Book Report

Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage is an amazing book to be read, especially for those who need to be inspired and motivated to accomplish anything in life. This book is based on a true incredible journey called the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition led by Sir Ernest Shackleton in its attempt to cross the Antarctic continent in 1914. The ship was named Endurance because of the two-year struggle for survival they were going to endure. The Endurance consumed 28 crew-members that volunteered for the voyage and all had different skills sets. On their voyage they encountered ice floes however, the Endurance was beset in the Weddell Sea. After a few months, the Endurance was completely submerged under sea and the crew-members could no longer see anything but snow and ice floats. The crew-members were then afloat on the ice for about a year. The struggle these men went through for food and warmth is unimaginable. The hardest thing to understand is how all the men kept on going with a positive outlook. They all worked together and were optimistic for what ever they were about to endure. Shackleton and five other crew-members took on the task from Elephant Island to South Georgia with a 22-foot boat, in the jagged sea. No one person had ever done what Shackleton had accomplished. Their journey is something unimaginable to anyone and it is amazing how they all survived it.

My favorite part of the book was when Shackleton, Worsley and Crean set out for South Georgia and were faced with a hard decision. They were on a small platform and their only option was to stay were they were and freeze to death or they had to slide. Worsley and Crean assumed Shackleton was joking because it seemed ridiculous that cautious Jack would have a suggestion so dangerous. The great part is that he wasn’t joking; there was no other choice for them. They all could have easily hit rocks as they landed and died but thankfully they didn’t. They tied the rope and it held them together as the held on to each other tight. They stopped against a snow bank and were laughing uncontrollably. They did not know what was going to happen to them as they were sliding down a dangerous glacier. I felt they found laughter because of how many obstacles they encountered and that they survived something most people would not believe. These men were close to dying every step they took and yet found an ounce of laughter and positivity left inside them. I cannot imagine how I would of react in a situation such as the one these brave men were in. These men were motivated and nothing could stop them from getting what they want, South Georgia. The inverted- U arousal – Relationship is as situation or arousal increases, the performance increases and levels and then declines. I believe this is what happens with the men on the endurance voyage. They had no strength to do anything but because they were so motivated that their arousal increased and they were able to do things and their performance increased.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xloKsz2Kl8I

Extension:

I think this book should be an example to all, that even the most dangerous and craziest things can happen if you are motivated and have the will power to do something. I think today people give up on things way to quickly and assume they can’t do it. I know these men had great fear that they would never see home again but they stayed positive and happy throughout the journey. People need to try and put forth their best in everything they do and want to do because anything is possible. If 28 men can endure this incredible journey and all survive, we can all accomplish our everyday fears and dreams.