The Underworld

This book dives into the abysses of the sea and our uneducated beliefs of what’s down there and how life, as we know it, emerged on Earth.

“Why do they look like that?” fish. “How do they survive down there?” sea life. The wonderous slip sliding of plate tectonics that shoves the skin of the Earth inches every year. We get a glimpse of the garbage (including atom bombs!) that we have dumped in our oceans without care.

Casey writes in conversational, visceral clarity as she reveals mysteries of the ages of shipwrecks, birthing islands, and the miracles deep, deep,… show more.

Susan Casey + the ocean = unbeatable combo. This time, she explores the history of the deepest, darkest depths and our changing perceptions of just what’s down there…or not.

Casey also layers in her account of her own plunges into the darkness, accompanying an eccentric millionaire in his deep-sea vessel. Danger, suspense, and awe—it’s all here in Casey’s thrilling narrative.

Susan is a gifted storyteller who also happens to be passionate about the ocean and all of its inhabitants. I've loved every book of hers that I've read.

The Underworld is her latest, and it's a thrilling, deeply researched, and fascinating (if not claustrophobic) read. The book is especially interesting in the wake of the recent Triton submersible tragedy.