THE LUSITANIA CONTROVERSIES: The Lusitania is one of the most notorious shipwrecks in seafaring history, not only because of the circumstances of her sinking - the result of a German torpedo - or because of the enormous loss of life that resulted, but because the wreck has come to symbolize what is achievable in the realm of underwater exploration.

These two volumes tread all new ground - and water. The untold story that you will read in the pages of these books you will not have read before. The Lusitania Controversies begins with the construction of the largest liner afloat at the time of her launching, in 1907. The story proceeds swiftly into war, then takes the reader on a breathtaking sweep through wreck-diving history - from its meager beginnings in the 1950's to the epic-making mixed-gas diving expedition in 1994 - and beyond.

The Lusitania Controversies is also an intense, action packed autobiography of the world's foremost shipwreck explorer.

Book One covers the ship's career and loss, analyzes the controversial aftermath, explodes the myth of conspiracy, examines the impact that the sinking made on history, and recounts the early attempts to salvage and dive on the twisted, rusted remains. Following the historical narrative is a fascinating look at the early days of wreck-diving: when basic scuba certifications did not yet exist, when numerous wrecks lay waiting to be discovered, when decompression was a little understood concept, when pony bottles and decompression reels were invented, when original wreck-diving techniques were developed and particular skills honed.

This is not a documentary but an adventure tale that is full of drama: from the war torn jungles of Vietnam to the deep dark depths of the Mud Hole. Here there is tragedy as well as triumph, death contrasted to hairsbreadth escapes, and events of great importance in the refinement of a specialized activity. This face-paced story will keep you on the edge of your seat and wishing there were more. Book One pauses at the end of the 1970's.