Shackled

by Chris Turney

In 2013, Australian earth scientist Chris Turney led an ambitious expedition to Antarctica. It promised so much - discovery, history, adventure - but came with great risk. The story of Turney's ship, the Shokalskiy , and the plight of the 71 people on board was broadcast around the world. We watched, listened and read as they became trapped on Christmas Eve, the hull of the ship pierced by a tower of ice. Efforts to rescue them were thwarted by fierce blizzards and roaming icebergs. It was the modern, wired version of Shackleton's ill-fated voyage and rescue, with one massive Shackleton's wife and children were not with him. Shackled is a classic adventure story with a twist. As the ghosts of explorers like Shackleton, Mawson and Ross look on, the day-to-day tribulations of a ship facing uncertain danger unfold before our very eyes. We discover firsthand the latest scientific findings from the frozen continent and learn the fates of the many intrepid explorers in whose footsteps Turney and his team walked

Genres: Nonfiction

296 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 31, 2017

About the author

Professor Chris Turney is an Australian and British Earth scientist. He has recently completed a prestigious Australian Research Council Laureate Fellowship at the University of New South Wales. He has published over 200 research papers. At 47 years, Chris has been described by The Saturday Times (UK) as ‘the new David Livingstone’.

In 2013-2014, Chris led the Australasian Antarctic Expedition which aimed to extend over a hundred years of scientific endeavour in the region and communicate the value of science and exploration of this remote and pristine environment (www.spiritofmawson.com). Chris' latest book 'Iced In' (published in North America by Kensington Press) describes the latest scientific thinking from the frozen continent and the expedition's entrapment by a major breakout of decade-old sea ice during the Christmas period. Chronicling the team's discoveries and experiences, 'Iced In' revisits famed polar explorer Ernest Shackleton's harrowing Antarctic expedition almost a century before when his ship, Endurance, was trapped and ultimately lost to the ice, forcing his team to fight for survival on a vast and treacherous icescape for two years.

Chris leads a research team at the University of New South Wales and is passionate about science communication. He regularly contributes articles to the media on the discoveries and value of science and has give numerous media interviews. Taking expeditions around the world and using the latest satellite technology, Chris and his team report their discoveries under the banner of 'Intrepid Science'. In 2007, he was awarded The Sir Nicholas Shackleton Medal for outstanding young scientist for pioneering research and in 2014, the Australian Academy of Science's Frederick White Prize for the understanding of natural phenomena.

Chris is the inventor and a founding Director of Carbonscape, a New Zealand carbon refining company that offers a global solution for mitigating the effects of climate change; in 2009, it was selected as the Judges Top Choice in the Financial Times Climate Change Challenge and in 2012 came runner up in the International Dutch Postcode Lottery Green Challenge.

Chris is married and has two gorgeous children.

Reviews

[Stephanie Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was quite the adventure for the participants of this expedition, but the book left a little to be desired.

It began well, when the author describes his scientific work and plans his trip to Antarctica.

However the final third, when he compares himself to Shackleton, flicking back and forth between their two stories, is frankly embarrassing. Shackleton was stuck in Antarctica for nearly two years after his ship sank, with hardly any equipment, no food except penguins and no way of contacting the world. They ended up walking and eventually sailing out in lifeboats, surviving unimaginably harsh conditions.

In comparison, Turney "survives" ten days on a boat that is stuck. He is warm, dry, well fed and uploads video updates to the world daily. Two other ships are within visual distance, and stand by, keeping watch over the situation, ready to assist at any time.

Not only does Turney compare himself to this olden days explorer, he views himself as having had the tougher time! Apparently Shackleton had it easy because "his wife and kids weren't on board".

Giving the book three stars only because the parts about Shackleton were interesting.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book and the first time I've read this author. It won't be the last. There were only 2 typos/grammatical errors in the whole book too.

This is the story of a scientific expedition to Antarctica in 2013 which became trapped by moving sea ice. It is also a story of people from around the world all working together and even risking their own safety (the Chinese and Australian icebreaker crews) to rescue members of the expedition. In the background Turney also tells of Shackleton's expedition that was trapped in the ice before icebreakers and helicopters. Shackleton's story is much more bloody and quite horrid towards the dogs and ship's cat, but times were different and so was the level of help available.

All in all this is a positive story showing mostly the best of humanity. Intelligence, curiosity, kindness, a will to survive and willingness to help others even at your own expense are all shown.

[Dale Jacobsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for a couple of reasons: I am an Antarctic tragic; two of my mates, Greg Mortimer and Ben Maddison, were onboard; I followed, with great interest, the plight of the Sholkalskiy during the episode (and defended its scientific role agains critics on social media).

It was good to read, first-hand, what actually happened, but I have to say a piece of good writing it ain't. Too many glitches, eg "we weren't getting out of here anytime soon" became a favourite expression of Chris's, and, while I appreciate he is an ebullient character, he could have tamed his writing. Overly and needlessly dramatic.

Things annoyed me: his constant comparison with Shackleton (even to the naming of the book); his cloying descriptions of family who weren't in any real danger.

I'm not sorry I read it, but I doubt I will be recommending it as a general read.

[Sherry Mackay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well to be honest I didn't finish it. I just flicked thru it after the first 80 pages. Crumbs. It was just so tedious. He may be a terrific scientist but he ain't a great writer. Sorry but so dull.

[Moira · Rating 2 out of 5]

Got a bit fed up of the poor editing and constant comparison to Ernest Shackleton (read Alfred Lansing's Endurance for the real tale - 10 days trapped and warm compared to 18 months living on the ice).