A dramatic introduction to Robert Shackleton and his ill-fated Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, brought to a chilling halt when their ship, Endurance, was irrevocably gripped by the Weddell ice pack. In the days before easy radio contact and rescue planes, the explorer and his small crew were as remote as modern-day astronauts in a malfunctioning space station?and in an environment almost as hostile. Using journals kept by expedition members and Shackleton's own account, McCurdy presents a chronology of events in the two-year saga of survival as the men coped with bitter cold, fierce storms, semi-starvation, and the certain knowledge that rescue depended solely on their own efforts and the determination of their leader. The low-keyed narration is accompanied by commanding, glacial-toned illustrations, many based on stills taken by Shackleton's photographer. Maps and an informative afterword complete the attractive package. While some readers may be deterred by the large picture-book format, most will find the account gripping and will want to know more about this awesome journey under appalling conditions.
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