I've had Shackleton's book South: The Endurance Expedition for a while, along with the book about Tom Crean titled An Unsung Hero, but I haven't gotten around to reading them yet. This is a good reminder to delve into those books. Happy new year.
Ernest Shackleton is a great figure in the recent history indeed, he had a great mix of qualities for a great explorer: healthy adventurism, leadership, (true leadership, where a leader leads by example), people management and stress resistance. I remember when I read the "Endurace" I couldn't put the book away until I finished it. Great video, sir!
Carl Sagan. He seemed like such a good man who had a wealth of knowledge in so many disciplines. I would love to have a discussion, but I could listen to just him talk for hours as well
Ash, thanks for answering my question. I was anticipating your response, and I cannot argue with your choice! What a figure, Sir Ernest Shackleton. Keep up the great content, as always.
Excellent stuff Ash! On this side of the pond, I think Theodore Roosevelt would be an interesting choice. Shackleton and TR are my two favorite 20th century figures!🇺🇸🇬🇧
I would sit down with James Bell , MM , my great grandfather I only know in story and old photographs . Served in WW1 Durham Light Infantry , came home and founded a family . I served in Yougoslavia back in the 90’s and would live to listen to the story and thoughts of a man my grandmother spoke about so much …
Nice one Ash. I'm interested in the historic polar age so I'm well aware of Shackleton and his achievements. An excellent choice. As for me, I would love a chat with David Niven. I could listen to him for hours.
Shacketon - I wrote a short book about him and the voyage of the James Caird and I’d love to know what he thought of it (very likely, not much!) Laurel and Hardy. And Jessica Chastain (ok, ok…😊). Happy New Year, Ash.
I’m a big Shackleton fan, read the diaries a couple of times and have plenty of other books on him and his expedition’s. My gift to my Dad on my wedding day was one of the first edition bottles of Shackleton Whiskey that came in a wooden box.
Would love to have dinner with stepehn fry, donald campbell CBE and Sir jackie stewart. Fascinating individuals on different levels. Could you imagine the stories? I could listen for hours
Always stimulating - monologue that seems more like dialog. I'll join your other follower. A "chap's" conversation with my departed Dad is something I often dream of. As for my most improbable conversation, I believe that would be the evening after The Great Debate between G. Gordon Liddy and Timothy Leary. I was friends with the gentleman who organized the event. After a packed house at Austin's Municipal Auditorium, I attended the after-event dinner at the historic Scholz Garten. Leary was directly across the table. Liddy was across the table to my left. I was more of a witness than a participant in wildly juxtaposed philosophies. The highlight of the debate was when a fellow wearing a Nixon mask asked Liddy what he thought of drug dogs in schools. Liddy's brow furrowed in a picture of great respect for the question. He answered that while the dogs would in many situations be practical in schools, there were places they would be completely inappropriate. The boys' locker room would no doubt assault the poor beast's nose. Deploying drug dogs in that environment, Liddy said, could be considered animal abuse. Whatever else might be said of him, Liddy was a gentleman with a quick mind.
Marcus Aurelius... although I love the book about Shackleton's expedition. His story is definitely inspirational. Marcus, though, because he never wanted to be emperor, yet rose to the occasion. His reign saw the end of 20 years of prosperity and peace, whether from invasions, civil war, plagues or floods. He also lost almost all of his children and had to bury them. But he endeavored to always live in a way that benefitted humanity, not his own base desires.
Shackelton is an excellent choice! He would be a top choice for me as well. I would also like to sit down with Joe Rentz, part of the crew who won the gold for the USA in the 36 Olympics.
T.E. Lawrence would be my choice. His sense of displacement as the illegitimate son of his father resonates deeply with me, reflecting my own estrangement from my father and the misplacement it left behind. I admire his ability to self-mythologise, his bookish nature, his cartography, and his obsession with brass rubbings…ways of making sense of a chaotic world. His uniting of tribes and retreat to Clouds Hill inspire me as I craft meaning from my own experiences. I’d ask what truly called him to adventure (perhaps the loss of his brothers in WWI) and hope he saw the nobility in his efforts despite the betrayal of Sykes-Picot.
Well done, a very interesting video and an excellent choice for a chap-chat/meal! My choice would be Oliver Cromwell (partly as I'm related to him). Although in a book I'm writing for the family, during my fantasy 24 hours I meet with Tutankhamen for breakfast through to mid-morning coffee and he miraculously speaks English and with a cheeky Liverpudlian accent... - Cheers, chas
The mutinous carpenter, who questioned the orders of the boss and spread belligerence amongst the crew. If it were a Royal Navy ship he would have had a very different outcome, a court marshal and imprisonment would have been his reward, let alone the omission of a medal.
@TheChapsGuide without McNish's carpentry skills , I doubt that Shackelton would have been able to get back to South Georgia. I think he may have been more irritable as he was oldest member of the crew. I do agree that he could just as easily have doomed the crew with his attempts to undermine Shackleton. An interesting question re the Polar Medal.
Excellent choice Ash. For anyone interested in Victorian exploration I'd highly recommend 'The Great Game, On Secret Service in High Asia' by Peter Hopkirk; it's a superb read exploring the interaction between British and Russian protagonists in what may have brought about the downfall of The Raj. I'd give it a solid 10/10.
I would much enjoy 5 minutes with my father who is no longer with us, stoic and masculine man; who lead the family well, he always made a decision, God bless.
Oliver Reed, before and after he had a drink, a gentleman before , not so much afterwards, might not be a learning experience but would be entertaining! 😉😂
Great video and topic for discussion. There are a number of people I'd love to chat with, but my top 3 would be Albert the Great, Max Planck, and Ben Franklin.
Hello Ash. Another good video. Going to look into that book shackleton's way. I would say if anybody that I could talk to from history it would be a toss-up between Theodore Roosevelt or Frederick Russell Burnham DSO. Cheers Ron
Lenard Cohen. A messianic Jew and buddhist monk and probably the best poet/novelist to concentrate on songwriting. Son of a canadian tailor and clothing importer he was always immaculate in his dress. Check out a concert if only to see proper hat etiquette. Since my wife's death I listen to him most days- funny how music we enjoyed together can be a great oil for grief. In my Secret Life and I cant Forget are two favourites. His uncle, LtCol John McCrae,who fought with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces in WW1 wrote' In Flanders Fields ' Really enjoy the channel Ash- you've been great company. Norman
Marcus Aurelius would be my choice to listen to one of history’s original chaps. Thank you Ash for your content which steers so many on our own chap journey. Wishing you all the best for 2025.
In my humble opinion , Anthony Eden looked very distinguished and polished in his dress choices and exhibited a overall polished appearance. What’s your opinion on Sir Anthony Eden, Ash ? 21:16
I agree with you Ash. It is weird when people say they want to mention another person than the one they have intended to name. It gives the impression of insincerity and manipulation of the reader to get a certain perception and image. If you want to talk to a controversial / evil figure like Adolf Hitler, say it. Do it with an explanation why you want to talk with this person. It might be a certain time in their life that interests you. I would like to talk with John Maynard Keynes, 1st Baron Keynes, CB, FBA, 5-June-1883 - 21-April-1946). He was an English economist and philosopher whose ideas fundamentally changed the theory and practice of macroeconomics and the economic policies of governments. He is known as the "father of macroeconomics".
This is a fascinating question, Ash, although I confess there is no way I could limit myself to a single choice. Among artists, I would love to have the opportunity to chat with Claude Monet or Marc Chagall. Among literary figures, I would love to speak with William Shakespeare or William Blake. When it comes to political figures, I would choose Emma Goldman or Leon Trotsky.
Kaiser Willhelm 11. Id like to know what made him tick. I know he had a personality disorder caused by a traumatic birth, but why did he turn against his parents who tried to bring him up to reign over a modernising Germany.
For me, it would be my late grandfather. Of prominent people, I would have to say Dafydd Iwan, although I am not sure it is indeed something I would want.
The artist/author Georges Remi aka Herge’. His work literally set me on my life’s professional course and from what I’ve read was a constant seeker of wisdom.
Christopher Hitchens. He read every book he could, and traveled anywhere there was a political crisis brewing, was acidly funny, and wildly opinionated. Even when his opinions were wrong, they were wrong for all the right reasons. He was one of the few who had the courage to stand up for his friend Salman Rushdie, who, I gather, was also a great conversationalist.
@ And Hitch’s hero was Orwell, who was everybody’s hero at one time. I don’t think Hitch would have enjoyed our post-truth world in which, indeed, ignorance is strength.
People say all the time about how Powell has been proven right but unfortunately he was wrong because he actually underestimated the situation. I think even many of those with the appropriate knowledge and foresight in those times couldn't have fully imagined how quickly and drastically things would change.
I’ve been trying to think whom I would choose, but I really can’t decide. I read “Endurance”, and I agree that Shackleton is an impressive figure, buy I don’t think he’d be my choice. I am interested in Winston Churchill, but I don’t know if that would be my final choice either. It will require some more thought….
My first choice would me my great-grandfather (whom I've never met). He was a very talented painter and we still have lots of paintings in the family. My mum alway said he was very humourous man and I'd love to meet him. Of the more famous ones, my choice would be IAN SMITH, the RHODESIAN prime minister. I'd love to meet such a man of courage and conviction who took on the whole world.
Then perhaps you may seek to expand your comprehension a little bit beyond organised religion - there are a great many more people in this world other than adherents of the Christian faith.
Well, if one is not curious about the man who shaped western civilisation, became the centrepiece of the world’s largest religion and who is still called God, son of God and who is the reason we are celebrating this most cherished holiday, I have absolutely no idea what you mean. This must be the ultimate meeting for all gentlemen; atheists, Christians or any other. Regardless of creed and colour. All I am saying is that it’s difficult for me to see that the history’s most influential man is not on the top of the list.
@@perrdland7903You're forgetting that Jesus Christ is a fictional character so wouldn't fit the criteria of the thought experiment. It would however be fascinating to be able to speak openly with the writer(s) of the Gospels and the Old and New Testaments overall. Also Jesus Christ is not the reason we celebrate this ancient native European holiday season which has been celebrated since long before the cult of Jesus Christ was even invented (in the middle east).
I appreciate the extra content during the festive season. Very nice idea Ash.
I've had Shackleton's book South: The Endurance Expedition for a while, along with the book about Tom Crean titled An Unsung Hero, but I haven't gotten around to reading them yet. This is a good reminder to delve into those books. Happy new year.
Ernest Shackleton is a great figure in the recent history indeed, he had a great mix of qualities for a great explorer: healthy adventurism, leadership, (true leadership, where a leader leads by example), people management and stress resistance.
I remember when I read the "Endurace" I couldn't put the book away until I finished it. Great video, sir!
Carl Sagan. He seemed like such a good man who had a wealth of knowledge in so many disciplines. I would love to have a discussion, but I could listen to just him talk for hours as well
Ooh, didn't think of him, but yes. I loved Cosmos, and recently acquired one of his books. I also have a couple on Kindle.
So glad I found your channel Ash! Great content - keep up the great work!
Thanks so much!
My great great uncle actually is/was Ernest Shakelton. My Dad's mother was a Shakelton and that's the lineage. Fascinating man, incredible journey
Ash, thanks for answering my question. I was anticipating your response, and I cannot argue with your choice! What a figure, Sir Ernest Shackleton. Keep up the great content, as always.
My pleasure!
Excellent choice, Ash.
Excellent stuff Ash! On this side of the pond, I think Theodore Roosevelt would be an interesting choice. Shackleton and TR are my two favorite 20th century figures!🇺🇸🇬🇧
Hey, Ash, I'm at the front of the class !!! So cool ! For those who do not know Shackleton, you should see the movie.
Great content Ash! Thank you so much.
I would sit down with James Bell , MM , my great grandfather I only know in story and old photographs . Served in WW1 Durham Light Infantry , came home and founded a family . I served in Yougoslavia back in the 90’s and would live to listen to the story and thoughts of a man my grandmother spoke about so much …
I am one of your OG subscribers and this was one of my favorite of all your videos....Great job! Keep up the good work.
Thank you sir. It was from the heart.
Nice one Ash. I'm interested in the historic polar age so I'm well aware of Shackleton and his achievements. An excellent choice. As for me, I would love a chat with David Niven. I could listen to him for hours.
The late, and great, Sir Christopher Lee would be my choice.
Book ordered, great way to start new year when it arrives
Shacketon - I wrote a short book about him and the voyage of the James Caird and I’d love to know what he thought of it (very likely, not much!)
Laurel and Hardy.
And Jessica Chastain (ok, ok…😊).
Happy New Year, Ash.
Hi Ash happy New Year to you and all your followers for me it’s got to be the great Richard Burton I could listen to him all day cheers
I’m a big Shackleton fan, read the diaries a couple of times and have plenty of other books on him and his expedition’s. My gift to my Dad on my wedding day was one of the first edition bottles of Shackleton Whiskey that came in a wooden box.
Would love to have dinner with stepehn fry, donald campbell CBE and Sir jackie stewart. Fascinating individuals on different levels. Could you imagine the stories? I could listen for hours
Always stimulating - monologue that seems more like dialog.
I'll join your other follower. A "chap's" conversation with my departed Dad is something I often dream of.
As for my most improbable conversation, I believe that would be the evening after The Great Debate between G. Gordon Liddy and Timothy Leary. I was friends with the gentleman who organized the event.
After a packed house at Austin's Municipal Auditorium, I attended the after-event dinner at the historic Scholz Garten. Leary was directly across the table. Liddy was across the table to my left. I was more of a witness than a participant in wildly juxtaposed philosophies.
The highlight of the debate was when a fellow wearing a Nixon mask asked Liddy what he thought of drug dogs in schools. Liddy's brow furrowed in a picture of great respect for the question. He answered that while the dogs would in many situations be practical in schools, there were places they would be completely inappropriate. The boys' locker room would no doubt assault the poor beast's nose. Deploying drug dogs in that environment, Liddy said, could be considered animal abuse.
Whatever else might be said of him, Liddy was a gentleman with a quick mind.
There is a nice wee Shackleton museum in Athy Co. Kildare his hometown.
Marcus Aurelius... although I love the book about Shackleton's expedition. His story is definitely inspirational.
Marcus, though, because he never wanted to be emperor, yet rose to the occasion. His reign saw the end of 20 years of prosperity and peace, whether from invasions, civil war, plagues or floods. He also lost almost all of his children and had to bury them. But he endeavored to always live in a way that benefitted humanity, not his own base desires.
Shackelton is an excellent choice! He would be a top choice for me as well. I would also like to sit down with Joe Rentz, part of the crew who won the gold for the USA in the 36 Olympics.
T.E. Lawrence would be my choice. His sense of displacement as the illegitimate son of his father resonates deeply with me, reflecting my own estrangement from my father and the misplacement it left behind. I admire his ability to self-mythologise, his bookish nature, his cartography, and his obsession with brass rubbings…ways of making sense of a chaotic world. His uniting of tribes and retreat to Clouds Hill inspire me as I craft meaning from my own experiences. I’d ask what truly called him to adventure (perhaps the loss of his brothers in WWI) and hope he saw the nobility in his efforts despite the betrayal of Sykes-Picot.
Well done, a very interesting video and an excellent choice for a chap-chat/meal! My choice would be Oliver Cromwell (partly as I'm related to him). Although in a book I'm writing for the family, during my fantasy 24 hours I meet with Tutankhamen for breakfast through to mid-morning coffee and he miraculously speaks English and with a cheeky Liverpudlian accent... - Cheers, chas
I dare say, McNish played a vital part in saving the crew.....the absence of the polar medal from his name is a grave injustice
The mutinous carpenter, who questioned the orders of the boss and spread belligerence amongst the crew. If it were a Royal Navy ship he would have had a very different outcome, a court marshal and imprisonment would have been his reward, let alone the omission of a medal.
@TheChapsGuide without McNish's carpentry skills , I doubt that Shackelton would have been able to get back to South Georgia. I think he may have been more irritable as he was oldest member of the crew. I do agree that he could just as easily have doomed the crew with his attempts to undermine Shackleton. An interesting question re the Polar Medal.
Excellent choice Ash. For anyone interested in Victorian exploration I'd highly recommend 'The Great Game, On Secret Service in High Asia' by Peter Hopkirk; it's a superb read exploring the interaction between British and Russian protagonists in what may have brought about the downfall of The Raj.
I'd give it a solid 10/10.
Thanks for the tip. I’ll look that one up.
I would much enjoy 5 minutes with my father who is no longer with us, stoic and masculine man; who lead the family well, he always made a decision, God bless.
So do I - my father died nearly half century ago
Oliver Reed, before and after he had a drink, a gentleman before , not so much afterwards, might not be a learning experience but would be entertaining! 😉😂
Now that would be quite the night out!
I'm in!!
Great video and topic for discussion. There are a number of people I'd love to chat with, but my top 3 would be Albert the Great, Max Planck, and Ben Franklin.
Hello Ash. Another good video. Going to look into that book shackleton's way. I would say if anybody that I could talk to from history it would be a toss-up between Theodore Roosevelt or Frederick Russell Burnham DSO. Cheers Ron
Burnham would be quite the chap to share a pint with in the pub. Happy New Year Ron - have a great one sir!
Lenard Cohen. A messianic Jew and buddhist monk and probably the best poet/novelist to concentrate on songwriting. Son of a canadian tailor and clothing importer he was always immaculate in his dress. Check out a concert if only to see proper hat etiquette.
Since my wife's death I listen to him most days- funny how music we enjoyed together can be a great oil for grief. In my Secret Life and I cant Forget are two favourites. His uncle, LtCol John McCrae,who fought with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces in WW1 wrote' In Flanders Fields ' Really enjoy the channel Ash- you've been great company. Norman
Marcus Aurelius would be my choice to listen to one of history’s original chaps. Thank you Ash for your content which steers so many on our own chap journey. Wishing you all the best for 2025.
Good choice!
The Meditations are great morning reading, as is the Tao Te Ching.
Roger Casement would be my choice for dinner guest.A true hero and a man of dignity and bravery.
In my humble opinion , Anthony Eden looked very distinguished and polished in his dress choices and exhibited a overall polished appearance. What’s your opinion on Sir Anthony Eden, Ash ? 21:16
Won an MC in WW1 and underpinned Churchill as his deputy in WW2, unfortunate to go down in flames as he did when PM.
Whoever used to style Fred Astaire :-)
I agree with you Ash. It is weird when people say they want to mention another person than the one they have intended to name. It gives the impression of insincerity and manipulation of the reader to get a certain perception and image. If you want to talk to a controversial / evil figure like Adolf Hitler, say it. Do it with an explanation why you want to talk with this person. It might be a certain time in their life that interests you.
I would like to talk with John Maynard Keynes, 1st Baron Keynes, CB, FBA, 5-June-1883 - 21-April-1946). He was an English economist and philosopher whose ideas fundamentally changed the theory and practice of macroeconomics and the economic policies of governments. He is known as the "father of macroeconomics".
My choice would be T E Lawrence. 🙂
This is a fascinating question, Ash, although I confess there is no way I could limit myself to a single choice.
Among artists, I would love to have the opportunity to chat with Claude Monet or Marc Chagall. Among literary figures, I would love to speak with William Shakespeare or William Blake. When it comes to political figures, I would choose Emma Goldman or Leon Trotsky.
Not seen a face veil in a while 😀
Because it's camouflage 😂😂😂
Kaiser Willhelm 11. Id like to know what made him tick. I know he had a personality disorder caused by a traumatic birth, but why did he turn against his parents who tried to bring him up to reign over a modernising Germany.
Winston Churchill for a number of reasons
For his style and knowledge
For me, it would be my late grandfather. Of prominent people, I would have to say Dafydd Iwan, although I am not sure it is indeed something I would want.
An amazing video. Well done again Ash!
The artist/author Georges Remi aka Herge’. His work literally set me on my life’s professional course and from what I’ve read was a constant seeker of wisdom.
Christopher Hitchens. He read every book he could, and traveled anywhere there was a political crisis brewing, was acidly funny, and wildly opinionated. Even when his opinions were wrong, they were wrong for all the right reasons. He was one of the few who had the courage to stand up for his friend Salman Rushdie, who, I gather, was also a great conversationalist.
Amazing choice!! He was a hero of mine too.
@ And Hitch’s hero was Orwell, who was everybody’s hero at one time. I don’t think Hitch would have enjoyed our post-truth world in which, indeed, ignorance is strength.
Enoch Powell on how he learned Urdu.
People say all the time about how Powell has been proven right but unfortunately he was wrong because he actually underestimated the situation. I think even many of those with the appropriate knowledge and foresight in those times couldn't have fully imagined how quickly and drastically things would change.
There are so many: Frank Sinatra, JFK, Duke Ellington, MLK, RFK, Cary Grant, Andrew Carnegie, just to name a few.
Chesterton
I’ve been trying to think whom I would choose, but I really can’t decide. I read “Endurance”, and I agree that Shackleton is an impressive figure, buy I don’t think he’d be my choice. I am interested in Winston Churchill, but I don’t know if that would be my final choice either. It will require some more thought….
If I had a chance to have a chap chat with anyone today, it would be the former Prime Minister of Canada, Jean Chrétien.
Cournal Paddy Blair Maine SAS
My first choice would me my great-grandfather (whom I've never met). He was a very talented painter and we still have lots of paintings in the family. My mum alway said he was very humourous man and I'd love to meet him.
Of the more famous ones, my choice would be IAN SMITH, the RHODESIAN prime minister. I'd love to meet such a man of courage and conviction who took on the whole world.
Elvis
Schopenhauer.
I would love to meet Jesus Christ first, then Buddha, Franz Liszt third, Roger Moore fourth, and John Lennon fifth.
That would make an interesting dinner party.
Regardless of whether you're religious, wouldn't it have to be Jesus? He wasn't exactly a chap, I guess.
ruclips.net/user/shortsLCvMXBv4L9g?si=5bKS2U7h9lDe7PVv
How it is possible not to choose anyone but Jesus Christ, is beyond my comprehension.
Then perhaps you may seek to expand your comprehension a little bit beyond organised religion - there are a great many more people in this world other than adherents of the Christian faith.
Well, if one is not curious about the man who shaped western civilisation, became the centrepiece of the world’s largest religion and who is still called God, son of God and who is the reason we are celebrating this most cherished holiday, I have absolutely no idea what you mean. This must be the ultimate meeting for all gentlemen; atheists, Christians or any other. Regardless of creed and colour. All I am saying is that it’s difficult for me to see that the history’s most influential man is not on the top of the list.
@@perrdland7903You're forgetting that Jesus Christ is a fictional character so wouldn't fit the criteria of the thought experiment. It would however be fascinating to be able to speak openly with the writer(s) of the Gospels and the Old and New Testaments overall. Also Jesus Christ is not the reason we celebrate this ancient native European holiday season which has been celebrated since long before the cult of Jesus Christ was even invented (in the middle east).