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Neutral Buoyancy: Adventures in a Liquid World
 
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Neutral Buoyancy: Adventures in a Liquid World (Hardcover)

by Tim Ecott (Author)
4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Hardcover: 368 pages
  • Publisher: Michael Joseph Ltd (7 Jun 2001)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0718144023
  • ISBN-13: 978-0718144029
  • Product Dimensions: 22.4 x 14.5 x 3.3 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 267,399 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in this category:

    #66 in  Books > Sports, Hobbies & Games > Water Sports > Scuba Diving
  • See Complete Table of Contents

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Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review
In Neutral Buoyancy, BBC journalist Tim Ecott recounts his ongoing adventures in the "liquid world" of scuba diving--from battling rip-tides off the Dorset coast to exploring the shark-rich waters of the Caribbean--musing along the way on the history and meaning of man's fascination with diving, and reflecting on how his underwater experience has reshaped his life.

Four days after my mother's funeral I went scuba diving for the first time ... Surfacing from a dive ... I often think it strange that this mind-cleansing, emotionally charged experience is one that my mother never knew I had. It is something akin to the sense of regret I feel that she never met my daughter, born a few years after her passing. How odd that something so wonderful was not part of our shared experience.

The launch hype surrounding this book pushed it as scuba diving's answer to Nick Hornby's bestselling homage to football fandom, Fever Pitch, but even allowing for a hearty dose of wishful thinking on the publisher's part, there are two key similarities. Ecott, like Hornby, succeeds in explaining his passion in a way that speaks directly to the wannabe or even to the merely curious--lightly humorous; strong on characters; cross-references to popular culture (James Bond puts in an appearance); natural history in the TV prime-time style, rooted in personal experience. And just as Hornby's football fandom carries him back to the same sense of wonder and certainty of purpose that intoxicated him as a young boy, so Ecott portrays a link between diving and dissolving the anxieties and fearfulness of adulthood.

Be warned: if you are already a diver, Neutral Buoyancy will heighten the sense that you are wasting far too much precious time on dry land. For the rest, even if the last time you ventured underwater was in the bath, this inspirational book will have you contemplating a trip to your local swimming pool at the very least. --Alex Hankin

Review
"* 'The Fever Pitch of scuba diving... a modern classic, vivid, lyrical and quite brilliantly written' Tony Parsons * 'A wonderfully engaging book... kept me gripped from beginning to end' Fergal Keane"

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Customer Reviews

20 Reviews
5 star:
 (17)
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 (2)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:    (0)
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Average Customer Review
4.8 out of 5 stars (20 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Diving Book, 10 Aug 2007
By A. J. Rabet "Rabs" (United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   
I lent this book to a diving friend of mine whilst doing a TDI course and he kept it for 4 years until it arrived at my house yesterday. His comments were that he had forgotten he had it but what a great read it was. I think all people who dive and who have read this echo his sentiments as Ecott manages to encapsulate what it feels like to be underwater and especially those moments when you feel weightless and the diving becomes as natural as being on dry land.

Also enjoyable are Ecott's thoughts on other diving such as Apnea and his introductions to the history of diving.

All those who dive should read this as well as those who want to plus I would recommend it to any partners who cannot understand their love of this great pastime.

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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars At last!, 4 Mar 2005
At last a book about diving that doesn't harp on about how dangerously deep and narked you can get if you're man enough (and so on ad nauseum). Tim's accounts of enjoying the sensation of breathing underwater and its de-stressing effects are a breath of fresh compressed air. The history and technical detail that goes with it is just fascinating, and nicely written. A must for anyone who fancies a challenge - just try putting it down.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Go on, Dive In, 28 Jan 2002
By sccmillhouse@aol.com (Leamington Spa, England) - See all my reviews
Once I'd read the account of a sub-aqua dance with a manta ray off Desroches Island in a Qantas in flight magazine in October I was hooked. Although I initially hoped the rest of the book would tell of other beautifully written underwater adventures, it soon became apparent that this book was much more than just a series of dive memoirs that can be heard on every dive boat, everyday, everywhere. Tim Ecott not only informs divers and non-divers alike but also gives the reader an insight as to why people dive. Divers can relate to his personal experiences and I can imagine non-divers will finish this book and start leafing through the travel brochures dreaming of joining the underwater world. Brilliant!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A Excellent book for divers
I was so impressed with this book I went and bought it as a pressent for my diving buddies. An excellent read that give some good history of diving. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Navigator

5.0 out of 5 stars Challenge you not to want to take the plunge after reading this
This book is magic. I read it a few years ago and still sneak a peak at it before I head off on holiday to get me revved up for diving. A wonderful book. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Mr. LGD Williams

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply brilliant!
What a great read! I didn't want to put it down. Fantastic idea to mix elements of personal experience amongst a story about the general history of diving. Read more
Published on 3 Jun 2007 by Steve Crutchfield

5.0 out of 5 stars Required reading for divers..
I was recommended this book by a friend who, like me, has been a passionate diver for many years. I read this book in one go last year whilst on holiday diving and I wish I had... Read more
Published on 5 Feb 2007 by Mr. I. Savage

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, captivating book
I'm just getting interested in scuba after a trial dive on holiday, and a friend who has the diving bug badly lent me this book. Read more
Published on 27 May 2006 by Neil

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb read on Man's exploration of the Sea
I am hugely impressed by this book. It is well written and the author very cleverly weaves historical accounts of attempts to explore the depths with lively narrative. Read more
Published on 23 Oct 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars Good read for new divers
As a recently qualified diver, I've been reading website and buying books about history of diving and wrecks. Read more
Published on 12 Jul 2004 by John Warlow

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book!!
I havent personnally been diving, but after reading this book, it makes you wanna! It's a really interesting and informative read from beginning to end.
Published on 26 Mar 2004 by G. Gibson

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspired - a great read
Don't expect a detailed history or dive site guide - expect a book about one mans passion for being underwater - i'm sure all divers can relate - non-divers may get some idea... Read more
Published on 9 Feb 2004 by A. Buteux

3.0 out of 5 stars Easy reading
Nice easy reading as the author leads us through a tour of the history and development of scuba diving, introducing many of the great figures of the sport on the way. Read more
Published on 24 Dec 2003 by trewornan

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