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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.

©2021 Ranulph Fiennes (P)2021 Penguin Audio Adventurers, Explorers & Survival Historical Adventure Polar Region Leadership
All stars
Most relevant
Inspiring story with an enough detail, but not too much detail to lose the thread
Really enjoyed the narrator expression

Great narration and a fantastic story

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I found this to be a gripping work from beginning to end. I’m not sure what impressed me more: Ranulph and the easy with which he delivers this rip-roaring ‘Boys Own’ story, or the shear audacity, tenacity and commitment of Shackleton and his contemporaries.

It is a window into a different age, where the spirit of adventure knew no bounds and dogged determination surmounted incredible odds. And in every twist and turn of fortune it speaks to enviable codes of conduct, trust and loyalty.

Was it folly, or a celebration of human achievement? Does it lay bare a flawed character, or a man of singular vision? Whatever conclusions you reach, there is no denying that they were a breed apart. We learn that few ventures could be regarded as successful in any material way and that every achievement came at a cost; untimely deaths, injured reputations and financial ruin.

Despite his many failings as a responsible family man, Shackleton emerges as a charismatic, beguiling and inspiring leader whose presence, I am sure would light up any dinner table. I see that Ranulph is cut from the same cloth and, for me his personal insights took nothing away from the exploits of his predecessors?

A BREED APART

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It must have been an incredible time to be alive when men like this walked among us mere mortals. Well read and with great voice characterisations, I truly loved this book.
If there were one critique, it is that Ranulph Fiennes probably could have gone easy on the comparisons with his (incredible) feats and Shackleton’s. This is E. SHACKLETONS story alone.
But all in all, one of my favourites bio’s

An amazing tale of a life lived in full

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If there were more than 5 stars I would give it. Bloody brilliant from start too finish.

Engaging author and narrator

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For want of proper planning & preparation, who knows what Shackleton might have achieved. He was a flawed man in many ways, but remarkable in others. One minute you’re cheering him, the next you want to slap some sense into him.
Very well written & narrated. Fiennes’ asides about his own experiences help give some context to what Shackleton achieved (or didn’t achieve, as the case may be).

Remarkable story

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I listened to Endurance and loved it. I was amazed at how tough this bloke was. It compelled me to learn more about him and hence this book as discovered. I am glad I did. It gave me a broader view of the man.

Narrator was great.

But having heard Endurance and the effort in the James Caird boat, that whole saga is very quickly told here.

I think I listened to them in the right order. So if you want to listen to this book maybe listen to Endurance first.

Changed my mind about Shackleton

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Having an experienced adventurer reading made the understanding of a hero that much easier.

Very well read

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Great story. But Fiennes writes “However” at the beginning of almost every paragraph. It’s so annoying and amateurish. Why didn’t someone cut them out?? Other than that, fascinating.

Great. But way too many “However”s

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I really enjoyed this book.
The narration was fabulous - pace and tone changing to reflect the events, and switching characters made the story all the more enthralling.
If I wasn't aware of Ranulph Fiennes, I might have thought the relating stories to his experiences a bit odd.
(If you're not aware of him and his life, "Mad, bad and dangerous to know" is a brilliant autobiography. Highly recommended.)

Excellent narration, gripping biography

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