A. Bibliographic Data:
Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World: The Extraordinary True Story of Shackleton and the Endurance, by Jennifer Armstrong, photographs by Frank Hurley (courtesy of Scott Polar Research Institute), published by Crown Publishers in 1998; ISBN: 0517800136
B. Plot Summary:
This volume details the amazing journey of a group of men on an expedition to Antarctica from 1914 to 1916. The author describes the incredible circumstances that the crew had to endure on their voyage and how they all managed to survive against incredible odds. The tale begins with a photograph and roster of the crew members of the expedition. Armstrong then provides plans of the Endurance and maps showing the path of their journey. To get readers in the right mood, she has them imagine themselves in the environment of the Antarctic before beginning this harrowing tale. After reviewing Shackleton’s earlier voyages to Antarctica and talking about the selection of crew members, Armstrong mentions the difficulty these patriotic men faced leaving their country as it prepared to enter World War I. She then follows this group of heroes on their long journey, describing some of the extreme conditions and difficulties they faced. Readers are right alongside the men as they are captured in the Antarctic ice pack, drift along with the ice back toward civilization, lose their ship, travel impossible distances on foot and in small boats, battle inconceivable weather conditions, traverse uncharted mountains, and finally reach outposts where they can get help. All the while, Armstrong provides humanizing details to give readers a picture of what life was like for the crew, accompanying her text with actual photographs taken on the expedition. Readers will breathe a sigh of relief and amazement as the crew finally makes it back home.
C. Critical Analysis:
This book will definitely draw readers into the story of this remarkable group of men and the journey they survived together. At times, the conditions and incidents described made me cringe for the crew’s suffering, but I was always in awe of their determination and ability to overcome. The photographs actually taken on the expedition and direct quotes from some of the men’s diaries lend credibility to Armstrong’s book. She also provides a bibliography of sources she consulted, including a number of first-hand accounts written by members of the crew. An index at the end of the book makes it more navigable, especially for one doing research on or trying to refer to specific topics. One thing that I would have liked to see in this book is a glossary describing some of the terms used. For one, even an adult, unfamiliar with nautical terminology, certain words can be confusing. The book is logically presented in a chronological fashion, with chapters – listed in a table of contents at the start – dividing the journey into manageable segments. At time the text can be fairly dense for this age group, though, and some additional maps or diagrams could have helped readers visualize things. On the whole, however, this tale certainly keeps readers interested and engaged. The author’s vivid descriptions of what the crew encountered help readers feel as if they were right alongside the men on their journey. Readers will have a hard time putting down this exciting tale, and many will go looking for more information on the topic.
D. Review Excerpts:
~ “Filled with intriguing details and written with dramatic style, this riveting account of the ill-fated Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition reads like an adventure novel. . . . Armstrong brings all of these experiences vividly to life, frequently using quotes from members of the expedition. Excellent black-and-white photographs taken during the journey document the entire adventure story. . . . A book that will capture the attention and imagination of any reader.” – Edward Sullivan, School Library Journal
~ “This unbelievable story is enhanced by the vigorous prose; from the captivating introduction through the epilogue, it is the writing as much as the story that will rivet readers. The black-and-white photos, taken mostly on glass plates by the expedition's photographer, Frank Hurley, survived along with the men and are of exceptional quality.” – Kirkus Reviews
E. Connections:
~ Include in a unit studying famous explorers.
~ Student could be Shackleton (or another crew member) for a “living history museum.”
~ Re-enact portions of the expedition.
~ Compare/contrast with other books about this expedition (e.g. Ice Story, by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel; Ice Wreck, by Lucille Recht Penner; Shackleton and the Lost Antarctic Expedition, by B.A. Hoena).
~ Discuss with students how they think they would have handled the situations faced by the crew.
Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World: The Extraordinary True Story of Shackleton and the Endurance, by Jennifer Armstrong, photographs by Frank Hurley (courtesy of Scott Polar Research Institute), published by Crown Publishers in 1998; ISBN: 0517800136
B. Plot Summary:
This volume details the amazing journey of a group of men on an expedition to Antarctica from 1914 to 1916. The author describes the incredible circumstances that the crew had to endure on their voyage and how they all managed to survive against incredible odds. The tale begins with a photograph and roster of the crew members of the expedition. Armstrong then provides plans of the Endurance and maps showing the path of their journey. To get readers in the right mood, she has them imagine themselves in the environment of the Antarctic before beginning this harrowing tale. After reviewing Shackleton’s earlier voyages to Antarctica and talking about the selection of crew members, Armstrong mentions the difficulty these patriotic men faced leaving their country as it prepared to enter World War I. She then follows this group of heroes on their long journey, describing some of the extreme conditions and difficulties they faced. Readers are right alongside the men as they are captured in the Antarctic ice pack, drift along with the ice back toward civilization, lose their ship, travel impossible distances on foot and in small boats, battle inconceivable weather conditions, traverse uncharted mountains, and finally reach outposts where they can get help. All the while, Armstrong provides humanizing details to give readers a picture of what life was like for the crew, accompanying her text with actual photographs taken on the expedition. Readers will breathe a sigh of relief and amazement as the crew finally makes it back home.
C. Critical Analysis:
This book will definitely draw readers into the story of this remarkable group of men and the journey they survived together. At times, the conditions and incidents described made me cringe for the crew’s suffering, but I was always in awe of their determination and ability to overcome. The photographs actually taken on the expedition and direct quotes from some of the men’s diaries lend credibility to Armstrong’s book. She also provides a bibliography of sources she consulted, including a number of first-hand accounts written by members of the crew. An index at the end of the book makes it more navigable, especially for one doing research on or trying to refer to specific topics. One thing that I would have liked to see in this book is a glossary describing some of the terms used. For one, even an adult, unfamiliar with nautical terminology, certain words can be confusing. The book is logically presented in a chronological fashion, with chapters – listed in a table of contents at the start – dividing the journey into manageable segments. At time the text can be fairly dense for this age group, though, and some additional maps or diagrams could have helped readers visualize things. On the whole, however, this tale certainly keeps readers interested and engaged. The author’s vivid descriptions of what the crew encountered help readers feel as if they were right alongside the men on their journey. Readers will have a hard time putting down this exciting tale, and many will go looking for more information on the topic.
D. Review Excerpts:
~ “Filled with intriguing details and written with dramatic style, this riveting account of the ill-fated Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition reads like an adventure novel. . . . Armstrong brings all of these experiences vividly to life, frequently using quotes from members of the expedition. Excellent black-and-white photographs taken during the journey document the entire adventure story. . . . A book that will capture the attention and imagination of any reader.” – Edward Sullivan, School Library Journal
~ “This unbelievable story is enhanced by the vigorous prose; from the captivating introduction through the epilogue, it is the writing as much as the story that will rivet readers. The black-and-white photos, taken mostly on glass plates by the expedition's photographer, Frank Hurley, survived along with the men and are of exceptional quality.” – Kirkus Reviews
E. Connections:
~ Include in a unit studying famous explorers.
~ Student could be Shackleton (or another crew member) for a “living history museum.”
~ Re-enact portions of the expedition.
~ Compare/contrast with other books about this expedition (e.g. Ice Story, by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel; Ice Wreck, by Lucille Recht Penner; Shackleton and the Lost Antarctic Expedition, by B.A. Hoena).
~ Discuss with students how they think they would have handled the situations faced by the crew.
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