The explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton has recently become the legendary character at the center of a renewed fascination with the early days of Antarctic exploration. Though not the most renowned explorer of his day, nor even the most successful in terms of stated goals, Shackleton's story of adventurous ambition, incredible endurance, and heroic survival against all odds is indeed the stuff of legend. And now, thanks to the detailed research and helpful insights of Morrell and Capparell, his story is also the meaty material of lessons on how to lead with authority, integrity, humor, and compassion.

A British explorer once summarized the feats of the great Antarctic explorer like this: "For a joint scientific and geographical piece of organization, give me Scott; for a winter journey, give me Wilson, for a dash to the Pole and nothing else, Amundsen; and if I am in the devil of a hole and want to get out of it, give me Shackleton every time." His words set the tone for Shackleton's Way, at once both a travel narrative and a handbook of the skills required for effective leadership of diverse groups, especially in times of change and crisis. Shackleton's attempts to reach the South Pole and his two-year fight for the survival of his crew, when their ship is stranded in ice and then sunk, makes for exciting reading. Using this story as the centerpiece of their book, the authors have woven in their interpretation of his success using interviews with exceptional modern leaders such as Mike Dale, Jaguar's former chief of North American operations, and Apollo 13 Commander James Lovell, and by offering useful advice points at the end of each chapter. For example, in the chapter entitled "The Path to Leadership," Shackleton is shown to have been a well-read man, eager to learn and able to mix with varied company. The authors support this by noting that broadening one's horizons and learning to see things from different perspectives will allow for greater flexibility in problem solving. U.S. Secretary of the Navy Richard Danzig agrees that a level of well roundedness is vital in leaders, acknowledging that "one of my prime aims in distributing books is to get people to think outside themselves and to think broadly."

Morrell and Capparell's excellent use of archival material (especially crew diaries) and their intelligent interpretation of what Shackleton's story implies about good leaders makes this book both pleasurable and educational. Throughout the story of the explorer's exploits, the authors have inserted summarizing subtitles that succinctly capture Shackleton's leadership style. Occasionally, this seems a little strained; while the explorer's progressive attitudes and actions deserve praise as leadership lessons par excellence, even some of his misjudgments are referred to with something approaching reverence. For the most part, however, the authors employ a subtle and effective hand in translating the actions of a man at the helm of a dangerous adventure into advice beneficial to leaders in all areas of life. --S. Ketchum

Sir Ernest Shackleton has been called "the greatest leader that ever came on God's earth, bar none" for saving the lives of the twenty-seven men stranded with him in the Antarctic for almost two years. Today the public can't get enough of this once-forgotten explorer, and his actions have made him a model for great leadership and masterful crisis management. Now, through anecdotes, the diaries of the men in his crew, and Shackleton's own writing, Shackleton's leadership style and time-honored principles are translated for the modern business world. Written by two veteran business observers and illustrated with ship photographer Frank Hurley's masterpieces and other rarely seen photos, this practical book helps today's leaders follow Shackleton's triumphant example.

SHACKLETON'S WAY is an extraordinary tale of leadership, courage, and adventure. The leadership skills of this Antarctic explorer are as relevant today as they were nearly 100 years ago. This book is an insightful narrative of the challenges, tragedies and victories of a small group of resourceful men and a very special leader.

Sir Ernest Shackleton had participated in two explorations of the uncharted, barren continent known as Antarctica. He knew the dangers. Nonetheless in 1914, at the outset of WWI, he and a hand-picked band of courageous shipmates set out to conquer the unknown, chart the unexplored, and to meet the greatest test of their lifetimes. This small group of seamen, scientists, and officers would encounter the most extreme, deadly perils the cold wasteland could summon. They were pressed out of measure and in danger of their lives - for months!

The most inspiring aspect of this legendary tale lies in the singular leadership qualities and strength of character of their leader, Sir Ernest Shackleton. His thoughts, processes, and innate abilities are laid bare for the reader to examine and to profit from. There are lessons for business and in personal character development that bear study and meditation. "Shackleton failed only at the improbable; he succeeded at the unimaginable." Unimaginable, indeed. Few of us have overcome such odds at such peril.

At the time, much of the glorious recount of this miraculous expedition was overshadowed by World War I. Resurrected for us today, this book shines a light brightly on the timeless lessons of this remarkable leader.

I found this to be an impossible read. The story telling is horrible IMHO. I know this is a remarkable story but the authors butchered it. And the attempt to weave in leadership lessons further ruined the story telling. The authors hit you over the head with obvious leadership lessons rather than focusing on telling a good story. I'm amazed at the positive reviews here. I almost never stop reading a book without finishing it, but this was one exception. My time was too valuable to waste on this.

I was assigned this book as part of my Master's class in business, but as a military officer found it a great source of leadership principles on leading a small unit in remote, harsh environments when the tasks ahead seem impossible. Each chapter focuses on a different part of building and leading a team with 2-3 page vignettes followed at the end of each chapter with a business tie-in.

I must admit that I did not know of Shakleton before reading this book. Since reading it, I have already bought it again as a gift for a fellow officer headed to Iraq. A must read! The book is very easy to pick up and read for just 5 minutes or for hours.

I enjoyed this book. It's a short read but certainly with some substance. Ernest Shackleton is, of course, a famous traveler and explorer and there is little new information in the book on the actual subject of his travels. However, the author, who I believe is Shackleton's relative of sorts, does a decent job of putting his experiences in the context of today's management practices. The author analyzes specific actions by the explorer (selection of prospective employees, using public relations to advance his cause and fundraise, etc.) and summarizes take-aways in a simple and straightforward fashion. More than anything, the book made me want to go out and find our more about the man!

I've read a lot of books on Antarctic exploration, but this is the first one that's intended as a text for leadership skills: apparently the intended audience is MBA students and other budding executives. This is an interesting slant on the story, and the authors do seem to have a lot of insight into what made Shackleton a model for leadership. One oddity is that they don't say a word about his controversial decision to site the Nimrod expedition's home base at McMurdo, giving rise to much bitterness in his relations with Scott and the British Antarctic "establishment"; I'd have been interested in the authors' judgment on this.

Does a book like this really give useful guidance to executives? Beats me! The aphorisms they provide seem oversimplified, but I can't claim any expertise here. It was, however, most interesting to contrast Shackleton's leadership principles with those of the current occupant of the White House!