The Silent World: The International Bestseller by the Father of Underwater Exploration (National Geographic Adventure Classics)

It was interesting and valuable to read this book both for its historical value as well for the scientific knowledge from such a keen observer and student of the ocean. It's amazing how much of the knowledge and science Cousteau presented in this 1950's book is still valid today. He discuses marine life behavior, the physics of light and physiology among other topics.The reason I rated it 4 rather than 5 stars is his attitude towards marine life at that time was abominable. True, our view of sea life has changed and I'm judging him by a different standard, still this was a very intelligent man and it's clear he was aware of his cruelty. It's ironic that he feared the large creatures but in fact he and his team were the most dangerous beings in the ocean. He talks about using explosive harpoons, capturing sea mammals to use as displays and pets, trapping octopuses, and using dynamite on fish. Some of this was done for the purpose of making "interesting" underwater films. Of course the book was written over 60 years ago by a pioneer with a different mentality and societal attitudes than today, and I understand his behavior towards marine animals changed later in life.

I had a student ask me what my favorite book was and I said this book. Well I had to look at it again as I recommended it after some 50 years after the first read. My English teacher put the book in my hands and said I was going to read this, and I did! pI am still impressed with the early days of the aqualung regulator. I had forgotten how little people new about early scuba diving, nitrogen narcosis, fish and sharks. I was surprised how many ship wrecks from WWII there were. Easy reading and shocked at how easy many fish and mammals were killed than . Never-the-less I am reliving the past. It is real not inflated and from a person I had admired all those years ago. Also my book did not look at all like the book in the photo. It was high school library book discard in perfect condition with even the check out cards in the front sleeve.

Since I'm a diver I'm biased by Jacques , a Christopher Columbus if you will of the ocean . While this book was published early in his career.It gives you a start of his explorations and experiments of diving with Fredrick Dumas and why this man was so dedicated to the ocean.Together they were intrumental in developing many of the scuba equipment we now use today. He truely loved the ocean and wanted us to respect it.This is a book to be cherished on ones shelves.I would offer suggestions to follow up with , "My Father the Captain" by his son Jean Michelle and & "Frogman" by Richard Hyman.Both authors give you a look into what they did while on their explorations on the Calypso , to various parts of the world.

My brother was very pleased to receive this for Christmas! It came exactly as described by Book-Biz. Thank you very much!

Very interesting look at the beginning of scuba diving. Those guys were absolutely insane! Recommended reading for anyone, even if you've never been diving.

It is absolutely an amazing book. As a fairly new diver it is awesome that many of the initial reactions I had with those first moments underwater were the same as a legend like Jaqcues Cousteau. This book has inspired me to follow my dreams no matter how rough the seas that lie ahead may be.

It's an excellent book, but I was hoping for a lot more photos of ocean life, so we will be looking for another book. Nobody knows the ocean like Jacques Cousteau, though!

RE-read a book from my childhood. Product as advertised.

I have been scuba diving since 1963 and Cousteau was my hero back then. After all he was the real pioneer of diving. I had a copy of this book years ago and loaned it to someone who never returned it. I tried to replace it but it was out of print and I could not get a copy in the book shops. I was advised to try Amazon and thankfully you obtained this one for me. In fact this copy is superior to my original one as there are pictures in this copy while there were no pictures in my one.Thank you

Fabulous read for any ocean lover.

Superb book for anyone interested in Scuba.

I started reading this on holiday and find it very captivating. Excellent book if your a scuba diver! a good read

I had not read this since I was a child when it ewas first published. It brought back many happy memories and persuaded me to take up scuba diving later in my life.