Endurance

Shackleton's Incredible Voyage

By: Alfred Lansing

Narrated by: Simon Prebble

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)

gripping freezing penguin eating tale

fantastic story...and true. Maybe the best casting of voice and story I've listened after several hundred books..at the top of my list

Endurance

Enjoyable audiobook to listen to. Thank you audible for making it free that particular day.

True Survival

"Endurance" is a true survival story about Shackleton and his crew being shipwreck by a iceberg and being lost in the sea for almost two years. This is one of the best stories that I've heard because it really happened. Just imagine being on a broken ship without a radio and just floating with the current for months.

The crew was totally lost in the ocean. It was like the blind leading the blind. Their only hope was their captain trying to navigate without any direction in 1914. It's a remarkable story that you cannot forget. I'm really glad this was a true story and they all got rescued at the end.

If it was a fictional tale by an author, typing away behind a desk, the reviews for this book would been very different. What truly amazing is the diaries from all of the crew for the author to write this book.

I now understand the punchlines of Shackleton jokes.

Amazing story!

Any additional comments?

After watching a documentary on the Endurance, I had to read the book. I purchased it for my kindle and added this audible edition. Simon Prebble does a fine reading (as always). It took so many miracles for all of these men to survive the treacherous conditions of Antarctica. A thrilling and chilling survival story.

Well-Titled . . .

You wouldn't believe it if it were fiction . . . just when you think "ok, it can't get worse than that . . ." wait ten pages . . . and I thought that probably a dozen times.

I wasn't terribly interested in the topic but picked it up due to the exceptional reviews. I'm glad I did. I very worthwhile credit even for someone with only casual interest. Superb non-fiction writing . . . I'm kind of surprised it didn't win a Pulitzer---it's of that caliber.

Truly an Incredible Journey!

I loved this book. The story of Ernest Shackleton’s incredibly difficult and unsuccessful attempt to cross Antarctica ends with the triumph of a will so strong that it is a searing reminder of all that we are capable of achieving under difficult circumstances.

Shackleton had to abandon his grand plan to explore Antarctica when the Endurance became stuck in the Antarctic ice where it remained for nine months. Instead the challenge now became getting the crew out alive! There were lots of details about their many travails which were interesting because of the way Shackleton and his crew mostly demonstrate such a hearty and positive attitude amidst all the horrible things that happen to them. The crew built “dogloos” for their treasured sled dogs; the camp photographer took photographs of which some survive today. On the whole, they had an adventuring and positive attitude, given their circumstances. As if that weren’t enough, the Endurance eventually sank, and then Shackleton and part of the crew had to leave that area to make what seemed like an impossible trek to get help. Another perilous journey ensued which saved him and his partial crew. The final coup de gras was when Shackleton returned to his stranded crew back near where the Endurance sank and rescued them! It had been a total of almost 2 years since they set sail. His “endurance” was incredible! The book is SO aptly named, not only for the ship but for this amazing man with the spirit of a hero and a will of iron.

Immediately after listening to this book, I began to adapt, in a very small way, his attitude into my life. On the tennis court, when I have a tough match or am getting tired, I now repeat my mantra, “I am Ernest Schakleton,” or now more fondly, “I am Ernest!” My friends know what I mean ☺ Audible 20 Review Sweepstakes Entry

Makes you appreciate a flat tire or a traffic jam

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

I'm pretty careful about picking audiobooks that I think I will like, so not a real easy question to answer. But I definitely feel this is worth the investment in time and money if you have any interest in nonfiction adventure, human perseverance, or history in general.

What did you like best about this story?

The different personalities that the author brought to the table using little bits of details that he knew about each was very well done.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

At some points you want to cry for the unbearable circumstances that these men had to deal with. An absolute testament to grit and tenacity.

Standing Ovation!

Amazing!!! I have read every (ok almost) true adventure book out there. This one beats them all hands down!! I cannot believe what these men had to go through and thank God the journals were located to allow this book to be written. I can't tell you how many times I had to bundle up and keep the cold at bay as the story unfolds..... Download it, buy it, use a credit on it you will not be disappointed!!

Fantastic

This was a fantastic book. Great story. Great reading of it. One of the best I've ever read or listened to.

I can feel the ice moving under my feet!

This was a free audiobook from Don Katz's 20th Audible anniversary and what a gift! I couldn't stop listening. I even had to look out my window to make sure it wasn't snowing here. LOL The combination of Simon Prebble reading Alfred Lansing's incredible story made it so real. Taken from the diaries and journals written by Shackleton and his crew you feel the cold and the instability of the ice flow. This was the most amazing true story of endurance in a hostile climate that I've ever read. I had just finished listening to "Forever On the Mountain" by James Tabor and the contrast between the bickering men of the Denali climb compared to the rough cohesiveness of the Shackleton expedition speaks to why some survive and some die. This is a book I'll have to listen to again and again. It really speaks to the human spirit of adventure, discovery and survival in such a hostile land. I couldn't wait for the end to see what happened to them, but at the same time I didn't want it to end. I felt as if I was right there, with them. I felt the fear, the cold and the determination. This review is written for the 20th anniversary review sweepstakes, but I would have written it anyway. I can't recommend it highly enough.