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Product Description
Major General Julian Thompson, CB,OBE
Diver by Tony Groom
The Royal Navy Clearance Divers, not the SAS, are the British mystery unit of the Falklands War of 1982. They did not even appear in the first edition of the Official History -- now put right. It is fair to say that without them it is highly likely that the British would have lost the war. But this is more than a book about the Falklands War. It tells the story of some of the bravest and most professional men in the Royal Navy. The gripping accounts are spiced with `black' humour of the sort that only men engaged in a dangerous profession can really appreciate. Read this book and you will learn why. You will want to turn every page.
Julian Thompson
Commander, 3 Commando Brigade Falklands 1982
Admiral Sir Jonathon Band KCB ADC. First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff
Throughout my career in the Royal Navy I have had the privilege and honour to work with a number of Mine Clearance Divers, and each time I have been struck by their supreme levels of professionalism and dedication. Underwater bomb disposal, often in the cold waters and zero visibility of the seas and ports around the UK, is not for the faint-hearted and often requires levels of courage, stamina and sure-footedness that exceeds that expected in other military disciplines.
Such a hazardous lifestyle creates bonds amongst its proponents that are exceptionally close, along with a unique and highly developed sense of humour (you have been warned!).
The demands of commercial saturation diving are no less rigorous. In this book Tony Groom provides a fascinating, no-holds-barred account of his remarkable life and of the world of professional naval and civilian divers.
His story is gripping, humbling and highly amusing in equal measure - all the more so for the matter-of-fact manner in which he tells it.
From clearing unexploded bombs lodged in ships during the Falklands war, to hair-raising exploits in the oil fields of the North Sea, he shines a light on a calling that demands the coolest of heads and extreme courage.
I strongly commend it to anyone with an interest in extraordinary human endeavour or the sea.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
DIVER is an absolutely fascinating insight into a little known elite group of men within the Royal Navy. A boys will be boys account of a most rewarding career. Both sad and hilarious, Tony tells of his role as a specialist and the never to be broken bonds of friendship that came as a result.
This story will surely stand with the best of Military history literature past and future, once you start reading this book, I challenge you to put it down.
This story will surely stand with the best of Military history literature past and future, once you start reading this book, I challenge you to put it down.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I don`t normally read books like this. In fact I don`t think I`ve ever read a book quite like this before. In a word,`Diver` is superb!
This book is like going on a trip on one of those glass-bottomed boats, you know, where you actually get to see what`s under the water, except it then turns into a submarine and drags you screaming, straight down, 100m to the sea-bed.
In `Diver`, Tony Groom effortlessly stitches together a first-hand diary - written at the time - of his experience as a clearance diver in the Falklands Campaign, with details of his commercial career and Naval training, to provide a fascinating insight into a world and group of people that I had no idea existed. This goes way beyond James Bond divers with flippers and spear-guns. These boys are for real.
The book is beautifully and honestly written and Mr Groom shows a natural talent for contrast, sensitively and skilfully balancing the horror of war with the humour and close camaraderie necessary to survive a life lived on the very edge. The technical detail is presented with an accessibility seldom found, but more than that, Mr Groom doesn`t just tell you what he has seen and done, he actually speaks to you in person, asks your opinion and makes you feel you are there with him in all of his hair-raising adventures.
Be prepared to duck a few times and you`d better get used to holding your breath. Brilliant! I think `Diver` will be around for a long, long time to come.
This book is like going on a trip on one of those glass-bottomed boats, you know, where you actually get to see what`s under the water, except it then turns into a submarine and drags you screaming, straight down, 100m to the sea-bed.
In `Diver`, Tony Groom effortlessly stitches together a first-hand diary - written at the time - of his experience as a clearance diver in the Falklands Campaign, with details of his commercial career and Naval training, to provide a fascinating insight into a world and group of people that I had no idea existed. This goes way beyond James Bond divers with flippers and spear-guns. These boys are for real.
The book is beautifully and honestly written and Mr Groom shows a natural talent for contrast, sensitively and skilfully balancing the horror of war with the humour and close camaraderie necessary to survive a life lived on the very edge. The technical detail is presented with an accessibility seldom found, but more than that, Mr Groom doesn`t just tell you what he has seen and done, he actually speaks to you in person, asks your opinion and makes you feel you are there with him in all of his hair-raising adventures.
Be prepared to duck a few times and you`d better get used to holding your breath. Brilliant! I think `Diver` will be around for a long, long time to come.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A friend of mine recommended Tony's book as a good no nonsense biography of a career spent in military and commercial diving. What i didn't realize was that it was also a first hand account of a young sailor at sea during the Falklands war.
In 1982 I was only 13 years old and I didn't really take it all in.... but reading Tony's book brought it all back from the perspective of a lad not much older than myself and although written in hindsight the Falklands account uses as a platform a diary Tony kept at the time. The account is an extraordinary mature piece of writing for such a young man who was having both the time and the fright of his life.
The later part of the book deals with the relatively early days of Deep Sea International Diving and is almost a careers guide to diving which has got to be a must for anyone thinking of entering the extreme field of Deep Diving.
Written with humor and compassion for a first time author who has written about 'what he knows' the lack of self indulgence is a light touch and Tony should be commended for producing a great read first time.
I fail to see this book not being enjoyed by anyone who appreciates the free spirit of travel and the allure of the Sea...
Good Work.
Regards
Alistair Gibbons (not a commercial Diver).
In 1982 I was only 13 years old and I didn't really take it all in.... but reading Tony's book brought it all back from the perspective of a lad not much older than myself and although written in hindsight the Falklands account uses as a platform a diary Tony kept at the time. The account is an extraordinary mature piece of writing for such a young man who was having both the time and the fright of his life.
The later part of the book deals with the relatively early days of Deep Sea International Diving and is almost a careers guide to diving which has got to be a must for anyone thinking of entering the extreme field of Deep Diving.
Written with humor and compassion for a first time author who has written about 'what he knows' the lack of self indulgence is a light touch and Tony should be commended for producing a great read first time.
I fail to see this book not being enjoyed by anyone who appreciates the free spirit of travel and the allure of the Sea...
Good Work.
Regards
Alistair Gibbons (not a commercial Diver).
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Thrilling, scary, fulfilling and hilarious
Tony Groom writes about his life from a young lad who attends a nautical school, though his career as a mine clearance diver and onto his career as a commercial diver in the north... Read more
Published 14 days ago by Will Hastings
Great Book !
I was so impressed with this book. Other reviewers have commented that they couldn't put it down once they started reading it.
It had exactly the same effect on me. Read more
It had exactly the same effect on me. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Alex
Just Fantastic
What a read, I could not put the book down! Having served in the Falklands 'Conflict' it brought back many memories, but notwithstanding that, Tony's entertaining style and... Read more
Published 3 months ago by J. Moodie
gripping and easy read
I picked it up to have a scan and didn't put it down until I had read all of it. Very easy to read, down to earth account, of military diving.
Published 4 months ago by Matthew Rawlings
Enjoyable read, but...
Tony Groom writes about his diving and naval exploits in an entertaining and readable form, making this an enjoyable read, but I feel a small word of advice is worth giving. Read more
Published 5 months ago by M. Saxby
WYSIWYG
This is a fascinating and laugh out loud account of the macho world of military divers. Truth be told, its more about the people than the diving and techniques. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Magnus Johnson
Tepid water
This book is presented as being about diving, both military and commercial. By and large, it is not. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Luke
BRILLIANT!
Great book - funny and informative book about a special forces group very few people know about and not many more have heard of. Read more
Published 23 months ago by J. Manson
Diver by Tony Groom
'Diver' is a well presented, honest, down to earth, emotive, real life look in to the Life of a Royal Navy Diver. Read more
Published on 6 May 2010 by Mrs. Jane Jones
Fantastic
I have just finished reading this book and can honestly say it was one of the best books I have ever read. Read more
Published on 30 Jan 2010
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