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Endurance
A gripping, white-knuckle novel set in the Antarctic and the muddy fields of the Western Front, told through the eyes of real-life adventurer and pioneer Australian photographer Frank Hurley. A moving portrait of the man behind the legend.
This novel tells the story of a real-life Australian hero, photographer, explorer and adventurer Frank Hurley. It is a story told through his eyes and in his words, and it reveals a tantalising portrait of the man behind the legend he has become.
Hurley's photographs and documentaries of Douglas Mawson's and Ernest Shackleton's Antarctic expeditions, and his astounding images of World War I have been so widely exhibited and reproduced that in many cases they are the principal means by which we have come to see those world-shattering events. His iconic images: of Endurance trapped in an ocean of ice, of men battling the most extreme elements in the Antarctic, and suffering under unthinkable conditions in war are imprinted on the Australian consciousness. One writer has claimed that Frank Hurley 'is the twentieth century'.
Here now is the man, Hurley, telling us of his part in the two ill-fated Antarctic expeditions and recounting tales of great heroism and suffering as he fights for his life among the ice and the elements, and witnesses the worst ravages of war on the Western Front. Endurance is an extraordinary debut novel, a rollicking white-knuckle adventure story that also takes us to the very heart of heroism and sacrifice.
This novel tells the story of a real-life Australian hero, photographer, explorer and adventurer Frank Hurley. It is a story told through his eyes and in his words, and it reveals a tantalising portrait of the man behind the legend he has become.
Hurley's photographs and documentaries of Douglas Mawson's and Ernest Shackleton's Antarctic expeditions, and his astounding images of World War I have been so widely exhibited and reproduced that in many cases they are the principal means by which we have come to see those world-shattering events. His iconic images: of Endurance trapped in an ocean of ice, of men battling the most extreme elements in the Antarctic, and suffering under unthinkable conditions in war are imprinted on the Australian consciousness. One writer has claimed that Frank Hurley 'is the twentieth century'.
Here now is the man, Hurley, telling us of his part in the two ill-fated Antarctic expeditions and recounting tales of great heroism and suffering as he fights for his life among the ice and the elements, and witnesses the worst ravages of war on the Western Front. Endurance is an extraordinary debut novel, a rollicking white-knuckle adventure story that also takes us to the very heart of heroism and sacrifice.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
368 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2015
5 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Tim Griffiths
7 books1 followerTim was born in Sydney and has lived and worked there most of his life, apart from travels in Europe, Asia and America and two years in Papua New Guinea.
He studied at University of New South Wales and obtained degrees in Arts and Law.
He works as a lawyer and over the last several years has accepted a number of appointments as an arbitrator.
Tim and his wife have four children and have enjoyed introducing them to bushwalking, camping, cross country skiing, sailing, kayaking, surfing, snorkelling, diving, cycling and the great outdoors. He has a keen interest in Australian history and a sense of awe at the contribution of earlier generations, hence his fascination with the Frank Hurley story.
Tim has had no direct experiences on the scale of a Hurley and is yet to have an opportunity to visit Antarctica.
Endurance is his first novel.
He studied at University of New South Wales and obtained degrees in Arts and Law.
He works as a lawyer and over the last several years has accepted a number of appointments as an arbitrator.
Tim and his wife have four children and have enjoyed introducing them to bushwalking, camping, cross country skiing, sailing, kayaking, surfing, snorkelling, diving, cycling and the great outdoors. He has a keen interest in Australian history and a sense of awe at the contribution of earlier generations, hence his fascination with the Frank Hurley story.
Tim has had no direct experiences on the scale of a Hurley and is yet to have an opportunity to visit Antarctica.
Endurance is his first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 7, 2015
“…every photograph reveals and conceals. And one thing I have learned, even with photographs, is that people still see only what they believe”
Endurance is the first novel by Australian lawyer, arbitrator and author, Tim Griffiths. James Francis "Frank" Hurley was an Australian photographer and adventurer. He participated in a number of expeditions to Antarctica and served as an official photographer with Australian forces during both world wars. Griffiths recounts, in the first person, the major events of Hurley’s life from age thirteen until his mid-thirties. From early in his photographic career, Hurley displayed a sense of daring, a sense of adventure. It was a career that took him to extremes: from the icy wastes of Antarctica to the soggy trenches of Ypres to the deserts of Egypt and Palestine.
Griffiths really gives the reader a sense of Frank Hurley, the man, and the photographer’s perspective of exploration and war is expertly conveyed: “I wanted people, wives and sweethearts, whoever, and whatever they believed, to see what the world contained and I wanted to be the one to create that vivid picture….. the image endures beyond the events we witness and the lives of all witnesses” and “My sense is that God has lost sight of us; we are faraway objects, as if seen backwards through a camera lens. Even the sun shrinks, diffuses and splits in two, then three suns, which my naked eye gazes on, each sun linked by a halo as depicted in picture books of the holy saints” are two examples.
The depth of research that Griffiths has done is apparent in the extensive amount of detail woven through the story. Who, except for one who has been there, would consider the practicalities of a diet inducing diarrhoea when travelling in a lifeboat in subzero temperatures? Hurley’s reaction to his own appearance after rescue from Elephant Island: “Most unnerving was a large vanity mirror. Who was the frightening, dishevelled man that stared back so suspiciously? I inspected my appearance closely, then ran a hot bath and removed the clothing I had worn for a year. Applying a sharp razor, I rediscovered my face beneath tangled hair and a matted beard.”
A few maps and some of Hurley’s evocative photographs would certainly have enhanced the text. While “gripping, white-knuckle novel” is perhaps an exaggeration, this is certainly an interesting and informative read. The mix of fact and fiction forms a very readable account of the life of this legendary Australian, and it is an outstanding debut novel.
With thanks to TheReadingRoom and Allen&Unwin for this copy to read and review.
Endurance is the first novel by Australian lawyer, arbitrator and author, Tim Griffiths. James Francis "Frank" Hurley was an Australian photographer and adventurer. He participated in a number of expeditions to Antarctica and served as an official photographer with Australian forces during both world wars. Griffiths recounts, in the first person, the major events of Hurley’s life from age thirteen until his mid-thirties. From early in his photographic career, Hurley displayed a sense of daring, a sense of adventure. It was a career that took him to extremes: from the icy wastes of Antarctica to the soggy trenches of Ypres to the deserts of Egypt and Palestine.
Griffiths really gives the reader a sense of Frank Hurley, the man, and the photographer’s perspective of exploration and war is expertly conveyed: “I wanted people, wives and sweethearts, whoever, and whatever they believed, to see what the world contained and I wanted to be the one to create that vivid picture….. the image endures beyond the events we witness and the lives of all witnesses” and “My sense is that God has lost sight of us; we are faraway objects, as if seen backwards through a camera lens. Even the sun shrinks, diffuses and splits in two, then three suns, which my naked eye gazes on, each sun linked by a halo as depicted in picture books of the holy saints” are two examples.
The depth of research that Griffiths has done is apparent in the extensive amount of detail woven through the story. Who, except for one who has been there, would consider the practicalities of a diet inducing diarrhoea when travelling in a lifeboat in subzero temperatures? Hurley’s reaction to his own appearance after rescue from Elephant Island: “Most unnerving was a large vanity mirror. Who was the frightening, dishevelled man that stared back so suspiciously? I inspected my appearance closely, then ran a hot bath and removed the clothing I had worn for a year. Applying a sharp razor, I rediscovered my face beneath tangled hair and a matted beard.”
A few maps and some of Hurley’s evocative photographs would certainly have enhanced the text. While “gripping, white-knuckle novel” is perhaps an exaggeration, this is certainly an interesting and informative read. The mix of fact and fiction forms a very readable account of the life of this legendary Australian, and it is an outstanding debut novel.
With thanks to TheReadingRoom and Allen&Unwin for this copy to read and review.
January 19, 2016
I received a copy of this book from Goodreads.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a fascinating story and plenty of research has obviously been done. For me, the downside was the story of a photographer, but no accompanying photographs. With those it would easily rate another star. A map would have been a nice addition too, for easier visualization of the journey. Well worth the read though.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a fascinating story and plenty of research has obviously been done. For me, the downside was the story of a photographer, but no accompanying photographs. With those it would easily rate another star. A map would have been a nice addition too, for easier visualization of the journey. Well worth the read though.
August 6, 2015
I took this book to read while I holidayed in Malaysia, It took me a couple of weeks to finish the book but I needed to finish it.
Being the first book by this author I can hardly wait to see if he will write another.
You could easily feel you were standing next to the Characters in this book and feel all their torments and Trials.
Well worth the time it took for me to read.
Being the first book by this author I can hardly wait to see if he will write another.
You could easily feel you were standing next to the Characters in this book and feel all their torments and Trials.
Well worth the time it took for me to read.
November 4, 2015
Knowing of Frank Hurley, Ernest Shackleton and Douglas Mawson made this an historical novel that appealed to me. It took me from a frozen land to the battlefields of World War 1 and made me feel like I was there with Frank witnessing these events unfold.
November 29, 2019
I found this quite an interesting read - just keep in mind that it is FICTION and even though it is based on Frank Hurley's adventures with Mawson, Shackleton and during WWI, it is not a biography.
Even though I am an Aussie and I have no doubt seen lots of Frank Hurley's photographs at the Australian War Memorial and elsewhere over the years, I had no idea of the adventures he undertook and he risks he took to take his photos. This book was well written and really whet my appetite in regard to finding out some more about Frank Hurley's story.
It was a shame that there were none of this amazing photographer's photos in the book but nevertheless it was worth reading.
4 stars from me.
Even though I am an Aussie and I have no doubt seen lots of Frank Hurley's photographs at the Australian War Memorial and elsewhere over the years, I had no idea of the adventures he undertook and he risks he took to take his photos. This book was well written and really whet my appetite in regard to finding out some more about Frank Hurley's story.
It was a shame that there were none of this amazing photographer's photos in the book but nevertheless it was worth reading.
4 stars from me.
August 11, 2015
I loved being taken back in time to follow the amazing adventure of a remarkable man Frank Hurley from boyhood. The author Tim Griffiths was very good at encapsulating the ambience of each time period and setting as we journey with Frank through this life. I feel this has been achieved by the author’s extensive knowledge of these areas and ability to translate them into memorable images us readers can visualise easily. I recommend this novel to Australian school students and teachers as I feel it has the potential to be a great additional text in the subject of Australian history.
What would be a nice addition is to include a map of his journey so we can visually orientate ourselves as we journey with him.
I would like to thank Goodreads, Allen & Unwin Book Publishers and the author for this Uncorrected Proof copy.
What would be a nice addition is to include a map of his journey so we can visually orientate ourselves as we journey with him.
I would like to thank Goodreads, Allen & Unwin Book Publishers and the author for this Uncorrected Proof copy.
May 26, 2023
‘Endurance’ is the story of Frank Hurley, eminent Australian photographer. Whilst clearly fictionalized, Tim Griffiths has used Hurley’s photos and diaries, as well as other primary sources to keep the substance accurate.
The novel covers the period 1910 -1920 when Hurley was in his 20s-30s. With visceral description, Griffiths tells of Hurley’s involvement as official photographer to Mawson’s and Shackleton’s Antarctic expeditions, on the Western Front, and in Egypt in 1917, capturing still and cinefilm images we regard as iconic to this day. The story focuses on Shackleton’s ill fated attempt to traverse Antarctica, ended before it began when Endurance was stuck in sea ice for over a year, with the men experiencing astonishing privation. Throughout, Hurley takes every opportunity to faithfully record events on film with honesty but without sentimentality.
The story also recounts some less than ethical practices by those in command, leaving Hurley economically struggling after the war. It paints a convincing picture of an inventive, hard working but ultimately quite lonely figure. Well written, engaging and informative.
The novel covers the period 1910 -1920 when Hurley was in his 20s-30s. With visceral description, Griffiths tells of Hurley’s involvement as official photographer to Mawson’s and Shackleton’s Antarctic expeditions, on the Western Front, and in Egypt in 1917, capturing still and cinefilm images we regard as iconic to this day. The story focuses on Shackleton’s ill fated attempt to traverse Antarctica, ended before it began when Endurance was stuck in sea ice for over a year, with the men experiencing astonishing privation. Throughout, Hurley takes every opportunity to faithfully record events on film with honesty but without sentimentality.
The story also recounts some less than ethical practices by those in command, leaving Hurley economically struggling after the war. It paints a convincing picture of an inventive, hard working but ultimately quite lonely figure. Well written, engaging and informative.
May 23, 2017
facinating
April 20, 2022
"Endurance" is a novel based on the adventures of Australian photographer Frank Hurley who accompanied two expeditions, those of Mason and Shackleton, to Antarctica. It is a novel that rings loudly of truth, being the story from within the group of men who lived and worked in the shadow of their celebrated expedition leaders.
Hurley also photographed Australian troops on the Western Front in WWI and witnessed the devastation of Ypres and the despair of Passchendaele. Tim Griffiths manages to get behind the well-told heroics and reveal the emotions of a man who, to modern sensibilities, seems to be practical, reliable and possessing amore integrity than some who outranked him.
Hurley was a pioneer in terms of his photographic techniques, and an intrepid adventurer who cared about his work and earning a living to support his family. What is also admirable about his character as portrayed in this novel is his sensitivity to the loss of life around him, whether of Adelie penguins, trusting sled dogs, or the thousands of victims in humanity's war against its own kind.
Hurley also photographed Australian troops on the Western Front in WWI and witnessed the devastation of Ypres and the despair of Passchendaele. Tim Griffiths manages to get behind the well-told heroics and reveal the emotions of a man who, to modern sensibilities, seems to be practical, reliable and possessing amore integrity than some who outranked him.
Hurley was a pioneer in terms of his photographic techniques, and an intrepid adventurer who cared about his work and earning a living to support his family. What is also admirable about his character as portrayed in this novel is his sensitivity to the loss of life around him, whether of Adelie penguins, trusting sled dogs, or the thousands of victims in humanity's war against its own kind.
August 28, 2023
A fascinating look at the early life of Frank Hurley, who was the photographer on Mawson and Shackleton’s Antarctic adventures, as well as the Western Front in World War 1.
Written as historical fiction, from the perspective of Frank Hurley, Endurance is always interesting, often shocking, distressing at times and sometimes macabre.
The amazing lack of prior knowledge, haphazard preparation, primitive facilities and the harsh climate meant that life was very much an ‘Endurance’
The Western Front is shown clearly as a shambles, where millions lost their lives for little gain.
I found it quite a slow read, because every word, every description actually ‘mattered’.
Inspiring at times, shocking quite often but always inspiring and heartfelt.
Some maps of where they went may have assisted, and the story did seem to 'peter out’ rather than a definitive finish. But otherwise, definitely worth a read.
Written as historical fiction, from the perspective of Frank Hurley, Endurance is always interesting, often shocking, distressing at times and sometimes macabre.
The amazing lack of prior knowledge, haphazard preparation, primitive facilities and the harsh climate meant that life was very much an ‘Endurance’
The Western Front is shown clearly as a shambles, where millions lost their lives for little gain.
I found it quite a slow read, because every word, every description actually ‘mattered’.
Inspiring at times, shocking quite often but always inspiring and heartfelt.
Some maps of where they went may have assisted, and the story did seem to 'peter out’ rather than a definitive finish. But otherwise, definitely worth a read.
October 5, 2015
A simply written novel based on the life of Australian photographer, Frank Hurley, his adventures with Antarctic explorers and well-known players on the battlefields of World War I. Middle School students may find this narrative a good introduction to the period. I was expecting the life of a photographer to show a more artistic "bent" , but came to the conclusion that the restrained expression reflected a gentlemanly humility and courage of the period.
June 16, 2016
I love a book that is was it says "A novel of ice, war and adventure". The experience and tenacity of the men who travelled to Antarctica in the times of Mawson and Shackleton are truly remarkable. The conditions to me are unbearable, but the experience amazing. Then to juxtapose this to life of men in WW1 and their horrendous experience makes this a great read.
October 21, 2015
I received this book as a Goodreads first reads prize and I couldn't put it down. An absolutely fascinating insight into a piece of history and the life of a talented yet solitary soul. Tim Griffiths did a brilliant job protraying Frank Hurley, in fact it was difficult at times to remember it wasn't him writing the story. I can't wait to read more of his work.
September 4, 2015
A well researched book, that is completely believable in being from Frank Hurley's viewpoint. Living in Hobart, the name Frank Hurley was quite familiar to me, but this book revealed so much more of his life and character. Very detailed, but easy to read in long stretches. Well worth reading.
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. This has not influenced my review.
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. This has not influenced my review.
April 26, 2016
Written from the perspective of Frank Hurley, photographer to Shackelton's disastrous Antarctic expedition, this is a worthy, if workmanlike, addition to the many volumes on the subject.
Hurley comes across and a decent Aussie battler; from humble origins, modest, honest, resourceful and stoic, and without any of the self-importance or arrogance of his British counterparts.
Hurley comes across and a decent Aussie battler; from humble origins, modest, honest, resourceful and stoic, and without any of the self-importance or arrogance of his British counterparts.
March 3, 2016
This book is written like a novel but is really an auto-biography of Frank Hurley, photographer and adventurer. It covers mainly his expeditions with Mawson and Shackleton, and his time as a WW1 photographer. Fascinating reading, especially the Antarctic expeditions.
April 1, 2016
An interesting, thoroughly researched and well written novel about the life of well known Australian Antarctic photographer, Frank Hurley.
October 17, 2015
Had high expectations, a little disappointing in the end. still a nice read.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews