Great book: Certified Diver's Handbook

[DandyDon]

Got mine from Amazon.com - cheap and fast. And yes, great book!!

 

[louisianadiver]

Does anyone else find it suspicious that this dude shows up and starts pumping his book about a week ago? And then - Wow - here's a thread extolling the virtues of his book, all by posters with a COMBINED post count of 19?

Pretty transparent, dude. You can do better if you're that hard up for people to buy your book.

Good grief. Just when I thought I was in the clear about the JFK thing in Dallas and that ugly Hoffa business, this comes along. After seeing Radeye's spontaneous post, I sent a private message of thanks and left town in a good mood only to return to the realization that I am in the middle of an SB controversy. The nature of Boogie711's post raises several implied questions about my intentions and integrity, and I am compelled to respond:

Did I initiate discussion of my book on the forum? Yes, with the blessing of NetDoc. Considering the questions often asked on this forum and the nature of the book, it seemed like a logical thing to do.

Was I fairly warned that, by participating on such a forum, I was leaving myself wide open to criticism or attacks by jackals? Yes. I believe in the book and I don't mind putting my cards on the table. I believe that fundamental understanding combined with independent, critical analysis should be the beginning of any new endeavor, and that the divers who have attained the training and practical experience to safely make the dives they want to make in order to maximize their enjoyment of scuba are the "best" divers, regardless of how many cert cards they have, how many dives they've made, or how many posts they've made to this forum.

Have I assumed a variety of forum names and used them to promote my book myself? No. I don't have multiple personalities, and neither do I.

Does it sound funnier to me to be referred to as "Mr. Coleman" than to be referred to as "dude"? I haven't decided.

Do I personally know any of the people who have written nice things about the book or have I encouraged anyone to do so? No, but after reading some of the posts by these strangers, I'd like to add them to my Christmas card list.

Do I feel as if I've taken advantage of SB for my own personal gain? No, I don't. I firmly believe that my book would be of benefit to many new divers. I've also participated on other SB forums, most often on underwater photography and deep south diving, and I've made it clear that I'm willing to share my knowledge and experience with anyone who's interested.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to doff my tattered cap to all who took to their keyboards to defend my honor in my absence. I do this with the realization that by doing so, they were also defending their own. Thanks also to those who sent me private messages that this was going on.

No hard feelings to you, Boogie711. I don't think anyone was more suprised than I to see Radeye's post pop up on the forum. Of course, I was extremely pleased that a reader felt strongly enough about the book to make a post about it, but I felt even better that I had reached someone with the book and that my message had been received by somebody who got the jokes. However, I'm a stand-up guy, Boogie711. If you have any questions, all you have to do is ask. -Clay

 

[DandyDon]

Let's just say that all the spam/shilling around here has reached all time highs, and I'm a little hyper suspicious.

And there are a lot of people on this board who are "new divers" who have more than just a few posts. Tell you what - find someone to extol the virtues of the book who's been on registered on here since before May, and I'll publicly apologize.

{I added the emphasis...}

Yeah, I say and type things I wish I hadn't, too, and I'm getting better at my apologies...

If you had looked at Clay's original thread on this book, you'd have seen some members who have been a member more than a few months who recommended the book - including me. I'm probably not as experienced as you, but I've been here for a year, some of our members have met me in person and can confirm that's me in my Profile photo, and I have learned a lot from his book. I also wish that more newbies would read it, before I get paired with any of them. Oh yeah, Bob3 has been a member for a long time, too, and gawd only knows how long he's been diving.

I'll be watching for your apology...!!

 

[Boogie711]

I'll be watching for your apology...!!

And I'll offer it. Obviously, I was out of line, and I'm sorry. It's not the first time and it certainly won't be the last time.

I hope your book makes the NY Times Best Sellers list... "Dude."

 

[DandyDon]

And I'll offer it. Obviously, I was out of line, and I'm sorry. It's not the first time and it certainly won't be the last time.

I hope your book makes the NY Times Best Sellers list... "Dude."

Good show, Boogie! I appreciate sharing SB with you, and being allowed to share SB with you.

Of course, I'm wondering if the author actually put you up to posting your negative comments - in order to generate all this discussion. :lol:

don :11ztongue

 

[louisianadiver]

And I'll offer it. Obviously, I was out of line, and I'm sorry. It's not the first time and it certainly won't be the last time.

I hope your book makes the NY Times Best Sellers list... "Dude."

Thanks, Boogie711, but shouldn't that be "Mr. Dude"? -Clay

 

[pmdf]

Just received my copy from Amazon this morning, which I ordered after reading these threads. Looks like just the thing as I'm doing my OW dives in a couple of weeks and can't get enough of reading about this new hobby of mine right now! Looking forward to it... :thumbs_up

 

[texdiveguy]

Ordered my copy last week from Overstock.com,,,,,hope it comes soon!

 

[Fitzy]

Hey Boogie, Good to see you came round. Im a newbie to and i gotta tell ya there aint a whole lot of decent learning materials that have a fun aspect to them available . . This books got me keen as well. Mind you, this site is kinda like a book . The more you read the more you learn.

 

[LeFlaneur]

Hey all,

Let me say congratulations, Clay, on getting your work out there.

People are seldom aware how difficult this process is. The effort of writing the thing (usually evenings after the day job) is only half the battle. Even if you're lucky enough to get published, there's no guarantee that your work won't lanquish in some dark corner where no one can find it.

Therefore I have no objections to an author coming on this board and saying "Hey, I wrote this. It may interest you," provided the subject is relevent.

As a fellow writer, I would hope that I could do the same.