Scuba Books

It might be a bit presumptuous to declare this installment of Moments and Milestones: Loving - Part Six, the very heart and soul of the book, but it so struck me with its beauty, I was completely beguiled.

Loving - finds the protagonist/author discovering a fairy tale romance of mythic proportions. After spending years developing his sense of self-worth, delineating his own personal ethics and undergoing a comprehensive investigation of self, Timothy Mulder is graced with the gift of true love.
Rooting for this accomplishment came easy for both me and my lover, (We read these chapters together in bed) since we had become so invested in both the character and his convoluted story.

The details conveyed in the initial stages of his romance with his lover from down-under are achingly poignant. Some of the most intensely, erotic interludes. Love and romance portrayed at its finest without ever crossing the line of sleaze or inappropriateness.

I've been living happily in a relationship for over twelve years and Loving has helped to redefine my standards of quality and happiness. At the very least, I'm going to have to give special thought to future birthday presents.

5 Stars of the sweetest love.

In Loving (part six), Timothy Mulder finally finds the love of his life.
A touching exploration of romance engaged in by two people who truly know themselves and can share a full life together.
These three chapters were truly inspiring.
Like a port in a storm, Loving brings the reader to safety.
Reading this latest installment makes me wish, I could fall in love all over again.

I'm not sure I can repeat my original review. I guess it got lost in button pushing. But I wanted readers to realize what a blessing this chapter is in Timothy Mulder's memoirs. To go through life and find a person compatible and sharing that also enriches your life is one find in a million.

To recognize it is even more imaginable. This chapter is a culmination of knowledge practiced with wisdom in a life path that few can claim. He has shared his memories of an everlasting love with the reader and given the reader a chance to live this experience for the short duration of the printed word.

High praise for the writing in Loving that allows the reader into a little bit of heaven.
Sondi

Little: First a compulsion to know and understand all things, then the struggle for independence.
Lonely: Followed by the birth of a self-actualized individual with slight hedonistic tendencies.
Lost: Which leads to the inevitable 'fall from grace'.
Lifted: Broken and humbled, a new voice is allowed in and an awakening is achieved.
Looking: Awareness of limitation leads to a journey of self discovery. Ultimately culminating in a well centered, evolved human ready to receive life's ultimate gift; unconditional love.
Loving: (Part Six) of Moments and Milestones takes us to the heart of author Timothy Mulder's most intimate and exciting time in his life. A lifetime spent birthing the man who finally finds true love and embraces it with wild abandon.
One of the most passionately romantic love stories I have ever read.
(All that and you get to go scuba diving with baby seals too!!)
If only it were always this beautiful.

When I opened the pages of this chapter, a warm comfortable feeling came over me. I wanted to kick off my shoes and stay awhile....so I did. The voice of the narrator was soothing to match the mood of the loving atmosphere that filled these pages of the book. Our hero had found true love and it was the most wonderful thing in the world. Of course when it was time to return to business, I grabbed my shoes and caught up with the author as we resumed our Journey. While I am eagerly awaiting the next installment of this book, The memories of 'Loving' will linger.

Great book, but I just couldn't give it 5 stars like many others did. I reserve 5 stars for truly monumental works. In this rating system, if you rate The Lord of the Rings, Les Misrables, Great Expectations, and The Grapes of Wrath 5 stars, can you honestly count this work with them?

Stephen Harrigan has captured the most enjoyable account of his Diving adventures. I felt myself re-living the events and relating them to my own modest enoyable times spent in the Caribbean recently. Superbly written and hard to put down. Makes airplane flights disappear. Happily discovered we are in the same City too.

When people want to know what it's like to dive, I give them this book. Harrigan has captured the essence of scuba diving. He has nearly expressed the inexpressible.

I was in tears by the end of the first chapter-- I thought I was one of a FEW who feels more at home underwater than on the surface. I don't get to dive very often (family, etc.) but whenever I need to "dive", I pull out this book & I'm in Heaven. Harrigan's descriptions of not only what he sees but what feelings these visions invoke move me beyond words, as I think they would anyone who feels the ocean in their blood.

This is the best book about scuba diving I've ever read and should be read by anyone and everyone that is interested in scuba diving. It does a fabulous job of describing the great things about scuba diving without telling you what you already know. That said, it is also a great story and would probably be enjoyed by non-scuba divers. This is a great gift idea for a diving inclined loved one.

One warning... one of the reviewers recommended reading this to get your diving fix when you aren't going to be able to get underwater for a while; NOT TRUE. I found the exact opposite, this book only heightened my desire to go diving to near pathological levels!

If you've read this, I'd also recommend reading Neutral Buoyancy by Tim Ecott which is another good book about diving. It has more history and straight information than this book.

A very comprehensive theoretical manual that discusses the ocean environment, how the human body reacts and adapts to that environment, and everything a diver needs for a successful diving experience. The author spends a lot of time on equipment and discusses every part in detail: what it is, how it is used, how it is maintained and cared for, what to consider when buying it, how different products compare, etc. He also explains different diving techniques, pressure problems and solutions, entering and exiting water with full diving gear, hand signals, and emergency skills. It is the perfect companion to a scuba diving class.

I used this book when I first learned scuba diving. I didn't have a book to use and this book helped a lot. It goes into a lot of technical information and environmental factors which aresomething every diver needs to start learning. It is easy for beginners to understand. This book is something that has interested me in continuing with diving and has helped me on dives.

For anyone wanting to prepare for their first Open Water certification, this book contains all the useful information. It is also great for those already certified and looking to refresh their skills. If it has been 6-12 months since your last dive, this book is a great investment. I have always used PADI books (although others such as DAN exist). Mr. Graver covers all aspects of diving, emphasizing basic and absolutley necessary safety techniques and reminders. Dive safely and enjoy!

I took a 7 week open water certification class, and this was the required text. I read the entire book front to back in one sitting because it was very interesting and contained all of the information needed to pass the written examination.

Graver especially makes a great effort at explaining difficult information so that anyone can understand. Learning dive tables, how to plan dives, gas laws, physiology, physics, rescue techniques, and how to treat injuries was painless using this book. The text is also loaded with clear, colorful pictures to help explain some of the things he talks about such as how to don equipment, how the moon and sun effect tide, swimming techniques, what equipment looks like, and how waves and other concepts such as thermocline affect your dive.

This is a wonderful book for anyone beginning to dive, and it's a great resource for anyone who is ready to refresh after a long absence from diving.

This book was extremely helpful when I started to learn scuba diving. I was not required to have a text for my basic scuba diving course and this is a book I purchased to give myself more information. Now that I'm working on getting certified to be a teaching assistant (NAUI) for basic scuba diving, this book helps me maintain the knowledge that I learned in the basic course. I do recommend this book for any one and everyone interested in diving as a career, sport, or hobby.

I've recently embraced snorkeling, and one of my biggest frustrations is the number of books that combine snorkeling and diving... and then focus almost wholly on the diving. Since many of us cannot get PADI certified (for example, if we've ever had asthma), we're left with only snippets and leftovers of information. But that's NOT the case with "Best Dives' Snorkeling Adventures." This book does an excellent job of listing and rating snorkeling sites around the world (though mostly near the USA, Caribbean, and northern South America). It lists recommended dive shops in those areas, and even offers suggestions of where to stay. And best of all? It's for those of us who SNORKEL.

I hope that when they put out a 4th edition, Huber, Huber, & Sammartino include a page or so on Florida's Golden Coast (Fort Lauderdale, etc.) or, really, *any* other East Coast US snorkeling sites, assuming any exist (their main focus on the US itself includes the Florida Keys, Florida Springs, and Hawaii). Still, I'm now far better prepared to choose my next snorkeling vacation destination, so I'm rating this 5 stars.

I was surprised to find out that the title did not tell the truth. The writers did not include half the world. The indian ocean for example is missing.

This book is a must for anyone who enjoys water activities. It is a terrific book for beginners and also for those who are advanced in snorkeling.

I love this guide. My dive vacations are strickly to take underwater photos and being able to plan ahead makes my life so much easier. It gives me the airlines, the resorts with prices, when I can expect good weather. It's like having a personal travel planner. I would not plan a Caribbean dive trip without consulting this trustworthy book.

While most travel guides give vague descriptions about snorkeling or send me to places with nothing to see, Best Dives Snorkeling Adventures gives complete vacation planning details with maps and directions to terrific places in each destination to snorkel off the beach, sign up for a boat trip. IT COVERS all the best Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda snorkeling sites, the dive shops that will take you on boat tours and resorts that are especially dive-friendly. Great for families, novice and experienced divers.

A welcome new volume for collectors of top-flight underwater photo books. And a wonderful pictorial introduction to undersea life for the future scuba diver. Amazing shots, representing countless hours of quiet stalking, interspersed with startling chance encounters captured on film.

I have the book. I was wowed by the bright colors and informed by the descriptions. I think that this book has tables all over the world with it's name on it.

Bright Waters is a wonderful resource to use when somebody asks - "What kind of things do you see when you are diving?
The book provides an insight into a beautiful and fascinating world that is so often misunderstood and feared. The pictures are clear and well crafted and the author has provided a wonderful window into the underwater world.

A wonderful coffee-table addition. The two hundred photos of fish, whales, shipwrecks, octopi, and other colorful sea creatures are a delight. Many of the pictures come with accompanying brief text that helps the reader to understand the photo. The book is even more impressive when one understands that the author/photographer is currently 78 years young and took many of these pictures at an age when many of us were just thinking about the La-Z Boy and the television. The book makes me want to get back to scuba diving.

"Bright Waters" is an incredible journey to the depths of the ocean that only a scant few ever witness.
From the darkest, most obscure places--lightened only by the color provided by the nature of the underwater species--the author and artist, Nancy Ferguson, shows an uncanny skill with her camera.
Highlights include the perception of an "angel" on the wing of a stingray, a scorpionfish "lollygagging" comfortably on his ocean "lawn," dazzling, living floral arrangements ready to retreat at any second if disturbed and the graceful eel that appears to have snowflakes--living snowflakes--brightening the moment.
This masterpiece has everything from cup corals and angelfish to fish that have put on their clown makeup to further amaze the senses.
You'll see undersea parrots, kissing fish and the bluest of blue on the banner fish.
And, yes, for you jazz fans, there is the unique trumpet fish...but this one looks like a clarinet!
It's an amazing 200 pages!
This creation...this work of art...this opus...deserves five stars...and more!

Paul Lees has a new book published more recently titled "Globetrotter Dive Guide: Thailand". I have not read either so I can't say definitively that this is an updated version, but it is by the same author. Search in Amazon for ISBN number 1859747043.

Hope this helps.

I just came back from a livaboard dive trip to southern Thailand. The boat I was on had a copy of this book and almost every place I went was well described. I'm ording a copy for myself to better document my past dives, and plan my future ones. I really appreciated having the book with me. The only thing missing was a map of each dive site.

This is the best book about dive sites in Thailand on the market right now. However, it is quite old already because now that new dive sites have been discovered and some old dive sites have been reserved. Still, 90% of this book works just fine!

As a novice diver, I found this guide amazingly easy to read. Sites are rated on a 5 star system for both diving and snorkeling separately. Information on approach and typical conditions are given. Typical things that will be seen are also given. Icons for quick reference on each site such as approach by boat or shore, skill level, and other information make finding suitable dive sites a cinch.

For the diver or tourist who is contemplating a visit to Thailands reefs this book is an absolute gem. Ideal for divers and snorkellers of all standards, it is well presented and extremely informative. The number and quality of the sites reviewed is very good and it must be noted that the information concerning other divers needs ie. accomodation, equipment hire, dive companies, photography and medical arrangements is equally commendable. A reference book that I can guarantee will be well thumbed for a good few years.

This book serves as an excellent guide to those wanting to dive around the many wonderful sites in the Philippines. I just wish the author included a more in-depth write-up on Apo Reef.

Very good. I bought the book after my first dive trip to the Phillipines and found the information regarding those sites to be very accurate. I am now using it to plan my second trip.

On the basis of the information in this book we planned our dive trip to Bohol. It turned out that everything written was accurate and reliable, and we had a great trip. Like the rest of the series, nicely laid out with excellent photos.

This book is an excellent guide to select the best diving spots in the Philippines. The book has great photos and give you detailed descriptions about the best places to dive. The informations match the described spots exactly (like the sites around the island of Cebu). Additional information about the marine environment is helpful. This book is a MUST for everyone interested in diving the Philippines.

The book is a great reference for people who are planning to or thinking about diving in the Philippines. It provides a good description of what to expect with regard to general dive locales, as well as specific dives.

The book works, and works well because of several reasons.

First, it provides (still valid) contact information on dive operators and lodging providers in the different areas, as well as providing general ideas on price range for these operations.

Second, the book gives a good briefing and summary of the different dive locales in the Philippines, providing pros and cons, as well as tips that are useful to the would-be traveller.

Third, the book provides a near-comprehensive listing of specific dive sites in the different locales. While the underwater environment changes, it does so slowly, and practically all assessments and descriptions still hold. It provides info on what to expect in terms of depths, surface conditions, currents, as well as what to see. It also provides a quick rating in the form of stars, as to how good the sites are. These are highly accurate, although some have been under-rated, in my opinion.

Fourth, the photography is great. The book has been designed well, and is quite engaging. Full-color photographs are peppered throughout the book.

The text is getting old, but that doesn't change the fact that it holds its promise well of talking about the dive sites in the Philippines.

I can understand why no one has come up with anything to replace this book. It would be a tough to top or even match. Mr. Jackson has done a really great job of this one.

After diving the Philippine Archipelago, I can only understand and appreciate the book more and more.

taj d.

a philippine divemaster

This is a very imformative work, although it could do with being updated. Probably the best reference book of BVI dive sites for professional and recreational divers alike.

If you want a realy good book for diving at the BVI then take this one. I got all of my informations out of this book and all dives where fine. The only thing i missed was a map with stations for tank refill.

Jim and Odile Scheiner have been photographing and diving the BVI since long before any Bush's were in the white house. Their diving expertise and professionaly crafted photgraphs will guide you to some of the best diving in this area. Don't travel to the BVI without this book if you're planning any diving! It's that good.

If you're planning a bareboat charter in the British Virgin Islands and would like to head off to dive sites on your own then this is the book you need. The book contains dive site locations, mooring locations, skill requirements, weather considerations, site layouts, suggested underwater routes, and dive descriptions. We arrived in the Virgin Islands with a bag of dive books and this is the one that we used over and over again!

We're divers who have visited BVI several times, and we think Jim Scheiner's bok is the best guide available for diving the islands. - Jim and his wife Odile are accomplished videographers and photographers with a shop at Baskin in the Sun's location in the Prospect Reef resort in Tortola, and they have extensive knowledge of the area- they're passing some of this knowledge on to visiting divers. - My only wish is they'd expand the book in its next edition, as there are so many interesting BVI dives sites!

My granddaughter is a scuba diver so I thought she would find this book interesting. The colorful cover caught my eye. After I bought it I read it and sent it to my granddaughter. I liked it so much I bought one for myself. There was a lot of helpful information about Cuba for non-divers. I had been in Cuba as a young man. I am impressed at the wealth of information, maps and charts that were in the book. The photos are fantastic.

I dive at a lot of different locations. I have always had a curiosity about Cuba. I loved the underwater photography as well as the shots of the country and the people. Amy has a way of making the book informative and entertaining. After reading the book I have put Cuba on my TO DO LIST for places to see. It would be great to dive in some of the places in the book that are still unspoiled. I liked the fact that the book was spiral bound and a manageble size to slip in with my dive gear.

I loved the gorgeous photos. The research was thorough. It was presented in "no nonsense" language. The charts and maps were easy to understand. I learned a lot about the Cuban culture and the country in addition to the dive information. I am not a diver, but it kept my attention. It was great to see Cuba from the perspective of someone that has acutally been there and experienced the culture. Amy Houghton has a flare for describing things in such a way, you want to go there to see it for yourself. It was great to finally read a book about Cuba that did not have a political agenda.

"Cuba Scuba is the first comprehensive guide to the Cuban diving scene. It is obvious Cuba Scuba offers not only a comprehensive listing of hotels, dive resorts and dive sites throughout the country, but also valuable information and insights for US Citizens who wish to experience Cuba legally and hassle free. I would recommend this book to any diver who is planning a visit to Cuba."

Cuba Scuba is a very comprehensive book about Cuba, not only the diving spots, but almost everything that pertains to Cuba.
I found myself lost in a world full of joy and excitement when I started reading the book. Through the eyes of Amy I was able to see what I did not see before and what a wonderful world we live in. I became very encouraged to take Scuba diving lessons to live the experience, and who knows I may join the scuba diving team one day!!
Everything in the book attracted me; the eloquent style and the live photos conveyed to me the nice reality of Cuba. Read it and enjoy it.

I'm a Divemaster and Guide in Key Largo. This book is by far the best written guide I have found for the Keys. Because of who the author is my expectations for the 3D underwater diagrams was unrealistically high. The author does an exceptional job detailing points of interest and highlights you don't want to miss.

Buy this book!

I found this book to be an excellent review of diving sites in the Fla. Keys. Not only did it describe sites but the drawings describing dives from boats was excellent! I cannot say enough about how well this book is presented and it should be an invaluable resource for all of us who dive in the Keys

This is the best diving book about the Keys in this website. It is a fascinating look at many of the bigger reefs in the Keys. We used this book as a reference source for creating our website. It is filled with beautiful photos, all taken on the reefs described therein. It has diveplan maps to follow, history, fish descriptions, and many other helpful facts relevant to divers.

As a beginning diver, I found this book to be very informative. It lists practically every reef in the Florida Keys. I especially like the reef maps which show what there is to see at what depth. Then after each reef map, there are photos of what there is to see at that site. It is a paperback, but it has glossy pages and great photos. I thought it was an excellent book - at a value price!

This book can please every scuba diver interested on the Florida Keys. Great layout; nice, glossy paper; loads of inspiring pictures; super cool maps of EACH dive site; expert advice from knowledgeable writers who clearly love the Keys.
For such a beautiful book - though not hard-cased, it can fare well on a diver's coffee-table - this guide is a GREAT value for the money. This book provides substantial help in preparing for your first trips to the only living reef in the continental USA. It can also inspire the seasoned Florida diver to remember the good times underwater and how precious the Keys are.
A fitting tribute to a nature wonder... a most useful guide for a diving vacation... Highly recommended!