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The Frontier Below

The Past, Present and Future of Our Quest to Go Deeper Underwater
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( 49 ratings, 7 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In The Frontier Below by Jeff Maynard, the exploration of the ocean's depths is chronicled, revealing human curiosity and adventurous spirit. This historical account delves into the challenges and breakthroughs in understanding the mysterious underwater world, blending tales of daring missions and technological advancements. From military significance to scientific discovery, the book highlights the impact of underwater exploration on our view of the natural world.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by the historical exploration of the ocean's depths and the brave adventurers who delved into the unknown. Set against the backdrop of the vast, uncharted underwater world, it offers captivating insights into the courageous pioneers and their groundbreaking missions, blending history with thrilling tales of discovery.

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Triumphs and disasters in the deep sea

This is a journey through time and water, to the bottom of the ocean and the future of our planet.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Triumphs and disasters in the deep sea

This is a journey through time and water, to the bottom of the ocean and the future of our planet.

We do not see the ocean when we look at the water that blankets more than two-thirds of our planet. We only see the entrance to it. Beyond that entrance is a world hostile to humans, yet critical to our survival. The first divers to enter that world held their breath and splashed beneath the surface, often clutching rocks to pull them down. Over centuries, they invented wooden diving bells, clumsy diving suits, and unwieldy contraptions in attempts to go deeper and stay longer. But each advance was fraught with danger, as the intruders had to survive the crushing weight of water, or the deadly physiological effects of breathing compressed air. The vertical odyssey continued when explorers squeezed into heavy steel balls dangling on cables, or slung beneath floats filled with flammable gasoline. Plunging into the narrow trenches between the tectonic plates of the Earth’s crust, they eventually reached the bottom of the ocean in the same decade that men first walked on the moon.

Today, as nations scramble to exploit the resources of the ocean floor, The Frontier Below recalls a story of human endeavour that took 2,000 years to travel seven miles, then investigates how we will explore the ocean in the future.

Meticulously researched and drawing extensively on unpublished sources and personal interviews, The Frontier Below is the untold story of the pioneers who had the right stuff, but were forgotten because they went in the wrong direction.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Frontier Below is described as a superb and enthralling exploration into the history of diving and submersibles, featuring a diverse and intriguing cast of characters. Reviewers highlight its ability to captivate readers with unexpected insights and its compelling narrative that keeps one eagerly turning pages. The book offers a comprehensive journey into humanity's pursuit of exploring the ocean depths, presented in an engaging manner.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780008532734

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 13 April 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: William Collins

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 25.0mm

Width: 153.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 430g

Pages: 320

About the Author

Jeff Maynard is an Australia nonfiction author specialising in polar history and underwater exploration. He researches previously untold historical subjects, then presents readers with engaging, character-driven stories. Maynard is a world authority on diving history. He was a founding member of the International Historical Diving Society and was President of the Australian chapter of the society for more than a decade. He is the editor of the quarterly magazine, Classic Diver. He presents papers at international diving events, and is a sought-after speaker for radio interviews. In 2002, he won the Historical Diving Society-UK award for his book Divers in Time. He is a member of the Explorers Club. He is also a book reviewer, radio commentator and editor.

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