Compassionate Account Of Heroic Deeds

A well balanced telling of the heroic story of a flawed hero. With the benefit of personal experience the author speaks with insight and conviction of feats of bravery and endurance that defy belief.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Beautifully written and well narrated.

The story in itself is fantastic but to have been written by Fiennes himself adds a further gravity. The narrator is fully invested with a knarly sea voice.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

An absolutely amazing book. I didn't know very

much about Shackleton when I began this book - other than he was a British explorer. Ranulph Fiennes, with his unique perspective on adventuring and exploration narrates Shackleton's life. A really rivetting listen.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Thoroughly enjoyable

I already knew a lot about the Endurance trip, but no so much about the rest of Ernest Shackleton's life. I really enjoyed the story and also Ranulph Fiennes own observations from his extraordinary explorations.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Great for car journeys!

We listened to this on the recommendation of a friend who said it was great for car journeys as the whole family enjoyed it, and we all did. Ralph Fiennes' experiences and opinions interwoven through Shackleton's story really bring the book to life, and he reads it very well. "However" (you will know why the apostrophes if you listen), after reading the book I think the main hero is Mrs. Shackleton.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

More than a well-researched biography or the story of amazing Antarctic adventures

Not having before read much in the way of polar exploration history, I was initially interested by the prospect of a good story of adventure and heroic character. The audiobook was certainly very enjoyable in this respect but it is elevated beyond the level of a great story or a good biography by the author’s own exploration/adventuring knowledge. Some well placed allusions to specific experiences of the author, which never seemed to intrude on the biography, reveal and reinforce a deeper value of the adventures and achievements of Shackleton and his companions, to whom the book pays a special kind of homage. I recommend as an enjoyable and worthwhile listen even if you’re not (yet) a polar exploration enthusiast.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

The Greatest Escape

A tremendous read with many incites from someone who has been there and done it. The journey of the Endurance into the Antarctic and the almost impossibility of return would make fanciful a story if it had just been written down. Utterly fantastic. For all Shackletons many faults to bring everyone back home is miraculous.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Shackleton by Ranulph Fiennes

Incredible story, engaging and interesting throughout and well read.
Ranulph said when you're writing about hell it pays if you've been there and he was right. What a great man Ernest Shackleton was..thanks Ranulph!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Great book, brilliantly read

As with his masterful biography of Captain Scott, Ranulph Fiennes has delivered a definitive book on one of the great Antarctic explorers. Fiennes' unique insight into the experience gives his account a veracity that no other living author can match. As ever, his prose is gripping and compulsive. I only wish the book had been longer – always the sign of a great read. Jonathan Keeble narrates flawlessly. It is a shame that the Audible book lacks the maps and photo sections of the print edition (some publishers provide these as a PDF), but these are not necessary to enjoy the audiobook. Highly recommended.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

A must listen

Had me captivated... Written by a man whose more than qualified. Couldn't stop listening... Excellent

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!