Customer Reviews

The Lost Wreck of the Isis

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Robert D. Ballard, of course, is the discoverer of the "Titanic" and several other famous shipwrecks of the 20th century. However, this story of "The Lost Wreck of the Isis," is more interesting because this time the ship in question is an ancient Roman ship from the 4th century. With the "Titanic" we have hundreds of images of the ship before it sailed on its maiden voyage into history, but discovering an ancient Roman ship is an entirely different matter, something for archeologists to investigate and to uncover details about the lives of people a long time ago.

This book tells the story of the JASON Project's exploration of the deepest ancient shipwreck ever found. This Mediterranean expedition used the same underwater camera sled that had found the Titanic a few years earlier. A year later Ballard and his crew returned with archeological experts to explore the ship they now called the "Isis." JASON was the name of the brand-new high-tech underwater vehicle, which at the time was the most advanced deep-water robot ever crated. JASON was able to beam back live images of the deep sea, as they were happening, to young students in science museums around the world. Students were able to ask questions of Dr. Ballard and the other scientists.

"The Lost Wreck of the Isis" not only tells the story of the JASON Project's exploration but also recreates the final voyage of the ship. The fanciful story focuses on Antonius, a young merchant's song, who is excited to take a trip from Rome to North Africa and the port city of Carthage. The attempt is to recreate what life was like for Antonius and others in the 4th century, a time of public baths, gladiatorial arenas, and the like. The book is illustrated with photographs, illustrations, and diagrams, bringing alive history, archeology and scientific exploration. My only complaint is that the book takes too long to get to the really interesting part, which for me is the discovery of the ship and what they found on the bottom of the sea. But the book gives equal weight to the technology of discovery used on this expedition, the wreckage that was recovered, and the reconstruction of the times in which the "Isis" sailed.

This book is approximately A4 size containing 64 pages aimed at the younger generation. It is, nevertheless, an excellent addition to my growing collection of books by this world-famous Oceanographer.

Whereas most authors would start at the beginning of their own particular story and leave any "discovery" to near the end, Ballard gets right down to it by showing us the remains of the Isis almost straight away before telling us what it was all about and what was involved. Of course, he only goes so far before he adds plenty of ancient history to fascinate the reader. Then it's back to his incredible work as he skilfully reduces all the technical jargon - which must be a serious part of his job, into another exciting and very readable account of the discovery of another important ship and, in this case, the recovery of ancient artefacts.

Well supported with the right amount of artwork for those ancient scenes - from an age long before cameras were even a concept.

Altogether an excellent book for any youngster who admires the work of Dr Ballard.

NM