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Book Description
The extraordinary lives of the pioneers of diving
Product Description
This is a story of some of the brave, brilliant and often barmy men that invented diving. It is a story of explosive tempers and exploding teeth, of how to juggle live hand grenades and steer a giant rubber octopus. A series of vivid portraits reveal the eccentric exploits of these pioneers. They include Guy who held a world altitude record when only sixteen, wrote a film for Humphrey Bogart, invented snorkelling and loved his wife enough to shoot her. Roy wore a backet over his head and stole a coral reef. Bill wearied of fishing with dynamite and wrestling deadly snakes, so he sealed himself in a metal coffin to dangle half a mile beneath the ocean. Cameron, testing the bouncing bomb for dam busters, made a plastic ear for a dog, a false testicle for a stallion and invented a mantrap disguised as a lavatory. He ascended from a depth of 200 feet without breathing equipment to see if his lungs would burst, then studied the effects of underwater explosions by standing closer and closer until shattered by the blast. The book also traces the evolution from spear fishermen to conversationalists, from treasure hunters to archaeologists, from photographers to philosophers. The sea is a secretive and seductive place and the author describes the magic and mystery of being beneath the waves.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a unique book that tells the story of a bunch of intrepid and inspired men who pioneered the exploration of the last great unknown: the deeps of the sea. How would you fancy wading out under water with nothing more than an inverted coal bucket over your head? Would you agree to a fight a shark, equipped with nothing more than a knife, all so that some movie company could film the gory encounter? Inventive, adventurous, foolhardy to the point of recklessness, many of the diving pioneers were also world-famous in their own right, like the great biologist JBS Haldane, who worked out how to survive at dangerous depths. Others evolved from treasure seekers to become the first underwater archaeologists, exploring ancient shipwrecks in exotic waters, or, most interesting of all, opening our eyes to the beauty of marine habits and wildlife, including the seriously threatened coral reefs. The author, himself a marine biologist and diver, blends all this into a magical weave of fact and wonder enlivened by a mordant wit and a delightful eye for quirky detail. I would recommend it to any reader.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
One of, simply, the most enjoyable books I have read in a long time. An interest in diving and matters sub-aquatic would provide an incentive to read this book but is far from necessary. A few of the names would be familiar to many, some to few. The common theme of underwater activities links a series of mini-biographies of interesting, multi-talented men and women only a part of whose abilities ¨C and eccentricities - centre on the topic of the title. The problems arising from the popularisation of an activity and the questionable benefits that may arise are well-illustrated. The style of writing is delightful providing good insight into the characters through both wit and compassion. It is an ¡®easy¡¯ and thoroughly enjoyable read which informs in an unobtrusive manner. On top of that, it is laugh-out-loud funny in many places.
It would be a pity if the title deterred potential readers: it really is a gem.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I can only endorse what everyone else has said already. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. My wife who is not only a non diver but a non swimmer is reading the book and is enjoying it also. Well written and well researched. The historical connections to time and place are educational.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
a cracking romp through diving history
As an instructor i know that SCUBA diving itself is a stupid sport, we willingly immerse ourselvesin a volume of water larger than we could swallow in one gulp, but at least we... Read more
Published on 14 July 2009 by D. Roberts
if only book was waterproof
I thought this book was excellent. Easy read, funny and free flowing. I felt no pressure on my brain when i dove in and din't need to come up for air thanks to nortons breathable... Read more
Published on 5 May 2009 by Mr. R. Wardle
Interesting and funny
We know the dangers of deep diving because someone did it before and reported... Highly recommended
Published on 2 Mar 2009 by JJ
Wonderfully entertaining history of diving
Trevor Norton presents us with a series of vivid portraits of the strange assortment of characters who pioneered diving. Read more
Published on 4 Aug 2001 by William Podmore
A book deeper than the title suggests
One of, simply, the most enjoyable books I have read in a long time. An interest in diving and matters sub-aquatic would provide an incentive to read this book but is far from... Read more
Published on 21 Dec 2000
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