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jenhurst's review
4.0
I love shipwrecks and archeology. My dream job is an underwater archeologist (even if I’m an accountant lol), so David gibbons has my dream job. Reading about all the shipwrecks and the history surrounding them is so incredibly fascinating to me. I was incredibly engaged and learned a lot about different shipwrecks. The royal Anne galley was my favourite chapter personally.
There’s two categories of nonfiction, the one where they’re more story tellers and research the sources to present it to the general public (bill Bryson, Eric Larson and David gran fall into this) and the ones like David gibbons that is more the primary source and an academic writer. The book reads very academic, so if you are like me and interested in the topic that’s not an issue but I think if you aren’t as interested in ship wrecks you might find the writing kind of dry.
Thanks netgally and St. marten’s press for the e-arc in exchange for a complimentary review!
There’s two categories of nonfiction, the one where they’re more story tellers and research the sources to present it to the general public (bill Bryson, Eric Larson and David gran fall into this) and the ones like David gibbons that is more the primary source and an academic writer. The book reads very academic, so if you are like me and interested in the topic that’s not an issue but I think if you aren’t as interested in ship wrecks you might find the writing kind of dry.
Thanks netgally and St. marten’s press for the e-arc in exchange for a complimentary review!
ellinlolis's review
informative
medium-paced
3.5
Good but a bit disappointing. As other reviews have mentioned, I wish the book spent more time on the cargo/treasure/wreck itself.
viivacious's review against another edition
It was interesting but presented in a boring way, if that makes sense. I didn't like the narrator of the audiobook either, there were some strange pauses that took me out of it.
insatiablewanderlust's review
adventurous
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
This was a fascinating read!! I'm obsessed with the Titanic and shipwrecks, in general. When I think about shipwrecks, beyond the history of the ship itself, I've never thought much about them outside of diving them. I now know that shipwrecks often serve as time capsules that teach us not only about the lives of those aboard and the state of the world at the time the ship sank, but also can expand on our knowledge of things you wouldn't associate with a ship such as the wine and ceramic industry. We learn about the money and valuable object of the time. We've even recovered written documents that give first hand accounts of the world. There's archaeology, sociology, and history all interwoven in this book and I highly recommend it! Oh, I also loved learning that not all shipwrecks are explored in the water. The Viking chapter discusses how some shipwrecks have been pulled from the water, or have had the water pulled from around them.
samwescott's review against another edition
Had to DNF after the prologue because of stilted, mechanical narrator performance. Weird pauses and misplaced emphasizing made it unlistenable, unfortunately. Bummed because the topic sounded so interesting.
beththebiblio's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Very good! I would have liked to have some more of the diving and such, but otherwise a good read.