I'm reading South, Ernest Shackleton's account of the Endurance expedition where he and his team tried (and failed) to become the first people to cross the Antarctic. The steadfastness and stoicism with which they meet the challenges and hardships is awe-inspiring. Saddest of all, when they finally return to their homes, they nearly all go off to fight in the First World War, and as many are killed in war as died during the expedition.