One of the most definitive accounts of the early years of Red Sea scuba diving by pioneer Howard Rosenstein has just hit the bookstores, with forewords by Sylvia Earle and David Doubilet
Howard Rosenstein opened the first dive school in Sharm El Sheikh – and in doing so he was opening a hidden world in the Sinai peninsula. His new book, Treasures, Shipwrecks and the Dawn of Red Sea Diving is the true story of those early years in Sharm, as Rosenstein dived headfirst into a new era of diving, when celebrated guests, unexplored dive sites and historical discoveries became routine.
‘It was a golden period of discovery’ says Rosenstein, as he shares the story behind the transformation of Sharm El Sheikh from a battleground to a playground, in this captivating memoir.
The book recounts both historical discovered such as Roman coins found glinting on the seabed; sunken treasures and secrets of ancient history – against a backdrop of two nations, Egypt and Israel, still at war.
Along the way, Rosenstein recounts how he rubbed shoulders with underwater legends, bestselling authors, pioneering underwater photographers, and even world leaders, while diving murky, unexplored shipwrecks, charming amorous sharks and, at points, finding himself involved in peace negotiations.
Rosenstein was a pioneer of the recreational dive business, first with his Mediterranean dive centre and then later in Sharm El Sheikh – discovering along the way that peace also means change.
Highlights from Treasures, Shipwrecks and the Dawn of Red Sea Diving include:
- The story of an entrepreneur who pioneered Red Sea dive tourism with a cast of unforgettable characters.
- How a dive school in a train carriage at the edge of the desert became a global destination.
- A journey of success and purpose, illustrated with 200 images by the author and others, including renowned underwater photographer, David Doubilet.
Praise for Treasures, Shipwrecks and the Dawn of Red Sea Diving
‘Once in a great while a book comes along that combines masterful storytelling, riveting adventure, charismatic characters, and meaningful messages that will continue to haunt you long after the last page is turned. For me, Treasures, Shipwrecks and the Dawn of Red Sea Diving is that book… I urge readers to dive into this book for vicarious adventure, for insight into a life well lived, for reasons why you, too, should succumb to the urge to submerge, and for unbelievable stories that are most wonderful because they are true’
– Sylvia Earle, Oceanographer, Founder of Mission Blue (from the Foreword)
‘A rollicking fun tale… scuba divers worldwide are indebted to them’
– Kathy Sullivan, history-making astronaut and oceanographer.
‘A fascinating story. Howard’s diving life took him from ancient history, to being among the first to see sharks mate in the wild, to world politics as his pioneering efforts helped make the wonders of the Red Sea available to divers from around the world.’
– Marty Snyderman, underwater photographer, author and photojournalist.
‘A captivating voyage through the exotic wonders of the Middle East, above in the Sinai desert and beneath the cobalt blue waters of the fabled Red Sea. His ability to traverse cultures and disciplines while remaining true to his vision is inspiring. This book records one man’s adventures pioneering scuba diving during high politics in the Middle East and is a testament to the transformative power of curiosity, determination, love for the ocean and the desert, and respect for the world around us. I urge you to pick up a copy and embark on this thrilling journey’
– Amos Nachoum, award winning nature photographer and diving travel pioneer, BigAnimals.com
‘Howard Rosenstein had a dream that he made a reality – he built, and they came.’
– David Doubilet (from the Foreword).
‘A fascinating story that, if it was not the real-life of Howard Rosenstein, it would make a first-class adventure novel. The book details Howard’s work with the top underwater photographers and marine scientists in the world as they dived, photographed and researched some of the most pristine marine environments in the world. Howard’s love for the marine environment went well beyond science and involved bringing the world and all its varied and sometimes contentions partners together for the sake of tourism and conservation. This is not only a story worth reading, it’s a story worthy of sharing with everyone who loves the sport of scuba diving and the underwater world.’
– Dan Orr, Diving Industry Consultant
