Shackleton’s Journey - A brave yet disastrous attempt to cross the Antarctic continent

Shackleton’s Journey

by William Grill

Flying Eye Books

$17 Buy a copy on Amazon

Shackleton’s Journey recounts explorer Ernest Shackleton’s attempt at “the first crossing of the Antarctic continent, from sea to sea, via the Pole.” His three-year expedition (1914-1917), in which his ship, Endurance, became trapped in ice and eventually shattered into pieces, was fraught with disaster. Because of Shackleton’s courage and resourcefulness, however, what could have become known as a tragic journey ended up being remembered as an epic adventure in which every crew member survived.

Author William Grill does an excellent job telling this story so that the book can be both a resource for a child’s book report as well as a captivating picture book for anyone wanting to learn about this expedition. But even more powerful than the narrative are the detailed and dramatic illustrations, done in colored pencils, many which, if framed, would look stunning on a wall. To top it all off, the textured book cover and raw, thick pages make this a book to flaunt on your coffee table or child’s bookshelf. – Carla Sinclair