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Shackleton

Explorer. Leader. Legend.

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Shackleton

By: Ranulph Fiennes
Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

The enthralling new biography of Ernest Shackleton by the world's greatest living explorer, Sir Ranulph Fiennes.

To write about Hell, it helps if you have been there.

In 1915, Sir Ernest Shackleton's attempt to traverse the Antarctic was cut short when his ship, Endurance, became trapped in ice.

The disaster left Shackleton and his men alone at the frozen South Pole, fighting for their lives.

Their survival and escape is the most famous adventure in history.

Shackleton is an engaging new account of the adventurer, his life and his incredible leadership under the most extreme of circumstances. Written by polar adventurer Sir Ranulph Fiennes who followed in Shackleton's footsteps, he brings his own unique insights to bear on these infamous expeditions. Shackleton is both re-appraisal and a valediction, separating the man from the myth he has become.

Praise for Sir Ranulph Fiennes:

'The World's Greatest Living Explorer' - Guinness Book of Records

'Full of awe-inspiring details of hardship, resolve and weather that defies belief, told by someone of unique authority. No one is more tailor-made to tell [this] story than Sir Ranulph Fiennes' - Newsday

'Fiennes' own experiences certainly allow him to write vividly and with empathy of the hell that the men went through' - The Sunday Times

© Ranulph Fiennes 2021 (P) Penguin Audio 2021

 Adventurers, Explorers & Survival Earth Sciences Historical Polar Regions Professionals & Academics Science Science & Technology Adventure Leadership Inspiring Thought-Provoking

Critic reviews

An insider's look into a very select club ... Fiennes' personal asides help to explain the unfathomable - such as how and why humans could and, more inexplicably, would persist with moving their tortured bodies across tortured landscapes in such extreme cold ... For anyone with a passion for polar exploration, this is a must read.
THE definitive book on my hero Shackleton and no one could have done it better. "The Boss" would have heartily approved of such an authentic account by one of the few men who truly knows what it's like to challenge Antarctica (Lorraine Kelly)
Fiennes makes a fine guide on voyage into Shackleton's world . . . What makes this book so engaging is the author's own storytelling skills (Lorna Siggins)
With first-hand experience of polar expeditions, Fiennes relates these tales of exploration and survival, adding insight to Shackleton's journeys unlike any other biographer
An insider's look into a very select club . . . Fiennes' personal asides help to explain the unfathomable - such as how and why humans could and, more inexplicably, would persist with moving their tortured bodies across tortured landscapes in such extreme cold . . . For anyone with a passion for polar exploration, this is a must read
Fiennes brings the promised perspective of one who has been there, illuminating Shackleton's actions by comparing them with his own. Beginners to the Heroic Age will enjoy this volume, as will serious polar adventurers seeking advice. For all readers, it's a tremendous story (Sara Wheeler)
Praise for Ranulph Fiennes' Captain Scott
Fiennes' own experiences certainly allow him to write vividly and with empathy of the hell that the men went through.
A valuable corrective to the trend of Scott debunking...One by one, and with the commendable attention to detail, Fiennes explodes the accumulated myths.
Sir Ranulph Fiennes has done Captain Scott's memory some service...he has certainly written a more dispassionate and balanced account than Huntford ever set out to do. (Simon Courtauld)
All stars
Most relevant
loved it, story, performance and learning more about a great man from history from someone that's experienced what he went through on his expeditions.. 5 stars all the way.

up there with best audible I've listened to

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Really enjoyed this book and devoured it in two days. The story from a bygone age of exploration into the cold plus the animosity between Scott and Shackleton was presented in an unbiased way. I’ve read some of the authors books before and enjoyed those too. Well narrated as usual by Mr Keeble.

A great explorer

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I have read other stories of Shackleton but found this one perhaps the most insightful and descriptive of all. It certainly managed to inspire the awe and terror of what was achieved by Shackleton and his teams. I cannot imagine why anyone would want to put themselves through such cold, horrific, terrifying and uncertain situations.

Perhaps the only things to detract for me were Ranulf Fiennes persistent interjections about himself. This is a book about Shackleton not Fiennes, for goodness sake!

As for the narrator, I have enjoyed many other books read by Jonathan Keeble who is a fine narrator. However as always I found his change of voice when quoting females to be quite hilarious!

In summary, this is a book well worth listening to.

Fascinating, insightful and terrifying

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Enthralling from start to finish. A well balanced and engaging book read as well as it was written.

Brilliant

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A frankly faultless biography. No mere hero worship here, but a balanced review.
Fiennes is unafraid to take his subject to task if needs be. For example, his criticism of certain Shackleton decisions on the ITAE mission, but overall it’s virtually impossible NOT to be overawed by the man and his achievements.
Personally my knowledge of the man & his expeditions were very limited, but has now definitely been extended & enlightened.
Someone told me long ago that at the more difficult times we face in life, it’s vital we have the right people in the trenches with us.
This man would be the consummate example of someone we would all want with us, a leader nonpareil.
The narrator was perfectly suited to the book.
Excellent, highly recommended.

Shackleton

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