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Recommendations for biographies of Churchill and Shackleton

9 replies

Liltzero · 15/06/2025 19:01

As the title says I’m seeking recommendations for biographies of Churchill and Shackleton.

I’m looking for easy to read rather than an academic, comprehensive text.

Thank you.

OP posts:
Dappy777 · 16/06/2025 19:33

I think Andrew Roberts recently completed a biography of Churchill. It was a real labour of love and has been called definitive. I'd go for that.

tripleginandtonic · 16/06/2025 19:36

South the journey of Ernest Shackleton is from his journal.

CMOTDibbler · 16/06/2025 19:49

The Ranulph Fiennes book on Shakelton is very good

CromartyForth · 16/06/2025 21:01

The RF biography of Shackleton is somewhat biased as Fiennes is a Scott man. A biography biased in the other direction would be Roland Huntforth's biography of Shackleton.

Also worth reading is 'Shackleton's Forgotten Men' by Lionel Bickel, which is about the Ross Sea party side of the Endurance expedition. Of course, the absolute classic of Antarctic writing - and rightly so- is 'The Worst Journey in the World' by Apsley Cherry Garrard.

As you will have gathered, it's a special interest of mine!

PacificState · 16/06/2025 21:07

The Andrew Roberts biography of Churchill is very readable

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 16/06/2025 21:10

CromartyForth · 16/06/2025 21:01

The RF biography of Shackleton is somewhat biased as Fiennes is a Scott man. A biography biased in the other direction would be Roland Huntforth's biography of Shackleton.

Also worth reading is 'Shackleton's Forgotten Men' by Lionel Bickel, which is about the Ross Sea party side of the Endurance expedition. Of course, the absolute classic of Antarctic writing - and rightly so- is 'The Worst Journey in the World' by Apsley Cherry Garrard.

As you will have gathered, it's a special interest of mine!

All of the above!

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 16/06/2025 21:11

Also, 'Shackleton's Boat Journey' by Frank Worsley.

GrapesOfSloths · 16/06/2025 21:18

I really enjoyed the Ranulph Fiennes biography of Shackleton.

Not a biography but Endurance by Alfred Lansing is a truly superb book. The Audible version narrated by Simon Prebble is fabulous.

PeakPower · 16/06/2025 21:28

Roy Jenkins' Churchill is an excellent, detailed but still very readable biography. Boris Johnson's The Churchill Factor explores the keys to Churchill's charisma and enduring appeal. Both are well worth your time.

Michael Smith's Shackleton is an excellent read, as is Ran Feinnes', though as mentioned above, he is a Scott man. South, Shackleton's own story of the Endurance expedition, would be a great way to compete a trilogy.

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