Alfred Lansing

Alfred Lansing was a prominent American author who authored several books on a variety of topics, most notably his best-selling 1959 book, Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage, which chronicled the failed 1914 Antarctic expedition of explorer Ernest Shackleton. Born on August 8, 1921 in Chicago, Illinois, Lansing received a degree in mathematics from Northwestern University in 1943, before joining the U.S. Navy during World War II.

In 1947, Lansing turned his attention to writing, working for both radio and magazines. He gained national recognition for his 1950 article for True Magazine entitled "The Conquest of Everest," which detailed the historic first successful ascent of the world's tallest mountain. The article was later adapted into a book. His next famous work was 1959’s Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage, which was based on Lansing's four weeks of primary research as he interviewed twelve of the twenty-eight survivors of Shackleton's 1914 Antarctic expedition. The book was a worldwide success and won the 1960 award for Best Nonfiction Adventure of the Year from the New York Time's Book Review.

Lansing's other published works include the psychological thriller Under a Flaming Sky (1966), The Great Escape (1968), Hawaii (1969), andDyarchy in India (1975). He also wrote several books on the history of navigation, including How the Hills Came (1972), Uprushing and Adrift (1978). Until his death in 1975, he particularly enjoyed writing books which revolved around the sea, drawing inspiration in part from his naval experiences.

In addition to his writing career, Lansing also informally studied drama, as well as theater production, which led to other work outside of writing. Lansing served as the president of the Explorers Club from 1963 to 1964 and in 1974, he became a resident advisor at the Odlin Playhouse drama workshop in the Virgin Islands. His career came to an abrupt and untimely end when he passed away on June 15, 1975 at the age of 53, leaving behind a legacy of outstanding literature.

Alfred Lansing was an acclaimed and beloved figure in the literary world, thanks to his dedication to historical research, excellent storytelling, and passion for adventure. His most enduring legacy, however, remains his contributions to endurance literature, depicted so poignantly in Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage. Despite the controversy surrounding the work and questions about how Lansing had access to private letters released after Endurance was published, the book has remained a timeless classic, deservedly securing its place within the pantheon of great adventure literature.