Dive Series

Almost as much as I enjoy a desert island story, a treasure hunt story is right up there as well. This is another universally loved theme based on all the media about it. Some of the movies that spring to mind are the Indiana Jones’ series, Alan Quartermain, National Treasure and The Deep (which book two was named as well). Throw in a dash of Benchley/Spielberg’s “Jaws” (I did like that you chose not to use a Great White, although I’m not sure if they inhabit that geographic area anyway).

I found there to be a little more humour in this series in the dialogue than there was in Island or Everest. I enjoyed the scientific detail throughout the series as well. The back and forth from the present to the historical narrative was quite pleasing. Also loved the Flash Gordon reference with the use of “Ming the Merciless”. As with the previous two series mentioned, it was exciting, edge-of-your-seat stuff that immersed me in that underwater world, wondering at times how long I could hold my breath.

A couple of questions arose for me:
1) With Dive, Everest and, to a lesser extent, Island, how did you conduct your research? I think I read that you haven’t done underwater diving or mountain climbing, so was it just reading or did you talk to experts as well?
2) Iggy Ocasek. A combination of Iggy Pop and Ric Ocasek?