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Title: The Eternal Darkness : A Personal History of Deep-Sea Exploration by Robert D. Ballard, Will Hively ISBN: 0-691-09554-X Publisher: Princeton Univ Pr Pub. Date: 04 February, 2002 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.33 (9 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: It's Science for the People.
Comment: I had the privilege of listening to Dr. Ballard speak on some of his explorations. It was quite an honor because I remember when his team discovered the Titanic in 1985 and because of that discovery I have tried to keep up at least a popular know-how about science and technology. THE ETERNAL DARKNESS discusses some of the things Dr. Ballard spoke about when I heard him and some of the things I remember reading about when I was a kid.
The book is basically a very brief history of deep-sea exploration that is divided into three parts. The first part deals with exploration up until the time of the submersible. There really isn't much about ancient exploration techniques because until the beginning of the 20th century, humankind really wasn't doing any deep-sea exploring. The book talks a lot about bathyscaphs and bathyspheres, things that I only vaguely remember from old Walt Disney cartoons.
The second part of the book explores the discoveries made using submersibles. Ballard began his career near the beginning of the end of this age and it is in this section that he begins discussing many of his own personal voyages and discoveries, including those in the mountain ranges of the oceans.
The third part of the book talks about the events in deep-sea exploring from about the early 1980s on with robotic vehicles doing most of the really deep work. In this part of the book, Ballard discusses other discoveries he was involved with including the Titanic.
Personally, I found the book quite interesting. Ballard does seem to take a lot of credit for various discoveries and events, but he was actually there for the discoveries of those things or at least was a member of the team. This book probably isn't something that an expert in science would want to read (too easy), but it's great for the average Joe. If only all science books were as easy to read as this one.
Rating: 5
Summary: Balancing the reviews: Another exceptional volume by Ballard
Comment: The earlier reviews of The Eternal Darkness show the benefit of Amazon's review system. I get nothing for polishing Amazon's apple, but this company has transformed book selling in much the same way that Ballard took existing knowledge, technology, and organizational leadership and enthusiasm and converted them into historic discoveries on the ocean floor.
As one with longtime personal acquaintance with Ballard's oceanographic work, I advise readers not to place credence in one carping, jealous critic. On the other hand, without Amazon's review system how else could one ever learn of the nuanced, knowledgeable critique of "Time Walker"?
One noteworthy point is that beside his spectacular images and technical breakthroughs, Ballard is ever on the alert to new ideas and concepts. For example, he realized and has popularized the amazing resource that the Black Sea - which has no oxygen through most of its 2000 m depth - offers for finding new insights into ancient cultures. In this environment teredo worms and ordinary bacteria that destroy virtually all wood and metal are absent. The anaerobic bacteria that remain operate exceedingly slowly - offering the chance that even leather and sometimes paper might remain recoverable when wrecks are buried in mud.
Because of the popularity of Ballard's work he has enjoyed support of powerful organizations, from the U.S. Navy to National Geographic. He uses these resources not to enrich himself as many others might do, but primarily to advance further explorations whose costs might otherwise be prohibitive.
So enjoy the visual and the action in Ballard's book, and keep the mind open for the talk, and appreciate one of the large spirits of 20th Century and 21st Century science and exploration.
Rating: 5
Summary: A great book
Comment: This book is the BEST book for people who want to learn about the hydrothermal vents, the RMS Titanic, or the Bismark. It brings out the best in Robert D. Ballard and sea exploration. It has information on just about everything Robert D. Ballard has found. When I first read this book, I almost flipped over. The hydrothermal vents are very interesting and the RMS Titanic has a big part in this book also.
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Title: Adventures in Ocean Exploration : From the Discovery of the Titanic to the Search for Noah's Flood by Robert D. Ballard, Malcolm McConnell ISBN: 0792279921 Publisher: National Geographic Pub. Date: October, 2001 List Price(USD): $40.00 |
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Title: The Universe Below : Discovering the Secrets of the Deep Sea by William J. Broad, Dimitry Schidlovsky ISBN: 0684838524 Publisher: Touchstone Books Pub. Date: June, 1998 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
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Title: The Rapture of the Deep: And Other Dive Stories You Probably Shouldn't Know by Michael G. Zinsley ISBN: 1585007412 Publisher: 1st Books Publishing Company Pub. Date: December, 1999 List Price(USD): $17.15 |
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Title: Lost Subs by Spencer Dunmore, Jonathan Blair, Brian Skerry ISBN: 0306811405 Publisher: DaCapo Press Pub. Date: 01 October, 2002 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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Title: Ghost Liners: Exploring the World's Greatest Lost Ships by Ken Marschall, Rick Archbold, Robert Ballard ISBN: 0316080209 Publisher: Little Brown & Company Pub. Date: 01 September, 1998 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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