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)

A true page turner

This is a book hat holds your interest from the start. If you are familiar with the New Jersey shore where this mystery unfolds makes it that more interesting, and the background on the main characters is superb. This is a read that is hard to put down.

WOW!!

By far the best non fiction book I have ever "read." Learned much about WWII events, politics, intrigue. Main characters were so "real" through the author's skilled portrayal. This book is better than fiction! A "must read."

Gripping

This was my first audiobook, and I really wasn't sure I'd like the medium. However, it didn't disapoint, a thrilling adventure story with death and danger, a historical mystery with as many twists as anything Dan Brown churned out, and a people story - the divers and the submariners are all made real and personable.

Excellent

Go listen!

Wow

This is a fantastic book. For a non-fiction account of a seemingly boring subject, it is adventurous and thrilling to read. You get so caught up in the drama of the hunt that it's hard to stop listening. The narrator sets a great mood for the book, I loved every minute of it.

I would highly recommend this book if you enjoy history, drama, and adventure. I had never heard of wreck diving before but after listening to this I have newfound respect for divers. It's amazing.

Amazing True Story about Courage and Persistence

My disclaimer: I like any good fiction or nonfiction related to WWII. . . so it was not difficult to REALLY like this action packed true story about deep sea scuba diving and the discovery of a WWII German U-Boat off the Atlantic coast of New Jersey. The book is very well written with data and facts gathered from many extensive research efforts by both the divers and the author of the book.

There are four main things about this book that captivated me:
(1) the very engaging stories of the US-based divers' -- their family backgrounds and how they found deep sea diving as a profession or avocation as young adults;
(2) the true stories of the U-Boat seaman who lost their lives in American waters in 1945;
(3) the accountings of the post-WWII research archives that are still being compiled and consulted today both in the US, Great Britain and Germany;
(4) the telling of the emotional, physical/biological and technical aspects of deep sea scuba, and its significant dangers as the story rolled along.

The only shortcoming for me was the rather strident voice of the narrator. It was off-putting at first, but the story grabbed me and I soon found the narration to be a non-issue. The end notes are worth listening to -- to gather a complete perspective on the research that went into the compilation of the book.

Highly recommended!

Superb is all I can say

This is absolutely one of the best audiobooks I have ever listened to. The story is very compelling and you get to know the people in the book so good it feels like you have known them forever. This really makes the book something more than your normal listen. Shadow Divers has had a huge impact on my view of the war (and diving) and I have been reading more about U-boats since I completed the book. The reader in this audio edition is very good and has the right tone for such an adventure like this. A BIG plus for the interview with the divers after the book ended.

A Must Listen book

Excellent book and listen. The suspense is on-going and the pace keeps you on your toes and thinking...what next? I am not a diver, but the story is fascinating and full of so much detail that it keeps your attention fully engaged in each chapter. I truly did not want it to end, it was so good and well delivered. The interview at the end of the book with the main characters was a very nice touch for the listener. Great value for the money too.

Absolutely Gripping!

Nothing boring about this book! Robert Kurson adroitly weaves this incredible true story about a team of divers who risk death to find and solve a mystery in the sea. You'll feel like you're on the Seeker and the bottom of the ocean with Chatterton, Kohler and the other divers. Great book.

Amazing

This is really a great book. Interview with the real guys at the end is amazing. Great book

Fascinating story with exquisite detail

I have been fascinated with diving and shipwreck history from my childhood. Having decades of diving experience myself I could relate to this book. Very well done and I could envision the experience through the excellent narration and overall story. The amount of research involved to create this book was surely extensive. You come away feeling as though you personally met the protagonists. Well done!