SHACKLETON
By Roland Huntford
Abacus. 789 pages. £15.99
ISBN 978-0-34910-744-8
Sebastian Faulks, in his Radio 4 series |Faulks on Fiction|, declared that the hero is dead.
Contemporary writing, he says, apart from genre stories, has no need or place for the hero. In the last few months I have been reading and delighting in a book all about a hero. Admittedly it is a biography, not a novel, but I think my fascination proves Mr. Faulks wrong.
Shackleton didn’t excel at school; he was unfaithful to his wife; he repeatedly bungled his financial affairs; he was Micawberish at every turn; but Shackleton led and served the men under his command with selfless courage. His physical and mental endurance when stuck fast in uncharted sub-zero waters were extraordinary. His companions testified that ‘Shacks’ was like a nurse to them; he was the one who would stay awake all night, would make the tea and clean boots, as well as lead the exploration.
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