The Bathysphere Boys: The Depth-Defying Diving of Messrs. Beebe and Barton (Unhinged History)

The Bathysphere Boys: The Depth-Defying Diving of Messrs. Beebe and Barton is a book in the Unhinged History series which focuses on odd couplings or rivalries that make remarkable discoveries or inventions. This book is about William Beebe and Otis Barton, who are rivals forced to work together to fulfill their dreams. Based on a true story, you’d think it would be a great book. Barton is rich and Beebe has great ideas. Together they built the bathysphere, a bubble-like submarine structure which would dive more than half a mile deep. Unfortunately, this story doesn’t have a happy ending and is kind of confusing in the way it is written. The illustrations are watercolor and have distinct expression. They jump from black and white to saturated color and then to pale washed out. It doesn’t flow very well and is hard to follow. I would only recommend this book to people who have a specific interest in the history of underwater exploration.