The Endurance
- "Ms. Pennington’s presentation on Sir Ernest Shackleton was motivating, uplifting, and inspiring to my managers. Her program was exactly what my associates needed to drive positive business results while working within tough economic spending times. Her presentation was perfect! The biggest take away from my entire team was: Attitude really is everything. It isn’t ‘Mission Impossible,’ but rather MISSION POSSIBLE!"
Amy Gauthier, Midwest Regional District Manager, Zales Jewelers of North America
- “Rochelle Pennington delivered her inspirational Endurance program to our employees in July of 2011. Everyone who participated said her delivery was absolutely outstanding—a WOW! Her message complemented our own message—Whatever it Takes! Rochelle is a wonderful speaker and this was a speech none of us will ever forget. Highly recommended!”
Katherine Harris, Marketing Manager, Cordeck Building Solutions
- “I remember well the truly outstanding lecture Rochelle Pennington delivered at the American Geographical Society Library on the Shackleton expedition. The account she so dramatically portrayed was truly the best presentation of an explorer’s account that I’ve heard—ever—in my long career of attending such programs, as a geographer specializing in polar science. I was very fortunate to have been there to hear and see the event."
Comments from Dr. Donn K. Haglund, who holds a Governor’s office with the American Polar Society and is considered an expert on Arctic issues. (Professor Haglund taught at the University of Wisconsin for over 40 years, including the “Arctic Winter” field course for 25 years.)
A Jaw-Dropping True Story
Authors Rochelle Pennington and Nicholas Pennington traveled to the countries of England and Scotland to research the epic adventure of Sir Ernest Shackleton's "Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition," a true account of human strife and triumph. The extraordinary events surrounding one of history's greatest shipwrecks are detailed in their book.
The story has inspired generations over the past century and has provoked management studies in leadership and motivational principles at Harvard University and corporations across America. Journal entries penned by crewmembers who served on board the ship Endurance pay tribute to the unique and effective leadership style Shackleton used to safely deliver every one of his men from nearly two years of disaster and perils in the frozen world of Antarctica where danger threatened life, limb, and sanity.
The story has inspired generations over the past century and has provoked management studies in leadership and motivational principles at Harvard University and corporations across America. Journal entries penned by crewmembers who served on board the ship Endurance pay tribute to the unique and effective leadership style Shackleton used to safely deliver every one of his men from nearly two years of disaster and perils in the frozen world of Antarctica where danger threatened life, limb, and sanity.
The crew of twenty-eight sailors and scientists on board the ship set sail in 1914, southward bound, to conquer one of the few remaining explorative feats which had not yet been accomplished by others before them: a complete on-foot crossing of the Antarctic continent. But before reaching land, their ship became trapped in the rapidly forming ice 100 miles off the coast. The crew, stranded 11,000 miles from home, waited for the spring thaw through nine long months of blizzards, gales, and temperatures nearing 100 degrees below zero. The men then watched in horror as their ship succumbed to the pressure of the frozen ocean, breaking to rubble and sinking before the waters around it had a chance to melt.
The crew's only hope for survival was to attempt an escape across the most treacherous waters on the face of the globe in three salvaged lifeboats.
"So small was our boat, and so great were the seas." Sir Ernest Shackleton
Nearly two years were spent on ice and ocean, and their journey at the bottom of the world was recognized as "the greatest survival story in human history." Endurance was more than the name of a ship; it was also the Shackleton family motto: "By endurance we conquer."
The hardcover book is complemented by thirty-five remarkable, century-old photographs documenting the journey. Frank Hurley, a professional photographer on board Endurance, immortalized the events of the adventure which he said "were so extreme they would have strained credibility without the pictorial documentation." The photos were used in an IMAX feature film presentation which aired in every IMAX theater in America after original artifacts from the expedition were transported from England to several U.S. museums for viewing because of the wide interest in the story.
A leader among leaders, Shackleton taught his men how to employ their thoughts to overcome every obstacle and to intentionally concentrate on victory, and he can inspire us to do the same. He refused to allow even the possibility of failure to enter his thinking. Success was the only option Shackleton would entertain, and if there wasn't a way, he would make one.
"I always found him rising to his best and inspiring confidence when things were at their blackest," wrote crewmember Frank Hurley.
The story lives on today as an extraordinary example of perseverance against all odds, and Shackleton's "invincible optimism" is permanently bound to the success of the story. The survival of the expedition's crew has become a timeless model showing that ordinary people can dive head-first into immense adversity and emerge victorious. Rochelle Pennington is available for speaking engagements on this title. Her Endurance presentation is a thrilling account of the events which took place on Sir Ernest Shackleton's expedition. This program is a “hands down favorite” of audience members everywhere!
The hardcover book is complemented by thirty-five remarkable, century-old photographs documenting the journey. Frank Hurley, a professional photographer on board Endurance, immortalized the events of the adventure which he said "were so extreme they would have strained credibility without the pictorial documentation." The photos were used in an IMAX feature film presentation which aired in every IMAX theater in America after original artifacts from the expedition were transported from England to several U.S. museums for viewing because of the wide interest in the story.
A leader among leaders, Shackleton taught his men how to employ their thoughts to overcome every obstacle and to intentionally concentrate on victory, and he can inspire us to do the same. He refused to allow even the possibility of failure to enter his thinking. Success was the only option Shackleton would entertain, and if there wasn't a way, he would make one.
"I always found him rising to his best and inspiring confidence when things were at their blackest," wrote crewmember Frank Hurley.
The story lives on today as an extraordinary example of perseverance against all odds, and Shackleton's "invincible optimism" is permanently bound to the success of the story. The survival of the expedition's crew has become a timeless model showing that ordinary people can dive head-first into immense adversity and emerge victorious. Rochelle Pennington is available for speaking engagements on this title. Her Endurance presentation is a thrilling account of the events which took place on Sir Ernest Shackleton's expedition. This program is a “hands down favorite” of audience members everywhere!
“I write to enhance people’s lives, to inspire and uplift.” Rochelle Pennington
Shown above: Rochelle Pennington with her son and co-author, Nicholas, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, and a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology. Nicholas furthered his education by receiving his Doctorate from the Medical College of Wisconsin in 2024.
While conducting their research in Scotland, the authors lodged in Sir Ernest Shackleton’s former residence.
- “Compassionately and superbly written, The Endurance is full of suspense, and peppered throughout with intriguing facts and observations. It’s a real page-turner, a book you won’t be able to put down from start to finish.”
The Forked River Gazette, New Jersey