Ernest Shackleton was born in 1874 and joined the merchant navy at 16. A passion for exploration led to him joining the Royal Geographic Society whilst still at sea and in 1901 he secured a place on Captain Scott's first Antarctic expedition. In 1907 he embarked on his own Antarctic mission and was knighted on his return to England. 7 years later, in his ship the Endurance, he set off on an attempt to cross the Antartic from one side, to the other. Although his ship was trapped and crushed in ice Shackleton made an incredible journey to rescue his men and returned home a hero. Fergus Fleming was educated at Oxford University and City University, London and has been a freelance writer since 1991. Barrow's Boys, which is a chronicle of 19th century exploration, was read on BBC Radio 4 and other titles include Ninety Degrees North: The Quest for the North Pole and Cassell's Tales of Endurance. He currently lives in Cheltenham.