Adam Skolnick

Disclaimer: I received this book as part of the GoodReads FirstReads program.

I remember watching free diving, where a person holds their breath and attempts to go as deeply as possible, on Wide World of Sports many decades ago. I knew nothing more than what I saw on TV about the sport, so this book was an educational experience. Pretty much everything you need to know about how the sport works, the different styles, its history and the people who participate is described here. The main focus show more is on one diver, Nick Mevoli, who was a quickly rising American star in the early 2010s. Unfortunately, in 2013 he became the first diver to die during a competition. The book also spends a lot of time exploring his life, background and motivations for diving. I was left with the feeling that Mevoli was responsible for his own death, by ignoring protocols on how and when to reach certain depths, and ignore clear warnings that he was damaging his lungs by attempting too much too fast. Overall, I enjoyed the book very much, and would recommend it to anyone who's interested in the sport. show less

Some crazy MF'ers. Get the idea that they want the zen like rush. But the whole, "I could die " each time seems nuts. Crazier even than skydiving. But I'm a wuss. Really enjoyed the book. Author told a compelling story and profiled individuals quite nicely.

This book takes you into the extreme sport of free diving. It describes feats that are barely believable. On a small scale, I have dabbled in this so the book held special meaning for me plus I believe I can appreciate what these divers accomplish more than someone who has never tried pushing the limits of their breath holding abilities. And I had no idea there were so many sub genres of the sport. Facts in here you want to hold onto for retelling.

Great book on many levels. It reminded me of Barracuda (fiction) in how the protagonist sought to resolve or explore personal challenges through sport, which ultimately became the source of his undoing. Beautifully written, particularly at its conclusion.