Great story. Spoiler alert: they kill the sled dogs. So don't give this book to your husband if his beloved husky/malamute dog died recently because he'll have a hard time forgiving you. ( )

I would say that the writing is not terrible, but in the hands of a better writer, this story would be gripping. The sources are diaries and interviews with some of the members of the expedition. I rate this highly because it is the amazing but true story of incredible hardship and struggle for survival over the course of many months in the most hostile environment on the planet. The fact that these incredibly brave men weren't scared out of their wits and performed at such a high level, though malnourished and dehydrated for long stretches of time, just boggles my mind. Just when you think things will get better, there is even greater hardships to overcome. The fact that not one of these guys perished is astounding. ( )

Didn't like it as much as I thought I would. Well written but sometimes tedious. ( )

Lansing's mastery lies in letting the story present itself through the characters and their awesome spirit of determination. Any single stage of their journey would be in itself the adventure of a lifetime; for most people, a traumatic, if not terminable one. They spent nearly two years on frozen ice and arctic waves. They lived on aging rations, seals, and penguins. They performed feats of survival, navigation, and mountaineering. Read this and experience writing strong because of its simplicity, an adventure strong because of the fortitude it demanded, and leadership lessons proven strong by their result - survival. ( )

I am beginning to be a bit self-conscious about giving out 5-star ratings. If everything gets 5 stars from me, where is the comparative value? I assuage myself by thinking that I just happen to have read a great many 5-star books.
This one merits that designation for several reasons.
1) A subtle, but remarkable thing is that the author has done such a good job with this that he is actually not noticed at all. That is the mark of both exceptional talent, and of exceptional maturity. Lansing is wise enough to know, and mature enough to accept, that this story is so compelling it is best told quietly and calmly. The conditions endured are so extraordinary that a simple recounting of them takes the breath away. Only a very good author would trust his material enough to become essentially invisible.
Secondly, what these 28 men endured beggars description. I happened to read it during a 24-inch snow storm which added greatly to the intensity of the experience.
This is a compelling and worthwhile read and I recommend it to anyone. I read it in a library book club and am very grateful to the librarian for introducing me to it. It is not something I would ever have picked up on my own. ( )