Rating: 
Summary: Lots of foreplay with little payoff
Review: Gary Kinder strikes gold with his retelling of the sinking of the Central America. This narrative sets the hook but the rest of the book leaves the bait tasting stale. Sure, there's plenty of interesting tidbits, but Tommy Thompson must be one secretive guy - does anyone notice that his personal recollections are few and far between? Where are the photos? Mr. Kinder provides the reader with plenty of detail on the information he must have been privy to, but evidently this did not include a peek at the excitement of an actual treasure. He, like many members of Thompson's "team," apparently found the door closed when he tried to follow the rainbow to it's end. Reading this book was like climbing Mt. Everest - only to find it foggy at the top.
Rating: 
Summary: Worthy of six stars!
Review: I have read many books and given several reviews on Amazon.com, but am very stingy with my 5-star rating. Ship of Gold by Gary Kinder deserves 6. I cannot, in my recent memory remember a book I was more engrossed in. Adventure and History are easy for me to get caught up in, but I was amazed at how Kinder kept my heart beating through the scientific sections of the book. In the sinking of the Central America and the subsequent recovery by the Columbus-America group, Kinder had a remarkable story to tell and he never got in the way. I found it an inspiring, heart-warming, seat-of-your-pants story that I will never forget and will undoubtably read again. And I will be giving this book as a gift many times over.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent writing, could not turn the tapes off.
Review: It was a very informative and exciting set of audio tapes. It kept you just dying to hear the rest.You can tell a lot of work went into this project. Also, gave you an inside view of how life was back in those days.
Rating:
Summary: The best book I read this year
Review: This book is meticulously researched. It is fascinating on many levels, the historical saga of the California gold rush and the journey of the SS Central America, the psyche of Tommy Thompson, the deep water recovery technology, and the thrill of the hunt. It's complex, but easy reading, I read it in one long sitting. If you only buy one book this year, this should be it.
Rating:
Summary: Classic American tale of a boy's adventurous dream come true
Review: I read this book at night during my circumnavigation of Vancouver Island this summer. I appreciate a good adventure, and Tommy Thompson took on a great one. But unique to most, he was seeking sunken treasure not in a shallow, foolish way, but with very keen and tough methods that are employed today in the world of high-tech private entrepreneurial field. In other words, here in Seattle, the successes are the guys who think, keep the government out of the way, and don't worry about any past or future conventions. They are purely feeling what the situation is and responding with the highest talent possible. This is what I picture Tommy Thompson doing with his band of mavericks. They didn't pay retail, they were practical, their investors weren't pigeons, but treated as part of the team. This is a great story, and anyone can learn from this when solving a puzzle, or taking on a new venture or challenge. Thompson doesn't care about the money, he is into the adventure of employing everything he knows, feels, thinks, anything, into finding a way to unlock the puzzle. His ego is refreshing. Who knows, he is probably living in Monte Carlo now, becoming very obnoxious. Oh well, it doesn't matter, this was a very romantic thing he did, the thing that dreams are made of. If it hadn't have been the Central America, it would have been something else. And we probably would never have heard of Tommy Thompson, or the discovery, but it woudl not have mattered. Tommy Thompson lived his dream, and that's all that really counts.
Rating:
Summary: Gripping, Historically unforgetable!
Review: After reading this book, I'm convinced that Gary Kinder is the Steven Spielberg of non-fiction literature. I can't wait for the screenplay! Kinder captures the reader instantaneously and doesn't let go until you can no longer keep your eyes open, or run out of reading material, which ever happens first. Mr. Kinder, please don't make us wait another ten years for your next book! Congratulations on writing the best book I have ever read.
Rating:
Summary: The best book I've read in years
Review: I loved this book. It has everything. History, adventure, science! I only wish they had included some pictures of the people involved. If you are an engineer or history buff, get this book ASAP.
Rating: 
Summary: I've been waiting for this book and was not disappointed.
Review: This is a horse of a book. I enjoyed the history and the quest for funding. I found some parts very funny. Although the book is huge (500+) I think the last part about the actual recovery was rushed. I am just a 33 year old working house wife and mother but was looking forward to learning more about the molds and the silcone injection system on the recovery vehicle. I realize there are secrets that cannot be revealed, but there were times I wanted to know more. If you love shipping history and or Americana, with easy to follow techincal references, mixed up with adventure, you will like this book. It was like taking a vacation. Kinder should be very proud of this accomplishment. His time and research are throughly represented.
Rating:
Summary: A gem with tiny flaws. Don't miss this one!
Review: Yes, yes, yes. The book needs photos and maps: all the critics are right. But hold onto your hats when you read this book. You will be blown away! You will enter a world you have never experienced and never will experience. Gold rush, shipwreck, crazy engineers, crazy lawyers, modern pirates, billions in booty. And the beat goes on. This book tops itself on every page. Ignore the carpers who look at the imperfections. You'll learn and be vastly entertained at the same time. If you enjoyed "Paddle to the Amazon" and "Into Thin Air", don't miss this one.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: There is exciting action AND fascinating character development...not a very common combination. As a teacher, I'd give the author an A+!!
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