The Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctice Expedition

As a source of wonder and book/movie tie-ins, Sir Ernest Shackleton's Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914-16 has begun to give the Titanic's fateful voyage a run for its money. Shackleton didn't come close to achieving his mission, of course, but his heroic effort to save his men from snow, ice and ocean has become the stuff of legend. Last year, I wrote at length about South, Shackleton's own documentary account of his journey, which included the stunning photographic and cinematographic work of Frank Hurley. Now here's The Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition, which blends Hurley's footage with new color footage and, more important, adds testimony from the participants' diaries and descendants. Acknowledging that some of the men suffered nervous breakdowns, and that all of them lunched on sled dog when the food supplies ran out, makes for a more complete record, certainly. And instead of diminishing our respect for their quest, it enhances our appreciation of just how far they were willing to go to distinguish themselves.