Ernest Shackleton is one of history's great explorers, a tenacious and charismatic personality who became a dominant figure in Antarctic discovery. His incredible adventures on four expeditions to the Antarctic have captivated generations. He was a restless adventurer from an Irish background with acclaimed leadership skills. But he was also a flawed character whose chaotic private life, marked by romantic affairs, unfulfilled ambitions and failed business ventures, contrasted with celebrity status as the leading explorer. Persistent money problems left his men unpaid and his family with debts.

This first comprehensive biography in a generation draws on extensive research of original diaries, letters and many other publications. It brings a fresh perspective to the heroic age of Polar exploration which was dominated by Shackleton's complex, compelling and enduringly fascinating story.