In 1991, a group of divers, including Richie Kohler and John
Chatterton, set out to explore an unknown object lying 230 feet below the
surface of the Atlantic Ocean and discover an apparent historical
impossibility: a World War II German U-boat off the coast of New Jersey.
Consulting both the United States Navy and the German Navy both lead to
complete denials of the possibility of a World War II-era U-boat wreck in that
area. Historical records claim the closest U-boat wreck to be hundreds of miles
away.
Shadow Divers is a quest story, and, as those often are, a
story of obsession. The techniques for
deep sea diving were new and catch as catch can. For lots of reasons it was
very very dangerous.
John Chatterton and Richie Kohler, the two heroes of the
story transform what started as an artifact-hunting expedition into a
life-consuming obsession that busted both their marriages, nearly killed them,
actually killed three of their fellow divers, caused fights and broken
friendships, and cost them a great deal of money before they finally succeeded. In spite of the authors best efforts to
explain what would drive these men to do what they did it all still comes off as a
mystery. Perhaps obsessions are mysteries
like that. In the end, common sense and
rationality have nothing to do with it.
It was an interesting if ultimately unsatisfying exploration of the
human mind.
Shadow Divers is, however, real-life action/adventure, a portrait of
near-insanity, and an exploration of what our inner demons can drive us to. If
you enjoy or appreciate ships, history, or discovery stories, or can’t get
enough Krakauer you should consider this book.
For myself, I don’t believe I’ll be trying deep wreck scuba diving
anytime soon…..
Thx, I might give this a read.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fascinating book, but I'm with you on scuba diving: too risky! Did you see the movie The Big Blue? It's a fictionalized account of competitive deep sea (without 02) divers, and oddly enough, one of my favorite movies. My husband loved it too. It does show how enticing and dangerous the deep can be. Fabulous cinematography too.
ReplyDeleteI don't do that well above water, much less under it. The thought terrifies me!
ReplyDeleteAs a marine biologist wannabe and former scuba diver, this sound right up my alley. I never dove for treasure or deep sea but the sea and her secrets fascinate me. Thanks, I will look for it.
ReplyDeleteJust put it on hold at the library. I should have it in a week. Thanks for doing this, TB. I love new and interesting books :-)
ReplyDeleteAnother interesting book. How do you find them, TB? I used to wish I could swim well enough to go deep sea diving.
ReplyDeleteSounds , I passed the title along to a few friends
ReplyDeleteI will pass I can barely watch the deep sea divers on TV:)
ReplyDeleteThat is interesting.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if obsession represents some kind of certainty, or an alternative to the dread of letting go.