Download Deep Freediving Renegade Science and What the Ocean Tells Us About Ourselves Reprint James Nestor

Product details File Size 8953 KB Print Length 290 pages Publisher Mariner Books; Reprint edition (June 24, 2014) Publication Date June 24, 2014 Sold by  Digital Services LLC Language English ASIN B00E78ICX8

Deep Freediving Renegade Science and What the Ocean Tells Us About Ourselves Reprint James Nestor Reviews

• I first heard about this book when the author James Nestor was a guest on the Ben Greenfield Fitness Podcast however I had already been intrigued by the sport of Freediving since I read an article in ESPN the magazine back in the late 90's. I remember reading about it and being so fascinated by the ability of these seemingly normal human beings diving down to unfathomable depths on a single breath of air. My best friend and I were out in my pool literally 30 minutes after reading the article seeing who could hold their breath the longest and the following day we went to the lake in our community to attempt to reach the bottom near the dock. It was very surprising to me to hear on that podcast episode that most people still had never heard of Freediving. Hopefully this book will bring the sport into the light because it is truly amazing. The book starts out with the author who works for Outdoor Magazine being sent half way around the world for a competition that he had never heard of before. After witnessing the event he began a quest to understand how this was possible. Along the way he discovered many intriguing things about human physiology, the ocean and the organisms that live in it. His adventure brought him from Freediving competitions to taking a Freediving course to diving with a research team studying sperm whales...he even took a ride in a homemade submarine! I love the way the book is presented, the chapters are arranged brilliantly and it was very hard to put down. The author puts a spotlight on cultures that have used this ability to activate the Mammalian Dive Reflex for centuries. I extremely enjoyed reading this book as it has expanded my knowledge of ocean biology and the possibilities of human physiology.
• This book is incredible. DO NOT let the review by Mr. Stanley tip the balance to not reading this book. You will have missed a fantastic read. Having read the book and spent some quality time on the author's errata blog, it seems like there may be something personal between these two -- a drama that has literally nothing to do with the quality of the book, its compelling writing style and the sweeping scope of issues covered. Freediving, Sperm Whales, deep sea vents -- it is all incredibly interesting, and all far too arcane to cover well for a lay audience but Nestor manages to do just that. If you are at all interested in science this book is literally a page turner. I couldn't wait to get back to see what was going to happen with the whales! BUY THIS BOOK. It may change your life. If my daughter follows through on studying marine biology, the trace of that action will start with the two of us reading this book together. (she is 11). I can think of no greater endorsement, for I believe that motivating further study of the sea is the ultimate purpose for writing this book.
• As a kid, I studied oceanography at a college level while I was still in elementary school. I subscribed to all the journals and went on many field trips with college classes in the summer. I lived on an island in Florida, and marine biology was two steps out my door. Now 45 years later, I'm returning to my love of the ocean sciences. This book made me want to do so many of the things I did in the '60s, dive deep, study dolphins, and marvel at what we don't know about life in the oceans. One statement from the book concerning samples pulled from below 20,000', "50% to 90% of what is taken from the samples below 20,000' has never been seen before. They are entirely new species". If that isn't cool, I don't know what is.
• Absolutely fascinating book. Remember, though, do not attempt to do these experiments at home. Especially the man-eating shark ones. Everything in the book, including the echo-location experiments, have the potential to go unpleasantly wrong and were described as being done under some sort of supervision, often expert. Having said that, everything in the book is achievable and experts are out there. Occasionally way out there, but out there nonetheless. That fact, the fact that abilities normally relegated to the superhero comics are entirely achievable, would be worthy of a book in its own right.
  
  Now apply those abilities to experimental, predictive science. (If it's not experimental AND predictive, it's not really science at all.) The range of possibilities is fantastic. Yes, I know, it's controversial, but either those using the techniques are doing good science (ie predictive and experimental) or they are not. Either they are applying the Scientific Method or they are not. The techniques determine the impact of the observer and limit the valid experiments possible, but everything that is valid IS valid, end of story. Argue the experiments on grounds of merit all you like, but no other complaint has any standing worthy of the name.
• The book covers a diverse group of experiences that the author was involved in. I learned a few things, and found it to be well written, but lacked depth (no pun intended), as it felt like I was reading articles in Outdoor magazine or the like. Written for the general public and not for those of us who would like to learn more of the scientific underpinnings of the story. It was, however, entertaining and informative, so I can recommend it on that basis.