THE HEART OF
THE ANTARCTIC
BEING THE STORY OF THE BRITISH
ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION 1907-1909
by Sir ERNEST SHACKLETON
WILLIAM HEINEMANN, London, 1911
Originally published in two volumes in 1909, this is the April 1911 edition of the 1910 single volume 'popular edition’. The Heart of the Antarctic is the extraordinary story of Ernest Shackleton's British Antarctic expedition of 1907-1909. Shackleton got to within 100 miles of the Pole, further south than anyone had ever been before, but the return journey became a nightmarish feat of endurance. On half-rations for much of the way, at one point Shackleton gave his one biscuit allotted for the day to his companion Frank Wild, who wrote in his diary:
"All the money that was ever minted would not have bought that biscuit and the remembrance of that sacrifice will never leave me".
Shackleton returned as a hero, and soon afterwards published his expedition account, The Heart of the Antarctic. Emily Shackleton later recorded: "The only comment he made to me about not reaching the Pole was "a live donkey is better than a dead lion, isn't it?" and I said "Yes darling, as far as I am concerned".
This volume is very well illustrated throughout with maps, diagrams, black & white plates, and four coloured plates by G. E. Marston, the expedition's artist.
The Nimrod Expedition (1907–1909): otherwise known as the British Antarctic Expedition, was the first of three expeditions to the Antarctic led by Ernest Shackleton. Its main target, among a range of geographical and scientific objectives, was to be first to reach the South Pole. This was not attained, but the expedition's southern march reached a Farthest South latitude of 88° 23' S, just 97.5 nautical miles from the pole. This was by far the longest southern polar journey to that date. A separate group led by Professor Edgeworth David reached the estimated location of the South Magnetic Pole, and the expedition also achieved the first ascent of Mount Erebus, Antarctica's second highest volcano.
The expedition lacked governmental or institutional support, and relied on private loans and individual contributions. It was beset by financial problems and its preparations were hurried. Its ship, Nimrod, was less than half of the size of Robert Falcon Scott's 1901–1904 expedition ship Discovery, and Shackleton's crew lacked relevant experience. Controversy arose from Shackleton's decision to base the expedition in McMurdo Sound, close to Scott's old headquarters, in contravention of a promise to Scott that he would not do so. Nevertheless, although the expedition's profile was initially much lower than that of Scott's six years earlier, its achievements attracted widespread interest and made Shackleton a national hero. The scientific team, which included the future Australasian Antarctic Expedition leader Douglas Mawson, carried out extensive geological, zoological and meteorological work. Shackleton's transport arrangements, based on Manchurian ponies, motor traction, and sled dogs, were innovations which, despite limited success, were later copied by Scott for his ill-fated Terra Nova Expedition.
On his return, Shackleton overcame the Royal Geographical Society's (RGS) initial scepticism about his achievements and received many public honours, including a knighthood from King Edward VII. He made little financial gain from the expedition and eventually depended on a government grant to cover its liabilities. Within three years his southernmost record had been surpassed, as first Amundsen and then Scott reached the South Pole. In his own moment of triumph, Amundsen nevertheless observed: "Sir Ernest Shackleton's name will always be written in the annals of Antarctic exploration in letters of fire".
Condition:
In good condition. The boards are in very good condition, with some minor wear to the leather, and a few marks. The binding and hinges are good and secure. The text is in good condition, with some marks, scattered foxing, and some foxing to the edge of the text block. The plates are in very good condition. The folding map at the rear of the book is in very good condition. Thre is a prize bookplate from Bromsgrove School on the front endpaper. The marbled endpapers are in very good condition.
Published: 1911
Brown half leather boards with gilt titling, marbled endpapers, and gilt top edge
Illustrated with colour plates, photographs, and a folding map at the rear
Dimensions: 125mm x 190mm
Pages: 368
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