Shadow Divers by Robert Kurson

This non-fiction book chronicles the dangerous and suspenseful adventure of two deep-sea wreck divers who, in 1991, discovered a sunken German U-boat off the coast of New Jersey. Despite the risks and the skepticism of experts, the divers became obsessed with identifying the seemingly untraceable submarine. Their quest for answers led them to delve into historical records and put their lives on the line during numerous dives, ultimately revealing the U-boat's identity and bringing closure to a long-lost chapter of World War II history. The story is a testament to the power of curiosity, perseverance, and the human spirit's drive to solve the mysteries of the past.

The 7835th greatest book of all time

Ranking Details:

Our ranking system awards points to books based on their appearance and position on curated lists. Here's how it works:

Unranked Lists: For lists without specific rankings, each book receives points equivalent to the list's weight. This approach recognizes the book's inclusion on prestigious lists.

Ranked Lists: Books on ranked lists receive points in two ways:

  • Base Points: Initially, every book is awarded points equal to the list's weight, acknowledging its significance.
  • Bonus Points: Additionally, books earn bonus points based on their ranking. The total bonus pool, equal to 100% of the list's weight, is distributed among the books, with higher-ranked books receiving more points.

Exponential Distribution: The distribution of bonus points follows an exponential model. This means the top-ranked book (#1) receives significantly more bonus points than those further down the list (e.g., #100). Our algorithm ensures that higher placements are rewarded more generously, reflecting the achievement of a top rank on any given list.

This scoring system ensures that each book's ranking reflects both its presence on multiple lists and its positions within those lists, providing a comprehensive measure of its acclaim and popularity.

Total Points: 84

Since this book was first published in 2004, there is a penalty of 48.0%. The age adjusted score is 43.68.

This is to prevent newer books from reaching super high on the ranked list of the greatest books of all time. The greatest books should also stand the test of time.