Incredible true life adventure. Full of a lot of interesting history and insight about the bahamas out islands. His adventure of transforming his life of recluse as a school teacher who lived with his parents until he retired, into a legend in the Abacos is incredible and awe inspiring. An execellent read for anyone that has ever dreamed of transforming their life and escaping to paradise.

Highly recommend the book, especially if you are thinking of visiting Abaco... I recommend taking a trip to the Abacos and finding your own new addition. It won't cost you any less, but it will be worth a lot more.

I borrowed this book from a friend in New Orleans. I was a little dubious about it from the '60's cover art. The very first chapter cast a net over me! I stayed up for hours to finish the story and have read and re-read the book. I have to return the book so I'm going to buy the newest print. "De Doctah" did something so many people haven't the courage to do by "going island" and then putting it in print. If you are an armchair adventurer, this book may make you get up out of the chair! This book is a WOW! I'll even say it backwards "WOW"!

During a visit to the Bahamas in 1972 I read this superb and incredible biography. When I finished it I flew over and met Evans Cottmann while he was seeing patients in his little office. I visited his fairy tale green castle, saw his ketch and authenticated for myself this unbelievable and beautiful story. This book proves what man can do who is endowed with limited means, unlimited imagination and a desire to give and share his life.

This Reef Coral Identification book is THE definitive guide. In brief there is not a better guide out there. It thoroughly covers each type of coral and gives identification information as well as full color photographs. In addition to all the corals it covers other plant life likely to be encountered while snorkeling or diving. These include grasses, weeds, algae and coral diseases. With a plastic cover and the pages treated to resist water it can be taken to the beach or onto the boat without much concern about the water damaging the book. For each item the book also discusses any danger to divers that the particular coral may represent (such as fire coral).

This book can also be purchased as part of a three part set that also includes the Reef Fish Identification and Reef Creature Identification texts, each of which is equally as excellent as the Reef Coral Identification book.

Don't take my word for it, go to a handful of dive shops and this author's name will come up more than once. An excellent book, I haven't come across anything I like better. The others in this family are just as good.

This is a fantastic book, and along with the other two books by this author you should be able to ID any marine creature you encounter!

The book lists virtually all types of corals including Algae, black corals, brain, lace, cactus, cup, boulder, fire, fleshy, etc.

Each entry has an excellent picture, the name, family, size, depth, and other information.

The pictures alone are worth the cost of the book!

This is definetely the book you want to have with you when you dive or snorkel. Buy it today, you won't be disappointed!

After we came back from our honeymoon, I wanted to buy my husband a book to help identify the various sea creatures we encountered on our trip, and this book turned out to be perfect. First of all, the animals are broken down into various categories such as "crabs," "squid," etc., and each classification is clearly labelled. There are wonderfully clear, glossy pictures of each individual creature combined with a detailed description which includes information such as size, colors, appearance of immature, habitat, and reaction to divers. An ideal book for serious research or just for fun.

Sponges, jellyfish, flat worms, crustaceans, mollusks, star fish, if it is not a fish then it is in this book. This is the authoritative reference for reef creatures (other than fish) throughout the Florida, Caribbean and Bahamas area. The most complete book on reef creatures that I have seen, it is easy to use and beautifully illustrated. Each creature has it's own full color picture along with a line drawing that points out the defining characteristics of that particular species. With a plastic cover and the pages treated to resist water it can be taken to the beach or onto the boat without much concern about the water damaging the book.

Each entry has complete information on the creature from size, depth, range and habitat to the level of concern that a diver should have for their safety around the creature. Whether you snorkel, scuba dive or engage in other activities around a reef, this is the best book to have to identify reef creatures. This book can also be purchased as part of a three part set that also includes the Reef Coral Identification and Reef Fish Identification texts, each of which is equally as excellent as the Reef Creature Identification book.

This is a fantastic book, and along with the other two books by this author you should be able to ID any marine creature you encounter!

The book lists virtually all types of creatures including anemones, barnacles, jellyfish, flatworms, crabs, shrimp, octopuses, urchins, and much, much more!

Each entry has an excellent picture, the name, family, size, depth, and other detailed information.

The pictures alone are worth the cost of the book!

This is definitely the book you want to have with you when you dive or snorkel. Buy it today, you won't be disappointed!

This book has it all: non-stop action to keep your heart pounding, a likeable hero who won't give in to corrupt authority, tropical island locations and characters, an unexpected romantic twist, and just enough science to make you think.

Grant North is frustrated by the Bahamians when he attempts to develop an island as an incubator for technical projects that would help the area. His best friend dies, his daughter is missing, and the island is ravaged. North's ultimate reaction is both terrible and swift.

The sea may be shallow but it's certainly not calm. Its broad expanses, wild storms, and evil denizens drive the story. But the island and the man who built it bring the book to its violent conclusion.

I doubt that this author will ever be welcome in the Bahamas again.

The Shallow Sea is an excellent novel, fast paced, loaded with surprises and full of realistic action. Grant North, the leading character, moves easily from a benevolent scientific philanthropist to a tough single minded worrior searching for his kidnapped daughter. He and his trusty girlfriend lead the reader through an exciting chase through some of the seedier elements of the rich and beautiful Bahamas--drugs, violence and crooked politicians--in pursuit of the bad guys.

The character development is extremely well done expecially Grant North, who is very like Clancy's Jack Ryan. Both are well educated and intellectual, but beneath that exterior are men with a strong sense of purpose and integrity, and the strength to punish those who wrong them or theirs. No matter how rich or well placed the villian is, crossing North comes with a very high price tag as the reader will soon find out.

I really enjoyed this book and look for more from Ruzic.

I picture Harrison Ford as the alturistic man of science Grant North, who is pushed by corruption and circumstance to the very limits of his physical and mental capabilities. The Shallow Sea has all of the ingredients of a great action thriller: set on a pristine tropical island threatened by drug smugglers and an impossibly corrupt bureaucracy, the hero Grant North uses his intellect and innovative technology to fight for his daughter Coby and the island he loves. Vivid discriptions and intriguing details permeate the senses, letting the reader live vicariously through Grant North in his tropical paradise with problems. "Nothing in this country is as it seems" said Rolle, North's incongruous best friend. Author Neil Ruzic skillfully guides the reader through this tropical country that he loves and knows so well. I can hardly wait for the sequel!!

A well written, informative, easy to understand book. Not only do you receive a reference guide, you get biology lessons, photo tips, and great overviews of reef systems. This book is perfect for scuba divers!

I'm a scuba instructor, and have spent years looking for the perfect book to use in fish identification and underwater naturalist courses. When I found this book, I stopped looking! It is the perfect combination,and makes everything understandable to the beginner, yet still informative to us old pros! The photo tips also come in very handy in teaching photography and videography... no Caribbean diver can afford not to have this book... I mean it!

This is my latest addition to my "diving book collection". I am a recent diving convert (the very best sport ever), and find myself reading this book constantly (more looking at the pics I suppose, which are gorgeous!). If you are looking for a fantastic book to invest in...LOOK NO FURTHER...BUY IT, YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!!!

I have been cruising the Bahamas for over 30 years. For all these long times there was just one cruising guide available. And it was quite limited in scope. The along came Stephen Pavlidis. He has singlehandedly upgraded the quality and safety of Bahamas cruising . His Exumas Cruising Guide is the most complete information you can get for that area. I wouldn't think of cruising the Exumas without it. Stephen Crow, K4CPX

I have cruised the Exumas four winters on my Jeanneau 41. I wouldn't think of doing it without Steven's wonderful book. He includes, for example, many chartlets not to be found in any other guide. Hence, I was able to find anchorages not well known (and which had, as a result, more lobster!).

Don't even think of visiting the Exumas without this book (or any other area included in his other guidebooks without its associated book).

I found the book to be the Bible for getting in and around the Exuma Cays. More importantly, the book nicely deals with the history, geography, flora and fauna of the cays. There is no way that a person should consider sailing, motoring or paddling into the Exumas without this book in hand. Too bad it was not printed on waterproof paper and bound with stainless steel staples. If your headed for the Exumas be sure to read and bring a copy along. It might also help to secure it in a large zip lock plastic bag.

I visit family in St. Croix (US Virgin Islands) yearly, and I have looked at a number of books in order to learn the names of the numerous fish I see when I'm snorkeling or diving. This one makes identification easy, with beautiful pictures and the all-important "Distinctive Features" sections, which give you tips on how to distinguish one fish from the next. Make no mistake: this book is the easiest to use and the most comprehensive one I've seen. I'm online to buy the other two books (Reef Coral and Reef Creatures).

When I first received this book as a christmas gift from my mother,I was shocked. It was spiral bound,but twice the size of a norma fish identification guide. At 424 pages & 670 photos,it is rather spectacular. Although I have only seen it in pictures,the west atlantic is my favourite underwater landscape,and therefore,it was a great honour to own this book.
The book begins with an introduction to fishes in the caribbean and the ecology of the reefs. A massive ID book is needed to identify fishes on the world`s second largest reef area.
Different from most other fish ID books,it is a rather special one that is dividing the fish into groups based on look rather than relationship. I`ll go through these groups one by one in this review.
ID group 1 is Disks/Oval,featuring some of my favourite fish,making a perfect beginning of the book.
Butterflyfish,angelfish,and surgeonfish can be found here.
Every description includes a short description of colors and gender differences,if any,distribution,family,size,depht and reaction to divers,and natural habitat.
The photographs are accompanied by b/w drawings of the silhouettes.
The second one is a rather large chapter,covering the silvery,stream-lined ocean hunters like barracudas,porgies,mojarras,dolphins,mullets,and the large predator cobia. Not very colorfull,but still majestic.
The 3rd chapter includes Sloping Head/Tapered body,with snappers and grunts as the main families.The grunts can be rather varied.
The 4th one includes Small Ovals,where the damselfish and chromis can be found. There are no anemonefish in the caribbean,but these are closely related to those. Also included here are the hamlets,which are all subspecies of one species.
These are very colorfull and cute little critters. The next chapter is Heavy Body/Large Lips,including the largest bony fishes here - groupers,of which the jewfish can weigh 900 pounds!
These are clumsy,but still charmy fishes. Except 30 species of those,the little fairy basslet,the most beautifull fish of the caribbean,is included here too,yellow and purple.
Swim with Pectoral Fins,which is ID group 6,includes the varied family of parrotfishes and wrasses,which are very colourfull. The Hogfish can also be found here,the character of the caribbean. ID group 7 introduces Reddish/Big Eyes,with the big-eyed squirrelfishes and the small,but beautifull cardinalfish.
ID group 8 treats the Small,Elongated Bottom-Dwellers,whose beauty is often underestimated,especially the cute gobies. The sailfin blenny is one of my favourites. Here,we can also find the yellowhead jawfish,which is a famous fish here too. Odd-Shaped Bottom Dwellers includes the toadfish and the funny-looking flounders & batfishes,who walks on their fins!I am very fascinated by the looks of the strange frogfishes. Odd-Shaped Swimmers (chapter 10) includes the pufferfish,which can fill themselves with air,and the funny-looking trumpetfish. Also found here are the boxfishes,who are covered with armor,except for their fins,eyes and mouth. They can have very beautifull colors. The triggerfish can be found too. They are colorfull,although agressive inhabitants of the coral reefs. So are their close relatives,the filefishes.
And finally,the cutest fish in the Caribbean,can also be found here. It is the little yellow porcupinefish,less than an inch in size. The famous jack-knife is also found in this chapter. It looks like a cross between a scalare and a chromis!
It is believed to be the juvenile form of the web burrfish.
The 11th chapter is the Eel Deal of the book. Here comes the snake eels,beautifull but mysterious bottom dwellers. And last,but not least,the venomous moray eels also lurks in this chapter. The 8-foot green moray is the most famous,while the most scary one is the viper moray with huge teeth!I love moray eels,so this is a paradise for me!
The final chapter "Sharks & Rays" deals with the ultimate UW predators. But not all sharks a fierce. In fact,the whale shark is one of the friendliest fishes in the world,reaching a size of 60 feet and harmless to everything but plancton!The nurse shark is also a character of the Caribbean. Other ones included here are the manta ray,lemon shark,mako shark (the fastest fish in the world)and the dangerous tiger & bull sharks.
This is a chapter I would have liked to expand a bit,but as many sharks are not reef dwellers,I understand why they did not included the great white and/or the Megamouth.
Over all,now I have gone through all chapters fastly,but you have to see this book to really enjoy it. When I go to the Caribbean or Florida,I will bring this book and see how many fish I can identify.
So go get it!

This is the authoritative reference for reef fish throughout the Florida, Caribbean and Bahamas area. The most complete book on reef fish that I have seen, it is easy to use and beautifully illustrated. Each fish has it's own full color picture along with a line drawing that points out the defining characteristics of that particular species. With a plastic cover and the pages treated to resist water it can be taken to the beach or onto the boat without much concern about the water damaging the book.

Each entry has complete information on the fish from size, depth, range and habitat to the level of concern that a diver should have for their safety around the fish. Whether you snorkel, scuba dive or engage in other activities around a reef, this is the best book to have to identify the fish. This book can also be purchased as part of a three part set that also includes the Reef Coral Identification and Reef Creature Identification texts, each of which is equally as excellent as the Reef Fish Identification book.

This is the best book for snorkeling I've ever found. The other books are so vague, they don't tell me much of anything. This one describes all the neat places to walk in from the beach and go snorkeling, how rough or calm the area is, how to get to various snorkeling beaches once I get there, whether the kids can safely swim in each area. It also has all the resorts that have snorkeling off their beaches, which is really nice for people traveling with small children and the airlines and travel stuff we need.

My wife and I found this book to be one of the best, Snorkeling guides we have ever used. We find all of the Huber's books to be informative, thorough, accurate, and fun to read as well. We love it! We buy new ones every time they update them with new info.

My wife and I, both avid snorklers, picked up a copy for our trip to the British Islands and found some really neat new spots. This is a terrific resource.

This is not only the definitive flyfishing guide to the Bahamas, but also (i) a very insightful book on logistics and non-fishing pursuits on the islands; and (ii) one of the finest fishing guides written for any area in the world, which is an especially great accomplishment given the span of the area. Read to plan, or just read to dream. Essential for anyone deciding on which island to go to, and which areas to fish. My only complaint? -- that I personally wasn't able to help research this book by visiting/fishing all areas covered.

I have traveled to the Bahamas on several ocassions on buisness as well as pleasure (fishing!). Prior to going and while I'm there, this book has provided valuable information and suggestions. Great refrence book!

I bought this for my boyfriend who is a fishing freak for our trip to the Bahamas. I think I had more fun reading it than he did. These folks give so much information about the islands that I think it is a MUST for fishing widows and widowers. It changed our plans as to where to go and what to do. We fished and enjoyed other parts of the islands. I laminated the cover cause we wore it out.