Shadow Divers

The True Adventure of Two Americans Who Risked Everything to Solve One of the Last Mysteries of World War II

By: Robert Kurson

Narrated by: Michael Prichard

Length: 15 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

In 1991, acting on a tip from a local fisherman, two scuba divers discovered a sunken German U-boat, complete with its crew of 60 men, not too far off the New Jersey coast. The divers, realizing the momentousness of their discovery, began probing the mystery. Over the next six years, they became expert and well-traveled researchers, taught themselves German, hunted for clues in Germany, and constructed theories corrective of the history books, all in an effort to identify this sunken U-boat and its crew. During that time, three of their colleagues died exploring the wreck, including a father and son team. In 1997, when it all seemed in vain, the two divers came up with a final plan, so dangerous that the book ends with this last dive.

Listen to an interview with Robert Kurson on C-SPAN Booknotes from July 11, 2004.

©2004 Robert Kurson (P)2004 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

• Alex Award Winner, 2005

"While Kurson doesn't stint on technical detail, lovers of any sort of adventure tale will certainly absorb the author's excellent characterizations, and particularly his balance in describing the combat arm of the Third Reich. Felicitous cooperation between author and subject rings through every page of this rare insightful action narrative." (Publishers Weekly)
"A fascinating look at the sometimes communal, sometimes bitterly competitive psychology of wreck-divers, weekend warriors in wet suits whose dangerous hobby is often an antidote to the frustrations of the workaday world." (Booklist)
"The story told in Robert Kurson's new book features undersea thrills, a gripping mystery, incredible discoveries, true-blue friendship, life-or-death crises and history unfolding....Written with great you-are-there intensity and dynamic verve." (The New York Times)
"From U-boat history to the mortal dangers of diving (disorientation is so common that you wonder only three men drowned on this quest), Kurson explains it all, even as he's spinning a fantastic yarn that happens to be true. All he leaves out are the boring parts." (Newsweek)

For Historians and Divers alike,

Being a diver in my younger years and retired military, this book is highly recommended, and for once the narrator is not some monotone voice putting you to sleep...

Fascinante historia

Compré el audiobook porque soy un amante del buceo y un aficionado a las historias sobre WWII. Lo que encontré en este libro superó ampliamente lo que esperaba.
Conocía un resumen de lo que había sucedido y por supuesto el final pero lo que puedes encontrar en este libro es mucho más.
Es una historia de determinación, coraje, valores, todo en un contexto real, con las dificultades que vivimos los seres humanos.
El descubrimiento de este U boat fue realizado por un grupo extraordinario de personas que estuvieron a la altura del hallazgo. Mis felicitaciones para ellos por esta gran hazaña que supera ampliamente a una historia de por si maravillosa.
Excelente libro. Muy recomendable.

Loved It!

I have listened to a lot of Audible books This one was very easy to listen to. Great history and story. Really enjoyed it!

Excellent history of the dive and Uboats

#Clever I really enjoyed the go between of current and historical timelines... normally it annoys me but this is presented so well I was waiting to hear the history, 50 years ago, on the edge of my seat. Very well done. #tagsgiving" and "#sweepstakes

Great Listen

Loved it. Like a mystery novel but a true story. really good and interesting.

Brilliant !!

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I purchased this as it had been sitting in my wish list for a long time, and especially as I had no real interest in deep sea diving or indeed U-boats. What I got was a superb story, beautifully told and meticulously researched. Real ‘boys own adventure’ The audio quality is obviously transferred from its previous format of a tape or CD but in a perverse way I enjoyed it immensely as it reminded me of my early obsession playing audiobooks on my Walkman with cassette tapes. I was unfamiliar with the narrator but thought he did a super job. I was sorry to come to an end but will start on the next book following John Chatterton and his deep sea wreck exploring. Also, as a Christmas present to myself I have purchased a PADI diving course at my local pool and lake which I’m looking forward to immensely. I think that demonstrates the power of this book .

Very exciting

This book is very exciting - especially the first part - 2nd part is also long but seems a bit too long at times.

Fascinating

Chatterton and Kohler are exceptional divers whose will and determination solved a mystery. We all should have a mystery to solve at some point in our lives. And these guys get to do it all the time.

Wow!

I never expected this book to be such a thriller! Nail Biting, heart stopping, motivating and other such adjectives apply easily. What an experience! Great narration too! I read a recommendation on some forum for this and now I wanna find that guy and thank him for this. Wonderful!

Simply fantastic!

Excellent. I enjoyed every minute of this book.