One Breath

Freediving, Death, and the Quest to Shatter Human Limits

By: Adam Skolnick

Narrated by: Paul Boehmer

Length: 12 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

One Breath is a gripping and powerful exploration of the strange and fascinating sport of freediving, and of the tragic, untimely death of America's greatest freediver.

Competitive freediving - a sport built on diving as deep as possible on a single breath - tests the limits of human ability in the most hostile environment on earth. The unique and eclectic breed of individuals who freedive at the highest level regularly dive hundreds of feet below the ocean's surface, reaching such depths that their organs compress, light disappears, and one mistake could kill them.

Even among freedivers, few have ever gone as deep as Nicholas Mevoli. A handsome young American with an unmatched talent for the sport, Nick was among freediving's brightest stars. He was also an extraordinary individual, one who rebelled against the vapid and commoditized society around him by relentlessly questing for something more meaningful and authentic, whatever the risks. So when Nick Mevoli arrived at Vertical Blue in 2013, the world's premier freediving competition, he was widely expected to challenge records and continue his meteoric rise to stardom. Instead, before the end of that fateful competition Nick Mevoli had died, a victim of the sport that had made him a star, and the very future of free diving was called into question.

With unparalleled access and masterfully crafted prose, One Breath tells his unforgettable story, and of the sport which shaped and ultimately destroyed him.

©2016 Adam Skolnick (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

great info and perspective on bizarre sport

appreciate Adam's details on the physiology. you know what happens, but it is fascinating all the way through

This book left me breathless!

What did you love best about One Breath?

The story of William Trubridge and his peers is just amazing. The limits of human capability are being pushed to the edge and beyond in this demanding sport and William is at the top of the game in this book.

What other book might you compare One Breath to and why?

Well, other related stories such as, “Deep” but I could say books like, “Unbroken” because the nature of the human will and spirit to achieve and to dominate encompasses so many aspects of nature, the sea, space, and the like.

What about Paul Boehmer’s performance did you like?

Just a very well done narration. Easy to listen to and didn’t detract from the story.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The tragic loss of Nick Mevoli.

Any additional comments?

Super book!

passes the feeling of freediving

feels like I'm diving with them.
a nice review of the history and physiology of the sport.
can't wait for a freediving course!

Unexpected Surprise

The title is definitely misleading. But, I’m a freediving enthusiast who lives in Hawaii. I dove on nearly all my days off and this book was very entertaining, enjoyable, and full of insightful knowledge. I meet a lot of divers like the man in the book who are overly confident. This book helps keep me in check and remembering that Mother Nature is always in charge and physical talent will only take you so far!

Good read but misleading title

I think this book is a good read, I liked the effort that went into writing it and the emotional factor of ones life in his journey to shatter depths. But

I didn’t like the book’s title, it’s quite misleading, I expected more technical aspects on freediving, some guides and techniques.

If this book’s name was “The freediving biography of Nicholas Mevoli” I would have understood. With all the respect to a great freediver of course.

But the book had me expecting more on freediving due to it’s title, every passing chapter I expected the “biography” styled writing to stop and focus on the freediving aspect, yet it continued to steer into the life of Nicholas in details, his family, love life, and humble beginnings.

Again with all due respect to a great legend in freediving, this book has a misleading title and made me expect more on freediving rather than a detailed biography, especially on parts like his love life, which is something that shouldn’t be part of this book’s content based on the title, I definitely wasn’t interested in knowing all these details.

I hope my criticism can be taken constructively and not in a negative manner, I really do respect the man, and mean no disrespect.

Thank you.

Just Awful

The narration is really off and painful to listen to. Pauses and accents are randomly distributed throughout paragraphs in inappropriate places. The story goes deep into Nick’s love life and glosses over freediving. Really interesting concept with tragically poor execution.

It just drags

I was pretty excited to dive into this book, but it just drags and drags. I finally quit (which is rare for me) with about eight hours of listening still left.

Not at all what I expected

Wish I could return the book. As another reviewer said, it just drags on. Skipping chapters. It's unfortunate.