Exploration
This non-fictional account of exploration sees Sir Ernest Shackleton in his journey to Antarctica. His goal is simple; the conquest of human exploration. Instead of undertaking conquests in discovered lands by warfare, he undertakes another kind of warfare against nature herself. By attempting to explore Antarctica, Shackleton pits himself and his crew against the most inhospitable weather that the planet has ever seen.
Tenacity and endurance
The resilience of human nature is on full display. As the trials and tribulations mount, Sir Shackleton guides his team with a tenacious spirit. Their ship's name, Endurance, is a reference to the willingness of the crew to continue forward when death seems likely. Their journey is beset on all sides by emergencies, including shipwreck, medical emergencies, and severe weather emergencies. To top it all off, Shackleton follows his first mission with a daring return mission, to prove his tenacity if nothing else.
Survival and death
The crew withstands the trials of nature with an array of responses. Their work outside in the colds of Antarctica means likely death because of threats like hypothermia and frostbite. When they attempt to navigate icebergs and landmasses, their lives are on the line. Any small mistake could lead to disaster, and indeed, when a collision occurs, many crew members die trying to escape the sinking ship. Some drown, crippled by the icy waters, and some survive on rafts.
