Into the Deep: A Memoir From the Man Who Found Titanic

by Robert D. Ballard, Christopher Drew Narrated by Scott Brick

Overview

The legendary explorer of the Titanic shares inside stories of danger, suspense, and discovery--plus previously untold stories about his own dyslexia and how it has shaped his life. Best known for finding the doomed ship Titanic, celebrated adventurer Robert Ballard has a lifetime of stories about exploring the ocean depths. Now he gets personal, telling the stories behind his most exciting discoveries-including how a top-secret naval mission provided the opportunity for his Titanic discovery-and opens up about his private tragedies. He frankly recounts the struggles he has worked through, rising to prominence as a scientist whose celebrity drew academic scorn. And he reveals the triumph and agony in the years after his Titanic find: While media around the world clamored for interviews, he grappled with the death of his 20-year-old son and the collapse of his marriage amid academic and military career demands. Finally, he addresses his late-in-life discovery of his own dyslexia, which he now sees as a gift that has shaped his life and accomplishments. Twice a New York Times best-selling author, here Ballard partners with investigative reporter and bestselling author Christopher Drew to tell the dramatic and often surprising stories behind his newsworthy discoveries. Timed to appear as the National Geographic Channel airs a special documentary about Ballard's explorations, Into the Deep will intrigue adventure lovers young and old. Brilliant, insightful, and surprising, Into the Deep is the definitive story of the dangers and discoveries, conflicts and triumphs that have shaped the remarkable life of an American hero.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"An amazing story, brilliantly told."—Drs. Brock and Fernette Eide, authors of The Dyslexic Advantage

"An explorer's memoir of discovering the wreck of the Titanic—and so much more. Although Ballard is best known for the Titanic, he has made numerous remarkable discoveries . . . Throughout the book, the author discusses the many challenges and setbacks he faced along the way, noting that failure should be embraced, since 'every failure is a learning lesson.' Ballard's incredible achievements and gift for storytelling will captivate readers from all walks of life."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Bob Ballard is larger than life: scientist, engineer, naval intelligence officer, charmer in chief. His is a story of determination in the face of insurmountable barriers. Yet, with relentless, infinite curiosity, and a hero's courage, he went around all those barriers, to become what he wanted to be: a modern-day Captain Nemo. Into the Deep is a page-turner, every chapter a cliffhanger that delivers yet another surprise, until the final surprise is delivered. At that sudden moment of realization, the armor is shed, and the hero shows a deep, soulful humanity that only confirms why he is such a towering figure."—Enric Sala, National Geographic Explorer in Residence and author of The Nature of Nature

"Embarking on a world cruise you might pack a suitcase with books by or about Shackleton, Fulton, Hornblower, Twain, Cronkite, and the most inspiring teacher you ever had. Bob Ballard saves you all that weight with his new memoir Into the Deep. Here is an explorer who discovered Titanic, Bismarck, PT-109, and many others in the abyss, a scientist who proved theories on hydrothermal vents that remade geological research, an engineer who imagined then built revolutionary marine robots, a naval officer who led secret missions into the most hostile regions, a natural storyteller whose wry wit enlivens every tale, and a trusted confidant of some of the most influential figures of his time. . . . The book is certain to be an adventure classic."—John Lehman, former Secretary of the Navy and author of Oceans Ventured

"It seems as if Robert Ballard has lived three lives—or maybe ten—and these pages are filled with a riveting account of his adventures, each one seemingly better than the last. I envy his grandchildren and the tales he must tell them."—Ken Burns

"No living explorer can claim a career as varied or fascinating as that of Robert Ballard, who has explored the world’s oceans, including a deep dive to the Titanic. His life is a testament to the power of imagination, scientific rigor, and dogged hard work. Now, as never before, Robert Ballard illuminates the world's oceans in a spellbinding memoir of courage and discovery."—Henry A. Kissinger

"Of course I loved the section about the search for Titanic and his exploration of the wreck, but was enthralled at the first hand accounts of the decades of exploration that preceded and followed that signature event in Dr. Ballard's life. He was, and still is, a true exploration pioneer, and has inspired generations of ocean explorers, myself included."—James Cameron

Into the Deep "details the struggles the oceanographer overcame to become a famed adventurer—and finally achieve his dream.”—New York Post

[In this book, Robert Ballard] “delves into his astonishing career . . . and also opens up about some of the most defining moments in his personal life.”—CNN Travel

“Ballard is a national treasure, the kind of man many of us can only aspire to be. He’s lived a life that is the stuff of legend, and Into the Deep is a genuine gift to readers everywhere.”—Jathan & Heather

“Fascinating, page-turning . . . This exciting memoir, recounted by a wonderful storyteller, will be relished by by readers who enjoy adventure, oceanography, underwater archaeology, and scientific discovery.”—Library Journal

“While his book features numerous stories about his favorite research expeditions and discoveries, the major revelations are more personal . . . including his recent discovery that he is dyslexic.”—URI Today, University of Rhode Island

Library Journal

04/01/2021

Ballard is celebrated as the man who located the Titanic; he has written several books on the subject, like The Discovery of the Titanic. But this fascinating, page-turning memoir also recounts his many other deep-sea adventures. It begins with his early interest in the sea, his doctorate studies, and his stint in the navy. Soon after, Ballard was diving in manned submersibles and writing books on plate tectonics, the existence of hydrothermal vents, and the discovery of animals that use chemosynthesis to live. Believing that robots are a safer way to explore the deep ocean, he worked to develop ever more sophisticated versions, which helped him locate and explore ships like the Titanic, Lusitania, Bismarck, and Yorktown. Ballard discovered ancient shipping routes and provided information for the U.S. and foreign governments on sunken submarines and planes. He candidly shares how he has navigated funding difficulties, pushback from his employer, and more. VERDICT This exciting memoir, recounted by a wonderful storyteller, will be relished by readers who enjoy adventure, oceanography, underwater archaeology, and scientific discovery. Ballard's latest account will appeal to a great many readers.—Sue O'Brien, Downers Grove, IL

Kirkus Reviews

★ 2021-02-18
An explorer’s memoir of discovering the wreck of the Titanic—and so much more.

As a young boy, Ballard was perpetually in motion. Feeling confined in school and suffering from dyslexia, he found that he learned better by seeing and doing. From an early age, his mother had given him “license to roam,” so he spent much of his time fishing, swimming, and exploring the tidal pools of Southern California. After seeing Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea at age 12, he was hooked on the ocean: “It blew my mind.” Although Ballard is best known for the Titanic, he has made numerous remarkable discoveries in the face of significant obstacles. Among his other adventures and accomplishments: witnessing the ocean floor expanding at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge; investigating alleged Loch Ness monster sightings; finding the Bismarck and the Yorktown; exploring the wreckage of the Lusitania; tracking ancient trade routes of the Romans and the Phoenicians; stumbling upon a site that pointed the way for Israel to find “a significant offshore oil and gas field”; making findings that confirmed a theory that a catastrophic event occurred in the Black Sea (which some believe was the biblical Noah’s flood); locating John F. Kennedy’s PT-109; discovering a German U-boat in the Gulf of Mexico; and his current quest to find the wreckage of Amelia Earhart’s plane. All of this would be enough to fill multiple lifetimes, but Ballard has also developed and improved technologies to aid in the exploration of the ocean floor, made speaking appearances and written numerous articles and books about his work, and created video documentaries and live broadcasts of his adventures, bringing science to life for schoolchildren. Throughout the book, the author discusses the many challenges and setbacks he faced along the way, noting that failure should be embraced, since “every failure is a learning lesson.”

Ballard’s incredible achievements and gift for storytelling will captivate readers from all walks of life.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940178692813
Publisher:	National Geographic
Publication date:	05/11/2021
Edition description:	Unabridged
Sales rank:	783,856

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