Arctic explorer Ernest Shackleton is said to have advertised for companions: “Low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful.” But did he really?
Category Archives: Heroes and Quests
Plan Your Own Expedition
Want to undertake your own expedition one day? The Royal Geographical Society was founded in 1830 and has supported many famous explorers, such as Sir Ernest Shackleton and Sir Edmund Hillary. Read these tips for planning a successful expedition. Then, explore the site for more information about this historic society.
Fridtjof Nansen
Fridtjof Nansen would have been a hero in his native Norway if he had only been a brilliant scientist or an intrepid explorer or an innovative diplomat or a life-saving humanitarian. But he was all of these, and more.
8 Novels Inspired by the Odyssey
Get an overview of modern works that draw on Homer’s classic for inspiration.
At 81, Mary Oliver shares her spiritual journey in ‘Upstream: Selected Essays’
Read about the influences on the poet who wrote “The Journey” and her quest for a fuller understanding of what it means to be alive.
Wonder Woman and the Importance of the Female Hero Moment
What makes a summer blockbuster movie something more than mere entertainment? Read one writer’s opinion.
Review: Mesmerizing Journey Weaves a Wordless Game Story
What’s one way a teenager can go on a quest and still make it to school on time? By playing a video game, of course.
Why exploration matters—and why the government should pay for it
Neil deGrasse Tyson makes the case for doubling the small budget allotted to NASA.
What Is Ocean Exploration and Why Is It Important?
Earth’s oceans are largely undiscovered and hugely important in our current climate. Read the introduction and then click the links at the end to find out more.
Odysseus’ Journey
Using this interactive map, you can follow Odysseus on his travels and learn about each destination on his 20-year-long journey.
Russian Adventurer Completes Round-the-World Ballooning Record
Meet one of the most adventurous people on Earth, a 64-year-old Russian priest and artist who undertook an ambitious quest.
Bob Gilruth, the Quiet Force Behind Apollo
Learn about “the father of manned spaceflight,” a modest and unassuming stickler for detail.
Krubera Cave—The World’s Deepest Cave
Discover the challenges and wonders of exploring a cave over a mile deep in this first-hand account.
Vanity, Pollution, and Death on Mt. Everest
Reaching the summit of Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth, is considered a heroic quest by many; however, one writer has a different opinion.
Hawking backs interstellar travel project
In April, physicist Stephen Hawking and a Russian billionaire announced plans for mankind’s furthest-ever exploration.
Stark images of Shackleton’s struggle
One hundred years ago, a journey of exploration turned into a prison made of ice. Newly digitized photos bring the ordeal to life.
SETI Reborn: The New Search for Intelligent Life
Perhaps the most ambitious and far-flung quest humans have yet undertaken—the search for intelligent life elsewhere in the universe—recently received renewed support. It’s no science fiction tale.
5 Qualities of Incredibly Heroic Leaders
What traits do the truly heroic among us have in common?
Odyssey’s End?: The Search for Ancient Ithaca
Although a Greek island called Ithaca exists today, it doesn’t fit Homer’s description of Odysseus’s home. A British amateur may have solved the mystery of where this epic locale lies.
Up, Up, and Oy Vey!
An old joke goes that if you meet a guy whose name has “man” at the end, either he’s from a Jewish family or he’s a superhero. A rabbi digs into the Jewish roots of our most popular superheroes.