Life and Death in a Coral Sea: With 122 Photographs in Full Color (The Undersea Discoveries of Jacques-Yves Cousteau) 1971 Edition Hardcover – January 1, 1971

Used book. Good condition. Nice read.

ok

This book was first published in the English language in 1971 as the second in a series of several books - each with it's own specific topic. Some of the photographs may look a little jaded - by today's standards, but because this book would have attracted a 5 star rating in 1971 I believe it should still attract that same rating today."Life & Death in a Coral Sea" may be something of an over-dramatic title for some. After all, this is not a book about Sharks or tragedy - but about conservation, pollution and, above all, the protection of our world's underwater environment.Packed with page after page covering all aspects of the book's main theme, I found the book all the more interesting because of the long passage of time since I read it last. My over-riding conclusion is that the content is as relevant today as it ever was. So much so, I would suggest no scuba diver's bookshelf is complete without a copy - but be quick, they will not remain available forever.As with all the books in this series, it is also a good read.NM

Jacques-Yves Cousteau name is synonymous with underwater exploration. As indeed it should be. In the middle of the Second World War, Cousteau solved a problem that had restricted humans to the ocean's surface - or to where a person could dive on one long breath - since the beginning. Along with Emile Gagnan, he invited the "Aqua-Lung," or, as it is more commonly called, the underwater regulator - a devise that can deliver air to the diver at the ambient pressure of the surrounding war. With some French government funding, they managed to acquire a suitable vessel for diving, and scientific exploration, the "Calypso," which was an American made mine sweeper which had been flagged to the British, and was deemed "surplus."This book is an account of the year-long journey of the Calypso, from March, 1967 to February, 1968. The journey covered some of the best, and most varied tropical diving in the world. It commenced in Monaco, where Cousteau was associated with the "Musée Océanographique." They entered the Red Sea, traveling and diving its length, went passed the Yemeni island of Socotra, on to the Maldives, then back to the Seychelles, Mombasa in Kenya, and back up into the Red Sea. They got caught by the Six Day War between Israeli and the Arab countries. The Suez Canal would be closed for a number of years, so they went south again, to Madagascar. A comprehensive and essential itinerary for underwater exploration.This was a period of time when sports diving was in its infancy, and there were very few "diving resorts," certainly none in the areas that the Calypso sailed. They had some rather sophisticated equipment for the time, including a mini-sub that could descend to 1000 ft., a decompression chamber for "the bends," cages to protect them from sharks, an underwater scooter, state-of-the-art camera equipment and Cousteau even had his son, Phillippe, become certified as a hot-air balloonist so that he could guide them through treacherous coral shallows. There are 122 color photos, and 20 black and white photos throughout the book. None are stunning; much better photographs of each subject have been taken since, but as an early historical record they are important. The book also contains important appendixes, with drawings of diving gear, including a good sketch of the "Aqua-Lung" mechanism, as well as sketches of some underwater plants. There is also an excellent glossary of terms for sea life, which vary significantly in the vernacular, so the Latin names are always also referenced.A strong theme throughout the book is for the protection of the oceans, which have been - and are - used as "garbage pits." Not revolutionary thinking now, during the time of yet another massive pollution of the oceans by oil, yet "cutting edge" when this book was written, before the very first "Earth Day." Cousteau's legacy is impressive and durable, yet one senses that he would be sadly disappointed at how the oceans and seas continue to be abused.Overall, for those interested in our oceans, and even spent some time beneath them, a worthwhile 5-star read by the "patron" of divers.

I have a first edition of this so it has been interesting to see the updated bigger version. Great book.

very good thanks!