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Last of the Blue Water Hunters
This is the culmination of man's long trek to the sea and his encounter with the stunning creatures that roam beneath the surface of the oceans. This is the extraordinary true account of the greatest divers in the world.
Paperback
First published July 27, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 26, 2021
Catalina
October 16, 2022
My copy is a remainder bought in the 90s on a whim. I keep saying I will pass it along then reread it and put it back on the shelf.
September 27, 2013
This book -The Last of the Blue Water Hunters- was truly inspiring. It begins by telling you a little bit about the past of the writer, and of the purpose of the mission he begins. He borrows his friends sailboat and takes it to Santa Catalina Island where he intends to survive off of nothing except what the ocean provides him. He is a master in the ways of the speargun, and he hunts as if he were born right into the ocean.
You can tell that he speaks the truth about the origins of the sport, because he was right alongside the greats of the sport. Carlos Eyles (the author) was one of the founding fathers of spearfishing. Raised in Hawaii, he grew up in the ocean with the people who have roots into the deep blue more so than any other race. The sport was nothing but a stick and boardshorts when he was young; no mask, fins, not even a wetsuit for warmth. But the sport has developed so much since then.
You can tell that Carlos really loved the ocean by his tone. His diction really shows how much he cares for the ocean, how he was a part of it and it is a part of him. His descriptions of his hunts, from anecdotes of catching massive groupers, to love letters to the white sea bass, show that there is nothing else in this world that he needs. It is truly inspiring how connected he is with the sea, and the fish and himself.
He reminds me of a hermit. Living in solitude, with no outside help or advice. He sits on his boat, sipping his tea and telling a story. He almost connects as well with the reader as he does with the ocean. His delivery makes one feel as if he is there with him on his boat, listening to his tale as if it is the truest thing that’s ever been told. I love the ocean, or at least I thought I did, but this man is truly one with it. It’s not a love; it is something so much more, and this passion he has is the only thing he knows.
I think Carlos wrote this book to show people that there is so much more to this ocean than anyone really sees. He tells the history, and anyone could write that. I could have written that portion of the book just as well. But where this book really becomes phenomenal is when he adds his own life experiences. Hunting the powerful creatures in the world with just a spear and his wits. He really is an expert in hunting the fish; so many are expert killers, but he clearly establishes that there is a distinction between the two fisherman.
This book is written for anyone who takes any interest in the sea. His powerful writing style and vast knowledge of the subject really get the imagination going and he provokes the emotions in such a way that you will yearn for a taste of the freedom of the ocean. In my youthful state, I can do nothing but hope that I can maybe someday have the knowledge and connection and passion that he identifies.
You can tell that he speaks the truth about the origins of the sport, because he was right alongside the greats of the sport. Carlos Eyles (the author) was one of the founding fathers of spearfishing. Raised in Hawaii, he grew up in the ocean with the people who have roots into the deep blue more so than any other race. The sport was nothing but a stick and boardshorts when he was young; no mask, fins, not even a wetsuit for warmth. But the sport has developed so much since then.
You can tell that Carlos really loved the ocean by his tone. His diction really shows how much he cares for the ocean, how he was a part of it and it is a part of him. His descriptions of his hunts, from anecdotes of catching massive groupers, to love letters to the white sea bass, show that there is nothing else in this world that he needs. It is truly inspiring how connected he is with the sea, and the fish and himself.
He reminds me of a hermit. Living in solitude, with no outside help or advice. He sits on his boat, sipping his tea and telling a story. He almost connects as well with the reader as he does with the ocean. His delivery makes one feel as if he is there with him on his boat, listening to his tale as if it is the truest thing that’s ever been told. I love the ocean, or at least I thought I did, but this man is truly one with it. It’s not a love; it is something so much more, and this passion he has is the only thing he knows.
I think Carlos wrote this book to show people that there is so much more to this ocean than anyone really sees. He tells the history, and anyone could write that. I could have written that portion of the book just as well. But where this book really becomes phenomenal is when he adds his own life experiences. Hunting the powerful creatures in the world with just a spear and his wits. He really is an expert in hunting the fish; so many are expert killers, but he clearly establishes that there is a distinction between the two fisherman.
This book is written for anyone who takes any interest in the sea. His powerful writing style and vast knowledge of the subject really get the imagination going and he provokes the emotions in such a way that you will yearn for a taste of the freedom of the ocean. In my youthful state, I can do nothing but hope that I can maybe someday have the knowledge and connection and passion that he identifies.
May 9, 2016
I've just put this book down after chewing through it over the past couple of weeks. I spearfish myself and to learn more about the incredible history was great. Who'd have thought there were people out there before tanks came along.
Carlos paints the experience of the spear fisher from an emotional perspective. A writer could risk getting a bit sappy here and although he comes close at times I found his musings inspired. Just recently I dived in water much deeper than I'd usually be comfortable in and felt very peaceful. That is a direct result of reading and contemplating this book.
Carlos does a good job discussing the days of abundant sealife and the effect of man's take from our oceans. The conservationist element to the book is important and ultimately quite sad.
Overall this book is a rounded collection of experiences and tales that reveals much about an addiction that changes the lives of those who fill their lungs and dive.
Carlos paints the experience of the spear fisher from an emotional perspective. A writer could risk getting a bit sappy here and although he comes close at times I found his musings inspired. Just recently I dived in water much deeper than I'd usually be comfortable in and felt very peaceful. That is a direct result of reading and contemplating this book.
Carlos does a good job discussing the days of abundant sealife and the effect of man's take from our oceans. The conservationist element to the book is important and ultimately quite sad.
Overall this book is a rounded collection of experiences and tales that reveals much about an addiction that changes the lives of those who fill their lungs and dive.
August 30, 2008
I read that which takes me places I would never go. I could see the kelp beds swaying in the current! What an interesting book on early free-diving in the Pacific. Again, my interest was spurred by a good-friend and diving guru.
February 21, 2010
I loved it because I love the sport. Not sure if it would hold the interest of those that dont share a love for spearfishing or at least the ocean. Story moves a little slow to start out. But this is a classic for spearos.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews