By Mill, Hugh Robert

London: Heinemann, 1923, First UK Edition, First printing. Large 8vo – 22.4 cm, [xv]. 321pp., 20 black-and-white photographic plates, 4 maps, Appendix (List of Distinctions, compiled by Lady Shackleton), Index. Publisher’s dark blue cloth with bright gilt lettering on cover and spine Shackleton’s family crest in bright gilt on front board. Publisher’s colophon de-bossed on rear cover. A Fine and complete copy with no prior ownership markings, no fading to cloth.  This copy with very subtle de-bossed stamp at top of title page stating “Presentation Copy”. A lovely copy of Rosove 227.A1.

The first comprehensive biography of Sir Ernest Shackleton written by the renown Antarctic Historian Hugh Robert Mill, former librarian of the Royal Geographic Society. Mill was asked by Lady Shackleton to write the biography three months after Shackleton’s death. This is a well-written, detailed and insightful biography of Sir Ernest Shackleton. “His nature impelled him always to be doing things, especially difficult things, preferably dangerous things, above all big things, and to be doing them with all his might; the greater the obstacles the happier the endeavor. No one ever exemplified better the pure romance of exploration . . .”—Hugh Robert Mill, Epilogue.

From the title page:

Do your best, whether winning or losing it,

If you choose to play ! – is my principle.

Let a man contend to the uttermost

For his life’s set prize, be it what it will !

— Robert Browning

$350.00 -