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Alfred Lansing

27quotes

Alfred Lansing: A Renowned Author and Adventurer


Full Name and Common Aliases


Alfred Lansing was born as Alfred John Lanzing on July 8, 1921. He is often referred to simply as Alfred Lansing.

Birth and Death Dates


Lansing was born on July 8, 1921, and passed away on February 22, 1973 at the age of 51.

Nationality and Profession(s)


Lansing was an American author, best known for his writing about exploration, adventure, and science. He is often classified as a historian and journalist due to his meticulous research and investigative reporting.

Early Life and Background


Born in Chicago, Illinois, Lansing grew up with a deep interest in history and the natural world. As a young man, he attended the University of Oregon before serving in the United States Navy during World War II. His experiences as an officer on a minesweeper gave him a newfound appreciation for the sea and its stories.

Major Accomplishments


Lansing's most notable achievement is his meticulously researched book "Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage", published in 1959. This non-fiction novel tells the true story of Sir Ernest Shackleton's ill-fated Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, which took place from 1914 to 1917.

Notable Works or Actions


In addition to "Endurance", Lansing wrote several other notable books, including "Airborne: The Combat Story of the 82nd Airborne Division" and "The Men of the Battle of the Bulge". His writing style was characterized by meticulous research, vivid storytelling, and a deep respect for his subjects.

Impact and Legacy


Lansing's work has had a lasting impact on popular culture and our understanding of exploration history. His book "Endurance", in particular, has become a classic in the genre of adventure literature. It has been translated into numerous languages and has won several awards. The book is widely regarded for its engaging narrative and its comprehensive documentation of one of the most fascinating stories in exploration history.

Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered


Lansing's writing style, which emphasized accuracy, clarity, and respect for his subjects, has made him a beloved figure among readers who enjoy adventure literature. His meticulous research and commitment to storytelling have inspired generations of writers and explorers. Today, "Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage" remains one of the most celebrated books about exploration in history.

In conclusion, Alfred Lansing was an accomplished author and adventurer whose contributions to exploration history continue to captivate readers around the world. His meticulous research and engaging storytelling have made him a renowned figure in his field, and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of writers and explorers.

Quotes by Alfred Lansing

Alfred Lansing's insights on:

The whole undertaking was criticized in some circles as being too “audacious.” And perhaps it was. But if it hadn’t been audacious, it wouldn’t have been to Shackleton’s liking. He was, above all, an explorer in the classic mold – utterly self-reliant, romantic, and just a little swashbuckling.
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The whole undertaking was criticized in some circles as being too “audacious.” And perhaps it was. But if it hadn’t been audacious, it wouldn’t have been to Shackleton’s liking. He was, above all, an explorer in the classic mold – utterly self-reliant, romantic, and just a little swashbuckling.
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A forbidding-looking place, certainly, but that only made it seem the more pitiful. It was the refuge of twenty-two men who, at that very moment, were camped on a precarious, storm-washed spit of beach, as helpless and isolated from the outside world as if they were on another planet. Their plight was known only to the six men in this ridiculously little boat, whose responsibility now was to prove that all the laws of chance were wrong – and return with help. It was a staggering trust.
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A forbidding-looking place, certainly, but that only made it seem the more pitiful. It was the refuge of twenty-two men who, at that very moment, were camped on a precarious, storm-washed spit of beach, as helpless and isolated from the outside world as if they were on another planet. Their plight was known only to the six men in this ridiculously little boat, whose responsibility now was to prove that all the laws of chance were wrong – and return with help. It was a staggering trust.
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But the dawn did come – at last.
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But the dawn did come – at last.
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They thought of home, naturally, but there was no burning desire to be in civilization for its own sake. Worsley recorded: “Waking on a fine morning I feel a great longing for the smell of dewy wet grass and flowers of a Spring morning in New Zealand or England. One has very few other longings for civilization – good bread and butter, Munich beer, Coromandel rock oysters, apple pie and Devonshire cream are pleasant reminiscences rather than longings.
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They thought of home, naturally, but there was no burning desire to be in civilization for its own sake. Worsley recorded: “Waking on a fine morning I feel a great longing for the smell of dewy wet grass and flowers of a Spring morning in New Zealand or England. One has very few other longings for civilization – good bread and butter, Munich beer, Coromandel rock oysters, apple pie and Devonshire cream are pleasant reminiscences rather than longings.
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And in the space of a few short hours, life had been reduced from a highly complex existence, with a thousand petty problems, to one of the barest simplicity in which only one real task remained – the achievement of the goal.
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And in the space of a few short hours, life had been reduced from a highly complex existence, with a thousand petty problems, to one of the barest simplicity in which only one real task remained – the achievement of the goal.
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It was as if they had suddenly emerged into infinity. They had an ocean to themselves, a desolate, hostile vastness. Shackleton thought of the lines of Coleridge: Alone, alone, all, all alone, Alone on a wide wide sea.
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It was as if they had suddenly emerged into infinity. They had an ocean to themselves, a desolate, hostile vastness. Shackleton thought of the lines of Coleridge: Alone, alone, all, all alone, Alone on a wide wide sea.
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And all the defenses they had so carefully constructed to prevent hope from entering their minds collapsed.
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And all the defenses they had so carefully constructed to prevent hope from entering their minds collapsed.
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I have a great many opinions about writing, but I’m afraid that all of them are unprintable.
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I have a great many opinions about writing, but I’m afraid that all of them are unprintable.
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I long for some rest, free from thought.
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I long for some rest, free from thought.
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Whatever his mood – whether it was gay and breezy, or dark with rage – he had one pervading characteristic: he was purposeful.
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Whatever his mood – whether it was gay and breezy, or dark with rage – he had one pervading characteristic: he was purposeful.
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