Description
Adrift on the Antarctic pack ice with no means of escape and no hope of rescue, Ernest Shackleton and his men are surely doomed. In August 1914, Ernest Shackleton and his men set sail for Antarctica, where they plan to cross the last uncharted continent on foot. In January 1915, his ship, the Endurance, becomes locked in pack ice. Later, it sinks without a trace.
To survive, Shackleton and his crew of twenty-seven men must undertake a trial even more extreme than their planned crossing of the frozen continent. Their aim is to make it home against tremendous odds, with only lifeboats to cross the heavy seas of the South Atlantic - and the life-saving power of Shackleton's extraordinary leadership skills.
Review
When Ernest Shackleton and his men set out on a remarkable journey to Antarctica, they know it will be a dangerous trip, but what they experience and survive is remarkable.
This truly is an amazing story of survival, perseverance, ingenuity and endurance. When their boat becomes stuck in the ice they are in mortal peril, and the subsequent battle to then get to land in order to have any hope of surviving is, at times, truly unbelievable.
This is a fascinating story, and what really shines through the entire book is Shackleton’s leadership and attitude in the face of disaster. His determination to get all his men to safety is foremost in his mind, and his ability to stay positive and keep his team together in the incredibly challenging circumstances they found themselves in was extraordinary.
Joanna Grochowicz has done a brilliant job of bringing this true story to life, and this will be enjoyed by all secondary students, especially lovers of true stories and adventure.
Reviewed by Sam
