Shackleton

Description

A biography of Ernest Shackleton, the quintessential Edwardian hero. A contemporary of Scott, he sailed on the "Discovery" expedition of 1900, and mounted three expeditions of his own. A social adventurer, it was the pursuit of wealth, fame and power that attracted him more than snow and ice. Shacketon an Anglo-Irishman who letf school at 16, he needed status to raise money for his own expeditions. A frustrated poet, he was never successful with money, but did succeed in marrying it. At his height he was feted as an national hero, knighted by Edward VII, and granted #20,000 by the government for his achievements. Poverty stricken by World War I, he had to pay off his debts through writing and lecturing. This book won the Nelson Hurst and Marsh biography award.

Roland Huntford is the author of SCOTT AND AMUNDSEN, which was televised as THE LAST PLACE ON EARTH and republished under that name. For many years he was the OBSERVER's correspondent in Scandinavia, a job that he doubled with being their winter sports correspondent both in Scandinavia and the Alps. He lives in Cambridge.

This is an utterly absorbing biography ... moves one to tears of relief, joy and blind wonder' Allan Massie 'Expertly handled and written ... makes extensive uncensored use of the diaries written at the time' ECONOMIST 'Unlikely to be superseded' Robert Fox, LISTENER 'Magnificent ... Huntford has done justice to this great and complex man. That, in itself, is a triumph' SUNDAY TIMES 'The adventures of this complex character make exciting reading.' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH 'Outstanding...remains a definitive work...an unmissable book.' THE TIMES 'This prize-winning biography is an excellent account of a quintessential English hero.' DAILY EXPRESS 'Huntford's stirring biography is a fitting tribute to an inspirational and genuinely heroic man.' MAIL ON SUNDAY