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Shackleton

Shackleton

BiographyHistory
Pages
774
Published
1985
Language
English

Synopsis

Roland Huntford's biography delves into the life of Ernest Shackleton, a figure of ambition, adventure, and glorious failure. From his early rivalry with Robert Scott to his relentless pursuit of the South Pole, Shackleton's story is one of daring expeditions and financial struggles. The book culminates in the epic tale of the Endurance's loss in the ice and Shackleton's legendary journey to rescue his crew, cementing his place as one of history's greatest survivalists.

Prose complexity
7/10

Vibe

InformativeAdventurousIntellectual
SurvivalQuestRivals

Genres

Biography History Travel

About the author

R
Roland Huntford

Roland Huntford (born 1927) is an author, principally of biographies of Polar explorers. He lives in Cambridge, and was formerly Scandinavian correspondent of The Observer, also acting as their winter sports correspondent. He was the 1986–1987 Alistair Horne Fellow at St Antony's College. He has written biographies of Robert Falcon Scott, Ernest Shackleton and Nobel Peace Prize winner Fridtjof Nansen; these biographies have been the subject of controversy. Huntford's controversial The Last P...

Frequently asked questions

  • How does this book relate to the author's other works on polar exploration?

    This biography is part of a broader cycle of polar histories by the author, which includes his earlier study of Robert Falcon Scott and Roald Amundsen as well as his later work on Fridtjof Nansen. The author viewed these figures as interconnected, often using the research from one project to inform the narrative arc of the next.

  • Is this biography considered controversial?

    The author is widely recognized for his iconoclastic approach to polar history, which frequently challenged established national narratives regarding British explorers. His work on this subject is often discussed alongside his more contentious analysis of Robert Falcon Scott, which sparked significant debate among historians and polar experts regarding his interpretation of leadership and competence.