Tonka97's Five Scenarios for John Chatterton

[Wayward Son]

Shadow Divers reads better than the Last Dive, IMO. Both worth reading.

 

[pir8]

Well, my Shadow Divers and The Last Dive finally came in last night - so now I better get reading so some of the interesting questions in the last several posts mean something! I think it is awesome that JC is here, and although he should be treated like any other SB user I still think that an author of such a book will definitely be revered by me!

Don't confuse JC with the author. He is a subject in the book, he didn't write it.

 

[diverdowndh]

Absolutely, sorry if I implied differently.

 

[pir8]

Absolutely, sorry if I implied differently.

Not a problem, just a matter of wording and contex, what with the way some things have been construed around this thread.....

 

[mheaster]

JC great to see you on the Forum!

I have read SD several times and all the other aforementioned books and enjoyed them tremendously! I guess I just like the story from any/all angles!

I have met Gary Gentile at a Richmond Dive Club event and heard him give a very interesting presentation on his Dives on the USS Monitor (and his 6 year legal battle in the Courts to do so).

It is here I purchased an autographed copy of his SD Exposed book. His book is another interesting read and I too enjoyed it.

He obviously developed his book on the premise of discrediting almost everything to do with the previous book but I am still not sure I fully grasp to what end other than selling his book?

He is also a very skilled diver whose contributions to the diving community are tremendous.

Let's enjoy all of these things for what they are: books, movies (hopefully!) and TV shows!

None of them are the final definitive word on the life and times of the U-869, Gary Gentile, John Chatterton or Ritchie Kohler!

In fact, I look forward to hearing JC & Ritchie and JJ and many others speak at the upcoming DAN 2008 Technical Diving Conference in Durham, NC in January!

I also look forward to more books, TV shows, movies (again hopefully!) and my OWN future dives!

 

[diverdowndh]

You are right, and rereading my post I used the word "author" so....

 

[The Chairman]

It would be best to remind everyone that at this point, John may not have any internet access for the next few days. Even if he DOES, he is doing a lot with certifying on a particular rebreather in the Dominican Republic.

It's also good to point out that there are at least two other legends reading this thread with great interest. I know, because they have PMed me as such. Hopefully, they will see that unlike many other forums, we DO keep it civil here although we do allow an edge! Per a man they have commented on the lack of flaming and the productive nature of the discourse! Perhaps this will be the first in a line of peer conducted interviews with the legends of diving. I couldn't think of anything better to happen to us for Christmas!

 

[Buoyant1]

JC great to see you on the Forum!

I have read SD several times and all the other aforementioned books and enjoyed them tremendously! I guess I just like the story from any/all angles!

I have met Gary Gentile at a Richmond Dive Club event and heard him give a very interesting presentation on his Dives on the USS Monitor (and his 6 year legal battle in the Courts to do so).

It is here I purchased an autographed copy of his SD Exposed book. His book is another interesting read and I too enjoyed it.

He obviously developed his book on the premise of discrediting almost everything to do with the previous book but I am still not sure I fully grasp to what end other than selling his book?

He is also a very skilled diver whose contributions to the diving community are tremendous.

Let's enjoy all of these things for what they are: books, movies (hopefully!) and TV shows!

None of them are the final definitive word on the life and times of the U-869, Gary Gentile, John Chatterton or Ritchie Kohler!

In fact, I look forward to hearing JC & Ritchie and JJ and many others speak at the upcoming DAN 2008 Technical Diving Conference in Durham, NC in January!

I also look forward to more books, TV shows, movies (again hopefully!) and my OWN future dives!

No doubt there...all of their accomplishments are valid and they have all contributed to our sport. And I hope to see more output from all parties! The other side of it is that they are just divers like us, and there are others that have contributed as much and even more to this sport, but these guys have a little more exposure.

But I think the biggest pressing question (at least in my mind) is what event (or events) really set Gary off, and forced him to write SDE in the manner in which he wrote it?!?

Theories are one thing, perception is another, but SDE has a nasty "vibe" to it!

Hopefully when these guys have clear schedules and time to answer our questions, we can get some more good insight.

It's not often you get to ask questions like this regarding a great story from the people that actually LIVED it!! (I'll bet the OP is wondering what the heck he started!)

 

[rawls]

But I think the biggest pressing question (at least in my mind) is what event (or events) really set Gary off, and forced him to write SDE in the manner in which he wrote it?!?

I'm not absolutely certain about this but I believe I read something along the lines of his "hearing" so many people talk about the "falsehoods" related to SD that he felt he had to write the book to call out all of the "lies" that were stated in SD.

You can see a little in his own words...

The author interviewed a number of witnesses whose testimony contradicted the theatrical plot and boastful embellishments that formed the essential ingredients of Shadow Divers.

Once again I cannot recall any of these witnesses being quoted in the book backing up the assertions that were made by Mr. Gentile...The description above includes the word "interviewed." Again I encourage anyone who gets this book to read about Mr. Gentile's description...in his own words...of his interview techniques....IMHO it tells the whole story of the lack of his book's validity...

 

[Buoyant1]

I'm not absolutely certain about this but I believe I read something along the lines of his "hearing" so many people talk about the "falsehoods" related to SD that he felt he had to write the book to call out all of the "lies" that were stated in SD.

You can see a little in his own words...

The author interviewed a number of witnesses whose testimony contradicted the theatrical plot and boastful embellishments that formed the essential ingredients of Shadow Divers.

Once again I cannot recall any of these witnesses being quoted in the book backing up the assertions that were made by Mr. Gentile...The description above includes the word "interviewed." Again I encourage anyone who gets this book to read about Mr. Gentile's description...in his own words...of his interview techniques....IMHO it tells the whole story of the lack of his book's validity...

I guess the other side of it is was he on any of the trips to the U-who? I don't immediately recall anything in the book being mentioned...(in fact a quick trip to the glossary showed one entry for Gary G. and that was in reference to another wreck they were trying to identify, and they referred to him as "legendary diver Gary Gentile"...)

In most cases I guess his was second and third hand information....possible someone else had it in for JC and RK and decided to unload to Gary about it...who knows...but the book in it's own form just seems like...well sour grapes!

Puzzling to say the least, and after reading a few more of his books, seemingly uncharacteristic because he seems like a pretty even keel guy (in fact sort of a jokester) but very sure of himself, and a tad cocky...but deserved given his experience.

Weird...but maybe he'll pop in and weigh in...this could be an historical thread if that happens!