Until the early years of the 20th century, the vast continent of Antarctica was barely discovered. All that changed, when Scott and Shackleton set out to solve the last great unsolved geographical mystery and find the South Pole. This book tells the amazing tale of four expeditions into the unknown. This is high adventure, dramatic and tense, with two contrasting, sometimes conflicting characters - Scott the old fashioned hero, brave and inspired, but whose lack of preparation had tragic results; Shackleton a more modern leader, refusing to sacrifice his men's lives to the cause. All the great themes are here - courage, hardship, agonising decisions, leadership, suffering and tragic death. With stunning photographs taken during the expeditions.