To have your review posted, please email your reviews to rblackburn@cavediver.net.
[Fiction] [Non-Fiction]
The Taming of the Slough
by Sheck Exley, Sandra Poucher (Editor), Gerald J. Murphy, Michael Poucher, Sandra Poucher "He's a friendly man, no doubt about it, the guy in the photograph with the laughing smile and dark tousled hair..."
TJ: Nice reading; lots of history.
Caverns Measureless to Man
by Sheck Exley
CJ: The book is Fantastic!! When I stated reading it I couldn't put it down. And I've read it several times since then.
Beyond the Deep: The Deadly Descent Into the World's Most Treacherous Cave
by William Stone, Barbara Am Ende, Monte Paulsen (Contributor)
Rblackburn: Excellent book. For a dry caver turned cave diver, it has a very good blend of both for me. It is really interesting reading about people I have dry caved with over the years. None of the main players, but several of the notable "side characters" :) As cave diving goes, Sheck's book was better, but as adventure -- gets you caught up in the story -- goes, this was a better book for me.
The Last Dive: A Father and Son's Fatal Descent into the Ocean's Depths
by Bernie Chowdhury, Homer Hickam
Rblackburn: It is an easy read... But it is very repetitive. To me, the book, though stated about the Rouses, is in reality about the authors deep diving, the bends, and recovery. He spends most of the book talking about himself, with about 1/3 about the Rouses.
DSG: I read the book when it first came out and I must say that I enjoyed quite a bit. I am both an active cave diver as well as an active Great Lakes/Eastcoast deep wreck diver so I could relate to the whole story. Many cave divers seek out new or unexplored caves; driven partly by the thrill of being the 'first' to see it. Well, some wreck divers find the same excitement in discovering a new wreck or in finding something on a 'mystery' wreck that conclusively indentifies it. I don't think Bernie's intent was to write a scientific text on the incident. I feel that the way he wove his experiences and theirs into one story came across pretty good. Hey, what can I say except that I thought it was a pretty good read.
JEFFB: I have to say that this book had me hooked from the first chapter. The author, IMHO, does an excellent job of explaining the genesis of tech diving in the early 90s as well as keeping the focus on the tragic Rouse father and son fatalities in 1992 on a deep wreck dive. What really hits home, though, is the interspersed discussion of many of cave diving's pioneers and how cave diving heavily influenced what is now standard practice for wreck penetration. I haven't met any of the cave illuminati mentioned in the book myself (except Bill Rennaker and Rick) but felt that I knew them better through Chowdhury's writing. The best part, though, is that it really makes you search inside yourself to try and understand what motivates one to equip and train and explore caves. It sure has me thinking.
The Cave Divers
by Robert F. Burgess
OneTime: Personally I liked The Cave Divers. I liked how it showed the progression of techniques, training, and equipment. I finished Stone's book a couple of weeks back. I liked it because it gave many more details about what was going on in the expedition members' heads than the Outside article about the exploration did. As far as a cave diving book goes, it's a little light on diving. Lots on dry caving and what kinds of issues/problems you'll come across when putting together/taking part in an expedition but the diving part was a little weak IMHO.
RBlackburn: Just finished this book. I thought it was ok... To me it was just a bunch of short stories without a lot of substance. Don't get me wrong, they are interesting stories.
Basic Cave Diving: A Blueprint for Survival
by Sheck Exley
RBlackburn: A must have for anyone that is interested in cave diving.
Cave Diving - The Cave Diving Group Manual
Bruce Bedford (ed.), Mendip Publishing (1990) 268 pp SB
DPrice: The British Cave Diving Group was founded in 1946 and thus represents the oldest technical diving organisation in the World. Although published over 10 years ago (a new edition is in preparation), this book represents the complete "how to" on sump diving and more. Chapters cover everything from selection of equipment to mixed gas diving and digging underwater. Some of the information (e.g. the section on dive computers) is understandably dated, but this volume still makes a good read for anyone serious about sump diving.
Die langste Hohle der Schwabischen Alb
Jurgen Bohnert, Siegfried Geiger, Herbert Jantschke, Andreas Kucha and Rainer Straub, DRW-Verlag (1998) 95 pp HB
DPrice: This excellent coffee table book tells the story of the exploration of the Wolfbach resurgence in the Schwabian Alps in Germany, not far from Stuttgart. Profusely illustrated with color photographs and many line drawings, the development of the cave is comprehensively covered in a scientific manner. Ten sumps in all have been passed to discover a network of dry cave passage making it the longest cave in the region (hence the title).
Down to a Sunless Sea
J. M. Boon, The Stalactite Press (1977) 105 pp HB
DPrice: Mike Boon (inventor of sidemount/no-mount cave diving in the UK in the ealry 1960's) recounts his bold explorations in Swildon's Hole and other caves in the UK and Europe. A hair raising read in places, the book includes surveys of some of the caves in the endpieces.
The Silent World
J Y Cousteau (1953) various editions and reprints
DPrice: Possibly one of the most famous books about SCUBA diving from the "father" of the sport - Jacques Cousteau. Chapter 5 is of particular interest to cave divers since it describes the adventures of Cousteau's Undersea Research Group in caves. Most notable is the incident at the French Fontaine Vaucluse where the divers were almost poisoned by breathing contaminated air.
Neutral Bouyancy (adventures in a liquid world)
Tim Ecott, Penguin (2001) 345 pp SB ISBN 0-140-28730-2
DPrice: This book charts the development of SCUBA diving from historical times to the present day. Includes chapters about decompression sickness but alas nothing on cave diving. Interspersed are stories about the author's personal experiences beneath the water. A good read for anyone interested in the history of diving.
The Blue Holes of the Bahamas
Robert Palmer, Jonathan Cape (1985) 184 pp HB ISBN 0-224-02311-X out of print
DPrice: The story of the late Rob Palmer's first four expeditions to the flooded caves of the Grand Bahamas in the early 1980's, the content of this book is somewhat incorporated into his subsequent book "Deep into Blue Holes" though the extra space available to the author in this earlier volume leads to a different emphasis being placed on some of these expeditions in particular, the smaller and more intimate trip in 1983.
Deep into Blue Holes
Rob Palmer, Unwin Hyman (1989) 165 pp HB ISBN 0-04-440380-1
DPrice: The follow up to "The Blue Holes of the Bahamas" tells the story of the founding of the Andros Project to explore the submerged caves of one of the largest islands in the Bahamas. The author's skills as a writer are much improved over the previous book and he gives a full and frank background to the project with no stone left unturned. The earlier work of George Benjamin is described and the more recent use of then leading edge technology (mixed gases, rebreathers and ROV's) illustrated. An excellent read not only from a cave diving point of view but also the psychology behind such activities.
The Great Caving Adventure
Martyn Farr, Oxford Illustrated Press (1984) 229 pp HB ISBN 0-946609-10 1
DPrice: An autobiographical narrative of veteran British sump diver Martyn Farr's exploits underground which largely focuses on his cave diving activities from his first (almost fatal) cave dive to his involvement in (then) world record submarine cave penetration at Conch Blue Hole in the Bahamas. A drier and more reserved style than Palmer's soul-searching prose, Farr still deals with a number of "difficult" subjects (such as the tragic loss of one of his dive partners). An interesting read for the cave explorer rather than the recreational cave diver.
The Darkness Beckons
Martyn Farr, Hodder & Stoughton Ltd., London/Cave Books, St Louis (1991) 180 pp HB ISBN 0-906371-87-2
DPrice: This is the second edition of Farr's much acclaimed and authoritative history of cave diving. It benefits from a much expanded introductory chapter and more details of international activity although nearly a third of the book is given over to the development of sump diving in the British Isles. Much of the original text persists with extra sections added to bring it up to the end of the 1980's whereas the book could have benefited with a more complete rewrite since the final chapter on British exploration covers 20 years of epxloration. Nevertheless, this volume remains the authority on the subject and essential reading for any serious cave diver, although the non-Florida slant might disappoint some readers. Profusely illustrated with accompanying cave maps, which give even the lay reader a good idea of what it is all about. A supplement to the 1991 edition was published in 2000 which may be obtained separately from the author or bound into more recent copies of the book which takes the page count up to 304 pages.
Caves and Cave Diving (Translated from the French "Toute la Speleologie")
Guy de Lavaur (translated by Edmund Mason), The Scientific Book Club, 175 pp HB no ISBN out of print
DPrice: In complete contrast to Cousteau's "The Silent World" - de Lavaur approaches the activity of cave diving from the perspective of a cave explorer rather than a diver. Part 2 covers cave diving in 28 pages devoted to the exploration of various (now classic) French sites such as the Fontaine de St Georges and the Chartreaux Spring in the Department of the Lot area. The text is dated, not only in the original text but also through translation and probably only of interest to the cave diving historian.
The Wakulla Springs Project
William C. Stone (ed), U.S. Deep Caving Team (1989) 209+vii pp ISBN 0-9621785-0-0
DPrice: Bill Stone's excellent narrative of the 1987 explorations of Wakulla springs not only affords a blow by blow account of the work done in the cave but also a great technical background to the use of diving physiology, mixed gases and rebreather design. A tour de force of technological endevour!
The Last Adventure
Alan Thomas (ed.), Ina Books (1989) 75 pp HB ISBN 1-86989-705-6
DPrice: A collection of short stories by various members of the British cave diving community ranging from the first person to pass a sump in the UK using (homemade) SCUBA equipment (Jack Sheppard in 1936) to the 1988 explorations in the famous Cheddar Caves by Rob Palmer using all the modern paraphernalia of mixed gases and media frenzy. A gripping read in places, it not only demonstrates the determination of the authors but also the lucid style by which they can recount their exploits.
The Adventures of Another Pooh
David Yeandle, Writers Club Press (2002) 139 pp SB ISBN 0-595-22466-0
DPrice: The caving and cave diving autobiography of Dave (Pooh) Yeandle handsomely illustrates the lifestyle of the sump explorer from the thrills of discovery to the social scene that accompanies it. Sadly Pooh was killed in a hang gliding accident earlier in 2002 but this book is a suitable tribute to his indomitable style and sense of humor. Supporting material can be found on the late author's website: www.poohcaving.co.uk
Diving Guide To Underwater Florida, 10th Edition
by Ned Deloach
AW:
Good reference for identifying potential dive sites both in the ocean and springs/sinks. It even gives you driving/boating directions to many of these sites, entrance fees where applicable, and whether or not it's open for diving. www.amazon.com
The Springs of Florida
by Doug Stamm
AW:
Provides more of a narrative story of some of the springs in Florida. All of the pictures in the book are full color. Chapters include The Spring Environment, Inhabitants, The Caves, Saltwater visitors, Manatees, and spring locations. www.amazon.com
The Cenotes of Riviera Maya
by Steve Gerrard
AW:
Great resource if you plan to visit the Riviera Maya area of Mexico. Much of the book provides maps to and symbols of each of the sites describing aspects necessary for dive planning. There are many beautiful color photos of sculptures, divers, and passageways. Absolutely breath taking. www.amazon.com
Campana: Having recently gone diving in Akumal, and meeting Steve
Gerrard briefly, and also having bought the book to use as a guidebook, I read
the book while I was there, and on the way home. I also used it as a resource
for my trip reports. From Michael Menduno’s introduction, it is learned that
Steve Gerrard was cave certified in 1975. He is said to have logged 4,000 cave
dives in the U.S., Mexico, Brazil, and Belize. He has been involved as an
explorer during this time, and his name is on some pretty important maps. Steve
also worked for NACD for 14 years and was involved in the development of
training standards. He continues to teach and at the time of the book’s
publication, he taught from Aquatech. He has also compiled and edited the book
“The Art of Safe Cave Diving”. He, Juan Jose Tucat, and Mike Madden set a record
for line laid in Nohoch Nah Chich. He was the organizer and leader of the Ejido
Jacinto Pat Expedition, which mapped more than 60 km of new cave passage. As you
can see from the above, Steve is imminently qualified to write a guidebook. The
Book is well organized, for the most part. There are sections that talk about
the importance of treating caves and landowners with deep respect in order to
preserve the natural environment and our privileges to continue to dive in these
fascinating places. There is a section which gives a brief overview of the
Cenote Environment, which is needed to begin to understand the delicate nature
of these phenomena. The book goes on to separate sections on Snorkeling, Cavern
Diving, and Cave Diving. While it is fairly unlikely that a casual tourist who
wanted to snorkel would buy the book in advance, there is a good chance that
those whose interest were piqued would buy the book to bone up on Cavern and
Cave Diving, though it is never implied that the book is a Cave Diving Training
Manual. There are very useful land maps which show the locations of the Cenotes
as well as other landmarks. Moving on to the descriptions themselves, a set of
symbols covers some essential features of the caves, including average and
maximum depth, length of each cave, whether snorkeling, cave, and cavern diving
are possible, and whether there are possibilities for exploration in the cave.
Another useful feature is a set of symbols which clarify if there are fees
charged, maps available, and restrooms on site. Primary and secondary explorers
are listed, a list of cenotes along each cave is included, and driving
directions and ease of entry is covered. A very brief note is given with each
guide page which lists a common “#1”dive which might be made. Brief sections
cover Accident Analysis, Risks, Techniques, and a packing guide, as well as a
section that lists the various training agencies. Overall, the book is very
useful as a beginning reference to the area and Cenote diving in general. It is
also replete with numerous beautiful pictures which Steve has taken over his
years and thousands of dives. When pointing out shortcomings, my first thought
was “Who am I to criticize Steve Gerrard’s book?”. Rather than make such an
arrogant attempt, I would ask Steve to write a “Volume II” which would contain a
few needed features for the dedicated cave diver. Some maps of the caves
themselves would be in Volume II. I try to buy the maps that are sometimes for
sale in the shops around the areas, and I might send for some from agencies, but
they are cumbersome, expensive, and usually not available for some reason. Basic
maps would be great to mark penetrations made on the trip and even to plan
dives. A list of guides currently available might be nice, but people move and
the list would become out of date pretty quickly. No one is going to get rich
writing books for Cave Divers, there aren’t enough of them. I like the approach
of one well known training agency of selling their book in electronic form. You
find them on the internet, zap them a credit card number, and they zap you a
book which you can read from your computer or print and have bound locally. It
makes books cheaper, easily updated, and for impatient types like me, you don’t
have to order it and wait for the mailman til it comes. Perhaps Steve would
consider such a volume II, I know I’ll buy it. I would also highly recommend his
current volume to anyone interested in a trip to the Riviera Maya. Steve Gerrard
can be reached by phone, on the web, and by mail. The book is for sale from a
variety of sources and sells for around $50, which the pictures alone are worth,
in my opinion.
Solo Diving: The Art of Self-Sufficiency
by Robert Von Maier
AW:
For those considering solo or are doing so already, this is a good book to help you think through the different considerations that need to be made before you make a solo dive. It even offers some "rules" specific to solo diving that could be adopted by the solo diver. It discusses self-sufficiency, alternative breathing options, fitness, and diving management guidelines. www.amazon.com
The Dynamics of Underwater Cave Survey, mapping, and modeling
Todd Kincaid
AW:
This is a small book that really gives the basic steps of the cave survey process from start to finish, including survey map grading scales. http://gue.com/catalog/order
Basic Underwater Cave Surveying
by John Burge
AW:
Detailed book which walks you step by step through the cave survey process from start to finish, includes map grading scales, special tools, map symbology, the math involved, and cartography. https://dayo.net/secure/cds/order1.htm
Doing It Right
The Fundamentals of Better Diving - by Jarrod Jablonski
AW:
If you are interested in becoming a better diver, or are interested in learning more about DIR, then this book is for you. It discusses the philosophy, gear, equipment configurations, alternative breathing mixes, diving environments, and accident analysis. http://gue.com/catalog/order
Getting Clear on The Basics
The Fundamentals of Technical Diving - by Jarrod Jablonski
AW:
Not yet available on paperback. Acrobat PDF format. This is the reading text for the GUE tech courses. The text includes discussions of scuba history, nitrox, diving physics, gas mixtures, oxygen toxicity, DCS, dive planning, and emergency procedures. http://gue.com/catalog/order
Beyond The Daylight Zone
The Fundamentals of Cave Diving - by Jarrod Jablonski
AW:
Not yet available in paperback. Acrobat PDF format. This is the reading text for GUE's Cave Diver training levels. It discusses the birth of cave diving, levels of cave training, cave techniques, dive planning, managing gas supplies, hazards of the cave, emergency procedures, and ecology. http://gue.com/catalog/order
Oxygen Hacker's Companion, 4th Edition
by Vance Harlow
AW:
This book is a must have for the garage gas mixer. It covers topics including oxygen cleaning, blending nitrox and trimix, 100%, buying it, tanks, and hardware, safety, and analyzers. It even describes the different fill station configurations. http://www.airspeedpress.com/newoxyhacker.html
NSS Cave Diving Manual, An Overview
by NSS-CDS
AW:
This long book lays out for you the text knowledge that you would need to be familiar with through the Full-Cave level. It covers all the areas you would expect and repeats some of the info found in the cavern manual. It also goes into advanced decompression procedures, cave fauna, intro to survey, sump, and cave recovery. A great text which I recommend to anyone. https://dayo.net/secure/cds/order1.htm
NSS Cavern Diving Manual
by John Zumrick
AW:
What can I say? It's the first text to read if you are interested in learning more about the text portion of the Cavern class. It goes through topics such as cave hazards, emergency procedures, equipment, technique, etc. Good beginner book to overhead diving. https://dayo.net/secure/cds/order1.htm
NSS Cave Diver Workbook
by Mark Leonard & Lamar Hires
AW:
The workbook is required for each level up through full cave. Each level of cave training has its own chapter. Articles are provided as well as a few cave maps of the more popular systems. The chapters are in outline form and are topics that the instructor will cover in the formal classroom. https://dayo.net/secure/cds/order1.htm
Cave Diving Communications
by Joe Prosser
AW:
This booklet covers each of the forms of communication used by the cave diver. Chapters include sound, light, hands, slate, & touch contact. Great additional reading. https://dayo.net/secure/cds/order1.htm
PADI Encyclopedia of Diving & Diving Knowledge Workbook
by
AW:
Required reading for the PADI Dive Master cirruculum. Rather comprehensive text covering equipment, physics, physiology, chemistry, and the future of diving. The workbook is a series of question quizzes which tie into the encyclopedia. Answers and explanations are included. www.diversdirect.com
PADI's Enriched Air Nitrox
by PADI
AW:
This coursework text provides all the basic info you need to know about EANx to dive it safely at the recreational level. It provides all the formulas needed to make all the computations. I love the way PADI is able to take a subject and makes it easy reading for even the most lay of the laypersons. Even the math is easy to follow. If you want to get a good grasp of nitrox, this is the place to go. www.diversdirect.com
IANTD's Enriched Air Nitrox Student Manual and Workbook
by Dick Rutkowski
AW:
This text presents the different aspects of knowledge needed to dive nitrox safely. After every chapter is a quiz. Answers are provided. This book is a bit more technical reading than is the PADI nitrox text. http://www.iantd.com/Manuals.html
Complete Wreck Diving
by Henry Keatts & Brian Skerry
AW:
This is a descent size book with quite detailed information about wrecks. It talks about research, finding the wreck, search patterns, dive equipment, shipwreck ID, and artifacts. Good book. http://www.iantd.com/Manuals.html
Florida's Bubbling Springs
by Joan Lundquist Scalpone
AW:
This book lists the major springs in Florida and gives detailed descriptions of them. Many contain pictures so you can see what it looks like before you make the trip. It also gives directions to places for tubing, and scuba diving. www.amazon.com
Dennis Graver's 100 Best Scuba Diving Quizzes
AW:
Think you know it all? Test yourself with the thick book. It quizzes you on just about any recreational diving aspect you can think of. From equipment, to physics, decompression, the environment, physiology, activity, skills, emergencies, and safety. Answers and explanations are included. www.amazon.com
An Introduction to Technical Diving
by El Proyecto De Buceo Espeologico Mexico Y America Central
AW:
This CD-Rom is a very basic intro to technical diving. It addresses most forms of technical diving, but does not go into a great deal of depth. It discusses a definition of technical diving, the history, equipment, types, knowledge and skill requirements, physics, etc. The pictures provided are very nice. CD-ROM format. www.amazon.com
Scuba Equipment Care and Maintenance
by Michael B. Farley
AW:
This is a good basics book as it relates to dive gear. It has a chapter on each of the key pieces of gear ranging from tanks to underwater gauges. It's enough info to perhaps do some of the more elementary aspects of gear repair. www.amazon.com
International Textbook of Mixed Gas Diving
by Heinz Lettnin
AW:
This book is great for the REALLY math-inclined person. It discusses each of the physics laws that relate to diving, gas management/mixing, dive procedures, decompression, and DCS. Very dry reading if you don't follow the math. www.amazon.com
Diving Above Sea Level
by B.R. Wienke
AW:
This book is high in the math/graphs category. Quite technical in nature, but not real long. It discusses decompression theory, buoyancy, air consumption, gauges, and maladies. www.amazon.com
Wreck Diving
SSI's specialty course - by Daniel Berge
AW:
Short text that includes topics on selecting a wreck, wreck diving equipment, locating a wreck, diving the wreck, and advanced wreck diving. This is an intro level OW guide to wreck diving.
Underwater Navigation
by C. Royer & M. Scott
AW:
This short easy-to-read book discusses navigation options, the compass, search patterns, and new technology. If you are an OW diver who can't usually find his/her way back to the boat, you may find this book helpful. E-mail divebooks@bestpub.com
PADI Dive Master Textbook
AW:
This book is great for anyone interested in learning more about the leadership role of a dive team/class. It is required reading for the Dive Master in Training. It discusses his/her role, supervising, assisting the instructor, dive theory, risk management, and the business of diving. www.diversdirect.com
Deep Water Death
by Glynn Marsh Alam (Paperback)
Rblackburn: This is a fun easy read. Not a lot of cave diving in it, but it is worth a read if you like Mystery Novels.
The Caves of Karst
by Lee Hoffman (Paperback) 1969
Out of print
Generally available on Ebay
$1.00 to $12.00 (plus shipping)
FW: A novel about a "commercial" cavediver on another planet. Very prophetic, considering when it was written.
rblackburn: Great book about a cavediver/miner that ends up on
the run from the Authorities and his own Diver's Guild. It's an easy
quick read and worth the time.
Down to a Sunless Sea
David Poyer, St Martin's Press (1998) 354 pp SB
DPrice: Welcome to the most dangerous sport on Earth: where cave divers step into murky Florida ponds and end up hundreds of feet beneath the ground, sinking through Swiss-cheese-like rock formations, past strange underground creatures, heading down tunnels that may open into caverns or lead nowhere at all" - well that's what it says on the back cover! The central character is one ex-Navy SEAL Tiller Galloway, star of three other novels by the same author with a diving related theme. This story revolves around Galloway's investigation of the mysterious death of one of his friends, owner of a local dive store and cave diver. Along the way to a spectacular and implausible denouement in the closing chapters Galloway gets into a number of scrapes, makes up with his estranged son and gets laid. Poyer has obviously done some research into the nature of cave diving but doesn't let technical accuracy get in the way of spinning a good yarn. An enjoyable and undemanding read for a journey - not a cave diving manual!