Adventures in Ocean Exploration : From the Discovery of the Titanic to the Search for Noah's Flood

by Robert D. Ballard, Malcolm McConnell

Few men know the ocean as well as Robert Ballard. A pioneering marine scientist, he has dived in submersibles in all the planet's oceans, contributed key pieces to such scientific puzzles as plate tectonics and deep-ocean biology, and located scores of wrecked ships all over the world, included the doomed liner Titanic and the battered hulk of the German battleship Bismarck. Now, in this generously illustrated chronicle of our age-old fascination with the sea, he interweaves his experiences at the heart of modern undersea exploration with a vivid account of thousands of years of seafaring and discovery, as his own most exciting and important dives become the starting points for an odyssey through time that introduces the greatest sailors and voyages of history and sketches the evolution of ships and navigation from the first reed boats to the nuclear submarines of today.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, History

288 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2001

About the author

Robert Duane Ballard (born June 30, 1942 in Wichita, Kansas) is a former commander in the United States Navy and an oceanographer who is most noted for his work in underwater archaeology. He is most famous for the discoveries of the wrecks of the RMS Titanic in 1985, the battleship Bismarck in 1989, and the wreck of the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown in 1998. Most recently he discovered the wreck of John F. Kennedy's PT-109 in 2003 and visited the Solomon Islander natives who saved its crew. Ballard is also great-grandson of American Old West lawman Bat Masterson.

from wikipedia.org

see also
http://literati.net/Ballard/
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/fie...
http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/pa...

Reviews

[Matthew Kresal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading like a coffee table book-sized expansion of one of his National Geographic articles, Robert Ballard's Adventures in Ocean Exploration is part memoir, part world history lesson, and a tracing of the evolution of deep ocean exploration technology. Unsurprising coming from Ballard (and co-author Malcolm McConnell), the book is a solidly written, wonderfully illustrated piece of work, moving effortlessly between periods and subject matters. All of the highlights of Ballard's career feature from discovering the oldest known shipwrecks in the Black Sea to the discovery of tubeworms around hydrothermal vents and, of course, wrecks like the Titanic.

Yet, despite the lavish illustrations and Ballard's accounts, those who've read Ballard's other books will find little new here. Indeed, to risk being unfair to the authors, with its time jumps and frequent changes in topic, this has the feel of being a greatest hits album to a large extent. For those who've not read those other books or are simply looking for the imagery that Ballard and National Geographic have brought from the depths for decades, it's worth seeking out. It's almost worth seeking out for the illustrations and photography alone, something that seems appropriate given the eternal night found in the deep ocean.

[Kevin Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book recounts the history of ocean exploration, both ancient and modern through the eyes of Robert Ballard. The ancient voyages he recounts have exceptional detail and his modern discoveries are likewise fascinating. I loved this book. I felt like I was out on an ocean voyage adventure.

[Christopher Hachet · Rating 4 out of 5]

As enjoyable as Ballard's other books.

Reads like a novel, I can't recommend this strongly enough.

[Tomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting. Lots of scientific information.

[Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed here: http://www.learntodivetoday.co.za/blo...