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In Shackleton's Footsteps: A Return to the Heart of the Antarctic
Shackleton's descendants take on the expedition that beat him, in the most extreme Antarctic challenge known to man.
On the 29th of October 1908, a party of four men, led by Ernest Shackleton set out to be the first to reach the South Pole. Three months later, their mission was in ruins and they faced certain death if they carried on. Just 97 miles from the South Pole, Shackleton turned back.
One hundred years on, in October 2008, a team that included descendants of that original party, led by Henry Worsley, set out from Shackleton's hut to celebrate the centenary of his expedition by retracing the exact 870 mile route and going on to finish the last 97 miles. This captivating book explores the history of the original expedition and the reasons behind its failure, and also captures the pioneering spirit and sense of adventure of the recent expedition.
On the 29th of October 1908, a party of four men, led by Ernest Shackleton set out to be the first to reach the South Pole. Three months later, their mission was in ruins and they faced certain death if they carried on. Just 97 miles from the South Pole, Shackleton turned back.
One hundred years on, in October 2008, a team that included descendants of that original party, led by Henry Worsley, set out from Shackleton's hut to celebrate the centenary of his expedition by retracing the exact 870 mile route and going on to finish the last 97 miles. This captivating book explores the history of the original expedition and the reasons behind its failure, and also captures the pioneering spirit and sense of adventure of the recent expedition.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
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175 people want to read
About the author
Henry Worsley
1 book1 followerLieutenant Colonel Alastair Edward Henry Worsley was a British Army officer, and an explorer. He was part of the successful 2009 expedition that retraced Ernest Shackleton's footsteps in the Antarctic.
He died of organ failure in 2016 at age 55 while attempting to complete the first solo and unaided crossing of the Antarctic.
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
He died of organ failure in 2016 at age 55 while attempting to complete the first solo and unaided crossing of the Antarctic.
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 13, 2011
Make no mistake, antarctic exploration is only for the brave and the tough - but it does seem to be somewhat easier than it once was.
This book recounts how Henry Worsley and two others set out to retrace the journey made in 1908-09 by Ernest Shackleton's party. Shackleton had the extraordinary courage to abandon his quest a mere ninety-seven miles from the South Pole. At that time no man had travelled further south, but when Shackleton made the decision to turn round to save lives it must have felt in some way a failure.
Worsley's trio - all three descended from men involved in Shackleton's expedition - follow the route undertaken a century earlier but with the added determination to reach the Pole. This they achieve after severe tests of morale and fitness, most notably on the Beardmore glacier. It marks the culmination of a five-year project of planning, training and fund-raising. Admirable in every way - and yet ...
Much has changed in a hundred years. Clothing and equipment, for a start. Daily radio contact with base - reassuring in case of serious trouble (which mercifully didn't arise). No need, either, to retrace steps as Shackleton did - a plane will collect the intrepid party from the Pole. Where their arrival, incidentally, is a stop-start process to accommodate the waiting cameraman who needed to stage-manage his filming. And that brings us to that icy wasteland called Antarctica.
Waiting to set off from Punta Arenas in Chile are more than just Worsley and co. "There were Finns, Spaniards, Brazilians, Brits, Russians, Czechs, Canadians and Americans" all intent on braving the vastness on separate projects. Not quite Oxford Circus at five p.m. but a surprising picture. No less surprising than the Ross Sea area which, Worsley writes, "... was busier than I expected. Scientists raced past us on snowmobiles, cabins on skis dotted the coastline and helicopters passed us overhead." So what did they find at the South Pole? ""I was now skiing on tracks made by a snowmobile. On either side of us, cardboard boxes were piled high, some marked 'Mattresses and Pillows', others 'Broken washing machines.'"
Nothing like that appears in the accounts of Shackleton's experience, which the author intercuts with his own. And, it's a pity to have to say, Worsley's plain prose (not to mention his inability to know when to use 'I' and when 'me') suffers by comparison with his predecessor's restrained eloquence. "In Shackleton's Footsteps" is worth reading but it may not portray quite the footprints that might have been expected.
This book recounts how Henry Worsley and two others set out to retrace the journey made in 1908-09 by Ernest Shackleton's party. Shackleton had the extraordinary courage to abandon his quest a mere ninety-seven miles from the South Pole. At that time no man had travelled further south, but when Shackleton made the decision to turn round to save lives it must have felt in some way a failure.
Worsley's trio - all three descended from men involved in Shackleton's expedition - follow the route undertaken a century earlier but with the added determination to reach the Pole. This they achieve after severe tests of morale and fitness, most notably on the Beardmore glacier. It marks the culmination of a five-year project of planning, training and fund-raising. Admirable in every way - and yet ...
Much has changed in a hundred years. Clothing and equipment, for a start. Daily radio contact with base - reassuring in case of serious trouble (which mercifully didn't arise). No need, either, to retrace steps as Shackleton did - a plane will collect the intrepid party from the Pole. Where their arrival, incidentally, is a stop-start process to accommodate the waiting cameraman who needed to stage-manage his filming. And that brings us to that icy wasteland called Antarctica.
Waiting to set off from Punta Arenas in Chile are more than just Worsley and co. "There were Finns, Spaniards, Brazilians, Brits, Russians, Czechs, Canadians and Americans" all intent on braving the vastness on separate projects. Not quite Oxford Circus at five p.m. but a surprising picture. No less surprising than the Ross Sea area which, Worsley writes, "... was busier than I expected. Scientists raced past us on snowmobiles, cabins on skis dotted the coastline and helicopters passed us overhead." So what did they find at the South Pole? ""I was now skiing on tracks made by a snowmobile. On either side of us, cardboard boxes were piled high, some marked 'Mattresses and Pillows', others 'Broken washing machines.'"
Nothing like that appears in the accounts of Shackleton's experience, which the author intercuts with his own. And, it's a pity to have to say, Worsley's plain prose (not to mention his inability to know when to use 'I' and when 'me') suffers by comparison with his predecessor's restrained eloquence. "In Shackleton's Footsteps" is worth reading but it may not portray quite the footprints that might have been expected.
December 23, 2020
About half way through this book I was rating it a 3. I figured that it was written by a middle class man who has opportunities that only such connections and breeding can bring you. The adventure was jumping on the back of a great explorers name and the book a cash in.
However I then googled Henry Worsley. Wow. He could not leave the attraction of Antarctica. In the book he talks of how he is falling behind the others and so clearly is struggling on his expedition, but still his love affair with Shackleton and Antarctica he continues. Sadly he lost his life on a solo expedition. When I learnt this the book took on a whole new meaning and it was simply inspirational.
Maybe he should have given up after tracing Shackleton’s footsteps, but he clearly was a man with a dream, determination and a passion.
However I then googled Henry Worsley. Wow. He could not leave the attraction of Antarctica. In the book he talks of how he is falling behind the others and so clearly is struggling on his expedition, but still his love affair with Shackleton and Antarctica he continues. Sadly he lost his life on a solo expedition. When I learnt this the book took on a whole new meaning and it was simply inspirational.
Maybe he should have given up after tracing Shackleton’s footsteps, but he clearly was a man with a dream, determination and a passion.
November 22, 2021
I love polar literature but I am not a fangirl (well apart from Cherry-Gerrard for his writing and Nansen for those passports). I was never really going to go for a boys' own adventure where the central point was who they were descended from. And the early parts of the book really were dull. However once they were under way, the polar journey was enjoyable to read (if you like that kind of thing, as I do). I even got some of the awe for Shackleton and his aborted journey. I mean he was an extraordinary leader with a genuine core of humanity. But no I don't think [spoiler redacted] and [same] were mystical signs from the other side.
August 9, 2012
If you only read 1 Shackleton book - this is a good choice. It weaves the original story and the centenary recreation together to unfold two amazing journeys to the South Pole.
The original expedition, led by Shackleton in 1908-09, made it to within 100 miles of the pole before dwindling food supply and the condition of the 4 explorers made them turn back. (This occurred before Shackleton's more famous Antarctic expedition which saw the crew stranded when their ship, the Endurance, was crushed in the ice.)
The recreation is described by Worsley, from training and fundraising through to the treck itself. He writes, often with surprising honesty, about how he felt on the expedition. I would have liked a bit more detail of how the journey was accomplished and what happened. But from the start, Worsley makes it clear this was as much a journey of the mind, heart and spirit as it is a physical one.
I do recommend reading more of Shackleton's journeys, because they are amazing.
The original expedition, led by Shackleton in 1908-09, made it to within 100 miles of the pole before dwindling food supply and the condition of the 4 explorers made them turn back. (This occurred before Shackleton's more famous Antarctic expedition which saw the crew stranded when their ship, the Endurance, was crushed in the ice.)
The recreation is described by Worsley, from training and fundraising through to the treck itself. He writes, often with surprising honesty, about how he felt on the expedition. I would have liked a bit more detail of how the journey was accomplished and what happened. But from the start, Worsley makes it clear this was as much a journey of the mind, heart and spirit as it is a physical one.
I do recommend reading more of Shackleton's journeys, because they are amazing.
March 14, 2015
This book is a good insight into working as part of a team and being able to reflect on accomplishments and capabilities. I liked the fact that the book compared significant points in Worsley’s journey to those in Shackleton’s and they used his diary to read each night when in Antarctica (as all the explorers had a family link to the initial expedition). It was interesting to see how the tow expeditions compared in relation to equipment, communication and access to the Antarctic Continent. The emotions encountered on the expedition are described well and gives a good insight towards the need to be able to trust you companions within that situation in order to survive. An interesting description of modern day Antarctic exploration.
December 23, 2012
Nice comparison of a trip to the South Pole following Shackleton's steps, but you can't help feeling that in comparison, it wasn't really very difficult this time around, which is slightly unfair. As always, I feel slightly disappointed realising what a commercial place it has now become. A great read though and a worthy trip by people who were not polar explorers at all. Writing style is a bit stilted though, and at times ungrammatical - needs a better editor.
July 21, 2024
Worsley was related to a member of Shackleton's expedition and wanted to follow and finish that trek to the South Pole. This is an excellent overview of Shackleton's life and polar adventures. It is amazing what Worsley and his comrades go through in their attempt to travel, unsupported, to the South Pole. This book ended up on my reading list because I read The White Darkness by David Grann, which follows Worsley's attempt to again trek to the South Pole, which doesn't end as well.
March 3, 2024
Three men, descendants of Shackleton and his crew, executed an expedition to the South Pole following Shackleton's route in 1908-1909. They reached Shackleton's "Furthest South" on Jan. 9, 2009, the same date that Shacklelton, Frank Wild, and two others were forced to turn back in 1909, just 97 miles from the Pole. Because I have read several books on Shackleton's explorations, I found this interesting.
December 28, 2024
Years ago I read a gripping account of Shackleton's Endurance expedition in which Ernest Shackleton displayed truly heroic leadership skills as he saved his men from near catastrophe. I thought that Worsley's book might shed more light on Shackleton as Worsley retraced the route that Shackleton took to nearly reach the South Pole in his 1908-09 Nimrod expedition. But apart from some brief descriptions and quotes from Shackleton's journey, the book is mainly about a fairly forgettable effort, which was not entirely "in Shackleton's footsteps", that Worsley made to reach the pole exactly 100 years later.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews