Malaysia diving guide [Unknown Binding]

Andrea Ferrari (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1997

Each dive in this guide is accompanied by a dive chart and colour photographs. Malaysia's underwater attractions are to be found in the heart of the Indo-Pacific basin, one of the world's most notable areas of biodiversity. Detailed analyses are included of over 30 dives in the waters of Borneo.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Unknown Binding: 167 pages
• Publisher: Berkeley Books; [English ed.] edition (1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9625931708
• ISBN-13: 978-9625931708
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,287,152 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't bother with this one., January 1, 2002

By 

Ned Middleton (British professional underwater photo-journalist & author) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Malaysia Diving Guide Pb (Diving Guides) (Paperback)

According to the book's own front cover - this guide was written by two people who's names appear one above the other. The top name is "Andrea E Antonella" and below this is the single surname "Ferrari." Their names are, however, Andrea "and" Antonella Ferrari. One of the many problems with this series of books is very poor translation from the Italian language into what can only be described as "Italian English." Much is lost in that translation and, if these publishers can't even get the names of their own authors' right on the front cover, it does not bode well for the content. Sadly, the reader will soon realise, like so many of the books in this series, this book needs a complete rewrite.

The contents page reveals an overall introduction followed by 26 specific dive sites arranged under the headings; Pulau Sipadan, Pulau Mabul and Kapalai, Layang Layang, Abdul Rahman National Park and the Labuan Wrecks (under which heading several wrecks are mentioned in passing - but only one wreck is described in detail). Then, a curious assortment of items are covered in the penultimate chapter entitled "Dives in the Peninsular Malaysia" (sounds like a hotel) which is followed by the publisher's customary final chapter on local fish.

Each section commences with yet more introductions - after which each specific dive site is described with maps (I do so wish they would print their maps the right way up - with "N" at the top of the page!), a two-page artists impression of the entire site and written narrative. The book is well supported with page after page of very good photographs - although some are clearly upside down. Dear oh dear.

What is "missing" from the book, however, brings into question it's credibility as a serious work because none of the vital information so essential to the modern, discerning, travelling diver is included. There is no information about; travel agencies, airlines, airport tax, tourist boards, hotels, diving facilities, safari boats, available equipment, what to bring, what to wear, electricity, currency, language, time differences, photography, local traders - and if I missed anything, this book missed everything. In short, this so-called Diving Guide is nothing more than a collection of pretty underwater pictures.

Finally, we come to that part which is dedicated to fish life. Sadly, this too is revealed as a flawed piece of work. In this instance, there are 117 common species of fish each drawn by the publisher's resident artist. Whilst some might think this is nothing more than a means of padding out the book - at the expense of the aforementioned vital information, I made a direct comparison with the fishes drawn and described in this book with those from other titles from this same publisher. I was truly amazed to discover so many of the same pictures being used in those other titles - but that these same pictures are used to describe different fishes in different books. Padding, careless or simply not giving a damn?

The book's one redeeming feature, however, remains a very high standard of photography - for which it retains a one star rating. What a pity such excellent photography is continually wasted on one abysmal product after another.

NM

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ultimate Malaysia Diving Guide, February 10, 2003

By 

ACWJ (CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Malaysia diving guide

Bearing in mind that this is a Diving Guide, the authors show very detailed expectations at each dive site in East Malaysia. From the map of the dive site and its surroundings, to illustrations of what to expect from 0-30m at that site, as well as drawing of route diver should take from start to finish, along with pictures of marine life and write up pertaining to respective dive sites, the book is very good in preparing the diver for the dives and which ones to choose from.

This book practically replaces the mind of the divemasters as it can allow you to know what to expect and how to dive a particular site. Having said that, it's always recommended that you go with a divemaster.

Expect no more than an illustrated DIVING GUIDE to East Malaysia dive sites. This book can be better improved if these drawings were extended to dive locations in Penisular Malaysia, which in this case, it only has a write up and few pictures of marine life.