Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A lot has been written on the search for the legendary treasure galleon 'Atocha.' Unfortunately, not much of it makes for very entertaining reading. Too many writers have taken a great story of persistence, tragedy and faith and turned it into a clinical and boring historical tome. This book however by Jedwin Smith is a great look at Mel Fisher and his 16-year quest to find the mother lode. The author helped dive on the wreck numerous times starting in May 1985 and then several years later. It is this intimate familiarity with the cast involved that brings the story closer to home for the reader.
Mel Fisher is profiled here in all his larger-than-life glory; huckster to his investors, devoted father to his family, and dreamer extraordinaire. Beyond just the glory of July 20, 1985 when his divers uncovered the bulk of his $400 million dollar prize, we learn of all the tragedies that led up to that moment. From the loss of his eldest son, daughter-in-law and another diver in a boating accident ten years to the day before. To the loss of others involved in the 16-year search along the way. It also becomes obvious to the reader that Mel uncovered A LOT of "dry holes" off of Key West over the years in his long and arduous search. Frustration and utter despair would've crushed most treasure hunters. And where those failed, a collapse in the financing would've taken over, but Mel Fisher is portrayed as a forever optimist with his famous saying: "Today's the day."
It is easy to see from 'Fatal Treasure' how his infectious dream and optimism motivated others to help him in his ultimately successful quest. Great annecdotes are also provided here by the author including one about how Jimmy Buffett came aboard Mel's boat the day of the big find to perform 'A Pirate Looks At Forty.' He (Fisher) was named 'President in Perpetuity of Key West' because he so embodied the laid back, drop out of the rat race lifestyle. A little known fact presented is that the author's brother along with Fisher's son Kim and others have continued the quest for the even richer stern section of the ship right up into the present day. Although the pictures in this book are in black and white, the reader gets a good feel for the massive amount of gold, silver and emeralds found. It is over-the-top with regard to bringing this fascinating true adventure to life!

Jedwin Smith takes the reader on a whirlwind ride through the hurricane's eye of decades of Mel Fisher's treasures, triumphs and tragedies while searching for the elusive Spanish Galleon, Atocha. Smith, being one of the few journalists who actually kept coming back for more, was caught up in the search and after some personal introspection, proved to have what it takes to be an accepted member of the crew.

Mel Fisher was a 20th century adventurer who loved to explore the sea's tightly held secrets of the past and its many treasures. He was a man who would share his dream with anyone who would listen; those that did, would be offered the opportunity to experience that adventure first hand; if they accepted, they usually got much more than they could have ever imagined.

Although the title, "Fatal Treasure", reveals the worst tragedies Mel and his crew had to endure in the course of their 16-year odyssey, the book also deals in great detail with the mindset of those who would spend their lives probing the depths to make one man's dream their own obsession. As for Mel Fisher's explanation as to why he did what he did, he had a rather simple quip to his most complex vocation. His response would be- "for the fun, romance and adventure"; an attitude and spirit of mind that embraced life and all who knew him.

"Fatal Treasure" is really a story about an American hero who would not allow government interference, financial ruin or great personal tragedy sway him from what he believed was his right as an American citizen to pursue. This is the "gift" he bestowed on his crew, and became the real treasure to be found and understood. If there is an underlying theme to Smith's narrative, it would certainly be a lesson in civics about personal freedoms and how easy it would be for us to lose them, and if we do, "Fatal Treasure" just may become the story of this country's "Last Great Treasure Hunt." A Great Read! 5 stars

Several books have been written on Mel Fishers treasure hunt for Atocha. However, Jedwin offers a perspective found in no other book. HE WAS THERE. Jedwin gets up close and personal with the Fisher family and treasure hunters. Jedwin takes you to the bottom of the Florida Straits with the men and women who made Fishers dream come true. You'll experience the excitement of finding treasure, and the tragedy at the lives lost in the relentless search for gold. I couldn't put it down. Semper Fi

What an engaging book -- I was drawn into the story from the very start and it didn't disappoint. It was a fascinating look at a family's search for long-lost treasure in the face of tragedy and incredible odds. Loved it.

Reading Jedwin Smith's book, Fatal Treasure, is like going on an exciting and dangerous underwater mission, but with someone else taking all the chances. It is a vicarious experience I'll never forget. This is a wonderful book, a treasure about finding treasure.

Fatal Treasure took me on an adventure few people even know still exists - diving the ocean bottom for sunken treasure. Smith took me inside one of the last frontiers where gold and silver and emeralds still can be found. Through his own experience with the treasure hunt he spun the tale of the Mel Fisher family and their lifelong quest through three generations for the Atocha; a Spanish galleon that sunk off the Florida coast during a hurricane in 1622. In the search for sunken treasure, he kept me intrigued with all the colorful characters, the triumphs and tragedies and the unfailing belief that "Today is the Day". It gave me a lesson in history , a look inside the life of a treasure diver, and a refreshing view of Key West as seen from a bicycle. He makes me believe that I am really there and have touched the treasures of the Atocha. Thank you for such a wonderful journey.

Mickey Martin
Freeport, Illinois

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.

The power of dreams unfolds in the real life story of the Mel Fisher family, the American treasure hunters who gained international notoriety.

Mel Fisher dreamt of discovering the three hundred year old Spanish Empire's vast fortune stored aboard the Atocha and Margarita, two ships that were lost and buried somewhere deep below the oceans surface off the coast of the Florida Keys.

It was a daunting qwest. It was one of the longest and most successful treasure hunts in history.

The story is told through the eyes of the reporter, Jedwin Smith, a friend of the Fisher family who was allowed on their expeditions. Jedwin Smith brings the story to life. You feel as though you are with them on the boats tasting the salty air, in the ocean diving with your heart racing with anticipation, and celebrating with exuberance when they make a discovery!

I found myself pulled into the story anxious to find out what happened next.

This story has it all. Suspense, intrigue, mystery, adventure and as the book jacket says, "... the enormous power of wealth both for good and evil."

I'm waiting to find out which motion picture studio will snap up this book and make a feature movie out of it!

Fatal Treasure is the companion to the book "Treasure of Atocha: A Four Hundred Million Dollar Archeological Adventure by Dr. Duncan Mathewson III. Dr. Mathewson was the chief archeologist on the Atocha expedition and its recovery. I had purchased this book in addition to the DVD : Treasure : The Search for the Atocha.Recent I met a former executive of Treasure Salvor's to see his collection of Atocha treasures and to have an Atocha coin I purchased severral years back while in a treasure store in Florida evaluated. The Grade 1 8 Real coin almost tripled in value. Amongst the gold, emeralds, silver cannon ball (a way someone smuggled silver onto the Atocha ), bottles etc, mention was made of two new books that came out. Fatal Treasure was the book that told the entire story of all the key characters involved in the search for and recovery of the lost treasures of the Atocha valued he told me at $500 million dollars. I was further informed that the search is still ongoing for the sterncastle of the Atocha that is reportedly to have held the more valuables of the nobility that were on the Atocha and that this hoard could surpass that already found which could put the value of the Atocha treasure at approximately one billion dollars !

As an accompliment to the book by Dr. Duncan Mathewson, I can think of none better. It gives one a real feeling of who the players are, especially Mel Fisher. Many years ago I planned on having my copy of the book Treasure of the Atocha autographed by both Dr. Mathewson and Mel Fisher. Due to losing a number of items within the United States Postal System, I procastinated. Finally, I said "Today is the day" (Mel Fisher's favorite inspirational saying) and decided to mail the book as Terri, one of the women who worked at Treasure Salvors, told me to send the book and she would have Mel sign it. I was elated and then, that very day, I saw Mel Fisher's obituary in the Chicago Tribune. This was one of, if not the, worse feeling I have ever had in my life. I never met Mel Fisher but I know we would have become the best of friends and for that I will be perpetually sorry.

I read the entire book in one day. It is a happy as well as sad story. I felt tears in my eye twice in the book because not many people know the true story of the deep suffering Mel, Deo (his wife) and the other members felt for the loss of 5 people in this obsessive hunt for the treasure if the Atocha, including Mel's son Dirk and his daughter in law Angel.

It is a truly wonderful book about one man's obsession about treasure (Mel also found other treasure ships beside the Atocha which is detailed in this book). I am quite an avid reader but never have I read an entire book in one day. I would reecommed this book to anyone even remotely interested in treasure ships. Mel Fisher's legacy will forever be equated to Atocha. Its an honorarium he so richly deserves. Mel Fisher will aways inspire anyone who has a dream, for Mel Fisher will always be there in our hearts and minds.

It is a miracle to me, and highly admirable, that Jedwin Smith was able to finish and sell this book to John Wiley & Sons on a two-book contract, at the same time investigating and writing his incredible Vietnam War memoir, OUR BROTHER'S KEEPER. This is an amazing author, and I highly recommend either or both of his books as great gifts for Dad.

FATAL TREASURE is less a personal and intimate memoir than the author's incomparable OUR BROTHER'S KEEPER. FATAL TREASURE is more an objective biography of Key West treasure-hunter Mel Fisher and his quest for gold, although readers will enjoy the same first-person, fast-paced, adventure writing, since Jedwin Smith was a part of the crew and a close confidant of the Fisher family for 15 years in researching this book. FATAL TREASURE is a part of the Jedwin Smith story, too.

The focus of FATAL TREASURE, however, is on Mel Fisher and his family and the obsessive quest for legendary gold and emeralds lost at sea when the Spanish galleon, Nuestra Senora de Atocha, and her sister ship, the Santa Margarita, sank off Key West in a hurricane in 1622.

Mel Fisher appeared on the scene in Key West three centuries later, in 1969, and became a well-known legend in his own right until his death in 1998, and even beyond that -- who has visited Key West and not visited, or at least heard about, the infamous Mel Fisher Maritime Museum?

FATAL TREASURE is the saga of the treasure-hunter and his family, through triumph (finding treasure) and tragedy (losing his son and daughter-in-law in an explosion at sea that killed five divers). It is a fantastic adventure story.

-- Sherri Caldwell, Humor Columnist & Reviewer at www.RebelHousewife.com
Co-author, The Rebel Housewife Rules: To Heck With Domestic Bliss!