Endurance
by Alfred Lansing, Elena Grau · first published 1959
79% recommend21% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Gripping, novel-like account of Shackleton's 1914 Antarctic expedition, stuck in ice and then surviving; valued for its suspense, grit and perseverance, and works well as an audiobook for adventure readers.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Bound for Antarctica, where polar explorer Ernest Shackleton planned to cross on foot the last uncharted continent, the Endurance set sail from England, in August 1914. The ship became locked inside an island of ice, and was later crushed. This tale of survival by Shackleton and all 27 of his men for over a year on the ice-bound Antarctice seas defined heroism.
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Shackleton's ill-fated Trans-Antarctic expedition of 1914 is an amazing story of perseverance and resourcefulness. If you haven't read up on it, I highly recommend Alfred Lansing's Endurance, or Shackleton's own South (which is in the public domain, and can be found as an eBook for free, even on Amazon). Why there hasn't been a major motion picture about it, I'll never know.
on “Shackleton's Medical Kit (2012)” ↗This is my favorite audio book. I had a long drive to a friend’s wedding so I picked up an audio book to listen to, Lansing’s Endurance. I recommend it over the hardcover book, which is the way I consume most non-fiction, because of it incredible suspense. Not knowing who will survive and who will perish and will they be able to persevere…
on “Shackleton's Medical Kit (2012)” ↗Reminds me of the story of Ernest Shackleton and his crew getting stuck in Antarctic ice, then remarkably surviving. It was one of the greatest adventure books I've ever read: http://www.amazon.com/Endurance-Shackletons-Incredible-Alfre... It made me want to take one of those $5k guided trips to the artic on an old Russian ice breaker, sometime in the future.
on “Lost Franklin expedition ship found in the Arctic” ↗…cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success. Sir Ernest Shackleton. I very highly recommend the book - http://www.amazon.com/Endurance-Shackletons-Incredible-Alfre...
on “Men wanted for hazardous journey: AdGrok (YC S10) is hiring.” ↗Re-read a classic fiction, Treasure Island by Stephenson. Of the non-fiction I read, and completed, this year, Endurance: Shackelton's Incredible Voyage by Lansing.
on “Ask HN: Best book you read in 2011” ↗there's a great book about this expedition - a must read! http://www.amazon.com/Endurance-Shackletons-Incredible-Alfre...
on “Lost Images Come To Life A Century After Antarctic Expedition” ↗In general, I agree, but this is not always true. Some non-fiction books read very much like fiction. An example that I recently finished is Endurance by Alfred Lansing, which tells the story of Ernest Shackleton's failed mission to cross Antarctica on foot in 1914 (they got stuck in the ice only a few miles from land and spent the next year and a half…
on “Ask HN: How Do You Read?” ↗Some non-fiction books can read very much like novels, even if the term technically doesn't apply to them. These are sometimes called "non-fiction novels". A great example is Endurance by Alfred Lansing, which tells the story of Shackleton's incredible expedition to Antarctica in 1914. It is apparently a very accurate re-telling, and a book that I highly recommend. Even though I knew…
on “Airbus pilot tries Microsoft Flight Simulator [video]” ↗I recommend this book if anyone wants an "anti-gravitational" read about it: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Endurance-Shackletons-Incredible-Vo...
on “World’s biggest iceberg heads for disaster” ↗The pictures - http://www.amazon.com/Endurance-Shackletons-Legendary-Antarc... The story - http://www.amazon.com/Endurance-Shackletons-Incredible-Alfre... Including the rather sad postscript that most of the men that survived this adventure died…
on “Shackleton’s Antarctica in colour, 1915” ↗I was inspired most by Ernest Shackleton's biography "Endurance" by Alfred Lansing. Finished it one night and remember moment of it. Now whenever I face a difficult circumstance in my life, I just try to remember some situations from that book and my problems look…
on “What book has inspired you the most?” ↗Endurance by Alfred Lansing - It's a well-written book about the incredible story of Earnest Shackleton's attempt to be the first team to cross Antarctica by land.
on “Ask HN: What are your favorite non-fiction books of all time?” ↗I've just purchased Ranulph Fiennes' biography of Shackleton and definitely recommend that one, also I really enjoyed Endurance by Alfred Lansing, also about Shackleton's expedition. Fiennes' also wrote a good book about Amundsen and Scott, Race to the Pole. I've heard good things about "Mawson's Will" by Lennard Bickel. (I…
on “Endurance: Shackleton's lost ship is found in Antarctic” ↗I enjoyed “Endurance” by Alfred Lansing, and would recommend it if anyone wants to read a riveting and mostly accurate account of Shackleton’s famous voyage.
on “Ernest Shackleton's last ship, Quest, discovered off the coast of Canada” ↗If you like audio books I can highly recommend the book Endurance by Alfred Lansing, read by Simon Prebble. Perhaps the best audio book I’ve ever listened to.
on “New images show state of preservation of Ernest Shackleton's ship” ↗