The life and achievements of Glenn Butler are nothing short of astonishing. As a young man, he was fascinated with space and the sea. His parents did a great job feeding his curiosity and instilling a confidence and work ethic which would eventually break down all barriers Butler would meet. A bit of a non-conformist, Butler attended Woodstock without a ticket by volunteering at a medical tent. Although he dropped out of college, Butler was mentored by some of the brightest minds in both diving and mechanical engineering and given the real-world experience one can’t learn in a college setting. He became a sought-after professional who made multiple contributions to the worlds of deep-sea diving, space exploration, and wound recovery. He worked on a variety of the most expensive and highest-level missions in these fields. The opportunities and experiences Butler gained because of his parents’ contributions and the invaluable education offered by willing mentors have led Butler to be an advocate of mentorship today.

This book's basic format begins with a back-and-forth between Butler’s early years and education, offset with one of his most memorable achievements. After the dangerous vocational challenge is overcome, the chapters become more focused on the work and opportunities Butler faces with his personal information given sporadically. The writers do a good job of catching Butler’s large personality through his side stories and antics, making him a likable subject. Much of Butler’s life dealt with technical information which had life and death consequences. This greatly adds to the book’s tension and ability to gain the reader’s interest, although occasionally, the technical jargon included may be beyond the average reader. Still, it is an interesting read about an unconventional man’s remarkable life and the countless, mostly unsung, contributions he made to the world and his distinct spheres of influence.

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