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

Alex Award, Winner, 2005

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

"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)

GRIPPING!

IPOD plus headphones at 3 AM....I couldn't stop listening to this superb story of adventure, history, courage, tenacity....The author superbly weaves several tales together to create such a beautiful fabric of a story. This is one of the best, if not the best, of my many audible experiences. Please only get the unabridged version: I wouldn't miss a drop of this story.

Very exciting

Great listening. Never a dull moment. Lot's of very interesting U Boat history. Also a great insight into the skills of deep water diving. This is one of my favorites. The narrator does a perfect job.

best book I've ever "read"

wow. Since reading this book I've recommended it to about 8 people and they actually thank me for telling them. I love non-fiction and this is simply amazing. Get it......and thank me later.

Unexpected Thriller

For someone who had no knowledge of deep sea diving, I was amazed to find myself totally absorbed by this book. The characters dedication to saving important historical evidence was almost unbelievable. How history is changed by further experiences lets us all know that nothing is written in stone!

Great story, Great book

I loved this book. It has action, it has history, it has suspense. The book also gives the reader an opportunity to feel as if you have met the major characters. I would rate this book a 5 plus.

one of the best audiobooks out there

First rate adventure, I especially appreciated the extended epilogue with the author and main players. Prichard is solid as always.

Takes you to the water and beyond.

If you have ever spent time near the water and around people who love the ocean this book will take you there. Sharing new exploration, a real treasure hunt this day and age. You feel you are on the boat and in the water with the crew sharing all the adventure...good and bad.

Very interesting story!

This is one of those books that could have been much shorter. It tells of a great find in the Atlantic, and of its significance. But to have limited the story to that subject would have lost the bulk of the saga, which is of the divers themselves, and the years of their lives they gave to leave no stone unturned in fully laying to rest all of the mysteries of their find.

By the end of the story, you will know these men, care about them and their obsession, rejoice and hurt with them as they experience the ups and downs of their quest. Pretty good sea story about some incredibly dedicated men of the sea. And I don't just mean the divers.

I'm signing up for dive lessons

If you're in your mid-thirties, trying to figure out what the heck you're doing in life, then listen to this book. It's about one of the best adventure stories out there (but this one is true), and inspires you to do more with your life than just make money. I finished this book about three weeks ago and I still miss these guys.

Excellent example of Perseverance "Never Give Up"

It is a fascinating story about two men who never lost their focus on uncovering the lost truth of a lost German U-Boat they discovered off the shores of Long Island. A riveting book about deep wreck diving, what life was like living on a U-Boat for months at a time, the unwavering dedication of the crew even when all of the odds of survival are stacked up against them, and the dedication of a team of men to sort out what really happened despite everyone else encouraging them to move on.