As a history buff and a diver, this book kept my rapt attention from the first page. Matsen’s words made the reading of technical jargon flow like water from a spout. As each detail was revealed, it was put precisely into context. Each rivet of the massive ship had a purpose as does determining each detail of its sinking. Details, recollections and insights never before disclosed. I felt like part of the team as Chatterton and Kohler did what others scoffed at and said “It hit an Iceberg and it sank. Get over it.” Matsen carefully describes how a few dedicated people would never, ever just get over it.
Yes, the Titanic did hit an iceberg and claimed the lives of over 1500 souls, but John and Riche would not get over it. They would instead place a huge wager on little information. They did what we have come to know they would. They would investigate and tell us more. Exposed are the back rooms deals, massive egos and long held secrets. Now, with more precision and context than previously disclosed, Matsen will tell not just how the historic ship sank, but why. How boardroom decisions would effect something people on a doomed ship needed most, time.
Matsen takes us on the dives with Chatterton and Kohler. While we don’t get to clean our gear afterwards, we none the less get the sense that we were with them on the dives that only a few people alive will ever experience much less survive. We feel the same frustration of a carefully planed dive trip gets derailed by, weather, politics and even the police. Matsen also cracks open another water tight door that J.C. and Red are certain to open in the future.
This book will change forever our notion of what happened on that infamous night in 1912.
Yes, the Titanic did hit an iceberg and claimed the lives of over 1500 souls, but John and Riche would not get over it. They would instead place a huge wager on little information. They did what we have come to know they would. They would investigate and tell us more. Exposed are the back rooms deals, massive egos and long held secrets. Now, with more precision and context than previously disclosed, Matsen will tell not just how the historic ship sank, but why. How boardroom decisions would effect something people on a doomed ship needed most, time.
Matsen takes us on the dives with Chatterton and Kohler. While we don’t get to clean our gear afterwards, we none the less get the sense that we were with them on the dives that only a few people alive will ever experience much less survive. We feel the same frustration of a carefully planed dive trip gets derailed by, weather, politics and even the police. Matsen also cracks open another water tight door that J.C. and Red are certain to open in the future.
This book will change forever our notion of what happened on that infamous night in 1912.
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