First published in 1959, Alfred Lansing's account of Shackleton's multi-year odyssey to and around the Wedell Sea offers interesting insight to the adaptability of men in the face of adversity. Developed from crew member diaries and other historical records of the Endurance's (Shackleton's ship) voyage, the reader quickly appreciates the diversity of this crew and Shackleton and his officers' skills in leading them.

The book is a relatively fast read with interesting pictures included throughout. The reference maps, originally provided inside the front and back covers, are important to tracking the action and I referred to them often. The story includes explicit detail through departure of the James Caird (the largest of three smaller vessels the crew took to after the Endurance sank) and crew from Elephant Island (leaving behind a party of twenty-two survivors to await their return) and that small vessel's navigation over 800 miles of open ocean and the Drake Passage to South Georgia Island. While the journey did not end there, I found the book's account of the subsequently successful rescue attempt lacking.

A great adventure by a great man.