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Deep Descent: Adventure and Death Diving the Andrea Doria

Deep Descent: Adventure and Death Diving the Andrea Doria

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Interesting reading, but technically weak
Review: I found Deep Descent to be good reading, albeit weaker technically than it should have been. The author states he has many years of experience, but the reality is, he has one year of experience, many times. He was NOT a very advanced diver, rather a diver with novice experiences, over many years. One picture in the book has a caption that explains we are looking at the data on a dive computer. Actually, it's not a computer, but a bottom timer. Apparently a minor distinction, but not to a true technical diver. Chowdhury's book is far better technically, in addition to being great reading. I can recommend Deep Descent, but I can't rave about it. Read it, but don't expect to be glued to it like you were to The Last Dive.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Deep Descent: Could've been much better
Review: I got so confused trying to cope with the subject of this book. I had to do several read backs to understand the chapters because the author jumps from one story to another. I think this book was poorly written and I would not recommend it to those looking for a good read on the Andrea Doria dives. I guess it's okay for "light reading".

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Deep Descent: Could've been much better
Review: I got so confused trying to cope with the subject of this book. I had to do several read backs to understand the chapters because the author jumps from one story to another. I think this book was poorly written and I would not recommend it to those looking for a good read on the Andrea Doria dives. I guess it's okay for "light reading".

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: DEEP DESCENT
Review: I have read all of Gary Gentiles books and enjoyed them all. This book written by McMurray is just as great. Once you start reading it, you cant ever just put the book down. This book should be read by anyone who dives. A+ BOOK.
Mike Bullard
Lewes, De.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: The Seduction of the Doria
Review: I realy enjoyed reading Deep Descent. It was very informative and full of historical facts about the Andrea Doria as well as how dive history evolved around the wreck. McMurray also explains the dangers of "china fever" where many divers got into trouble looking for some of the ships china. I would recomend this book to anyone interested in diving as well as wreck diving.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: McMurray Hits A Homer!
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Deep Descent'. Read it almost non-stop in an afternoon. I am very interested in wreck diving and especially thrilled by the deeper stuff. Since, I don't yet have the credentials to dive the 'Doria'..the next best thing is reading this book. The accounts of diver deaths, the heroic acts of those who tried to save them and the super-human like attributes of guys like Gary Gentile and Billy Deans were awe inspiring. I also was entertained by the friction of the various dive-boat captains who catered to the deep dive crowd. In all, an especially appealing book which read well, informed and entertained. For divers interested in such fare, this one is a winner.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Deep Dispute
Review: I was totally engrossed by Deep Descent. In 1975, I was certified in scuba but never did much diving. Recently, I became recertified along with my teenage son. We are currently in the middle of an advanced diving class. Although I have no desire to dive to 245 feet below the ocean I do understand in a small way what goes on during the process.

Kevin McMurray does a great job recounting the history of the Doria, it's dismise with the Swedish ship Stockholm, and the follow-up efforts by divers of all abilities to salvage a small part of history. He does well to portray the "deep disputes" that are generated among the rival divers and diving charters. From veteran deep divers, to deep diving newcomers, and from crusty dive charter captains to Coast Guard personal involved in some of the diving tragedies, I felt that McMurray's writing style objectively portrayed the personalities of everyone he met. Pettiness, the desire to be the best, and the selfish side of human nature was often put on display. The lust for the Italian china was like "gold fever" in the late 1840's. And like the miners of gold it cost the some divers of china their lives.

McMurray's technical review of the dive process was especially interesting (e.g., gas mixtures, bottom times, decompression stops. Even without my recent renewed knowledge of diving and the sciences involved, Mr McMurray did a good job explaining the processes involved. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in adventure, danger, and human nature.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: If you dive, "Read It"!
Review: It is not a book on the most pleasant of subjects, but if you strap a tank to your back and go under water, read this book. No instruction manual will open your eyes to the potential problems you can face while diving like this book.
The author does a great job describing the divers, the boat captains and support people. All names you have read about and seen on TV.
It is informative and intertaining at the same time.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: diving to the Doria
Review: It was good, but Gary Gentiles'account is more informative on the subject but this was quite interresting to say that I am now reading it for the second time. His accounts on the tragedy and deaths from mishaps in diving are very good.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great Read!!
Review: Kevin has captured the suspense of the Empress and put the reader right into the action, both in the tragic sinking of the ship and the later searches of the wreck. I found my self breathing deeply as if I was trying to suck air from a regulator. The book draws the reader into the adventure much like the book The Perfet Storm. Hard to put down.


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