Shackleton's Journey — NOBLE OCEANS

Mar 1

Mar 1 Shackleton's Journey

"Men wanted for hazardous journey, small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful, honor and recognition in case of success." —Ernest Shackleton's recruitment announcement for crew members aboard the Endurance

A Journey of Endurance

Shackleton's recruitment announcement did not lie when it warned men of a perilous journey and a doubtful return. When they had set out on the journey from England to cross the Antarctic the crew had no idea that they would not even set foot on the continent itself. Nonetheless, their journey was a success. Every one of the men would survive the strenuous expedition; furthermore, each one played a crucial part in the team's survival.

In Shackleton's Journey, author and illustrator William Grill skillfully conveys the accomplishment of surviving each grueling leg of the expedition. His illustrations especially bring to life the optimistic spirit that empowered the men to face each hardship.

A Tale of True Adventure

Shackleton's expedition is an epic tale full of various stories of survival. Many lengthy biographies and first-hand accounts have been woven together in previous publications in the attempt to relay the hardships faced by the crew. Photographs and footage capture moments that would otherwise be difficult for the imagination to conjure. As a picture book, however, Shackleton's Adventure transforms the linearity of previous tellings. In William Grill's unique portrayal, illustration, fact, and story combine seamlessly to recount a much-loved and well-known tale.

Order and Information: Visual lists

Emerging artist William Grill creates a distinct visual lexicon that mirrors the precision and detail of the scientific era of the early 1900s. His collection of details read as lively inventories, but they also resemble the methods of preparation for any longterm journey. As we scan the illustrated lists, we collect these beautiful facts as though we, too, were preparing for the voyage.

Survival and Spirit: Pictures of Achievement

In order to keep the men's spirits hopeful, Shackleton understood that the men needed to feel that they were doing all that they could to secure their survival. Grill's numerous illustrations fill the white empty spaces of the page and of the ice. Taken together, the illustrations merge with the text to relay a bigger picture of their achievements. On their own, each illustration tells its own story of how the men passed the seemingly endless days of waiting on the icy floes.

Quiet Persistence

Not all the days were cheery, however. Full page illustrations contrast with busy scenes and evoke the single-minded determination of the men.

Success in Spite of Failure

As Shackleton and his two comrades trudged into the whaling station that would soon set the rescue mission into motion, he let himself consider the magnitude of their accomplishment. Nearly beaten by the force of the Antarctic, he was aware of their achievement. He wrote in his recollections:

That was all we brought, except our wet clothes, from the Antarctic, which a year and half before we had entered with well-found ship, full equipment and high hopes. That was all of tangible things; but in memories we were rich. We had pierced the veneer of outside things.

Additional Resources

For more information about the Endurance Expedition, read Part I and Part II of Noble Ocean's article on Shackleton and his crew. There you will find video footage, photographs, and paintings from the expedition, as well as an overview of the tremendous obstacles faced by the men. Links to Shackleton archive material and even modern-day expeditions can be found there, too.

Author and illustrator William Grill shares his own story of creating his two books, Shackleton's Journey and The Wolves of Currumpaw (both published by Flying Eye Books). In his interview with The Telegraph, Grill shares how his dyslexia inspired his love of comics and graphic novels and even influenced his style as a writer and illustrator of non-fiction.