"Cave diving is dangerous - do NOT do it, remember I told you so."

The auto-biography of one of the UK's more respected (and still alive) cave divers, Duncan Price. Starting from his childhood chemistry exploits, where he nearly blew himself up a few times, it continues through various escapades and explorations as a cave diver., with a similar degree of recklessness inventing the technology as we went along.

Although there's a general progression through time, there is also a consistency of location in the chapters, hence a degree of jumping back and forth. Duncan writes quite well and does a very good job of putting off anyone considering this one of the most dangerous hobbies on earth. Within the handful of companions Duncan dived with there are four fatalities, one of them during one of his dives. Yet the lure remains, and Duncan describes very aptly the rewards, dedication (and hard work) required to be the first (and sometimes only) person to visit parts of the underground world. More people have visited the mountain tops than some of the passages Duncan describes.

At times the descriptions are a little sparse, based on recollections and old semi-illegible notes from 30 years ago. But others are replete with characters and humorous incidents that took place. Many friends accompanied him through the pages (including 1 wife and 2 subsequent girlfriends). Obviously the later trip reports are more detailed. A collection of black and white photos, plus a colour section illustrate the details very well.

Primarily of interest to UK cavers, and probably more so to the select band of cave divers, which I don't intend to join, there are also details of trips to the US where he lived for a year and a few details in France. The foreign caves being much larger and therefore somewhat safer. It is always particularly interesting ot read the details of the far ends of systems which I've visited in person. ( )