Fatal Treasure: Greed and Death, Emeralds and Gold, and the Obsessive Search for the Legendary Ghost Galleon Atocha

There are many lost treasure stories, but on a personal level this is the one that took the longest and cost the most from those involved. These facts make the story a compelling one , Jedwin Smith was a first hand participant and thus had a greater investment than just writing this book. He is obviously awed by the long strange trip by Mel Fisher and family to reclaim the Atocha. Mel Fisher,simply put, is the quentessential everyman who became obsessed with a dream, had just enough success early on to insure his obsession overtook any semblence of normalcy, yet ended up fully realizing his dream albeit at a supremely high price. I liked Jedwin Smith's book quite well. It did hit the main interest points. It did not explore Mel Fisher or his methods as deeply as Gary Kinder's book about treasure hunter Tommy Thompson. That said I'm glad I read it, recommend it, but would like to read further about Mel Fisher.