Ocean Gladiator!

[Kirstie]

Originally Posted by paramedic paul

You're right there Kirsty, i commented to SWMBO several times i couldn't believe he was around to write another chapter after some of the things that happened!

I don't know if he's a good diver, i don't know if i'd have a conversation with him in a pub although i expect i would as i tend to be a sociable sort, i'm certainly not impressed by anything he's done other than making a living out of the hobby we all enjoy, all I started off to point out was that I enjoyed the book and that IMHO others should at least give it a go. If you only get two pages or halfway through it and hate it fine, give it away and find something else to try.

I think he's certainly a lucky diver, to have survived half the things that happened to him. He's got the balls to give the deep stuff a go, even if it doesn't always work out as planned. Trouble is, there ain't much margin for error at those sort of depths!

[ShinyD]

I saw him at Vobster on Saturday, but unfortunately missed his talk. I'll give any book a go - at least for a few chapters, so I guess I'll be reading it at some point

[Scubee]

The book irritated me for every single page. The tales were fine, I guess they were exaggerated, because no-one could be that unlucky or stupid and constantly live to tell the tale. There were some funny bits, and others I wouldn't let a non-diver read in case they thought i might go off and do it.
The book is poorly written, and has spelling, gammer and puctuation mistakes all the way through.

Having said that, once I got over the snobby book critique bit, I couldn't put it down until I had finished it. I met him at the dive show, and he seemed like a nice bloke though.

[paramedic paul]

Originally Posted by Scubee

The book is poorly written, and has spelling, gammer and puctuation mistakes all the way through.

OOOPS

[Scubee]

Originally Posted by paramedic paul

OOOPS

But then... you haven't paid to read my rantings

[dave archer]

Thoroughly enjoyed it, just finished re-reading it tonight as it goes.

It's not well written but it's entertaining and it's about diving, which is enough to have me reading on the bus to work. The discovery of HMS Victoria must have been a mind blowing experience.

BTW I've been to Pattaya and it is just as he describes, makes Phuket seem civilised and high brow by comparison!

[Bottle Maker]

I thought it was a bloody good read. At first I thought Mark was a mad anchor then as I read on I decided mad yes would I do a course with him yes. I would rather learn from somebody who has mucked it up got away with it and learned from it.
The above are my PERSONAL opinions .

[ianfirmin]

Originally Posted by A. Berk

If I met Mr Ellyatt in a pub I wouldn't be interested in a conversation, he's done nothing that should impress anyone - unless of course you're a non-diver. I'll give his book the same 'respect'. The very title leads me to think its a bit of a nonsense read.

Berko

You miserable old fart! Read it before you comment. It's a work of humour with a few nuggets to make you think.

[scubak3ato]

I read it last year, mmm quite self indulgent to say the least. It does have a flawed typographic layout, with literals and grammer. However all this aside, some interesting tales. I started thinking it was a very l@@k at me book , but towards the end i decided he was quiet barking mad, but ready to push the current limits and is aware of his own mortality.
An interesting read, not for a non diver or someone who is only thinking about diving.

Now Shadow divers i thought was an excellent read.

[malcolm smith]

excellent read written with a sense of humour, travelogue meets diver log.