Chasing Shackleton: Recreating the World's Greatest Journey of Survival

Chasing Shackleton: Recreating the World's Greatest Journey of Survival
by Tom Jarvis [919.89 Jar]

Tim Jarvis, a seasoned explorer, recreates the voyage that Ernest Shackleton took in 1916 voyage in the 23 foot wooden boat, the James Caird, to save his crew marooned on Elephant Island. This story starts in 2002 when Jarvis meets Ernest Shackleton's granddaughter, Alexandra and she asks him to recreate her grandfather's journey. Jarvis writes that "the plan viewed from a distance was straightforward enough: build a replica James Caird, take her to Antarctica on a larger ship, hire a dedicated support vessel for the duration of the journey, select the right team, get the permits and insurance, and do it. I would finance the expedition with corporate sponsorship and sales of the film rights, supplemented by funds from fee-paying passengers who'd get a once-in-a-lifetime trip on our support vessel." As with many plans that seem straightforward, this one become fraught with stumbling blocks. Sponsors backed out and there were problems with permits and customs officials. Jarvis and his crew made this voyage as authentic as possible. They wore Shackleton-era gabardine clothing and ate food similar to Shackleton's rations including Pemmican, a concoction of lard and beef seasoning heated on Primus kerosene stove that is apparently, as disgusting to drink as it sounds. Their sails were made by a traditional sail maker. The only modern touches on their whaling boat were cameras that the film crew used to record up close activity for the documentary made of this expedition. They set sail from Point Wild on Elephant Island and crossed the rough Southern Ocean in twelve days landing on the western shore of South Georgia Island. From there Jarvis and two of the crew crossed the Trident Mountains as Shackleton did to get help. This book is a good companion to the documentary that was made of Jarvis' expedition. It goes into more detail about Jarvis' preparations for the journey. -- recommended by Donna G. - Virtual Services Department [ see Donna's Reviewer Profile and more of her reviews ]

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try the documentary movie, Chasing Shackleton, on DVD.]

[Also available in DVD format.]

[ official Chasing Shackleton web site from PBS ]

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The Lost City of Z

The Lost City of Z
by David Grann [918.1 Gra]

In 1925, the British explorer, Percy Fawcett, his son Jack and Raleigh Rimellin disappeared in the Amazonian rain forest while searching for a fabled civilization that Fawcett called Z. In 1927, the three adventurers were officially declared missing. Many expeditions searched for Fawcett and this lost "City of Gold" but did not find a trace of either the men or the city. While researching another story, David Grann learned about Fawcett and his expeditions into the Amazon. Grann became obsessed with the legend of this colorful explorer and his baffling disappearance. Grann, a man with a lousy sense of direction and an aversion to camping, went into the Amazon to retrace Fawcett's last mission. In this fascinating story Grann weaves the story of Fawcett with his own journey into the Amazon. Fawcett, a man of modest means, achieved worldwide acclaim as an explorer of the Amazon and its waterways. It is hard to imagine the bravery that it took for Fawcett to head out into the uncharted territory facing hostile indigenous tribes, horrific insect infestations, tropical diseases, white-water rapids, poisonous snakes and piranhas. Grann's story of his meticulous research and his courageous trek through the Brazilian jungle to find out what happened to Fawcett and to, perhaps, find Z is a great adventure story. [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try The River of Doubt by Candice Millard, Into Africa by Martin Dugard, Turn Right at Machu Picchu by Mark Adams.] -- recommended by Donna G. - Virtual Services Department

[Also available in downloadable audio, book-on-cd, downloadable E-book formats.]

[ official Lost City of Z page on the official David Grann web site ]

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Shackleton's Way

Shackleton's Way
by Margot Morrell and Stephanie Capparell [658.401 Mor]

Margot Morrell and Stephanie Capparell tell the true story of Ernest Shackleton's epic expedition through the Atlantic, including before and after his boat sank, and how he was able to get every one of his men home after two years of living on the ice. The book is all about his leadership and management techniques and includes sections on how people have implemented those techniques in modern day workplaces. [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Joker One by Donovan Campbell, a story about a marine put in charge of a 40 man unit.] -- recommended by Carrie K. - Bennett Martin Public Library and South Branch Library

[ official Shackleton's Way web site ]

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Staff Recommendation - River of Doubt

The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey

by Candice Millard [B R67m]

After Theodore Roosevelt failed in his last attempt at the Presidency, he was talked into an expedition on a South American river that many doubted ever existed. Joined by his son Kermit, several naturalists from noted geographic societies, a priest, and a failed Arctic explorer, they set out on an ill planned venture in the unknown rain forest. Plagued by insects, Indians, fever, and shortage of supplies, Roosevelt contracted a serious illness that almost drove him to suicide. After surviving the debacle of the expedition, he returned home only to be ridiculed and doubted about his extraordinary accomplishment. For lovers of historic adventure and suspense. -- recommended by Rayma S. -- South Branch Library

[ Publisher's page for River of Doubt ] [ Reading Group Guide for River of Doubt ]

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