Customer Reviews

Lost Gold of the Republic: The Remarkable Quest for the Greatest Shipwreck Treasure of the Civil War Era

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I've had the good fortune to visit the explorers chronicled in this engaging book - Greg Stemm, John Morris and the Odyssey crew - and have held in my hands some of the artifacts they are so carefully preserving. It's like an out-of-body experience to touch objects that have spent the past 150 years on the bottom of the ocean.

We live in an era in which insurance companies shy away from risk and warning labels are on everything from toys to car visors. It's inspiring that some people still pursue ventures simply because their heart and soul push them to act. That's what this book is all about.

It's also about the tenacity to search for 11 years without success, and to keep going another year - when you succeed beyond your wildest expectations.

It's not an overstatement to say that Stemm was born to search for shipwrecks. It's in his blood. But the Odyssey crew are not typical "treasure hunters"; far from it. They are obsessed with history as they are with the financial returns of their searches. In fact, it's likely that over the coming years Odyssey will reveal more about our nautical past than any other single entity.

This book chronicles the ties that bind these modern adventurers with those hardy souls who had the courage and initiative to board the ill-fated SS Republic as it steamed towards New Orleans just after the Civil War. It's a great read.

This book must be compared to Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea. In fact, it's hard to avoid the comparison: two ships in deep water, expensive and litigious salvage attempts, new technologies, etc. However, Ship of Gold is a far better book, with a more compelling protagonist, and far greater technological problems to overcome. I have recommended Ship of Gold to my management team so that they can see how one individual was able to harness the brains and money of a many to accomplish his goals. While the Republic is well-written, it seems to be a puff piece by comparison, with idolizing statements about the two main characters. I cannot recommend it, at least in the company of Ship of Gold.

This book brilliantly describes the diligence and tenacity exerted by Odyssey Marine's co-founders in locating and excavating the Republic. I've always been intrigued by the concept of finding hidden treasure and artifacts, but this book describes how Odyssey deployed new methods and technology to convert this concept into a lucrative industry. Although the history underlying the Republic and the means by which it was found are interesting, the most fascinating aspect of the book is the detailed account of the struggle associated with developing and successfully implementing a blue ocean strategy in an uncharted industry.

Fantastic TRUE story! The background and recovery was as well written as the adventure was awesome. I dare you to put this book down before finishing!

Can anyone tell me how much history is a part of this book? Is it predominately about the rescue of the Republic, or is it balanced out with a substantial amount of history? How does it compare to "Raising the Hunley"?

Like it's cousin "Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea", Lost Gold of the Republic's narrative shifts between the history before the shipwreck, the action of the passengers and crew during the storm and the search for the remains of the vessel. The book is concise, well written and highly informative. While it does not go into the same amount of detail as "Ship of Gold" there is plenty of information for those wanting to learn more about this extremely interesting bit of history.

Highly Recommended!!!

Written by 30-year veteran writer and editor of National Geographic magazine Priit J. Vesilind, Lost Gold of the Republic: The Remarkable Quest for the Greatest Shipwreck Treasure of the Civil War Era is the fascinating true story of the hunt for the SS Republic, a steamship that sank in 1865 during a deadly storm, 100 miles from the coast of Georgia. In October 2003, after decades of failed deep-sea search operations, the company Odyssey Marine exploration discovered the sunken ship and "King Midas' dream": a field of gold coins strewn across the ocean floor. Since then, more than 51,000 coins and 13,000 artifacts have been recovered, at an estimated total value of over $75 million. Exploring the archaeological and historical dimensions of this great find, as well as the courage of the deep-sea ocean pioneers who uncovered a hidden piece of America's past, Lost Gold of the Republic is thoroughly enjoyable especially for armchair travelers and anyone interested in true tales of underwater salvage.

The book is a well written, brief history of the naval aspects of the Civil War and the importance of the blockade of Confederate trade on the Mississippi. Just after the war ended the Republic steams down the Atlantic from New York, headed for New Orleans. The ship is loaded with much that New Orleans needs including $400, 000 in gold and silver coins. It sunk in about 1700 feet of water and this book gives a very interesting summary of the technical efforts undertaken to find the ship and then to remove the coins without damaging them or the site. Toward the end of the book it got into a little too much numismatic detail for my taste but that is a small criticism.