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Title: Mrs. Chippy's Last Expedition: The Remarkable Journal of Shackleton's Polar-Bound Cat by Caroline Alexander ISBN: 0-06-093261-9 Publisher: Perennial Pub. Date: 01 April, 1999 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $11.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.06 (17 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: A Pleasing Work of Historical Fiction
Comment: I can't say enough good things about this book. However, I think it's obvious that any review of it must take into account that while the story takes place in actual historical context, the book's literary content, being the journal of a domesticated cat, is clearly fabricated. I find it humorous that several reviewers seem to have forgotten this and have criticized it for being somehow unrealistic.
The book is a journal of the Endurance's carpenter's cat, Mrs. Chippy (apparently, ships' carpenters are often nicknamed "Chips"). We learn that Mrs. Chippy took his responsibilities as an explorer, including keeping a stern watch to monitor the ship's progress, helping his mate in carpentry projects, and mousing, quite seriously. In fact, Chippy's concern for the maintenance of ship routine through the monotony of the shipwreck period surpasses that of virtually any other crew member.
If you've read any account of the Endurance Expedition already, you will quite likely enjoy this book for its thoughtful alternative perspective. It is not sappy in the least - Chippy's intelligent writing allows us to see him as he sees himself: as the 29th crew member on the expedition.
If you have to ask, "how did Chippy learn how to write?" or "when did he find the time?", you're not appreciating the books purpose - to entertain and provide a little insight into how an animal might have been more than slightly responsible for maintaining the crew's sanity.
Rating: 3
Summary: Entertaining for cat lovers or Shackleton fans
Comment: Mrs Chippy's Last Expedition is an entertaining story of Ernest Shackletons journey to Antarctica as told from the perspective of the true-life on board cat who was named Mrs. Chippy. The story is told in journal form and will delight cat lovers with a keen view of the adventure as only a cat would see things. Caroline Alexander does an excellent job of capturing the intelligence and demeanor of cats as in this passage. "The dogs were barking like mad... i suspect they are bewildered much of the time by what goes on around them." Entertaining for both cat lovers and as an adjunct to any book on the true Shackleton adventure. I highly recommend Alfred Lansings account Endurance: Shackletons Incredible Voyage although Caroline Alexander herself also wrote a serious account after this Mrs Chippy cat diary version. Giving it 3 1/2 stars....4+ if you are a cat lover.
Rating: 5
Summary: A new point of view for a familiar story
Comment: I really enjoyed this book. Throughout the book, you learn about the men on the Endurance, what their characters were like, and what life was like on the ship, all from the point of view of a cat.
Of course, the ending is sad, but Caroline Alexander does not dwell on the details of Mrs Chippy's demise.
This story will appeal to many, animal lovers like myself, history buffs, and anyone interested in seeing how man handles himself in times of great stress.
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Title: The Endurance : Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition by Caroline Alexander ISBN: 0375404031 Publisher: Knopf Pub. Date: 03 November, 1998 List Price(USD): $29.95 |
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Title: Shackleton's Forgotten Men: The Untold Tale of an Antarctic Tragedy by Lennard Bickel, Rt. Hon. Lord Shackleton, Lord Shackleton ISBN: 1560252561 Publisher: Thunder's Mouth Press Pub. Date: 22 February, 2000 List Price(USD): $21.00 |
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Title: Shackleton's Boat Journey by Frank Arthur Worsley, Edmund Hillary ISBN: 0393318648 Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company Pub. Date: October, 1998 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
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Title: Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing ISBN: 078670621X Publisher: Carroll & Graf Pub. Date: April, 1999 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
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Title: South: The Last Antarctic Expedition of Shakleton and the Endurance by Sir Ernest Shackleton ISBN: 1558217835 Publisher: The Lyons Press Pub. Date: 01 October, 1998 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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