Sir Ranulph Fiennes On Why Ernest Shackleton Was The "Greatest Polar Explorer"

In this fascinating interview, Dan Snow chats to the world's greatest living explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes about Ernest Shackleton and his heroic expeditions during the Golden Age of Antarctic Exploration.
Stick around for some bonus quickfire questions at the end!
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#Shackleton #Endurance #RanulphFiennes

[@DE_JOTT]

“For scientific discovery give me Scott; for speed and efficiency of travel give me Amundsen; but when disaster strikes and all hope is gone, get down on your knees and pray for Shackleton.” Sir Raymond Priestly, I love that quote!

[@penduloustesticularis1202]

@@philshaq It was Shackletons recklessness that got them in that position in the first place, and not one of the team including Shackleton would have survived if it wasn't for Captain Arthur Worsley, the real unsung hero of that whole sorry saga, which has been spun as a triumph.

[@penduloustesticularis1202]

@@philshaq Yeah. *Frank Arthur Worsley.

[@captmikedunatov]

Everybody who was a part of the ENDURANCE expedition had a role in their own survival during the drift on the ice and getting to Elephant Island. Yes, Shackleton led but each man had to decide to live or die on their own. So with that said, Shackleton did lead in an exemplary fashion. Frank Wild needs his own mention as Shackleton's right hand. Frank Worsley got the James Craig to South Georgia Island without which all would have perished. The one man I still feel stood shoulders over every one of them was Tom Crean who I cannot help but believe was the greatest polar explorer of them all.

[@DE_JOTT]

@@captmikedunatov Well said.

[@Tomato41866]

@@captmikedunatov good stuff

[@georgestephenson7158]

Oh, and Dan Snow is a great interviewer. He’s researched the topic, asks good questions and doesn’t try to be the focus. Very good, and a style becoming quite rare these days.

[@kenreeve6549]

a bit rude keep looking at his phone tough ,even for his questions !

[@fifthof1795]

He is so bloo/dy ubiquitous though. One would think he's the only history guy on you tube.

[@nicholaskearney678]

What days? And why? Nick Kearney Christchurch New Zealand, Kitchen hand at McMurdo Station working as Kitchen hand, pondering the absurd arrival of Scott, Shackleton,witness sponsor obligations, national glory, and Antartica sea ice, crushed glacier, lack of provision for failure,and the time of their lives. Scott penned an anthem of humble heroics,amid flawed men,who showed character until the end. Lucky us,I 2022. Shackleton, the Endurance found in pristine condition, 10,000 feet below, creates a new discovery, exciting as were Shackleton and men leaving the vessel for a great endurance. Wowderful. Sir Ranilph, what a vessel, a moving forward sled and discoverer of mortal toil. X nicko New Zealand.

[@Lewismarty1]

To know that despite his incredible achievements, he’d give it ALL up to command his father’s unit, is absolutely mind blowing. HUGE respect for Ran and his father before him.

[@NotAllBooksSmellNice]

Honestly we'd take him over the current Col

[@bernardmcmahon5377]

From being a young lad I’ve always been amazed at Shackletons’ story, what he did was unbelievable , I don’t believe there’s enough recognition regarding what he did,

[@SuperMYSHKIN]

@@bastogne315 By all accounts he was very popular with the British public, his public speaking particularly, so don't confuse the ordinary British man and woman with the fucking state. Keep your anti British jingoism to your self.

[@adambane1719]

@@SuperMYSHKIN He didn't confuse them with the state. That's just your imagination.

[@BHuang92]

@@philshaq Even though he didn't accomplished his goal, the feat of extraordinary survival is unlike anything in history!!

[@brendanmckenna1983]

Tom Crean onely man to go to the south pole 3 times. Then went home and opened a pub in his home in Kerry .A Irishman to be proud of

[@ericjackson9496]

Tom crean was tougher than a wooden tit.

[@user-zx4de8hh1c]

I just had a pint at his pub after a trek across the mountains from Brandon point. Fab..

[@kingkenny2797]

An absolute legend of a man. A man for those bigger names would not be as well known as today, was it not for his bravery. His strength, bravery and determination is unmatched in polar exploration if you ask me. The greatest of them all

[@FannyShmellar]

@@kingkenny2797You’ve clearly never heard of Shackleton then.

[@kyleyoung3491]

He saved them all more than once. He was the toughest sob to ever lace boots

[@markaudley-thewles5920]

What a fabulous interview . Sir Ran , is without doubt, my all time hero. Brave and self effacing, with a typically dry sense of humour . I love the way that he still talks about his Wife , Ginny , with love , respect and compassion . We all stand to learn a great deal from this humble hero . I often think , when entering difficult times , what would Ran do ? Honoured to have met him , if only briefly. Mark.

[@fifthof1795]

Shackelton was an amazing guy. When i was a kid in junior school , the chef on his great expedition gave a talk at our school, he was pretty old by then.

[@jonb1807]

The book 'Endurance' by Alfred Lansing is an incredible book, I recommend everyone read it. He tells the whole story as a narrative and it's absolutely gripping.

[@charlesrendonlv4980]

You're so right. It's the first book to give me hot flashes from suspense. So good.

[@jonb1807]

@@charlesrendonlv4980 I would read in bed and then have nightmares about endless rolling grey seas and towering jagged icebergs haha! What a fantastic writer, he really puts you in the moment.

[@fractalnomics]

A great listen to one of the greatest polar explorers, maybe the greatest, Sir Ranulph Fiennes. Respect.

[@kingofcelts]

Proud of my fellow Irish countryman Ernest Shackleton. Men were made of tough stuff back then!

[@billysmith3841]

Angelo Irish wasn't he

[@user-gi5yk2gr5f]

He was irish

[@petes9524]

So you don't think a RWC quarter final hammering is cold suffering?

[@FannyShmellar]

He was staunchly pro British, spoke with a posh English accent and for all intents and purposes was an Englishman and carried a union jack on the trip. He was only in Ireland for a very short period as a baby. It’s like calling Phil Lynott English because he was born in England.

[@terrygreen4338]

Great interview, recently saw Sir Ranulph fiennes I could listen to him all day He is right about Shackleton he also had good men around him the likes of Frank wild & Tom crean

[@MultiOpolis]

One of his best pieces of advice is to leave your comfort zone, do something difficult that scares you. I try to teach my kids that as often as possible.

[@nicholaswatson3896]

Sir Ranulph Feinnes was a guest speaker at an event I attended in the early '90's and his talk was fascinating. A truly remarkable man.

[@georgestephenson7158]

Such an impressive man, I’ve read his biography, and by God he is tough. I also love the respect he gives to others in his field.

[@stuartbrown8697]

What a man Ran is. One of the greatest living Brits in my opinion. I’ll be getting that book.

[@gerrymcdonnell6006]

I was born in the town of "Shackleton" in western Australia . Hats off to Sir Earnest .

[@richardjoy2233]

I spent a couple of days with Sir Ranulph on a corporate event about 25 years’ ago. He’s exactly as you see here ; very genuine, honest and straightforward. An inspiring guy.

[@williamkz]

Great interview. It was both inspiring and humbling to listen to Sir Ranulph. Well done Dan Snow for bringing out the best in your subject.

[@PorscheDiddy]

So much respect for Sir Ranulph Fiennes. I read all his books.. just amazing, what a man, what a life

[@shamus2503]

Ran's audiobook of Shackleton is fantastic.

[@1669Python]

I visited the great man's grave on South Georgia, and we did a re-enactment of the landing at Elephant Island for the BBC whilst serving on the second Endurance 65 years later.

[@jeffsmith2022]

Ernest Shackleton was just an awesome leader of men...The mission he accomplished with the James Caird, sailing to South Georgia, was truly amazing, he did not lose a man from his expedition, incredible...Excellent interview...

[@tomwalsh6774]

800 miles on the open sea with just a sexton is truly unbelievable

[@colinluckens9591]

It seems more from the skill and good sense of others on his team than his own: watch kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4ClpHukiJqGarc

[@robertstrawser1426]

@@colinluckens9591 Yes, but who picked the team? You’re missing the point of what leadership is. His job was to keep moral up, inspire his men, pick the right men for the right jobs and push till the jobs got done. He made the right decisions and listened to the men who, he selected, for their skills. Countless human endeavors, from countries, to wars, to businesses, to expeditions have failed due to leaders who failed to read their situation, failed to listen to those who had the right skills, and failed to understand the psychology of the people they led. To suggest that he was a poor leader because he trusted Worsley to do his job and didn’t rip the sexton from him and navigate himself suggests more about your lack of leadership skills than Shackleton’s. The power of a great leader, like Shackleton, is easy to downplay, until see what happens without it.

[@peterdolley8971]

The success of the James Caird successfully navigating and surviving the journey from Elephant Island to South Georgia is truly staggering. Hope to see this little boat in the flesh at Dulwich College when possible.

[@calumclark1719]

What a man, never minces his words, I will be getting the book.

[@evilblumonkee959]

And a superb read Ranulph's Shackleton book is. I still can not believe what they went through and I'm flabbergasted they all survived. At times, I had to turn back 3-4 pages and reread what I had just read as I couldn't stop going "wait.... Whaaaat?? They did what???".

[@typhoonb1]

Wow, what an interview. Great job Dan and team. Shakleton story is amazing and sir Ranulph is one of the few who could ever truly understand it.

[@2489sid]

Sir Ranulph! Legend.

[@bigmancleverman989]

An absolute legend of a man, stumbled upon Living Dangerously in a library in 1988 and have been a huge admirer of his since. Thank you for the video.

[@jaymorgan7728]

What an absolutely fascinating gentleman.

[@grumpyoldairsofter7305]

A legend, talking about another legend. Doesn't get any better than this!

[@chrisfoster9080]

Sir Ranulph Fiennes. Outstanding.

[@beardedlonewolf7695]

What a great interview with a great explorer!

[@DM-eg4ij]

My all time hero!! Thanks again Ran

[@raptorone7327]

A year or so ago I went to a lecture he was giving and he was fascinating to listen to. He was entertaining and funny, occasionally getting his digs in about the Norwegian’s 😂. An outstanding man.

[@kenreeve6549]

What a lovely interview of this gentleman .,my how the world today needs people of this caliber and upstanding ,thank you .

[@davidh.8798]

Really looking forward to watching this tonight after work!

[@toddd6563]

New hero for me. Thanks for doing this one.

[@skyqueen1148]

What an incredible life. Just incredible.

[@TheScoopGorrilla]

This was absolutely fascinating !!

[@Jubilo1]

What an incredible hero ,

[@7northwest652]

Even if I’m disinterested in the topic I’ll click your vids just to help the algorithm cause this channel deserves to take off. Great stuff

[@Joe-fi4hv]

So many interviewers try so hard to steer the conversation. Thank God this one just let this legend ramble as he liked. So fascinating.

[@lewis8422]

One of only probably 3 celebs i know of that deserve a rockstar status for eternity

[@crouqetoo2]

he is way,way above rock star status.

[@harbourdogNL]

Well, as they say, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. His father was exceptional, and this man is too.

[@brendanwallace4661]

To be fair, Worsley was a master navigator. Credit should be (and was by Shackleton himself) given to the great Tom Crean.

[@bill-wd7zs]

What a great bloke.

[@thecarpetman7687]

The greatness of Shackleton is that when he had the opportunity to go for glory he chose to turn back and save lives and that what makes him great…the fact that he respected nature and didn’t believe he was better than it…I think that’s the mistake that Scott made.

[@bloodhoundgang1642]

In what way did Scott disrespect nature ? I've never came across this in anything I've read ?

[@thecarpetman7687]

@@bloodhoundgang1642 it’s a figure of speech…keep up

[@bloodhoundgang1642]

@@thecarpetman7687 so your basically talking nonsense..

[@thecarpetman7687]

@@bloodhoundgang1642 so basically you are someone who would interpret the saying..”I’d murder a hamburger right now”……as the sign of an imminent homicide

[@bloodhoundgang1642]

@@thecarpetman7687 look carpetman you've got too many carpets need laying get back to work !!

[@AA-wd2or]

Time of real bad ass people

[@Astronic]

What a living legend Sir Ranulph Fiennes is.

[@DomFlan]

What a man

[@rasulpourjafar]

He is a legend 👌

[@leeirwin2408]

I love this man

[@andrewhudson5701]

An incredible man!!!!!

[@BHuang92]

Shackleton has quite a revival. In the list of top 100 Britons in history, Robert Falcon Scott was 54th place, Ernest Shackleton was 11th.

[@motivatedconor4352]

well deserved in my opinion

[@jonathansmith4668]

And like that other "British hero" Sir Arthur Wesley, the Duke of Wellington, Shackleton was born in Ireland

[@paddypup1836]

@@jonathansmith4668 and his Irish right hand man Tom crean

[@williammccormick64]

@@jonathansmith4668 Shackleton what a fella for sure .....Wellington I'm not so fond of ....

[@mrcorcelstar]

An Irishman to be proud of...

[@jordanstocking9321]

12:16 "without any Tesco's on route" I literally died laughing! what a legend.

[@rexmundi3108]

Damn, I think back on "expeditions" in the mountains near my home and how miserable we were by times, rugged terrain, bad weather, exhaustion, even near mutiny! At least 20 miles from civilization! All a kids game compared to the real men, although in all seriousness those experiences give me a greater appreciation of the real explorers. 1/1000th the challenge is at least an entry point to understanding.

[@JohnSmith-ep2hh]

Thank you so much for this Dan and the team!!!!

[@evelyncagle2455]

Shackleton has been my hero for a very long time. Maybe because he was so human.

[@redrum4100]

Fascinating

[@h20mxracer222]

What a fascinating couple including their dog! My Jack Russell would have never made that journey.

[@allandavies1642]

Excellent !

[@marknovak9310]

Damn fine interview!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@kamelthorn]

Brilliant, last of a breed!

[@kelseyparker9497]

always loved the story of the endurance, also, the first officer, lionel greenstreet, is my ancestor!

[@paddypup1836]

Tom crean unsung hero

[@victoriapendleton4099]

The Endurance has been located!

[@frankh7303]

My good friend was base commander on Campbell Island when Fiennes and his crew anchored there on way back to NZ from Antartica.. Sir Ranulph bought that Jack Russel dog ashore and was promptly refused permission to disembark due to strict quarantine rules protecting vulnerable species. Sir Ranulph went absolutley ballistic apparently but Cpt Bob sent the dog back to the mothership thus not putting one paw on terra firma.

[@TheWorldofGood79]

As many have said Frank Worsley was a genius in a boat & he definitely isn't given enough credit. Surely Frank Wild & the doctor in the team deserve a huge about of credit for keeping all those on Elephant Island safe & well? Plus the carpenter for the way he adapted the boat? So it really was a team effort & that team was put together by Shackleton, so for his many faults he put together a great team who all came through it together. Personally I think Shackleton was a great leader?

[@watchmanschannelofdespair]

All good for Shackleton, who received adulation, but for me, Capt. Frank Worsley, is the man that should be best remembered with admiration for his seamanship, dead reckoning and excellent character under extreme duress and harsh conditions.

[@MegaBoilermaker]

Sir, We once shared a trtain journey from Exeter to London for a meeting with the same (British Government) group of children. They did not like "my attitude"so I went on to work for the UN and you were organising another Polar expeditionn at the time. Respect.

[@simongardiner949]

This bloke can teach the wokes a thing or two! His books are a real treasure because he was able, using much the same DETERMINATION and courage as Shackleton and Scott had shown, to re live the conditions of these great explorers.

[@generalmunro748]

Mad bad, and dangerous to know. A legend

[@ipaales7552]

Ranulph feinnes our greatest

[@leestevenson1236]

What a Man Ran is.

[@edkiely2712]

One only has to look at Fiennes's fingers to see evidence of this man's own severe trials of endurance! No question what Shackleton and his men did might be the greatest story of overcoming and survival in the history of exploration. However, what Adolphus Greely and the 21 men did, of what is commonly known as the Lady Franklin Bay Expedition, is almost has harrowing and calamitous, though the outcome wasn't quite as gainful. There's a good book on the expedition called 'Labyrinth of Ice' by Buddy Levy. Just a fascinating story of human nature overcoming enormous odds and tremendous adverse conditions of nature!

[@JCO2002]

Thanks, very good. With regard to Scott - one word - ponies.

[@geoffsaunderson5766]

Age is just brutal isn’t it!

[@duncanhamilton5841]

10 mins in, so this may come up, but let's not forget this is the chap who sawed his own frostbite ruined fingers off, in his shed, because they were annoying him.

[@ryand141]

There's a trick. You can stick em up your Jacksie to keep warm. It's a beautiful, sensational feeling allegedly. Ha!

[@stoveguy2133]

Live in Minnesota. And I despise cold.

[@TrevorTrottier]

What does one do when they explore an area to find people there, is it really exploring or is it just visiting a far out community. I'd arguably say Taqulittuq was the most daring artic explorer that Europeans have recorded.

[@StratfordWingRider]

Jeepers. I just got this man’s book out of by he library.

[@gammon1183]

The James Caird adventure 😲💪💪💪😎

[@joseluisceballos355]

“Luis Alberto Pardo Villalón (20 September 1882 - 21 February 1935) was a Chilean Navy officer who, in August 1916, commanded the steam tug Yelcho to rescue the 22 stranded crewmen of Sir Ernest Shackleton's ship, Endurance, part of the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition. The crewmen were stranded on Elephant Island, an ice-covered mountainous island off the coast of Antarctica in the outer reaches of the South Shetland Islands, in the Southern Ocean.“ Why you fellas never mention this man is astonishing to me. Shackleton was an extraordinary man, but his quest would have been a unmentioned disaster had not been for Mr. Pardo’s daring ability with a ship that was not fit for an Antarctic trip, specially at that time of the year

[@trj1442]

French explorer Nicolas Baudin is the most amazing yet unsung explorer in history in my mind.

[@adamsimmons59]

Sir Fiennes and his wife , Best of humankind.

[@mickaleen1977]

Let's not forget Tom create the unsung hero , Shackleton go to man

[@turnpiketumbler8938]

What an amazing story, although denying two of his men the Polar Medal was pretty shitty imo. Especially McNish, who modified the James Cairn so that it would be seaworthy for the perilous rescue mission.

[@digdougedy]

For people like me who were confused by his comment 7.00 "for people like me who didn't do the military stuff", I would like to say that he did do the military stuff. He was a British army Lieutenant in his fathers regiment having passed out at the Mons Military Cadet school and went on to join the SAS, spending a total of 9 years in the Army. Why he made that comment I do not know. Perhaps it is a Mandela effect.

[@maggiemitchell4359]

Amazing ,very interesting, Ginnie must of been a hell of a person.Another little known but incredible Aussie explorer was Hubert Wilkins.

[@12gaboomstick27]

i heard about shackolten on the explorer's podcast 👀 it out

[@rudbeckia885]

One word AMUNDSEN

[@liorfanous9210]

not to be rude but i loved this style of history. May i ask does anyone know why his hands are constantly shaking? I noticed he has lost part of his finger also.

[@tomp.214]

He lost part of his finger/fingers because of frostbite, not sure about the shaking hand though

[@johnnycash1365]

He cut his own fingertips off because of frostbite. Edit - they are in a drawer in his house believe it or not.

[@cptnbigglesworth]

He talked about Parkinson's a couple of years ago. Seems evident now. I remember reading he suffered from a FROZEN EYEBALL on one of his expeditions. He's been through a lot.

[@deniseprice9041]

Why can’t he give Shackleton credit, he evades the question everytime?

[@johnchristie823]

Sir Herbert Wilkinson explored both the North and the South Poles, and in my opinion out shines Mowson as an Australian explorer.

[@maggiemitchell4359]

Do you mean Sir Hubert Wilkins ,yes he was incredible.

[@macker8017]

Two proper lads from a council estate made Good

[@LadyOaksNZ]

Frank Worsley is the true hero. Shackletons ego put the lives of his crew at risk and all would surely have died but for the exceptional navigation skills of New Zealander Frank. 💯💯💯

[@vbrvideoproductions4643]

You're listening to the greatest living explorer 2022

[@damright]

great interview and discussion. interviewer ask right questions and leaves Mr Fiennes get the info across... Refreshing

[@acebone2]

Amundsen is amused

[@fyivid]

Hjalmar Johansen is amused

[@alfredsong6841]

Goddamned Shackelton thought only about trophy he would get after crossing Artic sea without plan B when it goes South. Shameless creature. I have been to sea. If leadership fails in critical moments, the crews suffer or die! God sent Frank Worsley to save such brave and spirited 27 seamen. If there was no Worsley in the crews, we had a short note in newspaper that a ship called Endurance disappeared in Artic sea. Sank! That's it. Nobody knows details because there was no survivors. I admire Frank Worsley's humble, selfless, dutiful mind, Rest in Peace! Sir, Worsley!