Down Time: Great Writers on Diving

by Ed Kittrell (Editor), Casey Kittrell (Editor), Jim Kittrell (Editor)

More than 35 passages from novelists, journalists, poets, playwrights, essayists, and scientists detail an intertwined passion for diving and the written word in this collection. From Robert Stone’s portrayal of a diver who faces the terrorizing prospect of his air running out to Clare Booth Luce's search for the treasures of the underwater realm, every passage reveals a perspective of the world that only divers have known. Humor columnist Dave Barry battles a lobster and explains why staying on the ocean’s surface is like “going to the circus and staring at the outside of a tent.” From Rangiroa to the Red Sea, from deep within caverns to the eerie light under ice, from the lethal silliness of nitrogen narcosis to the elation of soaring over unfathomable depths, every selection, like every dive, is a unique experience.

Genres: Nonfiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published November 24, 1998

Reviews

[Bennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent collection of stories about diving written by some of the great writers. Educational, thought provoking, humorous - all express the feelings of exploring the underwater world. Having recently taken up scuba diving, I could identify with each person writing the stories. The beauty underwater, the way the creatures seem to have their own personality, the fear you feel at times - all a part of a really enjoyable and life changing sport.

[Shawna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Down Time is a collection of short stores and poems about scuba diving from the perspective of great writers. Some humorous, some contemplative. There are stories ranging from the birth of diving (one from the famous Jacques Cousteau) as there are stories about more modern and specialized forms of diving, such as ice or cave diving. I enjoyed this book. It was perfect for someone on a diving trip, little insights in a short amount of time, good for the moments between dives and those few minutes you want your mind to settle before an exhausted sleep. My two preferred humorous stories are “Blub Story: A Very Deep Experience” by Dave Berry and “The Underwater Zombie” by Tim Cahill. I cannot site any serious stories I enjoyed, at the time I was not contemplating man’s unconscious death wish or meditating on my inner fish.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the stories I found boring, others were very funny, interesting and beautiful. There should be something here for every taste. And if you are a scuba diver yourself, it's even better, because you know what they are talking about. I don't usually read short stories - they are just sooo... short! But I enjoyed this.

[Darla Ebert · Rating 4 out of 5]

The accumulated works of some well-known authors combined with a subject I find fascinating made this book a "must read" for me. I was glad for a book that seemed to be written just for me. The only disappointing part was the poetry throughout the book...poetry about deep sea diving?!
Otherwise, a great read in every way

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

What makes this read great is the variety of stories and styles. It is easy to pick up since it is a collection of stories from multiple writers and it kept me entertained.
I really enjoyed the Dave Barry and Michael Crichton stories.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collection of short stories about SCUBA diving. Ranges from harrowing accounts to humorous anecdotes.