Customer Reviews

The Last Attempt: The true story of freediving champion Audrey Mestre and the mystery of her death

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

 

 

I followed this story through the news couple of years back, saw it on HBO, saw a segment on the National Geographic Channel and remained curious about it since no one could really tell what had happened. This book tells the whole thing and with an amazing conclusion. Audrey had a remarkable life cut short by the absurd obsession of her legendary husband. Incredible story and an amazing narrative from the author.

Hi:
I am a TEC diver and diving instructor since approx. 20 years. A book about a freediving accident was not exactly what I was looking for! So I went through a couple of reviews and decided to buy it, anyhow...

Well, to put it bluntly: i read it in one take. It was absolutely absorbing and thrilling, like a top crime story; but full with information, only an insider could reveal!

As well I was really shocked about the b/w pictures of the accident and the lack of overall-security during the whole freediving record attempt!

If you are interested in either background information on this sad event, on subtle personal details about Audrey, whether if you are a freediver or
want to look into the relation between Audrey an Pipin: go an read it!

If you want to look at the cover or the TOC:

http://www.divetable.de/books/index_e.htm#Kap%2011

it is item [105].

Having read Pippins book first I fell in love with the sport. Having read this one.. I find out what a cruel world it can be. Recommended read for all fans of freediving.

I absolutely could not put this book down. I was so interested to learn of the events causing her death. I had read so much online about her husband and his involvement, that I wanted to hear what Mr. Serra's view was. It is so tragic and if the events were truly as such in this book, then this is a tragedy that could have been avoided. Excellent book, very well written and kept me wanting to turn each page and not set it down until I was finished.

A remarkably compelling story that proceeds to its fated conclusion like a greek tragedy. The confluence of personalities, mistakes and possible malfecence are clearly what brought this story to its close and there is plenty of blame to go around, including the author. Great reading,a true page turner. It seems as though the typographical errors in the text may have been left there intentionally, to mirror a Spanish speaker's pronunciation of English was a bit distracting and not entirely necessary. An example is the use of "seat" for "sit" but the attempt to capture the voice of the author, as it seems to be, does not really add to the story.

The sport lends itself to the development of cults of personality, in this case around Pipin, that prevented basic redundancy checking (check twice and check again) that might have saved Audrey's life. The author's final conclusions about the cause of death seem as complete an explanation for all the facts and circumstances that could be had but he clearly minimizes his own culpability in being dazzled by Pipin's bright, bullying, manipulative light. Pipin comes off as a megalomaniac which may or may not be the case but seems born out by the author's narrative.

A terrific read. I devoured it despite its editing problems. A second edition might contain updated information on the investigation and correct the typos. It might also expand on the history of the sport more than it does but that is just wishful thinking of nice additions to a compelling story.

As a fan of free diving since the 70's, I closely followed Audrey's career until her death. To this day, I am still saddened by the loss.

I greatly enjoyed this book and its compelling details. However, I would like to give my opinion on a couple of items.

1. The total recall of the numerous conversations was a little strange. The recall of this depth of detail gives one the sense that maybe (just maybe) some of it was made to fit.

2. The author states in the front of the book that he was his own editor. It shows. A much better book would have resulted if had a professional editor been allowed to work with the manuscript. I appreciate maintaining the `accent' but it disturbs the flow of the book.

Overall, it is a very insightful look into one of my favorite sports. I am grateful to the author for giving us this information which helps in my understanding of this tragic, untimely death.

I hope you find this review helpful.

Michael L. Gooch

I gotta say I was really disappointed by the one-sidedness of this book. Having read The Dive, a very well crafted book, which admittedly did leave a lot of unanswered questions, I couldn't help but feel that the author of The Last Attempt was exorsising some inner demons here. He villifies Pipin on almost every page of the book, while at the same time presenting himself as the one true voice of reason (and apparently Audrey's only real friend). I think the author would have done his book a better service if he restricted himself to reporting the factually proven events, instead of constantly demonising his former business partner while at the same time distancing himself from any responsability for the tragic events of that day.
All in all it is a very unbalanced presentation of a terrible tragedy within our diving community.

Someday hopefuly justice will be made to Audrey's and others death's.
Until then..."even no limits" has a limit!

Not only did I NEVER receive the book but I DID have to pay for it! I sent out a complaint mid-January requesting that I either be sent the book or a refund but never received any response at all. I will not purchase from amazon.com again seeing as how they take zero action when a problem is brought to their attention!