Shadow Divers: The True Adventure of Two Americans Who RIsked Everything to Solve One of the Last Mysteries of World War II Audio CD – Abridged, May 3, 2005

I have lived on the NJ shore since I was 8. Lived off these waters as a kid. Literally surfed these breaks my entire life. I am also a Lover of history and veteran who eats anything history related, if it's from around here even better. And still being only 7 when these events happened I had never heard this story. I can tell you which video games I was playing, and what summer job I had while all this was happening.The writing style is also page turning. I like a writer who leaves you hanging enough at the end of chapters to keep you invested. A lot of times non writers write history like this, but this book is well written and flows smoothly.It is one of the scariest books I have ever read. Non fiction horror for real. You will not go a night not thinking about what it must have been like, not only for a doomed crew, but for a lot of the divers as well. Just a really great read, and I am glad I found it. Bough a few more to gift to locals who I know have never heard the story.

What do you do when you're an accomplished wreck diver and unexpectedly come across what turns out to be not a pile of rubble but an unidentified U-boat from World War II? And not only unidentified, but also laying in 230 feet of cold water, 65 miles off the New Jersey Coast. The answer, if you're a red-blooded wreck diver or captain of a wreck diving ship, is you move heaven and earth and do not rest until you have proof positive of the boat's identity and place in history.Such is what happened when scuba divers John Chatterton and Richie Kohler came across a wreck on Labor Day of 1991, at a location where, according to official records, there simply could not be a sunken U-boat. Chatterton quickly finds a tantalizing hint, a couple of dishes bearing the German Nazi Swastika and the year 1942. This startling find sets in motion a six year story of events that bring adventure, setbacks, human drama including death, and a seemingly never-ending sequence of frustrations as the two principals -- Chatterton and Kohler -- come ever closer to finding the identification they so desire, just to be thwarted by the deteriorating hulk again and again. The quest forges powerful friendships between unlikely men, and none more unlikely than that between the scientifically minded, methodical Chatterton and the treasure artifact hunting Kohler.Though mostly focused on the quest of identifying the U-boat, Shadow Divers provides background information as well. There are briefer portraits of other divers who participate in the frequent charter trips to the location of the sunken sub, the story of rivalries between boat captains and diving teams, relationships that begin, blossom, and die because of the dominating passion for the sport, and, saddest of all, how one of the pioneers of wreck diving and great wreck diving captains, Bill Nagle, is slowly claimed by, and eventually succumbs to, alcoholism. There's very little of the superfluous historic review of diving found in almost every other diving book, none of the typical authors' biases, and there aren't any fillers. There's just the fascinating story of the tedious, plodding attempts to identify the boat.Much of this is actually recorded, or at least touched on, in other books. The rivalry between two of the major wreck diving boats, the Seeker and the Wahoo is legend, as is that between their captains and certain crew members. The deaths of several divers, including those of Chris and Chrissy Rouse, are well documented. Yet, Shadow Diver manages to truly take us there like none of the others. Kurson also takes great care to describe Richie Kohler's growing connection with the men who had sailed the mystery craft, and then with their families, many of whom he visits.What sets Shadow Divers apart is that is not just an extraordinary diving book, but an extraordinary book, period. Extraordinarily well written, extraordinarily well organized, and certainly extraordinarily well researched. Much more thoroughly than most. I enjoy good writing, and Kurson certainly has the gift. Check out the author's background and you'll find that he has a degree from Harvard Law School, but then decided to embark on a writing career instead, working as a drapery and blinds installer to make ends meet until he established himself as a writer for leading papers and magazines and contributing editor to Esquire.And not only is Kurson a spellbinding storyteller, his multi-disciplinary background also shows itself an an extremely thorough 27 page index; two dozen pages of photographs, many in color; a detailed list of sources; and a concluding interview with Richie Kohler and John Chatterton. Yet, the book never comes across as scholarly or stuffy. This is a true masterpiece, and enjoyable reading whether you're into diving or not. -- C. H. Blickenstorfer, [...]

As far as the story of the search, the diving, the struggles and the technology the book is outstanding. It is diving on the very edge and as too tragically shown, over the edge. It is a must read for anyone who loves diving or adventure far from the public spotlight.It's hard to find a terrestrial challenge that equals entering old wrecks at depths where survival is measured in minutes and you are nearly as inaccessible in case of an emergency as you would be on the moon. One can probably never imagine the sensory challenge of an old, rusted wreck where the slightest movement results in the near total loss of vision.The problematical part of the book was some of the stuff that seemed to have been introduced to get the story polished for TV. Somehow these interpersonal conflicts and moral concerns seem to be injected into today's works as part of a formula. Of course most of the crews were not devout Nazis, they were naval officers and crew of the German Navy, dedicated to their nation and to their military service.One can respect the German Navy personnel without feeling too sorry for them as they were off the coast most likely with the intent to turn tankers and freighters into fireballs in the night, not only killing their crews but also reducing the capacity of Great Britain to resist the Nazi air assault and planned land attack.Overall it is an outstanding book and highly recommended.

This book is actually a little outside my normal reading genres, and I ordered it because I had really liked the author’s “Rocket Men: The Daring Odyssey of Apollo 8 and the Astronauts Who Made Man's First Journey to the Moon.” I was very pleasantly surprised to find myself completely engrossed in one of the most compelling books I have ever read! The story captures from the first page, and does not let go until the last. There are also some very thought-provoking life principles to be found within its covers that will challenge you, and I’ll share some of the best right here:– If an undertaking was easy, someone else already would have done it.– Excellence is born of preparation, dedication, focus, and tenacity; compromise on any of these and you become average.– The worst possible decision is to give up.You will enjoy this story and admire the men it is about. Highly recommended!

I started this book thinking it might be an interesting book about diving. It is but it is so much more. I was fascinated and fully intrigued by the mystery and historical elements of the story. This book so many layers I think I will have to read it several more times to take it all in.

An excellent story about SCUBA divers finding and exploring a sunken U-Boat. Excellent service on shipping and timeliness.

This book was hard to put down. It was also very easy to read and understand. The story was intriguing and fascinatingly. Thanks to John, Richie, and Robert for sharing this story.

Well researched account of deep sea diving and divers, entertaining and educational.

What a great book for all kind of diver. Helpful to remember how safe procedures are important and how we are at risk even in shallow and calm dives.

Nel suo genere il miglior libro che abbia mai letto! Estremamente informativo sia sul piano tecnico che storico, Non tralascia di seguire le vite dei personaggi dipingendoli così bene che alla fine te li senti amici. L’indagine sul relitto si legge come un “ giallo” con sorprese e colpi di scena.NB uno dei sommozzatori, Chatterton, ha video su YouTube di alcune delle sue immersioni, compresa quello su questo “ U-who “ ....per scoprirne il nome esatto leggete il libro!

I chose to buy this book because I'm a recreational diver and I did wreck dive. But I did not know it would be so good. It's big, well written, I could not let it go.I enjoyed it a lot

During my travels in SE Asia a scuba diving instructor recommended this book to me.After starting this book I was captured. I literally couldn't put it off my hands.The author is able to catch the imagination of the reader. During the intrductional part of this book, I could see/feel myself diving at the edge of nitrogen narcosis, discovering unknown shipwrecks.I couldn't wait to know which wreck it would be, and how it got to it's final destination.And the best of this book is: It's non-fiction! One of the most exciting stories scuba divers can live.It's definitely one of my favourite books, and since I really enjoy reading, this is a recommendation to buy this book!English isn't my mothertongue, but I was able to keep up with the storyline, it wasn't difficult to read.