Fatal Treasure: Greed and Death, Emeralds and Gold, and the Obsessive Search for the Legendary Ghost Galleon Atocha Summary and Reviews

Fatal Treasure: Greed and Death, Emeralds and Gold, and the Obsessive Search for the Legendary Ghost Galleon Atocha
by Jedwin Smith

Fatal Treasure: Greed and Death, Emeralds and Gold, and the Obsessive Search for the Legendary Ghost Galleon Atocha
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Book Summary Information

Author: Jedwin Smith
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2005-02-22
ISBN: 0471696803
Number of pages: 272
Publisher: Wiley

Book Reviews of Fatal Treasure: Greed and Death, Emeralds and Gold, and the Obsessive Search for the Legendary Ghost Galleon Atocha

Book Review: Frustrating read
Summary: 3 Stars

Fancinating subject matter that should have been handled better. I would give it 5 stars just for the subject matter, 1 star for the writing style. The non-linear story telling was difficult to follow - jumping back and forth from the mid 70s, to the 80s, and even jumps to to the 90s. Lack of maps kept one from understanding the actual scope of the search. Some interesting story lines were introduced, but then disappear. For example, I would have loved to have read more on Kane - the prickly other brother - rather than the perfect son -the dead ringer for Mel, who now runs the company. but what was the most distracting aspect of the book was the author's persistent efforts to insert himself into the story. He seems to be convinced that the readers are interested in him. He even resorts to making a story out of his interview with the mother - years after the death of her son Dirk.

Also, it is amazing that the author spent a good deal of time with the search crew his first time out, and apparently never entered the water. My 14 year old boy scuba dives - nothing to it, and some of the search depths are snorkling depths. He seems to only see it as living in Atlanta working 9-5, or living the gypsy life at sea. Doesn't he take vacations? Long weekends? If he was so passionate about 'following his dream' he would have been down there more often - it is just a long day's drive, or a $100 plane ride. I hope someone comes out with the full story on this great treasure hunt.

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