“Treasures, Shipwrecks, and Red Sea Dawns” by Howard Rosenstein

If you know the name Howard Rosenstein, it’s probably because you ran into him at a diving show when he extolled the virtues of the latest Fantasea camera housings or wet lenses. But before Howard’s Fantasea Line was a famous manufacturer of underwater photography equipment, the name “Fantasea Cruises” was associated with an extensive shipboard diving operation, taking divers throughout the length of the Red Sea and as far as as far as Seychelles. In fact, with his wife Sharon, Howard opened one of the first diving operations along the Sinai coast in the 1970s, becoming a pioneer in Red Sea diving and working with luminaries such as marine biologist Dr. Eugenie Clark and underwater photographer David Doubilet. —they are pioneers in their respective fields.

This is the early stage of his diving career filled with ups and downs, which Howard shares in his upcoming memoir, Treasures, shipwrecks and the dawn of red sea diving. The International Diving Hall of Fame inductee promises stories of discovering “sunken treasure,” navigating “murky shipwrecks” and “rubbing shoulders” with leaders world in the journey of developing diving tourism in the Red Sea.

Released on July 2, Treasures, shipwrecks and the dawn of red sea diving features a foreword by Dr. Sylvia Earle as well as Doubilet, who are also among the photographers who contributed images to the book. Published by The publication has dived In the UK, the 208-page hardcover volume, priced at £30 (~US$38), will be available to buy from the publisher, online and from retailers. See the press release below for more details.

PRESS RELEASE

Treasures, shipwrecks and the dawn of red sea diving

A Pioneer’s Journey by Howard Rosenstein

With a Foreword by Sylvia Earle and David Doubilet

Howard Rosenstein not only opened the first diving school in Sharm El-Sheikh; he is opening up a hidden world in Sinai. This true story delves into those groundbreaking times, where famous guests, unexplored dives and historic discoveries became extraordinary routine.

It is a story of courage, where resourcefulness and relationships fueled Howard’s pioneering spirit. From Roman coins glittering at the bottom of the sea to dark, unmapped depths, his dives have revealed sunken treasures and secrets of the past. But these aren’t just underwater adventures—they’re tightrope walks between countries still at war. He braved floods, aided stranded ships, and even braved the depths of Mount Sinai itself.

Howard’s journey was not a solo one. He rubs shoulders with underwater legends, best-selling authors, truly great photographers and even world leaders. He navigates murky shipwrecks, seduces amorous sharks and finds himself a player in the delicate dance of peace negotiations.

‘A captivating journey through the exotic wonders of the Middle East’ – Amos Nachoum

‘Howard Rosenstein had a dream of making dreams come true – he built and they came’ – Double David

Through his diving centers, first in the Mediterranean and then exploding in the Sinai, Howard became a pioneer in recreational diving. He shared the magic of the underwater world with a generation, igniting a passion that burned forever, his only wish being that it would never end. But peace, like the tides, comes with change.

• The extraordinary story of the businessman who pioneered Red Sea diving tourism with a cast of unforgettable characters.
• How a train diving school on the edge of the desert became a global destination
• The journey to success and purpose, illustrated with 200 images by the author and others, inc. Famous underwater photographer David Doubilet.

About the author

Howard Rosenstein was the only person inducted into the International Diving Hall of Fame in 2009. In this memoir, he shares more surprising stories as well as his favorites from the period beginning of his long diving career.

Book

Release date July 2, 2024
RRP GBP £30 | Hardcover | ISBN 978-1-909455-53-5
208 pages | First edition | 240x159mm
Available from divedup.comonline and from retailers

Praise for Treasures, shipwrecks and the dawn of red sea diving

‘Every once in a while a book comes along that combines great storytelling, engaging adventure, engaging characters and meaningful messages that will continue to haunt you long after the last page has been turned. For me, Treasures, shipwrecks and the dawn of red sea diving Is that the book… I encourage readers to dive into this book for vicarious adventure, to better understand a beautiful life, for reasons why you also don’t to resist the urge to drown, and to know the stories that are unbelievable but most wonderful because they are true.’

Sylvia Earle, Oceanographer, Founder of Mission Blue (from the Foreword)

‘A delightfully funny story… divers the world over are indebted to them.’

Kathy Sullivan, astronaut and oceanographer made history

‘A fascinating story. Howard’s life as a scuba diver took him from ancient history as one of the first people to see sharks mating in the wild, to world politics as his pioneering efforts helped bring about miracles. of the Red Sea to divers from all over the world.’

Marty Snyderman, underwater photographer, author and photojournalist

‘A captivating journey through the exotic wonders of the Middle East, above the Sinai desert and below the cobalt blue waters of the legendary Red Sea. The ability to transcend cultures and disciplines while maintaining one’s vision is inspiring. This book chronicles one man’s pioneering adventures in scuba diving during a highly political time in the Middle East and is a testament to the transformative power of curiosity, determination, love of the ocean, and desert as well as respect for the world around us. I urge you to grab a copy and embark on this thrilling journey.’

Amos Nachoum, award-winning nature photographer and pioneer in diving tourism, BigAnimals.com

‘Howard Rosenstein had a dream that he made come true—he built and they came.’

David Doubilet (from the Foreword)

‘A fascinating story, if not the real life of Howard Rosenstein, it would make a first-rate adventure novel. The book details Howard’s work with the world’s leading underwater photographers and marine scientists as they dive, photograph and study some of the most pristine marine environments in the world. Howard’s love for the marine environment went beyond science and involved bringing the world and all of its diverse and sometimes controversial partners together for the purposes of tourism and conservation . This is not only a story worth reading but also a story worth sharing with everyone who loves scuba diving and the underwater world.”

Dan Orr, Diving Industry Consultant