The last edition of this English language encyclopaedia was published in 2010. It was their 15th edition and had 32 volumes. Whilst the Encyclopaedia is no longer published, it continues in digital form here: http://britannica.co.uk

(Picture: US advert for the 11th edition from the May 1913 issue of National Geographic Magazine)

Out of print, but available for download as an ebook from the Gutenberg Library. If you want the real thing, there is a 1910 edition for sale on this rare books site

A novel about society in Butte, Montana, as it revolved around the mining interests. This would have only just been published when the Endurance set sail. Reprint available on here: Amazon.com. 

Out of print, but available as part of a compendium of Ian Hey stories, as an ebook from the Gutenberg Library

A series of plays that “challenges his audiences' moral complacency in the face of serious social problems and inequities.” The plays are still available, published by Penguin Classics in a variety of formats

Conrad is better known for Heart of Darkness, but this was Joseph Conrad’s first novel – available as an ebook from the Gutenberg Library.

Set in the late 1800s, the book centers on an unsuccessful Dutch trader Kaspar Almayer and his relationship with his mixed heritage daughter Nina. 

Sadly, Dr. Brewer died before he had completed the proof-reading his guide to ‘famous names in fiction, allusions, references, proverbs, plots, stories and poems, so his daughter completed it for him.  Not surprisingly this is no longer in print, but there are second hand copies available on Abe Books.

The term ‘Brassbounder’ refers to a cadet in the British Merchant Navy whose family pay a premium so he can have additional privileges on board ship. This is a classic seafaring tale of one such Brassbounder’s experiences sailing the world. The Gutenberg Library has this one too!

Orczy is better known for The Scarlet Pimpernel, but this short murder mystery is still available on Amazon bundled along with 11 other short mystery stories by the same author.

Hornung wrote a whole series of books about his character Arthur J Raffles – the gentleman thief. Hornung was the brother-in-law of Arthur Conan Doyle, and one does wonder whether they should have bought the Raffles and Sherlock Holmes together for an epic showdown.  You can browse the collection on the open library. 

As the Endeavour set sail, this novel was in the process of being converted for the big screen. The silent movie was directed by Frank Wilson and was released in 1916.

This a compilation of views on both sides of topical political controversies, was first published in 1896. It was popular and went through several editions. I’ve not been able to track down a copy online though. Got a copy? Let us know in the comments section below.

Still in print and translated into many languages, this tome is still popular today, Amazon.com notes it is a ‘Best Seller’ in the (admittedly small) genre Gothic & Romantic Literary Criticism

Published in 1903, this novel is no longer in print. Got a copy? Let us know in the comments section below.

No longer in print, but copies can be sourced from Abe Books and Amazon. 

The Message of Fate, also known as The Message, was first serialized in Pearson’s Magazine in 1908 an published as a book in 1909. It is available on as an ebook on Amazon, and on Abe Books.

Set in the wilds of the Yukon during the gold rush, this novel was reprinted in 2014 by Amazon.

First published in 1908, this is now available on Amazon.

This fifth and last novel by Benson about the English monarchy, set near the end of the reign of Charles II, has now been reproduced as an ebook and is available from Amazon for free.

Many versions of Shelley’s poetry are available, including this paperback version from Amazon.

Monsieur de Rochefort by H De Vere Stacpoole - also published in the United States as The Presentation. The Comte de Rochefort uncovers a plot to sabotage the presentation of Madame Dubarry at the French court. This was reprinted in 2012 and is available on Amazon.

Nordenskjold’s account of his voyage navigating for the first time the northern coasts of Europe and Asia. Published in 1881, this is now available as a print-on-demand title from Abe Books.

Historical review of arctic exploration with chapters discussing Barents, Hudson, the Spitzbergen route, the east coast of Greenland, Baffin Bay, etc. This has been reproduced as a work of historical significance and is available from Amazon.

While out of print, this collection of quotations from British and American authors can be found from third-party sellers on Amazon and at Abe Books.

Still in use today, updated many times over. The most recent update from 2011 is available on Amazon.

Still in use today, updated many times over. The most recent update from 2011 is available on Amazon.

Cassell is still producing German-English dictionaries. The most recent update from 2013 is available on Amazon. 

The 20th Century dictionary is still available on Amazon, however it was updated to the 21st Century in 2001.

Published in 1908, This book is the account of Roald Amundsen during his successful attempt to navigate his tiny ship, the Gjoa, through rain, snow, wind and waves from Norway to Alaska. Reprints available from Amazon.

First published in 1859, this is Sir Francis McClintock's own thrilling account of the Fox's journey into the Arctic, and the discovery of the fate of Sir John Franklin and his companions. Available from several sellers as a reprint on Amazon.

The 148th version of this famous almanack was published in 2016.

Reprints are available on Amazon.

Eighteen comic stories of the American Jewish experience, featuring a pair of immigrant Jewish businessmen in early twentieth-century New York.

Available on the Open Library

This novel was adapted from an earlier play, and was later turned into a silent movie. Available on Abe Books.

The Dreyfuss affair was a big political scandal, beginning in 1894. This tome contains the letters of Dreyfuss to his family during the five years in which he was imprisoned on Devils Island, French Guiana before he was exonerated. Reprint available on Amazon.

A 1905 Romantic Comedy. Available on Amazon. There's a great review by Rich Horton over on his Blog.

The true story of how Commander Winfield Scott Schley led a relief expedition through 1400 miles of ice to rescue Lieutenant Adolphus Greeley's Lady Franklin Bay Expedition in the Arctic, in 1884. One wonders whether this book would have been some comfort to Shackleton and his crew as they waited to be rescued. Available from Abe Books.

This was the second expedition organised by the United States to determine the fate of Franklin’s lost expedition to the Arctic. I’m not sure this would have really been something the crew wanted to dwell on, but the technical details of Dr Kane’s expedition would have been of interest: He set a new record for northward penetration and discovered the Polar Sea. The account is available on Abe Books.

Three years of Arctic service by Greely – Yup, the same Greely who was rescued by Schley in book 39 on this list. A Reprint is available on Amazon.      

British Vice-Admiral and Arctic explorer Sir George Nares expedition attempted to reach the North Pole and say Nares’ second in command, A Markham set a record for the furthest distance north achieved. Published in two volumes – the first covering the outward journey and the second documenting the return. – First Edition available on Biblio here. 

Another expedition to track down Franklin’s lost expedition. The Enterprise spent three winters in the Arctic and whilst they never found Franklin’s ships, Collinson was awarded a Gold Medal by the Royal Geographical Society in 1858 for making a significant contribution to the geographical knowledge of the area, and he was knighted in 1875. This account was published posthumously and is available on Amazon.