South! The Story of Shackleton's Last Expedition 1914-1917


Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(4.6 stars; 74 reviews)

Shackleton's most famous expedition was planned to be an attempt to cross Antarctica from the Weddell Sea south of the Atlantic to the Ross Sea south of the Pacific, by way of the Pole. It set out from London on 1 August 1914 and reached the Weddell Sea on January 10, 1915, where the pack ice closed in on the Endurance. The ship was broken by the ice on 27 October 1915. The 28 crew members managed to flee to Elephant Island, bringing three small boats with them. Shackleton and five other men managed to reach the southern coast of South Georgia in one of the small boats (in a real epic journey). Shackleton managed to rescue all of the stranded crew from Elephant Island without loss in the Chilean's navy seagoing steam tug Yelcho, on August 30, 1916, in the middle of the Antarctic winter. (Summary from Wikipedia)

As the last section of this project we include a short original recording by Ernest Shackleton about his 1907 "Nimrod" expedition. (15 hr 32 min)

Chapters

Preface 22:30 Read by Gesine
Chapter I: Into the Wedell Sea, part 1 21:44 Read by Sibella Denton
Chapter I: Into the Wedell Sea, part 2 22:54 Read by Sibella Denton
Chapter II: New Land, part 1 26:05 Read by Esther
Chapter II: New Land, part 2 25:10 Read by Esther
Chapter III: Winter Months, part 1 29:37 Read by J. M. Smallheer
Chapter III: Winter Months, part 2 28:18 Read by J. M. Smallheer
Chapter IV: Loss of the Endurance, part 1 31:54 Read by Lizzie Driver
Chapter IV: Loss of the Endurance, part 2 30:09 Read by Lizzie Driver
Chapter V: Ocean Camp 39:11 Read by David Barnes
Chapter VI: The March Between 11:45 Read by Gesine
Chapter VII: Patience Camp 23:50 Read by Laura Caldwell
Chapter VIII: Escape from the Ice, part 1 26:50 Read by Lizzie Driver
Chapter VIII: Escape from the Ice, part 2 27:16 Read by Lizzie Driver
Chapter VIII: Escape from the Ice, part 3 22:59 Read by Lizzie Driver
Chapter VIII: Escape from the Ice, part 4 23:32 Read by Lizzie Driver
Chapter IX: The Boat Journey, part 1 22:20 Read by Sibella Denton
Chapter IX: The Boat Journey, part 2 25:12 Read by Sibella Denton
Chapter IX: The Boat Journey, part 3 24:01 Read by Sibella Denton
Chapter IX: The Boat Journey, part 4 21:04 Read by Sibella Denton
Chapter X: Across South Georgia 27:40 Read by Anna Simon
Chapter XI: The Rescue 28:44 Read by Anna Simon
Chapter XII: Elephant Island, part 1 21:58 Read by Cori Samuel
Chapter XII: Elephant Island, part 2 22:27 Read by Cori Samuel
Chapter XIII: The Ross Sea Party, part 1 25:08 Read by Gesine
Chapter XIII: The Ross Sea Party, part 2 35:15 Read by Gesine
Chapter XIV: Wintering in McMurdo Sound 32:27 Read by Lizzie Driver
Chapter XV: Laying the Depots, part 1 34:47 Read by Sibella Denton
Chapter XV: Laying the Depots, part 2 35:34 Read by Sibella Denton
Chapter XVI: The Aurora's Drift, part 1 35:22 Read by Anna Simon
Chapter XVI: The Aurora's Drift, part 2 35:43 Read by Anna Simon
Chapter XVII: The Last Relief 8:57 Read by Gesine
Chapter XVIII: The Final Phase 8:04 Read by Gesine
Appendix I, part 1 35:39 Read by J. M. Smallheer
Appendix I, part 2 26:26 Read by J. M. Smallheer
Appendix II 8:19 Read by Sibella Denton
Recording by Ernest Shackleton 1907 expedition 3:43 Read by Sir Ernest Shackleton

Reviews

unimaginable trials


(4 stars)

the readers did an ok job. there were a few who just read words on a page with no feeling or pausing & made the chapter dull sounding & put me to sleep. but a few readers were very good at getting the feeling of the text across. the book captures the experience of the Endurance crew in full detail, then follows up with some details of the elephant island crew & the other side of the continent groups perils. i can not imagine camping on ice flows that can shift under your tent while you sleep, or having killer whales break through ice near where you are standing! being cold & wet constantly for months on end. shortage of food & fresh water or fuel to heat/cook with. struggling through snow that constantly sinks you to your knees or waist, and walking a mile in this condition pulling supplies behind you! just crazy. i was left with one big question, how did they go to the bathroom?!?! i was moved sadly to hear who died in the war following their rescue, to survive such trials in the Antarctic & then die in war.

Free Audio, Review


(4 stars)

This non fiction story is dramatic and engaging. Its a story of outstanding human effort and courage. The early chapters can sometimes be a little dry but never boring. Once the troubles begin, the story shifts into a higher gear, realising that this is non fiction and these things happened to real people just makes the whole thing so much more gripping. While never inflating his part in things, never allowing his ego to take control we hear and understand what a heroic man Shackleton was. The adventure these men lived through under the incredible leadership of Shackleton is totally absorbing and had me holding my breath more than once. Action, mystery, fear, sadness this book has it all. Todate, this is my absolute favorite LIbrivox recording. Reading = 2/3 Production = 2/3 Story = 3/3 Total = 7/9 I have more reviews over at http://freeaudioreview.blogspot.com


(5 stars)

No matter how 'crazy' going to the south pole is and was, I'm glad this was written about so well. Also, that every one survived the adventure, minds, bodies and souls intact (pity about the dogs and later on going back!) be kind to children and animals.. listen to these stories instead of putting yourself and anyone in dangerous peril Wouldn't it be great to meet Shackleton and Amundsen and their crews etc some day?

unknown


(2.5 stars)

The app won’t allow me to listen unless I send a review. I have no recollection of this recording that I am returning to after perhaps 12 months has passed. For this reason I provided this unknown quality of book and recording squarely in the middle between completely enjoyable and completely unenjoyable.

Truly underappreciated.


(5 stars)

Please, just listen. Such an important & absolutely incredible nonfiction account of by far the most challenging human test of fortitude forgone.

inspiring adventure


(5 stars)

i saw first a documentary film about this trip. the book is so much mor better (even without pictures)!


(3 stars)

it would be way better if lizzy driver didnt read it.


(5 stars)

% : s F ~ - I it & b"