Did a little more reading about Shackleton's adventure, and the guy who was the real hero was Capt. Worsley. First of all, the Norwegian whalers warned Shackleton not to make the trip because the ice pack was so fierce. He refused their advice. Then, when they actually saw land, he decided to gamble and keep sailing so that their overland trek would be shorter. Worsley tried to dissuade him of this as well. And without Worsley's navigational skill, they'd never have survived the rescue voyage.
It was Shackleton's arrogance that got their ship crushed and nearly killed all of them. Charismatic leader of men and tough as nails, but not quite the kind of hero he's made out to be.