Product Description

The compelling true story of the deep-sea divers who uncovered one of the last mysteries of the Second World War.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #104681 in Books
• Published on: 2005-08-15
• Binding: Paperback
• 400 pages

Publishers Weekly
'Superlative .... If the publishers are dreaming of another Perfect Storm, they may get their wish.'

Synopsis
February 1945 - The war is almost over and Britain and America rule the waves. To enlist for a German U-boat is suicidal. But sixty young Nazi soldiers choose to enter the cramped underwater conditions of the U-869 for the most difficult mission of all - to reach and then bomb the coast of America. Several weeks later the boat barely has enough fuel to make it home and radio links with Germany are broken. The commander, Neuerberg, must make a tough decision: to carry on to America and risk death in the pursuit of glory, or to admit defeat and return home. Driven by pride, patriotism and determination, he decides to risk it. June 1991 - A group of deep-sea divers hear about the wreck of a U-boat 260 feet beneath the sea. There are virtually no records of the Nazi submarine, and an on-location investigation is extremely dangerous. But twelve divers decide to take the risk. Over the next six years they eventually piece together an incredible story. In the process, three of the divers die, marriages collapse, and history is made. Deep water wreck diving is the world's deadliest sport, and John Chatterton and Richie Kohler pushed its limits.

This is a beautifully written, dramatic book about one of the greatest of human traits - the resolve people find in moments of deepest peril.

About the Author
Robert Kurson is a contributing editor for Esquire. He is writing this book with cooperation from Chatterton and Kohler, and from the sole survivor of the U-boat.

Customer Reviews

The best dive you can do from the easy chair
If you are a diver yourself - and particularly if you are a wreck diver - reading this book will bring you back the memory of the smell of salvages items. You will be reminded of the fierce competition when it comes to be the first to salvage precious items such as the bell of a wreck. You will be brought back into the secrecy surrounding a new position of a wreck. You will review the hassel of composing a diving team willing to dive deep and spend a substantial amount of time preparing for the dive and go into the game where the whether at the end of the day has the final saying if you will dive or not.
If you don't dive yourself, this is the closest you will get to the true spirit of wreck diving. Probably it is the most realistic dive you can make from your easy chair.

Shadow Divers
This has to rate as one of the most gripping books I have ever read! A detective story and pulse accelerating tale of diving adventures and missadventures. As a diver myself I could almost feel the exilaration and the terror!! Highly reccomended for both divers and armchair wannabees.

Shadow Divers
A fantastic book, it took me just four days to finish reading this book whilst away on holiday. The book explains diving in a way that a non-diver can understand how dangerous this sport actually is. It is an exciting book of discovery, danger, mystery, detailed research, respect, history and tragedy.
I would definately recommend this book to anyone who is interested in maritime history, naval history, war, diving, archaeology or just a good mystery!
A well exciting and well written account of the quest to name a found u-boat and close a mystery of the second world war!