In Shackleton's Footsteps : A Return to the Heart of the Antarctic

On the 29th of October 1908, a party of four men, led by Ernest Shackleton, set out to be the first to reach the South Pole. Three months later, their mission was in ruins and they faced certain death if they carried on. Just 97 miles from the South Pole, Shackleton turned back. One hundred years on, in October 2008, a team that included descendants of that original party, led by Henry Worsley, set out from Shackleton's hut to celebrate the centenary of his expedition by retracing the exact 870 mile route and going on to finish the last 97 miles. This captivating book explores the history of the original expedition and reasons behind its failure, while capturing the meticulous planning, fundraising and training for the new expedition. There is also the team's first days on the ice, Christmas on the polar plateau, the brutal reality of crossing the Beardmore Glacier and the final miles to the South Pole. In "Shackleton's Footsteps" is a unique story of adventure, pioneering spirit and man's triumph over nature.

Henry Worsley is descended from Frank Worsley, the skipper on Shackleton's ship The Endurance. He is a Lieutenant Colonel with The Rifles in the British Army. In 2007 he helped set up The Shackleton Foundation which aims to support people who embody the leadership style and spirit of Ernest Shackleton. www.shackletonfoundation.org www.shackletoncentenary.org