George F. Bass (1932–2021)

Before I read this book I had no idea nautical archaeology (i.e. shipwreck diving) was so important and so interesting. In spite of the fact that I can only dog-paddle, this book made me want to become a wreck diver. Illustrated throughout with exquisite photographs, the essays detail how the archaeologists battled unpredictable currents, varying visibility, vicious eels, grabby octopuses and the risk of getting target="_top">the bends in order to rescue historical treasures from their watery grave. (In one instance they found jars of still-liquid wine. They tasted it, but apparently 847 A.D. was not a good wine year.)

All aspects of the field are covered -- from the logistics of deep water diving to the technical details involved in conservation -- and there were wrecks represented in chronological order from all over the world, in both lakes and oceans, from ancient times to the mid-20th century.

I would recommend this to anyone interested in diving, archaeology or history. I had had no idea I would enjoy it as much as I did.… (mehr)