110. Antarctica: The Continent that wouldn’t be Conquered

This episode of the Empire podcast interviews Gabrielle Walker, author of *Antarctica*, about her experiences on the continent and the history of Antarctic exploration. The conversation covers Walker's personal experiences, including a description of a whiteout, and delves into the historical context of Antarctic exploration, focusing on the rivalry between Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton. Shackleton's Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition and the loss of his ship, the *Endurance*, are introduced as a cliffhanger for the next episode. The discussion highlights Shackleton's leadership qualities and the harsh realities of Antarctic survival, including the food consumed by early explorers (Pemmican). The episode concludes with a discussion of the race to the South Pole and the tragic fate of Scott's expedition.