Push past the narration

Ranulph is rather dreary but his insights at the end are worth the entire book.

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An excellent knowledgeable history

Ralph Finnes brings the Scott expeditions to life by drawing on his own wealth of knowledge about artic and Antarctic exploration.

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Well researched

Convincing argument based on extensive research and first hand experience. As a story I found the Shackleton book much more entertaining as the performance was a little too dry until the last chapter where Fiennes seemed to show a little more passion.

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Ace, Read Shackleton next!

I love an inspirational storey read by someone that’s been there. This book is put together and read by a doer in life. I have pushed myself close to death in Motorsport and understand the drive, selfish commitment, and shear bloody mindedness of Scott and Fiennes that is required.

I want to here it told by the real thing not an actor.

Well done, and as I put in the Title “Shackleton” on Audible is a stunner!

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The dedication of scott till the very end .

Got a bit heavy in the middle part of the book but overall a good listen.

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Pretty balanced account of Scott’s life

A well-researched and fair book. Reading was a little slow, but much better when sped up slightly.

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factual, enchanting and captivating

thank you once again for writing such captivating material for this armchair adventurer! greatly enjoyed.

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Brilliantly told by a National Treasure.

Gripping tale of an expedition into the unknown by Fiennes pulling first hand experiences and on diaries from the original members of the crew.
Couldn’t stop listening.

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Fantastic

Bloody brilliant! I first listened to Shackleton, by Fiennes and couldn't stop listening... this one is just as captivating! I love the non bias opinion (other than he's a fellow explorer). He (Fiennes) will point out the faults as well as highlight the positives. A truly well written book!

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If you want to know about pipes, ask a plumber. If you want to know about an Antarctic explorer…

The best biography of Scott by one of the few men in history who can be mentioned in the same breath as Scott as well as possessing the intellect, integrity, and literary skill to write a great book.
The very first book on polar exploration which I read was Roland Huntford’s “Scott and Amundsen” . I knew virtually nothing about Scott but could know a vicious hatchet job when I saw one. The book was so grotesque in its hate and clear lack of integrity I had to stop reading it half way through (before finishing it later out of curiosity about its pathological mendacity). Fiennes book thoroughly obliterates the stench which Huntford’s (unfortunately seminal) book has left in the history of Scott biography.
Who better to write on a great explorer than one of the greatest? It’s incredible to hear an informed opinion from someone who actually trod in Scott’s footsteps, and has figures so largely in the history of polar exploration. Who better to understand the suffering of Scott and his men than someone who has lost fingers to frostbite in the polar regions?
The overwhelming impression of the work is its basis in experience, detailed knowledge, and fact.
When I first heard Fiennes reading I wasn’t impressed - he is no actor or vocal artist. But quite soon I realised how the inflection of his voice imparts a real earnestness to the account, and a connection to the lived experience of someone who has just about more lived experience than anyone else. It adds a valuable context to the description of Scott, someone who represents the power of voice beyond the grave.
I’m not sure about the actor picked to read Scott’s voice, he sounds a little bit like Huntford’s Scott. But without qualification I loved the book and performance and will re-listen many times.
So many great figures from our history have been lost to character assassinations greedily devoured by the bored public. But the inspirational stories of such figures are a t part of our cultural heritage, something of which Fiennes reminds us.

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