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The White Darkness
The White Darkness | David Grann
37 posts | 33 read | 44 to read
By the New York Times bestselling author of Killers of the Flower Moon, a powerful true story of adventure and obsession in the Antarctic, lavishly illustrated with color photographs Henry Worsley was a devoted husband and father and a decorated British special forces officer who believed in honor and sacrifice. He was also a man obsessed. He spent his life idolizing Ernest Shackleton, the nineteenth-century polar explorer, who tried to become the first person to reach the South Pole, and later sought to cross Antarctica on foot. Shackleton never completed his journeys, but he repeatedly rescued his men from certain death, and emerged as one of the greatest leaders in history. Worsley felt an overpowering connection to those expeditions. He was related to one of Shackleton's men, Frank Worsley, and spent a fortune collecting artifacts from their epic treks across the continent. He modeled his military command on Shackleton's legendary skills and was determined to measure his own powers of endurance against them. He would succeed where Shackleton had failed, in the most brutal landscape in the world. In 2008, Worsley set out across Antarctica with two other descendants of Shackleton's crew, battling the freezing, desolate landscape, life-threatening physical exhaustion, and hidden crevasses. Yet when he returned home he felt compelled to go back. On November 2015, at age 55, Worsley bid farewell to his family and embarked on his most perilous quest: to walk across Antarctica alone. David Grann tells Worsley's remarkable story with the intensity and power that have led him to be called "simply the best narrative nonfiction writer working today." Illustrated with more than fifty stunning photographs from Worsley's and Shackleton's journeys, The White Darkness is both a gorgeous keepsake volume and a spellbinding story of courage, love, and a man pushing himself to the extremes of human capacity.
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review
bookwrm526
The White Darkness | David Grann
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Mehso-so

I cannot say I understand the drive to do things like this, but I read the book about Shackleton‘s most famous expedition last year (Endurance), and this was an interesting follow-up of sorts.

Erinsuereads I'm so concerned by the turkey that I didn't even look to see what the book was 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 3y
bookwrm526 @ErinSueMreads LOL, this is one of the painted turkeys all over a small town here in South Carolina 3y
Erinsuereads Amarillo has painted horses everywhere and most of them are cool but every now and then you find one that is utterly terrifying 😂 3y
31 likes3 comments
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DebinHawaii
The White Darkness | David Grann
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#JulyJourneys

I have several books in my #read & #TBR piles set in a #polarregion but I read this one a few years ago & it has stuck with me ever since. British Explorer & Army Officer, Henry Worsley, attempted to make the first solo, unaided crossing of the Antarctic in 2016. Sadly, it did not end well.💙🤍💙

Eggs Stacked 🥶❄️💨 3y
60 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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Hooked_on_books
The White Darkness | David Grann
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Pickpick

Henry Worsley became fascinated and inspired by Ernest Shackleton at a young age. He used Shackleton‘s leadership approach as inspiration and followed in his footsteps, trekking in Antarctica several times. This book is interesting if a bit short and has some gorgeous illustrations (that‘s ice, not water, above).

Bookzombie I enjoyed this one and cried. 4y
47 likes1 comment
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MallenNC
The White Darkness | David Grann
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You will feel the #cold while reading this nonfiction account of a solo trek across Antarctica.

#WordsofOctober

OriginalCyn620 I bet you would! 🥶 (edited) 4y
kspenmoll Loved this book! My students did as well. 4y
25 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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MallenNC
The White Darkness | David Grann
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Pickpick

I did not know how Henry Worsley‘s effort to cross Antarctica solo ended until I read this. I won‘t spoil it, and will just say David Grann did great justice to his story. This was originally published in The New Yorker. This is my fourth #BookspinBonanza for the month.

BookNAround Loved this one! 4y
MallenNC @BookNAround I did too, but it was so sad at the end! I didn‘t know he died. 4y
BookNAround @MallenNC I didn‘t either although I started to suspect as I read along. The pictures of his family were pretty heartbreaking knowing it. 4y
MallenNC @BookNAround The pictures are the end were sad. And his wife asking herself “What if?” (edited) 4y
TheAromaofBooks Great review!! I love it when I don't know how a real-life event is going to turn out when I'm reading a nonfiction book. It makes the story even more gripping! 4y
21 likes5 comments
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MallenNC
The White Darkness | David Grann
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I‘m reading this short book, which was originally two articles in The New Yorker, for #BookSpinBonanza. Tonight I watched the author & Patrick Radden Keefe, who also writes for The New Yorker. They were interviewed about their books, Killers of the Flower Moon (Grann) and Say Nothing (PRK). It was a Penguin Random House event. (My cat listened in!) #catsoflitsy

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Ncostell
The White Darkness | David Grann
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Pickpick

Despite being one who hates the cold, I am endlessly fascinated with tales of polar exploration for some reason. This is the story of Henry Worsley, a descendant of a notable crew member from Shackleton‘s expedition, who sets out to walk across Antarctica on his own. This is a short book with many stunning photographs from Shackleton‘s journey and Worsley‘s as well.

Bookboss Same! I hate the cold, but love books about Polar explorers! 5y
Ncostell @Bookboss That‘s the beauty of reading, I can read of their harrowing adventures while drinking tea under a cozy blanket! 5y
Bookzombie I really liked this one. 5y
52 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Soubhiville
The White Darkness | David Grann
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Pickpick

Our #LitsyATXReadersSociety topic for yesterday was Travel or books that focus on any region. One of the books I read was The White Darkness.

I‘m not sure why I love books that take place in Antarctica, I would never want to go there. Maybe it‘s the isolation, and the will one has to have to push through the world‘s most extreme environment.

This is very short and informative, a true story of one man‘s obsession and treks. A little dry though.

Zelma I also am drawn to books in Antarctica. Loved 5is one. So quiet and contemplative and small, yet packed a punch. Have you read Jerri Nielsen‘s memoir of living there as a physician and then having to operate on herself? 😱 5y
Soubhiville @zelma I hadn‘t heard of that one yet, thanks for putting it on my radar! 5y
Zelma @Soubhiville it‘s an older book but I remember find it quite interesting. 5y
Bookzombie I really enjoyed this one. I even teared up at the end. 5y
65 likes1 stack add4 comments
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kspenmoll
The White Darkness | David Grann
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Thanks for the tag @Crazeedi !
#wonderouswednesday on Thursday!

1️⃣ Goldfinch

2️⃣ To Kill a Mockingbird

3️⃣500+ wild guess!

4️⃣ The White Darkness by David Grann ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

5️⃣ @CareBear @mrozzz @Ncostell @bookish_wookish @BookwormAHN @DebbieGrillo consider yourselves tagged!

Eggs ❤️👏🏻📚🤗👏🏻 5y
BookwormAHN Thanks for the tag 😺 5y
Crazeedi 👍😉❤ 5y
46 likes3 comments
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DebinHawaii
The White Darkness | David Grann
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#24in48 #readathon #24in48readathon
Hour 42: Your Favorite One Challenge:
So I am coming down to my last hour of reading before the end. I liked most everything I listened to but if pushed, these two (yes, breaking the rules!) 🤣were my favorites. Mostly because they were short & unexpected. I learned from the tagged book & was thoroughly entertained by the Audible Original. All things that are most excellent when doing a readathon. 📚📚📚

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DebinHawaii
The White Darkness | David Grann
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Pickpick

#24in48 #readathon
At the 8 hour, 15 minute mark & finished book #3 a bit of a cheat at

53 likes1 stack add
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Jen2
The White Darkness | David Grann
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Pickpick

Fabulous!!!

MommyWantsToReadHerBook Ooh, it sounds fabulous! 5y
66 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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kspenmoll
The White Darkness | David Grann
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Pickpick

Short but compelling book.Gorgeous photographs of Antartica, its terrain, its blinding white “darkness”, its unrelenting ice, deep crevices, blue skies, ocean waters. Period photos of Ernest Shackelton & his journey, his original hut, ship & maps. While Henry Worsley & his passionate quest to follow in Shackleton‘s footsteps and beyond is unfathomable to me, I could not help but admire & cheer for him during his Odyssean like journeys.

Zelma I really loved this little book. 5y
41 likes1 comment
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kspenmoll
The White Darkness | David Grann
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#bfcr2 #checkin

Met my fitness goal of walking 6 miles 🙌🏻🙌🏻 early morning before heat is key!
Finished a cozy mystery. Been reading 2different books & listening to an audio. So while I have not completed a book, I have read lots!
This is a house I pass on my walk at times- have always loved the peace wreath.

sudi Wow, 6 miles is awesome 👏👏👏 5y
dariazeoli 👊🏻Nice work! 5y
wanderinglynn Way to go! 🙌 A fantastic week! 🎉 5y
alisiakae Great job! I like the wreath, too. 5y
58 likes4 comments
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kspenmoll
The White Darkness | David Grann
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Nice healthy lunch out with my son today before we did errands. My meal of mashed avocado, tomatoes, red onion, & bacon, with a garnish of cilantro was delicious! We decided to stay, sip our iced drinks & read a bit before venturing out for the afternoon. Started one of my library books ( tagged) which had a map of Antartica.
#coffeeandbooks #mapsinbooks #mothersonlunch

catebutler Looks delicious! And what a wonderful day out and about!! 5y
kspenmoll @catebutler This cafe‘s food is always fresh. It was special to spend the time together. 5y
55 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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kspenmoll
The White Darkness | David Grann
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#libraryhaul
My finds at today‘s library run. Tried to be reasonable...!!
Noticed that much of June I resorted to reading/listening to mysteries. My go to genre when life is stressful, overwhelming. Here‘s to a new month! 2 non fiction, 3 mysteries, all set in very different times & places.

Crazeedi Very nice! 5y
Tamra I didn‘t realize Daughter of Time was part of a series until I just listened to it. That makes me excited to check out the others! 5y
51 likes2 comments
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BookishMarginalia
The White Darkness | David Grann
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A #bookishmap is a welcome element of this short narrative about Polar explorer Henry Worsley and his most memorable Antarctic journeys. Vintage photos of Shackleton‘s expeditions as well as pictures of Worsley‘s own 21st century treks complement the text nicely. I‘m glad @WanderingBookaneer gave me a signed first edition as a gift! 💜💜💜

Bookzombie That‘s so nice. 💗 This one is on the short stack of library books next to my bed. 6y
JaclynW Cool! 6y
starlight97 I looove maps in a book! 🗺️ 6y
136 likes7 stack adds3 comments
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akfreeborn
The White Darkness | David Grann
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Pickpick

David Grann really can write adventure and the obsessed well. Small book with pictures. Sad ending for this family. #24in48

20 likes1 stack add
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akfreeborn
The White Darkness | David Grann
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Pickpick

Lining up some books for #24in48 this weekend. No theme just some I‘m wanting to read that I got at Christmas that aren‘t super long. Judging a debate on Saturday so probably won‘t get to my 24 hours but I will be trying!

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Christine
The White Darkness | David Grann
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Pickpick

Being by David Grann and about Antarctica, this was a must read for me. Didn‘t realize it was so short! It‘s well worth your (minimal) time - a fascinating and moving story, well-told, because David Grann. 💙

50 likes1 stack add
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TerriGreen
The White Darkness | David Grann
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Pickpick

I heard this book recommended on a podcast and immediately put a library hold on it. This one is perfect for snowy winter days. Just when you think you are cold, hang out with the explorers of Antarctica.

12 likes1 stack add1 comment
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VioletBramble
The White Darkness | David Grann
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"That's it!" he yelled, slamming his poles into the ground. "We've made it!" The men looked around, examining the place that had long consumed their imaginations, and which had lured them nearly to their demise. All they could see was barren ice- their grail was no more than a geographical data point. As Adams later put it "What is Antarctica other than a blank canvas on which you seek to impose yourself?"

I love books on polar exploration. ❄️

Reviewsbylola I loved Flower Moon so I cant wait to read this! 6y
42 likes1 stack add1 comment
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readtheworld
The White Darkness | David Grann
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Pickpick

Finished my first audiobook of 2019 yesterday — David Grann‘s short but fascinating account of a modern arctic explorer‘s ambitious and obsessive quest to follow in Shackleton‘s footsteps.

#audiobook #2019books #davidgrann #nonfiction

52 likes1 stack add
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VioletBramble
The White Darkness | David Grann
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My booknook for the night. It's also the snack nook.
#ReadInTheNewYear
#booknook
@hermyknee

monalyisha Cuuuute! I love your ottoman! 6y
LiteraryinPA That looks very inviting! 6y
Reviewsbylola Love it! 6y
See All 6 Comments
mom2bugnbee So cozy! 6y
mom2bugnbee So cozy! 6y
BarbaraBB Love it! 6y
46 likes6 comments
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Lexeegee
The White Darkness | David Grann
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Pickpick

I cannot imagine a more hellish place than the Antarctic in a winter storm Quick interesting read with great photos.

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Lexeegee
The White Darkness | David Grann
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No white Christmas so I‘ll go with the White Darkness .

22 likes1 stack add
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Zelma
The White Darkness | David Grann
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Pickpick

Wow, this is a little gem of book. Short, poignant, beautiful photos, and evocative writing about an other-worldly environment. This is the story of one man‘s obsession/love affair with Antarctica and his desire to follow in his hero Ernest Shackleton‘s footsteps. Not a deep dive into either man‘s life or the history of Antarctica but a beautiful little story about polar exploration and the unique strength of those who pursue it.

48 likes1 stack add
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LouLouLane
The White Darkness | David Grann
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I love books that take place in cold places. I love books about explorers. This is the baby.

10 likes1 stack add
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CaseyMoore
The White Darkness | David Grann
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this one. It is basically a long magazine article, but the story is great. Going to now have to read more of Grann‘s work.

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Kpulver
The White Darkness | David Grann
Mehso-so

Compelling events that happened very recently.

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Suelizbeth
The White Darkness | David Grann
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Pickpick

I love a good expedition story, especially if it‘s true, and this is one of the best that I‘ve read. David Grann is a most excellent narrator. If you love true life stories about polar expeditions, then you will love this book! Even if you don‘t love them or haven‘t read any, you will love this book! The physical book is beautiful, with wonderful illustrations. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ncostell This looks awesome, I think I might get this for my husband for Christmas! 6y
Suelizbeth @Ncostell I think it would be perfect! 📚❤️ 6y
83 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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Mamashep
The White Darkness | David Grann
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Guys, if you ever get a chance to see David Grann speak, do it! He is entertaining and passionate about his stories. I even forgot to take any pics!

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Suetara
The White Darkness | David Grann
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We‘re predicted to get 5-8” of snow through tomorrow night. This seems like an appropriate read.

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Owlizabeth
The White Darkness | David Grann
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I love it when he reads a book I picked out for him! 😍😍😍

Ignore the piles of laundry...🙄

CouronneDhiver Aw heck, enjoy the piles of laundry. 🤪 Chores aren‘t anywhere near as fun as books 6y
48 likes1 comment
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Smrloomis
The White Darkness | David Grann
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I loved Killers of the Flower Moon so much that I‘m stacking this without hearing anything else. Done.

Cinfhen I‘m with you 🙌🏻📚 6y
Smrloomis @Cinfhen YESSSSS! 💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽 6y
55 likes6 stack adds2 comments