If you have never heard the name John Chatterton, I assure you that you will know of him soon. John is one of the central characters in the new book Shadow Divers, easily one of the most riveting books I have read in years, and soon to be a movie directed by Ridley Scott (Gladiator, Alien, Blade Runner, Black Hawk Down).

The book chronicles the adventures of John and his buddy Richie Kohler, who discover a wreck off the coast of New Jersey that turns out to be a mystery German U-Boat. Nicknamed the "U-Who", the boat's existence puzzles the German government and even the most die-hard U-Boat experts, and over the course of six years, John and Richie spent countless hours trying to determine the identity of the wreck. In the process, three people die, succumbing to the wreck's dangerous depths (it lies at 230 feet), and John and Richie, at first bitter rivals, are drawn into a lasting friendship that lasts to this day.

Having read the book, it was no surprise to me that it is being made into a film. Like Into Thin Air and Perfect Storm, the book is not only an adrenaline rush, but is filled with intense human drama that will translate perfectly to the screen.

In our podcast interview with John, you will hear some of the story behind Shadow Divers, and hear a very cool, self-professed "regular guy" talk about his passion for diving and how his life has changed as a result of the book. John and Richie are now the co-hosts of the History Channel's superb TV program Deep Sea Detectives, which takes them around the world to explore the origin and demise of other wrecks.

It was a pleasure to speak with John. He's a totally cool guy.

Give a listen.

Host: Erik Olsen.
Format: 24 minutes

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