This account describes the crossing of unknown ground from the Weddell Sea to the South Pole in 1914 and of the hardships that Shackleton and his party had to endure. Although they were trapped for many months and lost two ships during the expedition, they still made advances in geographical science. Shackleton was a leading figure in exploration at the turn of the century, taking a leading part in Scott's expedition to Antarctica. In 1907 he was first to reach the South Magnetic Pole and climb Mount Erebus and this expedition is recounted in "The Heart of Antarctica".