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The Arctic: a very short introduction

into his harness and continue hauling, the reader is invited to empathise with a man at the absolute limit of his endurance: a man usually portrayed in a far less sympathetic light. The narrator then guides the reader seamlessly from his desperation to Worsley’s resulting dilemma: ‘He’s known sailors to transgress from time to time . . . he would prefer to let things slide . . . But this is different’ (p. 115). When Hurley weighs in, saying ‘He’s out of line, Skip, you’ve got to come down on him like a tonne of bricks or the others might decide they’re not moving either (p. 115)’ the true implications of this potential mutiny become clear. The reader is positioned between the conflicting subjectivities of McNish, Hurley and Worsley, and thoroughly invested in the verdict to come. While Heroic Era narratives continue to be dominated by the names of well-known expedition leaders, there has been a growing push in recent years to recognise the forgotten voices of the crew and teams who made early exploration possible. In her acknowledgements at the end of the book, Grochowicz notes that prior to researching this book she ‘knew a fair bit about Shackleton, but almost nothing about Wordie; or for that matter, any of the other men who survived their own epic journey across ice and ocean with the Boss’ (acknowledgements). Through thorough research, including several unpublished sources from the Scott Polar Research Institute (SPRI) Archives, and careful characterisation, Grochowicz brings the men to life, guiding readers deftly from the innermost fears and hopes of one team member to the next, as they endure this unforgettable expedition. However, this insight comes at a cost. Any attempt to narrativise the past has the potential to polarise readers, particularly the purists among us. Stalwart ‘Shackletonites’ may find the speculative titbits placed in the mouths and minds of historical figures discomfiting. Nevertheless, this compassionate retelling offers a vibrant, nuanced and entertaining introduction to the Endurance expedition, and is one that is sure to capture the hearts of youthful Antarcticans.