Title: Shadow
Divers: The True Adventures of Two Americans Who Risked Everything to Solve One of the Last Mysteries of World War II
Author: Robert Kurson
Publication
Date: 2004
Length: 397
pages
Subject
Headings: U-869 (Submarine)
World War, 1939-1945—Naval operations—Submarine
Shipwrecks—New Jersey
Deep diving—New Jersey
World War, 1939-1945—Naval operations—Submarine
Shipwrecks—New Jersey
Deep diving—New Jersey
1.
Where
is the book on the narrative continuum? A
mix -- highly narrative moments (perilous deep water diving) are mixed with
periods of fact-based prose (history of submarine warfare).
2.
What
is the subject of the book? Weekend
divers find an unrecorded sunken German u-boat off the coast of New Jersey and
spend several years trying to correctly identify the submarine.
3.
What
type of book is it? Narrative non-fiction with rich descriptions
of characters, setting, and events.
4. Articulate appeal
What
is the pacing of the book?
Begins with background material
and proceeds at a gradual pace, but some of the more suspenseful scenes race by
rapidly.
Describe
the characters of the book. The two main characters – John and Richie –
are described in detail. John is a
straight-laced, courageous leader who is respected by all. Richie, on the other hand, has approached
diving with a casual, “rock star” attitude.
How
does the story feel? Prominent emotions would be the obsessive drive
and determination of the two divers to identify the submarine, and their frustration
when they hit roadblocks to the truth.
There is also a slow build of suspense, since the dangers of deep sea
diving result in several deaths during the continuing investigation.
What
is the intent of the author? It is
very clear that the author respects the discipline and courage required for
recreational diving and the resolve of these two men to complete their task.
What
is the focus of the story? Essentially, this is a quest tale. Two men risk their lives to find an answer.
Does
the language matter? There is a lot of technical description –
both about diving and about submarines – that is delivered in a surprisingly
accessible manner. I expected to get
lost in technical jargon, but I never did.
Is
the setting important and well-described? The
underwater world of deep sea diving is vividly described.
Are
there details and, if so, of what? The submarine is not well-described at first,
because the divers have only limited time to view it before they must return to
the surface. On subsequent dives over
the course of several months and years, the reader gains additional details of
the vessel as the divers explore further.
These details are combined with research on German u-boats of the World
War II era.
Are
there sufficient charts and other graphic materials? Are
they useful and clear? The book includes
a schematic drawing of the sunken sub and 24 pages of photographs.
Does
the book stress moments of learning, understanding, or experience? Because
the two divers immerse themselves in researching WWII-era submarines, the
reader accumulates knowledge of Naval history as well as deep water
diving. The divers feel that it is
important to identify the sub in order to help bring closure to the families of
German sailors lost at sea. Their respect
for these “enemy” seamen leads the reader to feel satisfaction in the
completion of their quest.
5.
Why
would a reader enjoy this book? (Rank
appeal.)
1. Learning/Experience
2. Characterization
3. Detail
I listened to this book on a road trip. My roadtrip books tend to have subjects that I wouldn't normally chose when I read physical books. I enjoyed this book and as you mentioned the technical descriptions were delivered in a surprisingly accessible manner. I have even suggested this book to patrons.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a book my husband would enjoy! I'll have to pass it along to him! On a side note, just a question, but would any of us be able to use a book for this assignment that wasn't at least a mix on the narrative continuum? A dictionary is technically a nonfiction book, but I don't think anyone would be able to read it and use it for these assignments!
ReplyDeleteA literacy group that I work with hosted two programs with author Robert Kurson several years ago. He had some fascinating and humorous stories to tell about the divers and his research into WWII submarines. Although he had originally hoped to view the undersea wreckage personally, the two diving protagonists of the book -- John and Richie -- refused to take him down because HE DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO SWIM! We were amazed to find that a writer could describe so vividly the experience of deep sea diving, with all its peril and beauty, without even getting into the water.
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