until I read an online review of this book, which piqued my interest. Much of the story is told by actual diaries that were kept by crew members. The courage and determination that it took to survive this event is beyond my imagination. Yet they were ordinary men who also had conflicts and weaknesses.
The Endurance was a ship of exploration that became frozen into the Antarctic ice. The ice ultimately crushed the vessel and stranded the crew, with no hope of rescue. This is the story of their survival.
One person on board was a professional photographer and he made photographs of all that happened. These photos appear in this book and are truly breathtaking. The best ones, to me, are of the ship all encrusted with shimmering ice. If you are interested in this story, I don't think you'll regret getting this beautiful book.
Showing reviews 21-25 of 163
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