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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Good but not great. Needed better editing

Although Shackleton was clearly a flawed individual and Mr Fiennes did not shy away from this, I felt he gave him an easy time of it - skating (no pun intended) over his constant and often inexplicable financial mismanagement.

Ultimately, it was this mismanagement which perhaps led to his very tarnished reputation (plus his prodigious philandering).

I felt that exploring where the many £thousands ended up going to would have given better insight. I also felt that the "he gave it all to charity" simply didn't stack up, plus there would be £thousands unaccounted for even accepting that somewhat unbelievable excuse.

In addition to this, there were some factual inaccuracies as cited in other reviews.

However, I do not think I have ever read or listened to a book which used the word "however" as often. Other words such as "moreover" and "nonetheless" give it a good run for its money, but practically every paragraph seems to begin with this word.

The book desperately needs better editing.

I felt the pace was also slightly uneven and the narration, overly emphatic.

Worth a listen, but with caveats.

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2 people found this helpful

Absolutely fascinating!

Apart from a few hundred irritating 'However's, I was mesmerised! Very well written and narrated.

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Absolutely fantastic.

You will love it on all aspects. Content, production and narration. A really fantastic listen.

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Edge of your seat stuff

This was really excellent - well read and an incredible story about someone who, all his life, wanted to be the hero and who was the person to count on (to his own detriment) when the chips were down.

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Fascinating story

This book is well worth a listen if you are into the outdoors. Going into details of all of Shackleton’s strengths & struggles. Very well delivers. Five stars all round.

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Superb and unique perspective

A superb and balanced telling of the life and legend that is Shackleton interspersed with unparalleled insights from the man who literally walked in his footsteps.

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