Preview
  • Shadow Divers

  • The True Adventure of Two Americans Who Risked Everything to Solve One of the Last Mysteries of World War II
  • By: Robert Kurson
  • Narrated by: Michael Prichard
  • Length: 15 hrs and 37 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (4,850 ratings)

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Shadow Divers

By: Robert Kurson
Narrated by: Michael Prichard
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Publisher's summary

In 1991, acting on a tip from a local fisherman, two scuba divers discovered a sunken German U-boat, complete with its crew of 60 men, not too far off the New Jersey coast. The divers, realizing the momentousness of their discovery, began probing the mystery. Over the next six years, they became expert and well-traveled researchers, taught themselves German, hunted for clues in Germany, and constructed theories corrective of the history books, all in an effort to identify this sunken U-boat and its crew. During that time, three of their colleagues died exploring the wreck, including a father and son team. In 1997, when it all seemed in vain, the two divers came up with a final plan, so dangerous that the book ends with this last dive.
Listen to an interview with Robert Kurson on C-SPAN Booknotes from July 11, 2004.
©2004 Robert Kurson (P)2004 Books on Tape
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History
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Editorial reviews

Why You Should Download This Audiobook: At the heart of this true story are two larger-than-life characters who risk everything to uncover the wreck of a WWII submarine. It is their relationship, friendship, and loyalty that make this more than just a fascinating account about the world of wreck diving. The narration by Michael Prichard is note-perfect: You actually forget that you are being read to, so you are free to experience this amazing story as though you are underwater with the divers and submariners.

Critic reviews

  • Alex Award Winner, 2005

"While Kurson doesn't stint on technical detail, lovers of any sort of adventure tale will certainly absorb the author's excellent characterizations, and particularly his balance in describing the combat arm of the Third Reich. Felicitous cooperation between author and subject rings through every page of this rare insightful action narrative." (Publishers Weekly)
"A fascinating look at the sometimes communal, sometimes bitterly competitive psychology of wreck-divers, weekend warriors in wet suits whose dangerous hobby is often an antidote to the frustrations of the workaday world." (Booklist)
"The story told in Robert Kurson's new book features undersea thrills, a gripping mystery, incredible discoveries, true-blue friendship, life-or-death crises and history unfolding....Written with great you-are-there intensity and dynamic verve." (The New York Times)
"From U-boat history to the mortal dangers of diving (disorientation is so common that you wonder only three men drowned on this quest), Kurson explains it all, even as he's spinning a fantastic yarn that happens to be true. All he leaves out are the boring parts." (Newsweek)

What listeners say about Shadow Divers

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Read/Listen!

This book is well deserving of the hype! I couldn't get to the store fast enough to get the Das Boot DVD which I had seen in the past and I can't wait to get back to Chicago and the sub at the museum last visited 10 years ago with the kids. I will probably have to go through several times myself as did Mr Kurson.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

FANTASTIC, I can't wait for his next book.

This is a fantastic book well narated, riviting!!

Reg

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great book, couldn't stop listening.

The narrator did an excellent job. I found the story to be gripping realistic bit grough at times but I really enjoyed it.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding!

This immersive story is fascinating from the standpoint of deep wreck diving, the thrill of discovery and the transformation of history. It also provides a needed balance in our view of WWII Germany and the men who fought and gave their all.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

SUPER!

I was a little skeptical about this title at first. I'm not a diver, nor am I a WWII buff. However, I was totally captivated by this book! This story is a perfect blend of adventure, history, danger, and personal conflict. I found myself fighting to stay awake while listening on my iPod in bed, then setting the alarm for very early so I could listen some more before getting up. AWESOME!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

excellent driveway moments

My husband and I enjoyed this book so much we couldn't wait to get to the car to listen. Well researched and enticing, it is one of the best adventure stories this year. Even better because it is a true story. It is a great read. Just buy it.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

It had me at hello

I enjoyed it from start to finish and would recommend it highly. A fascinating true story.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Look within...deep within.

One the the greatest novels I've ever listened to. Hard to believe at times it was thoroughly researched non-fiction. Gripping, inspiring, and heartfelt.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Gripping

I learned so much from this book that I never excepted to learn and this book taught me in such a captivating way. I found myself giving my husband daily accounts of the book and he started to get drawn in and he's not an audio book kind of guy. I absolutely loved this book and would recommend it to anyone. A wonderful and gripping piece.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Gripping Story - Deep Diving & WW2 Submarines

All about super deep scuba diving exploring WW2 Submarine wrecks. Risking their lives identifying a german WW2 sub

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1 person found this helpful