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

[@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.

[@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.

[@PaulMorrissey-k9c]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@calumclark1719]

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

[@toddd6563]

New hero for me. Thanks for doing this one.

[@AA-wd2or]

Time of real bad ass people

[@ray.shoesmith]

His book on Captain Scott is the definitive story of the man imo

[@paddypup1836]

Tom crean unsung hero

[@rasulpourjafar]

He is a legend 👌

[@Jubilo1]

What an incredible hero ,

[@andrewhudson5701]

An incredible man!!!!!

[@jordanstocking9321]

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

[@generalmunro748]

Mad bad, and dangerous to know. A legend

[@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.

[@trj1442]

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

[@Cinderella227]

Human perseverance and determination not giving up and upping the ante of the survival mechanism, courage and strength even against all the extremes of Mother Nature and against incredible odds. Humans can overcome anything that is thrown our way. Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” ✝️

[@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.

[@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.

[@thereds1959]

Shackleton took all the glory, when it was Frank Worsley who should have been credited with saving all the men.

[@crouqetoo2]

so Fiennes is blethering then.

[@12gaboomstick27]

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

[@jakescriven9705]

Our schools in Britain haven’t done enough to push this man to the forefront of our british pride… if off to learn more myself now that’s for sure

[@thomasbortolozzo9752]

Tom crean the main man.

[@Joe-fi4hv]

Ha; wants to meet Jesus and kill dictators. Absolute Legend!!!

[@spoon9908]

Poor Ranulph. He couldn't live his father's curtailed life for him so he had to go and live his own life instead.

[@spoon9908]

Reading this back it appears sarky but reader I promise you it wasn't. I guess it he couldn't have his ultimate youngster desire he might as well make it spectacular. And we all benefit.

[@penduloustesticularis1202]

Ranulph belongs to the cult of Shackleton. He paints a very glowing picture of his achievements when it was Shackletons pig headed recklessness that got them into that position in the first place. He was warned of the ice pack by Norwegian whalers but chose to disregard it. The real hero of the expedition is Captain Arthur Worsley, without whom not one of them including Shackleton would have survived. And not one mention of Worsley by Fiennes. Shame on him.

[@ryand141]

Of course not. He probably hasn't even read the books. He's a toff.

[@maxhochweiler7780]

Have you read Fiennes' book about Scott. Full of gorifying stories about Saint Robert from Antarctica. He denounces all other historians who paint a real picture why Scott failed so dramatically and why Amundsen wins the race to the south pole. Fiennes is an apodictic and extremely arrogant impostor. He lied about Amundsen, defamed Roland Huntford because of his book.

[@paddypup1836]

A levels overrated and over emphasized. Memorizing information and re writing it does not foster singular innovative thinking.

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@fractalnomics]

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

[@brendanwallace4661]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@kingofcelts]

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

[@billysmith3841]

Angelo Irish wasn't he

[@JoeFoley-s4d]

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.

[@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 !!

[@rudbeckia885]

One word AMUNDSEN

[@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.

[@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!

[@harbourdogNL]

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

[@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.

[@stuartbrown8697]

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

[@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...

[@beardedlonewolf7695]

What a great interview with a great explorer!

[@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???".

[@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?

[@mickaleen1977]

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

[@PorscheDiddy]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@shamus2503]

Ran's audiobook of Shackleton is fantastic.

[@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.

[@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.

[@mikereger1186]

Lol and the first thing Shackleton chucks to his men on seeing them? Cigarettes! And hope that help was on its way.

[@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.

[@davidh.8798]

Really looking forward to watching this tonight after work!

[@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.

[@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.

[@gerrymcdonnell6006]

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

[@geoffsaunderson5766]

Age is just brutal isn’t it!

[@h20mxracer222]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@davidsabillon5182]

Didn't he fall most of his expeditions?

[@chrisfoster9080]

Sir Ranulph Fiennes. Outstanding.

[@TheScoopGorrilla]

This was absolutely fascinating !!

[@acebone2]

Amundsen is amused

[@fyivid]

Hjalmar Johansen is amused

[@markrooke1961]

Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Sir Ernest Shackleton. Two men who have inspired my life. Both total legends.

[@vbrvideoproductions4643]

You're listening to the greatest living explorer 2022

[@shesawitch3581]

Notice the dig at Roland Huntford for absolutely slating Scott. Sir Ranulph really doesn't like that author.

[@skyqueen1148]

What an incredible life. Just incredible.

[@kenreeve6549]

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

[@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!

[@Rurik8118]

35:40 (: Foreskin - a polar necessity ! Also interesting to hear ‘cancel’ culture was alive and well in the 70’s. Everyone knows a sledge laden with prostitutes in the Arctic region can pose a we bit of a drag (; cheerio

[@grumpyoldairsofter7305]

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

[@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.

[@gammon1183]

The James Caird adventure 😲💪💪💪😎

[@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.

[@jaymorgan7728]

What an absolutely fascinating gentleman.

[@Katmando376]

Not interested in going to Mars? A rather uninspiring interview with a Famous Explorer. Feel sorry for Ran as he has Parkinson's disease.

[@frankrowland]

Sir Ranulph Fiennes,why not Sir Ernest Shackleton?

[@lanceschneider6564]

He was awarded the OBE in 1918

[@frankrowland]

@@lanceschneider6564 David Beckham got one of those for kicking a football ,pretty poor reward for Shackleton.but at least he had an aeroplane named for him.

[@charleselstubsongs]

A song inspired by Sir Ranulph: www.youtube.com/@charleselstubsongs

[@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.

[@evelyncagle2455]

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

[@T.S.Birkby]

A dying breed, unfortunately great explorers are becoming extinct

[@deniseprice9041]

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

[@DM-eg4ij]

My all time hero!! Thanks again Ran

[@cormackeenan8175]

Scott, expeditions was one disaster after another of mismanagement and bad decision-making.

[@jacktoddy9783]

I hope that Sir Ranulph is not the last of a dying breed of human being.

[@kamelthorn]

Brilliant, last of a breed!

[@WANOS123]

Dog peed on both Poles 😂 Guinness World record 😂

[@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

[@ipaales7552]

Ranulph feinnes our greatest

[@alfredsong6841]

Folks, I have read comments below and stopped because I became nauseous. Looks like everyone drank the Kool-Aid to praise Goddamned Shackleton. It WAS Frank Worsley who was captain and a Miracle maker, indeed! Why was Sir. Worsley sided from the center? I think Frank Worsley deserved to be knighted for Sir.. Was it because he was from New Zealand? We need to right History, not only this one but many others in British history. Damn!

[@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!

[@marknovak9310]

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