2008 Diving Almanac & Yearbook

This great reference book is actually more like an encyclopedia. At more than 600 pages, the 2008 edition is fatter and filled with more facts and fascinating stuff about everything diving-related. It starts with a 100-page long Diving Chronicle, marking the past year’s underwater news from Steve Irwin’s death by sting ray to the recovery of the lost submarine USS Grunion in Alaska. An extra 100 pages lists 150 new diving notables and 100 new records. Data come from reputable sources like Divers Alert Network, SDI/TDI International and the Historical Diving Society.

A notable new section is the Blue Pages with dive information by country from Argentina to Yemen, followed by a worldwide directory of dive resorts, liveaboards, charters and dive operators. There is also “Underwater Artists,” a full-color section on painters, sculptures and other artists celebrating the deep (we like Pascal Lecocq’s humorous twist of the “American Gothic” couple as divers).

All the ‘at a glance’ data from dive media and medicine to equipment and trade shows earns the almanac a place on your shelf of dive books. 8 x 5.5 inches, paperback, 680 pages, $28, plus $12 shipping and handling. Order at Undercurrent and profits will go directly to save coral reefs.