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 great story

a captivating story that pulls you in from the beginning. The author does a great job detailing how difficult this dive was and how much effort the men went through to identify the sub.

Excellent work by the author.

I have listen to literally dozens of audiobooks over the years. This probably was the best one for a story, writing and the entertainment value.

Research That Changed History

I enjoyed this book very much

I like that the author included personal histories of the men who discovered and explored the U-boat, as well as those who served on it. I found it very interesting to see the lengths these men went to discovered the boats identity. The thing that I enjoyed most about this story was the changes I saw the men going through because of what happened to them.

GREAT BOOK!

great story, and the reader is unbelievable, really brought it to life! I highly recommend.

Read this book!

What a fantastic book, one of the best I’ve ever read.
If all history was this engagingly written, I would be much more learned today. Weaving in the personal accounts was so well done, it made the book almost seem like we’ll-researched fiction. But the interview with John and Ritchie at the end really put authentication around the whole saga. Wow, what a great book!

Amazing

This book provides an amazing insight into WWll history that I never knew about. The personal stories tied into the text are a cherry on top.

A Multifaceted Engaging Story

Shadow Divers was an outstanding book and I don't give that praise lightly. Highly recommended, a testosterone charged world of underwater adventure, investigative mystery, and World War II history, with a touch of Vietnam and a dash of personal tragedy and triumph.

Engrossing

Love the history and excitement the drama in every chapter. As well as the interviews at the end. Great listen and read!!

The ocean is scary!

What did you love best about Shadow Divers?

I loved everything about this book. The narration was fantastic. The in depth discussion of the characters' personalities, fears, and flaws helped create a real picture of what these people were like during their discovery and exploration of the U-boat. I loved how much time the divers put into researching and putting a good ending to this story for everyone involved.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Shadow Divers?

I think there were many memorable moments. The author really helps you feel the emotions of the characters in the book. I was scared when the diving was difficult, anxious when something went wrong, sad when someone died, and elated when the pieces start to fall in place. I think the moments in the end of the book when the divers connect with the kin of the lost sub crew were very touching and memorable. It really showed how much these men cared about closure for the families of these German soldiers.

Any additional comments?

Great book for any WW2 enthusiasts!

Great

I'm a diver myself, and this was a fantastic read. The suspense was great. Anyone who is interested in WWII, or SCUBA, or submarines should read this.