For lovers of polar literature, 'South' lacks the poetry and intensity of Apsley Cherry-Gerrard's 'Worst Journey in the World'. But it's matter-of-fact tone makes it highly readable and doesn't deflect from the tension (even knowing what happens). At times I had to put it aside as it was a bit too stressful. It's an amazing story with a sad coda as three of the men guided to safety by Shackleton were killed in The First World War.