Rating: 
Summary: Beyond the Deep
Review: An excellent concept for an exciting story. Unfortunately the writer(s) plodding, boring commentary totally renders the text into such minutiae, that even my younger mountain climbing, adventurous brother stuggled to complete this weary tome!
Rating: 
Summary: Spellbound
Review: As a former caver I was spellbound by the courage these people had. I was amazed at the passion that was Bill Stone. I know the risks and rewards of wild caving. I can't imagine anyone risking their lives with the deadly combination of caving and diving.
Wild caves present an inherent danger that can only be appreciated by those who have been there.I know what was being said when the question is asked, " Why do you cave ?" The answer was always,"because it isn't there". (As opposed to mountain climbing)
Rating:
Summary: Gripping and Accurate Account
Review: As a personal friend of both Bill & Barb, as well as several of the key players in this story, my original reason for purchasing this book was more as a token of friendship, than anything else. Although I have been a test-diver and active user of the rebreather technology it describes since 1994, I'd never had much of an interest in exploring caves. I had expected to skim through the pages, read a few paragraphs here and there, then add it to my bookshelf alongside other books of a similar vein. Boy, was I in for a surprise!Even though I already knew most of the details of the expedition, and knew full-well in advanced how the story begins, develops, and ends...I was nevertheless held captive by it from the time I opened its cover and began reading, until I completed its last page. The motivation behind cave exploration never seemed to make much sense to me before, but now it all seems crystal clear. This is TRUE exploration at its most extreme -- something often boasted about, but seldom genuinely so. This one is as genuine as it gets. Because it would be easy to discount my endorsement as merely a kind gesture to my friends, I leave you to make your own interpretations based on the comments of other reviewers having less direct associations with the authors and expedition participants. However, as somewhat of an insider, I would like to take this opportunity to vouch for the authenticity of the events as they are described. I have had many long (multi-hour) discussions with Bill, Barb, and Noel Sloan about what happened during this expedition, and have also had conversations with Kenny Broad and Jim Brown, as well as a number of other people directly associated with the events described in the book. Most of these discussions took place very soon after the expedition ended, when memories and emotions were still fresh. It's also fair to say that I have as intimate an understanding of the inner workings of these particular rebreathers and how to use them as just about anyone else. Thus, it is not without some measure of validation when I say that I was extraordinarily impressed with how precisely the details of these events as described in the book coincide with the facts as explained to me by many and varied sources. The Authors' Note confesses to reconstructed dialog (which is understandable, as memories begin to fade), but it also correctly defends its fairness in describing those portions where memories and interpretations do not coincide in every detail. Virtually all such details are trivial in the context of the broader story - the most significant events of which are not in dispute by anyone, to my knowledge. Each and every participant on this expedition - whether I know them personally or not - has earned my highest respect and admiration. This book has impacted my perception of cave exploration much more so than I had ever expected it to. For those who decide to read it (and I doubt you will regret such a decision), you should do so with the realization that these are very real, flesh & blood people, embroiled in a very real and harrowing situation. I am confident that they will earn your respect as admiration as well.
Rating:
Summary: Further Than Beyond
Review: At one time I was a skinnier human being and I occasionally went caving. I never learned to use equipment for vertical caving and I only went through one sump [or 'near sump' as the book would describe it] in all my years of caving. But I can tell you that being underground was one of the biggest thrills of my life, especially when it appeared that I might be entering virgin cave. Beyond The Deep by William Stone and Barbara am Ende with Monte Paulsen should convey the trials and thrills involved with caving to anyone who reads it. Beyond The Deep is an evenhanded book, addressing the concerns of all of the people involved with the 1994 effort to push the Huatla Cave System to it's deepest. I am especially glad that it doesn't suffer from the blaming I found in the book No Apparent Danger. If you like a good adventure [even if you're claustrophobic], I highly recommend Beyond The Deep.
Rating: 
Summary: Samurai of Inverse Mountaineering
Review: Author Bill Stone points out that the world never knows how deep a cave is until someone "bottoms it out." The tallest mountain's height is a known factor before anyone attempts the climb, but the mystery of caving remains. "Beyond the Deep" recounts Stone's expedition into the cave system of Systema Huantla in Mexico, which as of 2001 was rated the 8th deepest cave system in the world at 1,475 meters. As the deepest cave in the world, the Kubera Cave in Georgia (formerly USSR) is 1,710 meters, only 235 meters deeper than Huantla, we are talking about some extreme caving. The main purpose of the expedition was to test out Mr. Stone's "rebreather," an artificial breathing device that allows an underwater diver more than six hours of oxygen as opposed to 45 minutes in the average scuba tank. This amount of time is needed in caves with large "sumps" or underground water passages where the surface can be a great distance away. The problem with the rebreather, aside from its experimental nature, is its complexity, an added component of difficulty to a diver's already altered state of awareness. The expedition was a diverse group consisting of five divers (these are extreme guys!), five top-of-the-line cavers, and Stone's girl friend, Barbara am Ende, a PhD geologist, but less experienced cave diver. The story unfortunately begins in Maryland where they assembled the group and the gear. I say "unfortunately" because it is an overlong section that leaves us a long time to wait before we get to the cave. Once at the site, the book is engrossing and exciting. Excellent maps are included that are vital to the understanding of what they were doing and where they were at any given time. Stone's descriptions of the types of caving and diving required are outstanding. I have never willingly been in a cave (my claustrophobia kicks in just reading about it!), yet I could easily visualize exactly what was going on. The dangers, particularly of diving, are appalling. After finishing the book, I looked up "most dangerous sports" and was surprised #1 is bull riding, #2 water speed records and #3 cave diving. After reading "Beyond the Deep," I was certain nothing in this world (and possibly the next) could be more dangerous than cave diving! The book has weaknesses mostly in the format. Mr. Stone chooses to use the third person singular, i.e. "Bill Stone says--" when he is talking about himself, something I find irritating and pretentious. The author states at the beginning that the dialogue is not exact, only an approximation. It is extremely stilted and when the author tries to get off a good joke that "cheered everyone up," it falls flat as a flounder. Guess you had to be there. Ms. am Ende is portrayed as almost walking on water; her patience is unremitting, her cheerfulness amazing. This is in contrast to the other members who were displayed in a much more three-dimensional, interesting manner. This is one of those books you feel like you don't quite have the whole story. Mr. Stone is an enthusiastic proponent of his rebreather, yet I felt the divers' concerns and uneasiness were quite understandable and to the point. The author is clearly a driven person and whether he showed bravery or a blatant disregard of safety by continuing the exploration with the inexperienced Ms. am Ende is something the reader will have to decide for himself. A good, interesting read with glossary, index and notes.
Rating:
Summary: DIVING INTO DISASTER
Review: Fascinating book about the ultimate 'adventure' junkies-- who explore the world's most treacherous cave in Mexico. An amazing crew of people. What's so unusual is that these are divers-- deep see divers, not just guys and gals who go down into the cave on ropes or climb rocks. They call themselves CAVERS -- details make the true-life adventure come alive. What's disturbing though is that lives were lost on this expedition and the authors tend to gloss over those lost in their quest for the ultimate experiences. Cinematic and even outrageous tale of diving into disaster.
Rating: 
Summary: I Really Wanted to Like This Book...
Review: I really wanted to like this book but I found myself struggling to finish it. No doubt, the experience itself was immeasurably exciting / interesting, but the book was, well, kind of boring. It could have easily been half the length and not lost much, and as another reviewer indicated, I never really got a feel for what is so great about crawling though caves. I'm sure it IS great, at least to those who are as into it as these people are, but I didn't get why or how from the book. I also found the third-person writing style a bit contrived, somehow. If you DID like this book, I would highly recommend 'The Last Dive' which is in a similar vein but I found very exciting and extremely well written.
Rating:
Summary: The willys!
Review: I'm a scuba diver. I have also done a lot of spelunking in my late teens and early 20's. I never really considered combining the 2. It just didn't cross my mind.
Now I never will.
There were so many times in this book that I simply got the willies. (Did I spell that right?) It became more frightening that some of the horror I've read.
It also (in my humble opinion) addresses one of the greatest downfalls of some explorers; Not taking into consideration one's mortality.
While I doubt I'll ever willingly mix traditional scuba diving with spelunking I may consider it if I had access to the re-breathers this team used.
This book is NOT for the claustrophobic.
Rating:
Summary: A Good Adventure Read
Review: If you like adventure books about places that you have no intention of going yourself (as in Jon Krakauer's "Into Thin Air"), you will like this book. Like Jon's book, this book tells the story of extreme adventurers who journey into a place that most of us would not attempt to go, and find danger and success along the way. Bill Stone is obsessed with caving, and Huautla cave system in Mexico in particular. According to the account in the book, he spends years developing a device that allows him to stay underwater far longer than traditional oxygen tanks allow, opening up the opportunity to explore caves that contain long passageways full of water. In this expedition, his team explores a cave that is one of the deepest in the world, but most of the cave has been undiscovered due to the long passages full of water. The story is interesting, full of danger, and even has a good ending as Bill and his friend Barbara am Ende push past the water-filled sections to new discoveries deep underground. I enjoyed this book, and it tells the straight-forward story well. However, there are side issues that are not fully explained, such as why so many team members gave up and quit before the expedition had reached it's goal. I also find myself wondering what was so great about walking through subterranian passageways that were usually filled with water. At no point did the author indicate that these passageways were beautiful or even interesting, just undiscovered. At least on the top of Everest, the view is great! Read it anyway. You will appreicate having a dry bed at night after reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: A Good Adventure Read
Review: If you like adventure books about places that you have no intention of going yourself (as in Jon Krakauer's "Into Thin Air"), you will like this book. Like Jon's book, this book tells the story of extreme adventurers who journey into a place that most of us would not attempt to go, and find danger and success along the way. Bill Stone is obsessed with caving, and Huautla cave system in Mexico in particular. According to the account in the book, he spends years developing a device that allows him to stay underwater far longer than traditional oxygen tanks allow, opening up the opportunity to explore caves that contain long passageways full of water. In this expedition, his team explores a cave that is one of the deepest in the world, but most of the cave has been undiscovered due to the long passages full of water. The story is interesting, full of danger, and even has a good ending as Bill and his friend Barbara am Ende push past the water-filled sections to new discoveries deep underground. I enjoyed this book, and it tells the straight-forward story well. However, there are side issues that are not fully explained, such as why so many team members gave up and quit before the expedition had reached it's goal. I also find myself wondering what was so great about walking through subterranian passageways that were usually filled with water. At no point did the author indicate that these passageways were beautiful or even interesting, just undiscovered. At least on the top of Everest, the view is great! Read it anyway. You will appreicate having a dry bed at night after reading this book.
| 
