UNDERWATER MAN Joe MacInnis. Vancouver, Panorama Publications, c1974, 1982. Distributed by Panorama Publications, 210-1807 Maritime Mews, Granville Island, Vancouver, BC, V6H3W7. 165pp, paper, $9.95. ISBN 0-919317-08-1. Grades 11 and up. Reviewed by Michael Freeman. Volume 11 Number 6. 1983 November. The romance of the ocean depths is herein given a rather clinical treatment by Dr. MacInnis. Although his intense fascination with our relationship to the underwater world surfaces on every page, Dr. Maclnnis's lack of expertise in the field of the written word too often leaves the reader adrift in a sea of unrelated incidents. The writer's style alternates between a plethora of poetic images, "The sea is holding its breath," and detailed technical descriptions of the equipment and procedures required for these watershed diving experiments. There is too little opportunity for the reader to become personally involved in the events. The series of essays begins with an action-packed episode outlining Maclnnis's first exposure to the medical problems of decompression-ironically during a tunnel cave-in in Toronto, rather than on the ocean floor. The author's literary forte emerges in his narration of personal experiences, particularly in the first essay, and that on "Diving Beneath Arctic Ice." The other episodes deal with his participation in dives in various parts of the "seven seas." Unfortunately, the routine procedures and inherent dangers of a deep-water dive are similar in nature, wherever the dive takes place. Thus, even readers intrinsically interested in the topic will find their concentration wandering after a time. To echo once more the old saying, "you had to be there." Michael Freeman, Downsview S. S., Downsview, ON.