• 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
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (4,771 ratings)

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Shadow Divers  By  cover art

Shadow Divers

By: Robert Kurson
Narrated by: Michael Prichard
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Editorial reviews

Why You Should Download This Audiobook: At the heart of this true story are two larger-than-life characters who risk everything to uncover the wreck of a WWII submarine. It is their relationship, friendship, and loyalty that make this more than just a fascinating account about the world of wreck diving. The narration by Michael Prichard is note-perfect: You actually forget that you are being read to, so you are free to experience this amazing story as though you are underwater with the divers and submariners.

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
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

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)

What listeners say about Shadow Divers

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

ADVENTURE

Wow ! If you like action ,adventure and mystery , then this story is for you ! Our two heroes Mr. Chatterton and Mr. Kohler , their past present and future. Great history in this book . It not only is a story of a lost U- Boat , but also a story of two men and their friends lives , triumphs and tradgedies (hope i spelled that right ). Go with them and The Seeker on a mission to uncover the truth and the identity of the lost sub and her crew. For all you landlubbers who ever wanted to be salty this is the book !

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Overblown

This book is rated so highly I couldn't wait to hear it. In this case, the first 10 minutes set the tone for the whole book. Overly melodramatic, the writing is forced to give deep meaning where much less exists. The connections made of characters to their earlier formative life-experiences is grossly strained. The author gives a single minded purposefulness to the characters that is supposed to seem heroic and admirable, but mostly just makes them appear flat, thinly developed, and foolhardy. It is written glorifying a coarse male stereotype of swearing, drinking, being stubborn, crass, and taking risks. As a male, I found this emphasis insulting.

I did finish the book because the story of the extreme diving challenges of exploring and identifying this submarine was captivating. If the book was half its length, and without the strained (and seemingly highly filtered) character development, it could have been great.

The reader's voice is plain and his oratory dull. He uses a German accent for the German characters, but it just doesn't seem to fit right.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Read/Listen!

This book is well deserving of the hype! I couldn't get to the store fast enough to get the Das Boot DVD which I had seen in the past and I can't wait to get back to Chicago and the sub at the museum last visited 10 years ago with the kids. I will probably have to go through several times myself as did Mr Kurson.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely Gripping

This was a gripping story, well-written and expertly narrated. I could barely stand to stop listening when I reached my destination. It was the sort of book where you talk out loud at some parts, saying things like "oh no!" and "wow!" as the book unfolds. I was riveted to my Audible player.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic

I could not put this listen down,Kurson takes you down in the murky depths where sometimes you cannot see your fingertips on the outside of your face mask.(zero viz) one small error of judgement and your a deadman at these depths.
You feel like your swimming along with them. This combinded with the exhaustive research undertaken by the divers to find out the true identity of the sub made it an enthralling true story not to be missed.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely Compelling!

I have been an audible memeber for a little over a year now. I have listened to a number of very enjoyable books, this is one is a definite favorite. From the start I found it absolutely compelling! At times, I found that I was short of breath in imagining myself underwater and faced with nitrogen narcosis. As one that gets obsessed with history and detective work, I related to the divers unfailing determination to see their mystery revealed. At the end I was in tears from excitement and anticipation. This will not disappoint. Enjoy!

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Superb Listen

I have never been motivated before this to write a review, but this superb book compelled me to do so. I saw an outstanding book review in a Sunday newspaper for this story and was surprised to find it already in Audible. I normally listen to fiction on 4 hour commutes with an Ipod and thus listening to non-fiction is a departure. This story was truly the most absorbing of any type I have listened to, and kept me thinking about the story line in between listens. One wishes the story would go on forever. Trailing the excellent story, an indepth interview between author and actual main story characters was an added bonus. Get this book, especially if you like the outdoors and the sea.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

The amazing race

When I got this audio book I had no idea that my next week was going to be one of wishing work was over so I could get in the car and get back into the adventure. I appreciate so much more what this book is about and how many people are affected by the findings of these divers not to mention the way they live their lives, all out!. Lastly, this book leaves your totally satisfied as all questions are answered and you feel satisfied like after a seven course meal. Highly recommended!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Awesome

This book will grip you to your deepest insides. I listened after RocketMen. This is just as good. It is riveting & I couldn't wait to hear what happens. As a bonus, you will learn some cool stuff about WW2 & German/American history. Highly recommended.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book, couldn't stop listening.

The narrator did an excellent job. I found the story to be gripping realistic bit grough at times but I really enjoyed it.

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