Endurance

by F.A. Worsley
List(s):"Extreme Classics"
Category: "Travel"
Pages:301
Year of Publication:1931
Date Added:01/22/2010
Date Read:12/01/2014
Notes:Subtitle: An Epic of Polar Adventure

Worsley was the captain of the Endurance on Shackleton's 1914-1916 expedition. He, along with the rest of the crew, hiked across the ice to Elephant Island after the ship was crushed and sunk. Most of the men were left there for four months while Worsley navigated a small open boat to South Georgia island through weather that was so bad he could take sights on the sun only four times in 800 miles. He stuck with Shackleton until the rest of the crew was rescued. The second half of the book tells of the author's adventures during WWI, covers some random bits about polar exploration, tells about Shackleton's earlier voyages and recounts Shackleton's death on a subsequent voyage.
My Rating: 6

Reviews for Endurance

Review - Endurance

It was well-written, but I'd already read a more interesting account of the expedition. The second half of the book seemed nothing but filler. Worsley's adoration of Shackleton gets ridiculous at times.

Does he not stand for a symbol of that greatness which is immortal? He was loyal and patriotic. Endurance, courage, determination, imagination, love of adventure and of leading a man's life, self-abnegation, the power to command, presence of mind in facing danger, humour, optimism and kindliness — such were his characteristics. It is by qualities such as these that the mightiest empire in the world has been built up.

Reviewed by Roger on 2014-12-01 20:02:42

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