Ernest Shackleton: Enduring The Impossible

This biography, written by polar adventurer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, provides a vivid account of Ernest Shackleton's life and his legendary Antarctic expedition. In 1915, Shackleton's ship, Endurance, became trapped in ice, leaving him and his men to fight for survival in one of the most famous adventures in history. Fiennes, who followed in Shackleton's footsteps, brings unique insights to bear on these expeditions, separating Shackleton from the myth he has become. The book is both a re-appraisal and a valediction, celebrating Shackleton's leadership and endurance.

This book details the almost two-year struggle for survival of the 28-man crew of the Endurance, which was beset and eventually crushed by ice floes in the Weddell Sea during the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914-1917. The crew drifted on ice floes, salvaged lifeboats, and eventually reached Elephant Island. Shackleton then led a perilous journey to South Georgia Island to secure rescue, culminating in one of the most remarkable survival stories in history. Lansing's narrative is based on extensive research, including interviews with surviving crew members and access to their diaries and personal accounts.

The book chronicles the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914-1917, led by Sir Ernest Shackleton. It describes the expedition's ambitious plan to cross the Antarctic continent, the catastrophic loss of their ship, the Endurance, and the subsequent survival journey across treacherous seas and icy landscapes. The narrative includes the heroic efforts of Shackleton and his crew, as well as the scientific work and other aspects of the expedition. The book also reflects on the broader context of World War I and its impact on the expedition members.