Part I Summary and Analysis

Part I consists of eight enumerated chapters and is the longest Part of the book. It begins with Chapter 1 recounting the crushing of Endurance by the pack ice and subsequently Chapters 2 through 8 recount how the Endurance came to be trapped in the ice. In this non-chronological presentation of facts Part I deviates from the remainder of the text's journalistic chronology. The action-first presentation, however, sets the tone of the text as cool and professional—the outcome being known before the build-up allows the author and reader to concentrate on the salient facts rather than the expectation. In brief, Part I details the background history of the expedition, the organization and initial stages of the expedition, and the eventual loss of Endurance.

Shackleton's personality, personal history, and family background are presented—they bear little influence on the remainder...