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

by Stephanie Barczewski

Overview

A study of the Antarctic explorers Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton. As well as their most heroic expeditions, the author looks in detail at just how and why their individual reputations have evolved over the course of the last century.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781847251923
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	02/17/2008
Pages:	412
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.94(d)

About the Author

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.

Table of Contents

Introduction The Early Years of Antarctic Exploration The Discovery and Nimrod Expeditions Terra Nova Endurance Scott, Shackleton and the Great War Scott and Shackleton in the Mid-20th Century
The Decline of Scott and the Rise of Shackleton in the Late 20th Century Epilogue: Scott's Revival

Editorial Reviews

."..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

"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." -The Seattle Times--Sanford Lakoff

"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

"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." The Wall Street Journal--Sanford Lakoff

"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 burden 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."--Sanford Lakoff

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"Exciting...As Stephanie Barczewski observes in"Antarctic Destinies," the meaning of the tales along with theirmoral lessons and cultural appeal has shifted over the course of a century." The Wall Street Journal--,

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"a painstakingly researched and hugely readable book" Reviewed in The Scotsman, 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." Reviewed by Roger Lewis in Daily Express, 2008

"A brilliantly innovative way of exploring how society changes." Reviewed in Good Book Guide, 2008

"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." Reviewed by David W.H. Walton in Times Higher Education Supplement, 2008.

A well researched historiography of the volimunous literature on both of these explorers...fascinating." British Scholar Journal, September 2008.

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From the Publisher