Jacques Cousteau: The Sea King

by Bradford Matsen

An unprecedented and masterfully told biography of Jacques Cousteau that reveals for the first time the fascinating and compelling individual behind this famous television personality.
 
Inventor of the aqualung and fearless scuba diver, Jacques Cousteau opened up the ocean to a mass audience for the first time. Here, with the cooperation of many of the subjects closest confidants and family, Brad Matsen makes clear the full picture of his remarkable life, showing the father, military man, inventor, entrepreneur, and adventurer behind the public face. Vividly conveying the people, the science, and the lure of the sea that shaped Cousteau's life, Matsen paints a luminous portrait of a man who profoundly changed the way we live on our planet.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Adventure, Biography Memoir, History, Nature, Travel

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Brad Matsen has been writing about wonders of the sea for forty years. He is the author of Jacques Cousteau: The Sea King; Descent: The Heroic Discovery of the Abyss, which was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize in 2006; the New York Times bestseller Titanic's Last Secrets; Planet Ocean: A Story of Life in the Sea; and Dancing to the Fossil Record with artist Ray Troll; the award-winning Incredible Ocean Adventure series for children; and many other books.

He was creative producer for the Shape of Life, an eight-hour National Geographic television series on evolutionary biology, and has written on marine science and the environment for Mother Jones, Audubon, Natural History, and many other magazines.

Reviews

[Nataliya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember watching The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau as a mesmerized nine-year-old, completely awed by the beauty of the world under the ocean surface while at the same time absolutely taken in by the beautiful white ship Calypso (still the first thing that comes to mind when I think of a ship, any ship) and the amazing team of divers captained by a thin old man in a red wool cap —the one and only Jacques Cousteau. He was the man who embodied the allure of adventure and exploration while also showing deep care for the environment at the same time.

Me, in way too many conversations.

Jacques Cousteau started as a French naval officer obsessed with making movies underwater. He worked for oil companies who could finance his ambitions, but eventually came to develop into an impassioned environmentalist. He was able to turn on persuasion and charm to find funds for his ventures and passions from the most unlikely sources. He co-invented Aqua-Lung and brought the amazing sights of the oceans to people’s living rooms from his iconic ship Calypso helping bring attention to the fragile environmental equilibrium that we are destroying. His older brother ended up a Nazi collaborator while Jacques-Yves worked with the French Resistance. He lost a son to an aircraft accident, had a falling out with another son suing him over using the family name in other business ventures, and for over a decade had a secret family hidden from his first family, with both families ending up in bitter disputes after his death.

“No one aboard Calypso doubted that Cousteau was their leader, but they also knew that he was always open to ideas other than his own. He seemed to function as a catalyst for innovation rather than as an innovator, far more interesting getting a job done than in doing it himself. Everyone around him recognized that his greatest talent was inspiring other people to help him realize his vision. Cousteau never surrendered authority; he was quick to criticize or dismiss harshly those who were lazy, disloyal, or incompetent; and he always seemed to know where he was going, even if he didn’t say so.”

Brad Matsen presents a respectful yet candid biography of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, not quite skirting the difficulties in the man’s character, his complicated family dynamics and the utter mess his family and legacy descended into after his death in 1997. Matsen’s writing has a great easy flow to it, very readable and yet very detailed, and he chooses to primarily focus not on the personal life (although we still get glimpses into it) but on Cousteau’s work — ocean exploration, underwater filming, and his inventions — and I’m immensely thankful for it, since tabloid-style airing of dirty laundry evokes little besides annoyance in me. I’d rather read about the challenges of diving and fundraising (since ocean exploration is not cheap) than gossip any day.

“For Cousteau […] the men on the lunar surface were a footnote to the miraculous photographs of the whole earth that had been sent from space by the Apollo moon ships. “Now we can see for ourselves that the earth is a water planet,” Cousteau said. “The earth is the only known planet to be washed with this vital liquid so necessary for life. The earth photograph can drive a second lesson home to us; it can finally make us recognize that the inhabitants of the earth must depend upon and support each other.”

I’m thankful to Jacques Cousteau for working hard to make us see the beauty of our majestic yet fragile oceans and eventually the peril they are in. And I’m thankful to him, selfishly, for making my life as a kid just that much richer with the hours of fascination. And for the inevitable rewatch yet again of all of his series that I can get my hands on. And to Brad Matsen for bringing the story of his life’s work to us.

4.5 stars, rounding up because, well, I love Jacques Cousteau!

——————
Also posted on my blog.

[nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

jacques cousteau has got to be way more interesting than this book makes him out to be. maybe it's the fact that matsen relied heavily on interviews to tell episodic tales, but where's the gristle? the most interesting parts - the relationships behind his work, the fact that he kept a second wife that he had children with while his legal wife lived alone on the ship that made his career - are given small teaser paragraphs while the most asinine information about ship's size and berth are given page upon page.

it was really interesting to learn that guinness family had a hand in getting him started by loaning him calypso for the equivalent of a pound, and that they still own it despite all of the intra-family fighting. but otherwise this was a snoozer that i despised carrying around and complained about at every opportunity.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I grew up watching Jacques Cousteau specials, I still learned a lot from this book. Like all gifted non-fiction writers, Brad Matsen is able to write about complex issues in a way that enables the uninformed to understand, so I was able to comprehend and appreciate the challenges of air pressure and its regulation as well as other difficulties of deep sea diving. Matsen thoroughly explores Cousteau's background to reveal what motivated him throughout his active life and he is adept at conveying the atmosphere on the Calypso and how it changed to reflect the personal events of Cousteau's life.

[Kenno82 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't grow up watch Cousteau's films or television series. In fact, my first introduction to him was via Bill Murray's character in Wes Anderson's A Life Aquatic, which was inspired by Cousteau.

Matsen portrays Cousteau as a flawed explorer, environmentalist and philosopher who inspired a generation to look beyond land's limits and under the water. His work to focus the world's attention on the health of the oceans and the need for sustainable practices cannot be underestimated. Nor can his contribution to the invention of the Aqua-Lung and advancing water-based technologies.

Far from idolising Cousteau, Matsen's writing feels authentic and provides the reader with a character study that looks beyond his lengthy achievements.

[Ray · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to read a biography of one of the most influential inventors, explorers and environmentalists in recent history. What I got was a brief summary but far too brief to feel complete. "The Sea King" wasn't much deeper than a Wikipedia entry, unfortunately.

[Thomas Radigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author has admitted he made some mistakes and is correcting them in future editions, so we can disregard that. Presumably he got the basic story of Jacques Cousteau right.

Long before he was an international celebrity, Cousteau was a member of a family of some wealth, and traveled to the USA and was unsure what he wanted to be in life until he discovered not only photography, but diving and exploring the world underwater. Living in Vichy France during the Nazi occupation, he was involved in the French resistance, but also in his longtime research into how to swim underwater, inventing the modern scuba tank system with the help of his friends. He also worked on how to photograph and make movies underwater, inventing techniques and equipment which allowed him to do so.

He rose to international fame by being the first to show humanity the world beneath the seas. Ironically, upon doing so, Cousteau seemed to decline mentally and emotionally, going from being any sort of scientist to being a showman, and having many personal problems such as having a secret second family who would clash with his first. Sadly Cousteau could be said to have lived too long.

[Erik Bower · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much about Cousteau not covered in documentaries. For example, he helped plant mines under French navy ships once the Germans invaded thus not allowing them to grow their navy. Or that his brother was a collaborator and spent the rest of life in jail after war and Cousteau took care of his kids many of who appeared on the weekly show. His celebrity at one point was so great that when the odyssey came into a harbor all of the fire boat tugs would spray water in his honor.

[Marlene · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've always been enchanted by the work of Jacques Cousteau. I enjoyed the history and the many changes he has made to the way we think about our oceans. But reading every detail of his life was rather boring. There were moments I thought I wouldn't make it to the next chapter. Very wordy.

[Rick Lindeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exciting read of an exciting life. Cousteau early life is fascinating and Heroic.. later on he ‘s mostly a fundraiser and womanizer who just believed a bit to much in his own myth... this books make it an exciting adventure...
a must for any diver. We all have to thank hos legacy. ..

[Aaron Early · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about the man who inspired so many and helped create the SCUBA sport we have today. Also to learn about some of his less than stellar family behaviour that was disappointing. Overall I enjoyed the book.

[Doug · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed with this book. the author has the facts and the timelines down, but fails to weave a compelling story line throughout.

[Mark Proudlock · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating tale of adventure, exploration, and one of the most important environmental activists of all time. I knew practically nothing about Cousteau before but now I’m obsessed

[Stefan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting, but somewhat sad!

[Alex Fed · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best and most accurate Jacques Cousteau biography. A must read for anybody who grew up watching his programs on TV.

[Philip DiMuro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kind of a wild story and Pioneer for his time

[Robert J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a fascinating read. Like many people growing up in the 60s & 70s 'The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau' was a riveting staple on our family television set. Consequently I had this long standing misconception of Jacques-Cousteau as this gentle father figure opening our eyes to the great world under the sea...what emerges out of this book is a more human, often flawed pioneer whom in many ways got caught up in a world of his own making. I didn't realize that much of his later years were primarily focused on fundraising and keeping the whole business going, which had an astronomical maintenance tag. Even sadder still were the family strife's and the inevitable end of the Calypso.

I got the sense Cousteau probably missed the earlier years when he and his colleagues were on the cutting edge of oceanographic technology, when times were lean yet they knew they were destined for greatness.

A straightforward look at the man without all the trappings of myth - I highly recommend it.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

JYK hated talking about himself. He would have hated this book being about his life. But he's such an important person, the king of the sea, who introduced us to the oceans. He sounded the alarm when the devastating effects of our human-ness started its toll on the underwater world. One main feature of this book is JYK originally took part in some of the things he later fought against: over fishing, removing dolphins from the wild for aquariums, etc. It's an important lesson that sometimes what we think is right actually has significant negative consequences. We must remain vigilant to protect our Mother. Okay, that came across a little more hippy than I care for, but eh. You get the point.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jacques Cousteau was certainly the greatest explorer of the 20th century, but maybe he was also the greatest explorer ever because he sought not to exploit his discoveries but rescue them. I recently, after reading this, went back to watch many of his videos, and they are as exciting and worldly as anything else in the great frogman's life. Here, local author Brad Matson takes us through the great man's life from WWII espionage, his inventing the SCUBA, to the tumultuous end of life estate matters that left the beloved Calypso adrift and rotting in a boat yard.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually thought I knew about Cousteau because of my background before I read this. I knew what the general public knows I guess but that really isn't that much apparently. I was suprised by a lot of things about Cousteau. I was even more suprised by the fact that France has a navy :)
The end of his life and the mess of a family he left behind was sad. I do finally understand now why PBS always makes sure to use Jean Michel's whole name on his series. I always thought it was strange but now I know he isn't allowed to just use Cousteau

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cousteau's story illuminated by a slightly warmer light than than of Munson's. A couple of nitpicks: Matsen misspells it "souscope" for Cousteau's Diving Saucer, la Soucoupe Plongeante; Rachel Carson's review of The Silent World is mistakenly cited as from the New York Times (it was the Herald Tribune).

[Joyce Donahue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riveting from the first page, this biography of the unforgettable Jacques Cousteau is a great read. Unfortunately, life is often neither fair nor kind, and the ending is a bit tragic. However, it's the truth. Good read - especially for those of us who remember the TV specials and read Cousteau's Silent World. This really brings the hero of our childhood - the man with the red stocking cap who had all of us in the late 60's wanting to become marine biologists - to life.

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book to read because the author was able to convey what an amazing adventurer and visionary Jacques Yves Cousteau was. There were many exciting adventures under the ocean and this man was also great at leading men.
Page 117 said, "Everyone around him recognized that greatest talent was inspiring other people to help him realize vision."

[Katharine Holden · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not sure how one goes about writing such a boring book about an exciting, dynamic subject, but the author has achieved it. Poorly written. Full of teaser paragraphs about the big issues in Cousteau's life and work, but no follow through. Much too much about ship measurements, etc. Not worth reading.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was small, I was enthralled by the concept of SCUBA diving, fed by some of his TV programs. This was a neat read, although the details of his personal life were disappointing to me. I very much enjoyed the details of the early diving expeditions, which faded out once Cousteau spent less time at sea, and more in boardrooms and at speeches.

[Mrs.Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the early days of just playing around inventing scuba with his buddies to running his empire, what a life of love, travel, adventure and fame. And family fueds besides. OK, maybe he did go Hollywood, maybe he wasn´t always aboard Calypso and maybe a few fantasies were dashed but he will still always be a great guy, RIP.

[Clarkman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't agree with the 3 star rating from Goodreads on this book. Maybe it is a bit more for one who already has an interest in Cousteau but it has material that is both new and informative. That is rare when reading about cousteau these days. I also found it well-written; just my take.

[Stuart Lutzenhiser · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting but not very deep outline of Cousteau's life. He did so much in his life, it probably would have been fairer to him to highlight one time in his life, for example his time in WWII and the invention of the Aqualung, and then dealt with that in more detail.

[Issy · Rating 3 out of 5]

What an interesting character. It got a bit tedious at the end but I guess that's his life.

[Stowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Especially inspiring as Cousteau and friends learn to dive off the coast of France. May we all find that synergy with our own compatriots.

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wrote a review: http://www.learntodivetoday.co.za/blo...