In Neutral Buoyancy; journalist and diver Tim Ecott takes you on a guided tour of the history of undersea exploration and the emergence of diving culture. He tells the extraordinary story of man's attempts to breathe underwater; from the sponge divers described by Aristotle; to the development of sixteenth-century diving bells; to the invention of modern scuba equipment. Along the way; Ecott intersperses the story with his own thrilling adventures; from the waters of the South Pacific to the remote islands of the Seychelles; from explorations in the clear; flowing tides of Sardinia to a near-death experience in the cold gray depths of the English Channel. Filled with engaging stories of humanity's conquest of the undersea world -- and heart-pounding action that will leave you breathless -- Neutral Buoyancy is a compelling blend of history and adventure; an exciting overview of the world of undersea diving. "As elemental; entertaining; and stimulating as the environment it traces." -- Kirkus Reviews "Engaging ... Neutral Buoyancy will certainly become cult reading for divers." -- Alexander Urquhart; The Times Literary Supplement "Ecott's encyclopedic recounting of diving history ... should be awarded a place on any diver's reference shelf." -- Paul McHugh; San Francisco Chronicle
#1217018 in Books imusti 2009-04-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .89 x 6.00l; 1.10 #File Name: 0801891426264 pagesJohns Hopkins University Press
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Rigorus Reserach Dispels MythsBy Christopher W. BogoshBook Review: Medicine Health Care in Early ChristianityGary Ferngren has done a great service for the church in researching and writing this scholarly book. The book itself is only 152 pages long but the endnotes and bibliography are another 100. There is a wealth of information in this book.In the first chapter; Ferngren explains method; approach; and primary references in researching this topic. He also explains why he engaged in this endeavor and that is because much of the research in this field has been presumptive. In the following chapter; Ferngren discusses the early reception of Greek medicine into Christianity. He mentions Dr. Luke as well as some of the early Fathers who welcomed Hippocratic medicine. Moving on into the next chapter; Ferngren explores early Christian views of disease etiology. Here he dispels the common myth that early Christians saw all diseased as caused by demonic activity; and explores the naturalistic causes they saw behind some diseases. In chapter four; he refutes the common view that Christianity is a religion of healing. While he affirms the eschatological emphasis of physical healing at the second coming of Jesus; he sees Christianity cast primarily as a saving religion in the here and now. The next chapter considers medical philanthropy in the early church. Here Ferngren discuss how Christianity was the only religion in Greco-Roman society willing to care for those infected with diseases; exposed babies; and the leprous outcasts. In chapter six; Ferngren considers the early-organized healthcare efforts of the early church. Basil the Great founded the first hospital; and many would follow employing physicians and nurses. Ferngren provides some concluding observations and summarizes his study in the final chapter.Context is so important. As one reads the Gospels; it is obvious that demonic activity causes a variety of problems with people. The prevailing notion has developed that early Christians saw all illness and disease as attributable to demonic causes. This is simply not the case. Ferngren cites example after example of attribution to naturalistic causes directed ultimately by the providence of God. It is easy to forget that Jesus walked on the earth following Hippocrates and the advent of Western medicine. Dr. Luke was a physician trained in Greco-Roman medicine. Ferngren argue persuasively that it was not until late antiquity and the veneration of the saints that the church became more superstitious regarding illness and disease. Understanding original context is so important; and Ferngren does an excellent job to show why.Although the entire book is worth reading; I found this one of Ferngren’s a strongest contributions.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. I am a retired surgeon serving most of my time ...By barrypartridge@xnet.co.nzI am a retired surgeon serving most of my time in a public hospital resisting beneficently the inexorable drift into bureaucracy that has no knowledge of what a hospital is all about and where it came from in the first place. While there are signs of a turn around to the heart and soul of medicine ; in our land ;there is still a long way to go. While I have not finished the Ferngren book this is the kind of dedicated research that is just so necessary and should be in every library. We must explore our roots if we are going to get things right in this age of subjectivism that runs away with the truth often turning a text into a pretext which when repeated enough turns it into a heresy.Sincere thanks for getting this book so efficiently to me.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Learned a lotBy M. ODonnellI read a copy of this book from the library I work at. It was so good in fact; that I ordered 2 copies to give as gifts to our pastor and his assistant.
