Honor and Recognition in the Event of Success

“Men wanted for a hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in the event of success.” -Ernest Shackleton

This was Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ad that he put out for an expedition crossing the Antarctic Circle. I wonder what the healthcare options looked like for such a job? Benefits aside, a reported 5,000 men applied for the position. It’s a fantastic example of honesty and purpose being more desirable than comfort.

Now here’s the heartbreaker: it’s not a real advertisement. Despite historians’ best efforts, no one has ever actually located this ad.

I don’t think the ad being real or not matters all that much. Shackleton did in fact convince a group of men to cross the Antarctic Circle on low wages, through darkness and insurmountable odds. We honor and recognize that bravery still to this day. So who really cares if we ever find a piece of parchment with these exact words?

Shackleton’s offer was real and still inspires people to do the impossible today.

The last three books I read…
The Bomber Mafia
Impact Players
Essentialism