Product Description
Originally published in 1901.This volume from the Cornell University Library's print collections was scanned on an APT BookScan and converted to JPG 2000 format by Kirtas Technologies.All titles scanned cover to cover and pages may include marks notations and other marginalia present in the original volume. ... Read more

Product Description
A man desperately seeking a do-over life, and a woman willing to risk it all to save him from himself--THE DIVE is a romance-laced, intrigue-driven tale.

Michale and Maria are flawed, yet redeemable characters who walk a tightrope of events that seem to be "ripped from the current headlines."You will see the world through their eyes as they struggle to find meaning, love and life.

A strong narrative storyline sustains elements of intrigue and high tension, seamlessly blending the genres of adventure and romantic suspense. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

The Dive is a GREAT book!
I will not go into details, as the other reviews do a fine job at that. I feel something must be wrong w/me, because I LOVED Michael. The other reviews say they had no sympathy for him at first. For me from the moment I started reading I was wishing good things would happen to Michael, and I was glad to see him abandon his old life. I have always been intrigued by the idea of plotting ones own suicide. The Dive is Great book a must read! I am a FAN of Peter David Orr now!

A Thought Provoking Tale
I must confess...........As I entered the secretive life of Michael Charon, I felt little compassion for this man.In fact, I really didn't care for him.I began to ask myself if I could truly become absorbed in the adventure of someone with whom I felt very little empathy.I struggled with the beginning of the story, at times feeling annoyed with the German "translations" which, coupled with the grammatical errors (I am a former English teacher) played havoc with my ability to focus.That having been said, I quickly became intrigued with the story.As Michael's character evolved, I found myself becoming quite sympathetic with him, and I eventually found myself "rooting" for him.

The introduction of Maria Pressman lent a new perspective to Michael Charon's character.I found her to be a strong, intelligent, and worthy ally to Michael.

Michael's "demise" at the hands - or should I say, teeth - of the sharks began an intense and exciting adventure of intrigue and romance.The story became a real "page-turner" from that point on.I wanted (and needed) to know how Michael staged his own "death" so convincingly, and I must confess, it was very thought-provoking. If someone wanted to begin life anew, it could be done.How many of us have entertained such thoughts at one time or another?

I loved the book.It is that simple.Kudos to Peter Orr for a refreshingly crafted story...........filled with twists and turns, romance, excitement and marvelous characters.

THE DIVE crawled inside my head in a way that few other novels have.
I must confess that the whole notion of someone faking his own death to start a new life caught my attention from the start.Why would someone go to this extreme?What internal or external crisis would propel a man to risk throwing away everything he had worked so hard to achieve?

The first chapter was very intense, in the sense that it was quick paced and very visual--like the beginning of a movie.The author goes out of his way to make it feel personal, directly challenging the reader to think along side of the main character--to crawl inside his head.

For this reason, the first chapter was profoundly disturbing.The writer painted a picture of a basically unsympathetic, materialistic man, who, I disliked--an anti-hero.Yet, much of why I disliked Michael Charon had to do with the fact that I was constantly battling the notion that there was much about this guy's thought life that struck me as real, as genuine.It hit close to home.Perhaps too close for comfort.I was relating to certain aspects of this man's escapist, criminal daydreaming.That bothered me immensely.It also sparked an intense curiosity that kept me reading.

Without knowing it, the author had already drawn me in to the central question of THE DIVE.After the fourth chapter, I flipped back to the dedication on page two:

"To everyone who continues to
Fight the good fight, daring to
Struggle against the complacency
that comes with defining yourself
narrowly.The Dive is dedicated
to every man and woman not yet
satisfied with his or her identity,
who realizes that they are an
eternal work in progress."

At that moment I realized that I now sympathized with Michael Charon completely.Somehow the author had skillfully captured me, despite my initial resistance.This character was essentially a criminal.Now I was convinced he was redeemable, maybe even remarkable. By chapter eleven I was a full partner in Michael's quest for identity.Moreover, I began asking myself how I defined myself.

The author deployed a bit of literary slight of hand to get me to buy into the idea that Michael Charon was redeemable.A curve was thrown my way.Perhaps I should say: "curves."A woman, that is.

The story really takes on greater dimensionality with the introduction of Maria Pressman.Maria is a writer who Michael meets by chance while in Berlin, Germany.A romance blossoms as Michael and Maria are thrown into some unusual situations involving the political radicals that she has been researching for her latest book.
I don't want to give away the rest of the book, but this much must be said:the author did a heck of a job creating tension as Michael and Maria are plunged into perilous situations.As billed, THE DIVE is indeed "a romance-laced, intrigue-driven tale"--"The story of a man who goes to the extreme of faking his death in order to start a new life... and the woman who saves him from himself."
The second half of the book is about Maria's efforts to rescue Michael from some serious trouble he has gotten himself into.She is developed as a strong and intelligent character. Women will find the character of Maria Pressman extremely attractive.She is intelligent, crafty, strong-willed and beautiful to boot.

From the midpoint on, the author switches to Maria's perspective.It is this refreshing change-up that gives THE DIVE a certain male-female balance.Though, let me warn you:just because you see things through Maria's eyes doesn't mean that the intensity of this story subsides--quite the opposite!THE DIVE is not a simple romance.Not even close.

In the end, I was left wanting more, with the certain knowledge that this story had more ground to cover.I smell a sequel.
... Read more

Product Description
A man desperately seeking a do-over life, and a woman willing to risk it all to save him from himself--TAKING THE DIVE is a romance-laced, intrigue-driven tale.

Michale and Maria are flawed, yet redeemable characters who walk a tightrope of events that seem to be "ripped from the current headlines."You will see the world through their eyes as they struggle to find meaning, love and life.

A strong narrative storyline sustains elements of intrigue and high tension, seamlessly blending the genres of adventure and romantic suspense. ... Read more