Reviews (9)

Cool but consider getting the first edition too...
I bought this book to learn vertical caving and teach Venture Crew members.The local Grotto helped.We hoped to learn Prusiking (3 knot rope ascending), but the details in the second edition aren't as good as the 1st edition.The Grotto guy sent me some photo copies of the first edition that clarified stuff in the second addition.
Not an "expert"
The "military" section of this book is entirely in error and evinces complete ignorance of military rappel techniques though the cover vaunts this as a, if not THE authoritative source.
For the vertical traveller
A really outstanding book!It presumes a very basic level of knowledge and builds your confidence - from the history and making of climbing rope to all the hardware and knowledge needed to descend and ascend.All the techniques are listed and advantages/disadvantages noted for each.There is information for cavers and explorers as well as sportsmen and rescue pros.Some of the most interesting passages in the book describe real situations, poor planning, and what happened.If you want information good enough to go out and survive a dangle from a rope, this is it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Knots and splices    2. Rappelling    3. Rope    4. Terminology    5. Active outdoor pursuits    6. Caving    7. Speleology    8. Spelunkers    9. Caves   

Reviews (2)

Good Introduction to the Foundations of Cave Science
This book is the classic introduction to cave sciences.Written for the lay person, but with plenty of scientific specifics.Caving is a very young science.This book was written many years ago, and much has beenadded to our knowledge of caves.Every serious caver starts with thisbook, though.

An easy to understand introduction to cave sciences
Anyone interested in learning more about caves will want this book.It is easy to read, yet introduces cave science (Speleology) in a clear andlogical way. Even a layman like me can understand it. It is beautifullyillustrated with detailed diagrams and striking drawings.Both cave geologyand cave biology are covered. You will find answers to questions like howcaves are formed, why some caves breathe in and out, how stalactites andstalagmites develop, what kind of animals live in caves, and why some caveanimals are blind. The authors were pioneers in modern cave research. Theyhave spent a lifetime studying and exploring caves, and write about thesubject with style and authority. Main sections are: Caves as NaturalLaboratories, Origin of Caves, Characteristics of the UndergroundAtmosphere,Growth of Stalactites and Other Speleothems, Behavior andProducts of Cave Microorganisms, Habits of Cave Animals, Evolution of BlindCave Animals, Uses of Caves, References and Related Readings, Caves in theU.S. Open to the Public, Index. David McClurg, author of Adventure ofCaving, a how-to book on cave exploration. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Earth Sciences - Geology    2. Science    3. Science/Mathematics    4. Speleology    5. Caves    6. Caving    7. Spelunkers    8. Ecology   

Subjects:  1. Camping    2. Caving    3. Discovery and exploration    4. Guidebooks    5. Hiking    6. Kentucky    7. Mammoth Cave    8. Mammoth Cave (Ky.)    9. Mammoth Cave National Park (Ky.)    10. Museums, Tours, Points of Interest    11. Outdoor Skills    12. Sports    13. Sports & Recreation    14. Travel Guides - U.S.    15. United States - South - East South Central (General)    16. Sports & Recreation / Hiking   

Reviews (19)

Awesome story...flawed presentation
I still recommend this book highly. The story of these explorers is simply amazing. As someone who is very very claustrophobic (my worst fear is being stuck in some confined space), I have to be an "armchair" explorer, and this book makes you confront these fears. In the end it's very rewarding.
The willys!
I'm a scuba diver.I have also done a lot of spelunking in my late teens and early 20's.I never really considered combining the 2.It just didn't cross my mind.
I Really Wanted to Like This Book...
I really wanted to like this book but I found myself struggling to finish it. No doubt, the experience itself was immeasurably exciting / interesting, but the book was, well, kind of boring. Read more

Subjects:  1. (William C.)    2. Adventurers & Explorers    3. Am Ende, Barbara Anne    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Caves    6. Huautla Cave (Mexico)    7. Mountaineering    8. Mountains    9. Outdoor Skills    10. Sports    11. Sports & Recreation    12. Stone, W. C    13. Stone, W. C.    14. Caving & potholing    15. Geographical discovery & exploration    16. Mexico    17. Sports & Recreation / Mountaineering    18. Travel writing    19. Caving    20. Spelunking    21. Speleology   

Editorial Review

If you were to travel to the Amazon, say, or the source of the Nile, you would likely find the people there wearing corporate logo-branded T-shirts and listening to the latest pop hits on the radio. Using a GPS device or satellite photos, you can track your location just about anywhere on the face of the planet. Given globalism and the ease of travel to once-remote places, where is a would-be flag-planting adventurer to go these days?Read more

Reviews (6)

Where no large-format camera has gone before...
CAVES: EXPLORING HIDDEN REALMS by Michael Ray Taylor (0792279042, $35.00) provides some outstanding cave shots from caving experiences around the world. The book accompanies a new film 'Journey Into Amazing Caves' which was released in March 2001: many of the hundred-plus photos are from the film and highlight places no large-format camera has gone before.

How would you like to explore the mysteries of caves?
Many of us have probably been very fascinated with caves since we were small children. However, we probably never had the actual experience of exploring caves nor will we ever undertake such a voyage to many of our planet's uncharted regions.

Subjects:  1. Cave diving    2. Caves    3. Caving    4. Earth Sciences - Geology    5. General    6. Nature    7. Nature / Field Guide Books    8. Science    9. Special Interest - Adventure    10. Speleology    11. Travel    12. Caving & potholing    13. Geological surface processes (geomorphology)    14. Travel & holiday guides    15. Travel / Adventure   

Editorial Review

Caving is exciting, adventurous, and sometimes dangerous. It's the one true exploration frontier still available to the individual. Michael Ray Taylor's fascination with canyons and crevices hundreds of feet below the earth has taken him from Wyoming's Grim Crawl of Death to Chinese burial caves, the Old Croton Aqueduct beneath Spanish Harlem, and in 1994 to Zacaton, Mexico, where the world's greatest cave diver, Sheck Exley, dies in a dive. In a book of travel adventure, natural beauty, and emotional honesty, Taylor tours the world's deepest and least accessible pits, illuminating the personalities and people whose passion is slithering in the dark. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Continued praise for Cave Passages
After finishing this book for the second time, I again felt the pang of loss for having the pages not continue.A blend of caving, philosophy, and caving philosophy, his work gives one pause for finding meaning in one'slife.I for one am jealous of the karst regions he has been fortunate toexplore.Telling about those exploits is handled with style that doesn'tget in the way of the story itself.I'm sure others would enjoy this book. I do.

Enter the fascinating world of caving.
Come visit Michael Ray Taylor's underground world and explore some of the last great wilderness on earth without leaving the safety and comfort of your armchair.This collection of short stories on caving takes you aroundthe world to some of the most exotic caving regions.Michael's easy andcasual style of writing puts you right in the action.One can easilyimagine how tight the Devil's Pinch must be, and what those rocks felt likeas they squeeze you from above and below.I liked how Michael made eachaccount personal by letting you get to know the other cavers and the localinhabitants of the region.This book is for anyone with an adventurousspirit.

I was hoping for more....
Caving is a fascinating sport, but this book didn't captivate me as I hoped it would.Eleven of the 22 chapters had little or nothing to do with caving (the author just wandered-off on tangents...96 pages worth); thatwas a disappointment.The chapters which did talk about caving (the other156 pages) were well written and very descriptive.The book was 252 pageslong (the other 30+ pages included a glossary, index, appendix, etc.).Ialso purchased a book called "The Longest Cave," but I haven't read it yet;I'm hoping it'll be better. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1959-    2. Biography    3. Caves    4. Caving    5. Essays & Travelogues    6. Outdoor Skills    7. Special Interest - Adventure    8. Spelunkers    9. Sports & Recreation    10. Taylor, Michael Ray,    11. Travel    12. United States    13. Non-Classifiable    14. Taylor, Michael Ray   

Subjects:  1. Caves    2. Description    3. Earth Sciences - Geology    4. General    5. Nature    6. Nature/Ecology    7. Ozark Mountains    8. Speleology    9. Wildlife   

Reviews (9)

Trapped: The Story of Floyd Collins
When asked about his earliest childhood memory, my late father would tell of his dad carrying him to his uncle's house to listen to radio news reports of the attempted rescue of Floyd Collins from a cave in nearby Kentucky.This book brings to life those events that captured the nation's attention in Jan.-Feb. 1925. Trapped is a well-written, well-documented account of the tragedy that occured in the central Kentucky hills and before watchful eyes of the nation.Its a gripping account that manages to capture the facts of the event, including great details of America's first modern media circus, while still attending to the many colorful characters who played a role in Collin's life, the rescue attempt, and the aftermath.

Trapped: The Story of Floyd Collins
The best book I've ever read, period.Within the context of a rescue attempt of a Kentucky caver, the authors paint a revealing picture of America in the 1920's.From the glory seeking Louisville fireman to a journalist who won the nobel prize, this story is not to be missed.Just read the 1st five pages, up to the 1st line break, & you'll be hooked.I've never handed this book to anyone who wasn't totally enthralled w/ it.

Cave Country Tragedy
Trapped! the story of Floyd Collins, is a very well written account of one of the first mass media coverages of an American Tragedy.The book itself flows very well and engrosses the reader in the details of the often heroic effort to save Collins who was trapped in a cave near Mammouth Cave in Kentucky.Murray and Brucker do an excellent job in discussing the noted personalities associated with the media frenzy that closely followed the efforts to save Collins.Also dealt with is the exploitation of the entire event by a number of self serving individuals.A great book for those interested in Kentucky History and a noteworthy work for those who prefer casual reading. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Hiking    2. History    3. History - U.S.    4. History: American    5. Outdoor Skills    6. Popular Culture - General    7. Speleology    8. United States - 20th Century    9. United States - State & Local - South    10. Kentucky    11. True stories of endurance & survival   

Editorial Review

The microbes that caver Michael Ray Taylor calls "dark life" are found deep in the earth, in boiling oceanic vents, Antarctic ice, and lots of other places far from the reach of the sun's energy. These "extremophiles" are energy opportunists, subsisting on chemicals, radioactivity, or the faint light of molten rock. The study of these organisms is quite new, and scientists are learning that examining them may provide hints about the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Read more

Reviews (11)

Politics, personalities, and science of the dark world
_Dark Life_ by Michael Ray Taylor was a very interesting book. The author began it writing as a science journalist - having written a previous book on cave exploration as well has having articles published in such magazines as _Audubon_ - but over the course of the two and a half years he worked on this book went from becoming an observer to an active participant, a point he himself made several times in amazement and wonder. Originally he had set out to chronicle what was known about "dark life," microorganisms that dwell far underground or in the deep sea, organisms that derive their nourishment from sources independent of sunlight. These organisms, which have been found in such varied places as salt domes, Antarctic ice cores, and in highly acidic caves, have continually challenged notions of what life can tolerate, organisms so common that they may outnumber surface organisms (indeed Taylor rejected the commonly used term "extremophile" as he believes the term implies that these organisms are a "rare curiosity"). Taylor wrote of the history of the search for these microbes, the personalities involved, and where current research was in the field (as well as possible applications of this research).
Geology & Biology Intwined
For starters I will never look at my mineral collection quite the same again. Dark Life has shown that nanobacteria (only recently confirmed)is the absolute frontier of a new world. Minerals and "life" coexist and the nanobacteria "feed" upon the chemical compositions of minerals. The scientific world will be turned on its' head in the near future as a whole new science emerges. This book is easy to understand for those of us who aren't scientits but who are interested. As one who also has Multiple Sclerosis the possible connection with nanobacteria and mineral plaques in the brain was astounding as I read it.

Damn interesting, heavy on the human drama
I read this book after buying on a discout shelf in some clearance book seller.It was a pleasant surprise.It, as I wrote in the title, a little heavy on human drama and soap operatic themes.The science behind it is absolutely interesting and has spurred me to read further on the topic of nanobacteria.This is a great starting out book, but not a great book for those reading for the science of it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Environment    2. Environmental Engineering & Technology    3. Extreme environments    4. General    5. Life Sciences - Biology - Microbiology    6. Microbiology    7. Microbiology (General)    8. Science    9. Science/Mathematics    10. Speleology    11. Astronomy, Space & Time    12. Microbiology (non-medical)    13. Nature / General   

Subjects:  1. Caving    2. Guidebooks    3. North America    4. Outdoor Life    5. Outdoor Skills    6. Speleology    7. Sports    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (9)

MAGNUM OPUS!
Everyone who thinks cavers are crazy will be very happy to know that Jim Real Life Adventure / Intrigue
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.If you like adventure, you'll enjoy this book.At a time when it seems like we've discovered nearly everything about the world around us, this book helped me realize there are plenty of discoveries to be made right here in our own backyard. A Real Life Adventure by Real Human Beings
This book arrived on a Friday and I could not put it down until I finished it.It's a truly amazing story of determination, obsession and political intrigue.Read more

Subjects:  1. Caving    2. Discovery and exploration    3. Kentucky    4. Mammoth Cave    5. Mammoth Cave (Ky.)    6. Outdoor Skills    7. Sports    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Caving & potholing   

Subjects:  1. Caving    2. Equipment and supplies    3. General    4. Special Interest - Adventure    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Caving & potholing    8. Sports & Recreation / General   

Subjects:  1. Caving    2. Hiking    3. Outdoor Skills    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation   

Reviews (2)

The Complete Caving Manual by Andy Sparrow
I have had personal experience with Mr. Sparrow and find him to be a very competent caving instructor. His book, which I wish I had autographed, is very insightful. Mr. Sparrow has taken me caving several times and have felt completely safe and at ease as a novice. Highly recommend this book and his caving services. An excellent resource for the British caver
Has anyone ever asked you what caving is all about? Give them a copy of this excellent manual and they will soon know. Has anyone ever asked if there is a book that they can read when they are taking their first stepsunderground, or on the end of an SRT rope or trying to photograph thewonder of the subterranenan world? This is the book to point themtowards.Read more

Subjects:  1. Caves    2. Caving    3. General    4. Reference    5. Speleology    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Caving & potholing   

Reviews (4)

Not too much help
I was looking for a book about ass spelunking, and this did not cover that topic.I was dissappointed, but not surprised at all.Overall, the topic was covered pretty well, except for that it didnt cover what I WANTED.

Good Introduction before hands on training
Mr. McClurg's book covers a wide range of caving topics, from equipment to conservation to basic techniques and advanced vertical techniques. I read this book when I first became interested in caving. While no book is as effective as hands on training and experience, it did provide a good foundation for the techniques used in caving. When I later joined the National Speleological Society, I was able to grasp the concepts taught to me much more quickly.

READ ME FIRST!
I had the good fortune to read Mr. McClurg's book, "Adventure of Caving" BEFORE I undertook any wild cave trips on my own. This was back in 1988, so I own the previous edition of the book.Read more

Subjects:  1. Mountaineering    2. Outdoor Skills    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Caves    6. Caving    7. Speleology    8. Spelunkers   

Subjects:  1. Caves    2. Caving    3. Directories    4. Outdoor Skills    5. Sports & Recreation    6. United States    7. Spelunking   

Subjects:  1. Caves    2. Caving    3. Essays    4. General    5. Nature    6. Nature/Ecology    7. Outdoor Skills    8. Speleology    9. NATURAL HISTORY, COUNTRY LIFE & PETS    10. Nature / General   

Subjects:  1. Caving    2. Sports    3. Caving & potholing   

Reviews (6)

Hard to find, but worth the effort!
Jake Page's "Cavern" is a quick, solid read that's both entertaining and educational.Page gets to show off his knowledge of both the New Mexico area and the world of caves.When the protagionist, Jake Whittaker, a master caver, discovers a previously unknown cavern in New Mexico that could rival Carlsbad Caverns, he decides not to share the info with anyone until he can secure the rights to the discovery.What he eventually stumbles upon are some very unusual residents of the cave that begin to start exploring outer areas of the cave that just so happen to infringe on a radioactive waste management company.While it's unclear whether the inhabitants of the cave were affected in any way by the radioactive material, Page, at least, leaves that door open.Whittaker decides to enlist the aid of his ex-wife, Dr. Cassie Roberts who helps to identify the inhabitants and determine what the course of action should be regarding the cave and its dwellers.
Fast action and a thrilling plot
The setting is an unexplored cave near Carlsbad Caverns and the scientists who study it � and begin disappearing. Something is evidently down there, and amid issues of nuclear waste and research lies evidence of a new threat to mankind which must be stamped out. Cavern features fast action and a thrilling plot which will keep readers guessing to the end.

just an allright novel
I wanted more bear action in this novel. It seems the "extinct" bears got less play than the romance? between exes Jack and Cassandra. I know I wouldn't want to be in some deep, dark cave with my ex! All in all this book reminds one of a few recent books like "Extinct" and "The Trench" where thought to be extinct creatures come in contact with man with expected results. I'm not saying this is a bad novel, just that there are better examples of this genre out there. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Mystery & Suspense Fiction    2. Carlsbad Region    3. Caving    4. Fiction    5. Fiction - General    6. General    7. Mystery/Suspense    8. New Mexico    9. Radioactive waste disposal    10. Spelunkers    11. Suspense    12. Thrillers    13. Adventure / thriller    14. Crime & mystery    15. Fiction / Thrillers   

Reviews (17)

Wake me up when it gets exciting will ya?
The first rule in Book Club, you must grab my attention within the first 10 pages or your permanently banned to the "I couldnt read it" shelf. This book is banned, A good author in the first 10-20 pages sets up the novel with good characterizations, locations, a good story line, and grabs the reader by the throat and says "hold on lets go" this one said to me "wait a minute while I take a nap"

Labyrinth
Very much enjoyed this book. Complex with good development of characters. Whitney's fear of returning to the caves was very poignant. Even the story line of a space rock was plausible.

Summer read, but not Pulitzer material
This is the fictional equivalent of an action-adventure flick set to be released on Memorial Day weekend, with plenty of explosions, thrills, and chills and little plot to get in the way of the action.Read more

Subjects:  1. Caving    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. Science Fiction - General    5. Scientific expeditions    6. Spelunkers    7. Thrillers    8. Women marine biologists    9. Adventure / thriller    10. Fiction / Thrillers    11. General & Literary Fiction    12. Science fiction