Antarctic Destinies: Scott, Shackleton, and the Changing Face of Heroism

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Description

This book covers the two most famous expeditions of the heroic age of Antarctic exploration, Robert Falcon Scott's Terra Nova expedition of 1910-12 and Ernest Shackleton's Endurance expedition of 1914-16. For decades after his tragic death on the return journey from the South Pole, to which he had been beaten by five weeks by the Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, Scott was regarded as a saint-like figure with an unassailable reputation born from his heroic martyrdom in the frozen wastes of the Antarctic. In recent years, however, Scott has attracted some of the most intense criticism any explorer has ever received. Shackleton's reputation, meanwhile, has followed a reverse trajectory. Although his achievements were always appreciated, they were never celebrated with nearly the same degree of adulation that traditionally surrounded Scott.
Today, Scott and Shackleton occupy very different places in the polar pantheon of British heroes. Stephanie Barczewski explores the evolution of their reputations, and finds it has little to do with new discoveries regarding their lives and characters, but far more to do with broader cultural changes and changes in conceptions of heroism in Britain and the United States.

Reviews

Exciting...As Stephanie Barczewski observes in "Antarctic Destinies" the meaning of the tales -- along with their moral lessons and cultural appeal -- has shifted over the course of a century. -- Michael J. Ybarra * The Wall Street Journal *
Antarctic Destinies is a fascinating story of culture and cultural identity. Barczewski raises interesting questions about what it means to be a hero and how heroes are made. [Barczewski's] book is an excellent and thought-provoking addition to the literature on these two compelling men and their incredible expeditions. -- David B. Williams * The Seattle Times *
Barczewski's book is a valuable addition...her unusual analysis of our Antarctic heroes provides us with a mirror in which we can see our own failings reflected in our changing cultural ideals. -- David W.H. Walton * Times Higher Education Supplement, 2008. *
A brilliantly innovative way of exploring how society changes. * Good Book Guide, 2008 *
...Any general-interest library strong in exploration history and Antarctic history in general will find this invaluable. -- James A. Cox * Midwest Book Review, May 2008 *
[T]o read Barczewski's account of Shackleton's hazardous enterprise is to be thrilled by his resourcefulness. Every detail is fascinating... Antarctic Dertinies is fascinating proof that, far from being fixed, history is the one subject that is going to be constantly rewritten. -- Roger Lewis * Daily Express, 2008 *
A painstakingly researched and hugely readable book. * The Scotsman, 2008. *
A well researched historiography of the volimunous literature on both of these explorers...fascinating. * British Scholar Journal, September 2008. *
Barczewski (Clemson) has written a cultural history of the changing reputations of two Antarctic explorers, Robert Scott and Ernest Shackleton...Barczewski examines even the minutest references to the two explorers in memorials, books, and media...her discussion of Roland Huntford's Scott and Amundsen (CH, Nov'80) as the key to the decline in Scott's esteem is levelheaded and addresses many of Huntford's excesses well. Her conclusions could be summed up in a quote from her text: "Heroes' reputations will inevitably change as fashions change." Modern reputations rest on what is valued now, and what society wants to believe of the past in light of those values. Summing Up: Recommended. All academic levels/libraries. -- R. M. Bryce * CHOICE, February 2009 *
[A] compelling narrative. This is a fine contribution to the literature, one which serious polar enthusiasts can read with profit and enjoyment. * The Polar Times *
This book makes clear that we pick the heroes that fit our times... On encountering this book there will inevitably be those who say "Oh no, not another book about Scott and Shackleton!" And I agree that we need no further tales of derring-do on the ice to burde4n our bookshelves. What we do need is what this book provides--examination of the cultural currents upon which explorers are borne and that ultimately determine what it all means. * Terra Incognitae, The Journal for the History of Discoveries *

Author Bio

A specialist in modern British cultural history, Stephanie Barczewski is Professor of History at Clemson University in South Carolina, USA, where she has taught since 1996. In 2005 she became Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies in the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities at Clemson. She is the author of numerous books.