Sir Ernest Shackleton made three Antarctic trips: Discovery, with Scott (1901-3) and his own: the Nimrod (1907-9) and Endurance (1914-17) expeditions. Includes all three but concentrates on the latter, most ambitious, hazardous, desperate. A near-disaster that became an epic of determination, endurance and survival. Known to team members as The Boss, ES was, despite weaknesses, an extraordinary leader - "If you’re a leader … that other fellows look to, you’ve got to keep going".
"We had seen God in his splendours, we had heard the text that Nature renders. We had reached the naked soul of man."
It was one of the marvels of modern times that Shackleton emerged alive from his three expeditions. (Manchester Guardian 30 Jan 1922)
Views: 11 | Enquiries: 0I have lived and worked in Newport, where Davies was born and now live near Nailsworth, where he died. I have taught in every sector of education apart from special schools, and done quite a bit of other stuff, too.
Regarding Stanley, I simply find the man complex and fascinating. What a life! It seems to me he has been unfairly disowned, to enable us to avoid the issues and questions that his life raises. But my talk isn't heavy - it's a tale of adventure, courage, an unbreakable will, and achievement.
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