Who recommended the book 'Shadow Divers'?

[guest7]

I snagged it on Ebay and finished it tonight. Great read. For those who missed the first post, it is about the discovery of a sunken U-boat off the New Jersey coast.

Mind you, American wreck divers do come across as little more then glorified scrap merchants.

Good tip whoever it was
GC

[guest18]

I cannot tell a lie.... well actually that's not true :-o but it was me who recommended it :-)
Good wasn't it? Some of the writing was rather "he death defyingly did X in a stunning display of bravery etc etc" (fawn fawn) but ignoring that the book rings true from a divers point of view.
There are those who say going past 40m on air is dangerous, but 65m is dodgy in anyones book!!
Some of you may like a nosey at video of a WW1 U-Boat which has just gone up on Youtube, it's one I've dived and quite local. Gives you an idea of the difficulty in identifying things after 90 odd year on the sea bed though, and this one is "only" at 43m ish...

If you're really bothered, I'll tell you what you're seeing too ;-))

[guest18]

Anyway, shouldn't you be charitably handing it in to the invalided purple one? It would be good for your karma ;-)

[Bill Rutter]

Further to this topic, what are other Thumpeteers reading? I've just finished Ben Elton's "The First Casualty". I recommend it so far as a light reading for perhaps something to read on the train but not much else. My all-time favourite is , from quite a long time ago now,  "The Feather Men" by (Sir) Ranulph Fiennes. This fellow never ceases to amaze me. I might have to dig it out again. Grippin' stuff.

[Steve H]

Further to this topic, what are other Thumpeteers reading?

'Paula Spencer' (Roddy Doyle) Its a follow up to 'The woman who walked into doors'. Interesting book about a woman picking her life up after an abusive husband and alcoholism, whilst trying to keep her family on track. Sounds awful but I enjoyed it.

[squirrelciv]

Nul points by Tim Moore. Tim is tracing all 14 eurovision song entrants who scored nul points and finding out their tales. Not as funny as previous Moore books, but has its moments. Wanted a laugh while house bound, but wished I'd bought 'don't pass go' (Tims tour of the monopoly board), instead.

[guest24]

I'm reading 'The Illustrated History of the Third Reich' by Chris Bishop & David Jordan. Got it cheap for £5 at a shop that was closing down.
The book gives a good neutral historical account of what went on without any bias and venom. Lots & lots of pictures by the participants! Also lots of good maps showing why the blitzkrieg was so effective and how lucky we were to escape at Dunkirk.

Oh, for light relief at bedtime I'm reading this weeks 'Nuts' magazine to keep me in-touch with the yoof culture

[mini-thumper]

I'm currently reading "Leanings 2: Great Stories by America's Favorite Motorcycle Writer". This was sent to me, from Belgium, by Thumper member Larry Dawes who bought it after reading a review in the Newsletter. He has asked me to forward to any other deserving member, so I suppose it counts as one of our first library books. Its a very interesting read, made up of three long 'stories', and extracts from his column in Cycle World. Obviously very US biased but still a good read. The short sections are just long enough for when visiting the 'smallest room'.

If you are interested in being the next reciepient drop me a message!

BB

[Steffan]

I am reading , hmm...OK here we go.. I am reading Plato's Republic, Phaedo, Phaedrus, Theaetetus and a little Aristotle amongst other things...sorry just showing off really :-o
In the off moments I am reading Agincourt and just finished the Book of the Bivy. Picked up a second copy of One Man Caravan by Robert Fulton the other day, the best bike travel book ever, bar none. I assume everyone would have read it?

Steffan

[alan#307]

I'm currently reading "Leanings 2: Great Stories by America's Favorite Motorcycle Writer". This was sent to me, from Belgium, by Thumper member Larry Dawes who bought it after reading a review in the Newsletter. He has asked me to forward to any other deserving member, so I suppose it counts as one of our first library books. Its a very interesting read, made up of three long 'stories', and extracts from his column in Cycle World. Obviously very US biased but still a good read. The short sections are just long enough for when visiting the 'smallest room'.

If you are interested in being the next reciepient drop me a message!

BB

Hi Boyd
I wouldnt mind reading it when you have done.

Regards
Alan

[mini-thumper]

Hello Alan
Will forward asap.

BB

[guest27]

Not sure why but reading this thread had me looking at the Freediving stuff - not sure if these people have it right or are mad - bit like I think Solo climbing is somewhat silly, but the pleasure of soloing cannot be ignored...

Anyway was stunned by the world records on show.  Especially the Static Apnea record of 9mins 4seconds...  Mind diving to over 200 metres is also impressive on one breath of air.

Can understand the beauty of shallower freedives mind.

Oh and the lady on the TV can come to dinner at Key Towers anytime

R

[guest18]

Scariest video I've ever watched was Tanya Streeters world record dive, one breath of air and she was so narced she couldn't remember to pull the locking pin out to release her sled back to the surface, her last safety diver was breaking her own limits swimming down to help when she remembered... I felt like I was watching someone dying, I was on the edge of my seat and it was b***y horrible!!

Very mixed feelings about free diving, any sport where managing to stay conscious (sp?) for a minute after surfacing is a part of the qualifying rules cannot be good for you :-/

[guest27]

In a similar vein, in Leo arrrrrg forgotten his name's book - "Filming the Impossible" he tells about the climber (must be a bad day cannot remember his name either - owns the Cafe at Tremadog) slipping whilst not tied on setting up a bivvi half way up a mountain.  Said climber starts to slip down an ice sheet, faster and faster surely to his death.  Camera man keeps camera rolling whilst stressing - will he rip the footage out of the camera and throw it away, will he give it to the climbers family, when climbers feet jam on a small ledge, he solos back up the face, looks at the camers and says, "I bloody hope you got that, I'm not doing it again" - or words to that effect.  You know he will not die, but even so....

Is going to bug me all day now about the names.

R

[guest27]

Cameraman - Leo Dickenson, Climber Eric Jones.  May hve spelt Leo's name wrong