I always find this type of premise very intriguing. The "item at the bottom of the sea" idea is used in countless novels by Clive Cussler, Jack DuBrul, and others. It's an easy way to captivate the reader because almost everyone has a special interest in the hidden secrets of the ocean. Just thinking of what could be at the bottom of the sea invokes thoughts of Atlantis, sunken ships, sea monsters, and lost planes. It's a genre that requires a lot of research because there are special problems with going deep underwater that a technical reader like me finds fascinating. This book delivers on the technical side and also gets into a little international politics ultimately demonstrating why we the United States must always pursue diplomatic means over warfare. However, that's a whole other topic. For a good read, get this book, but free up your schedule because you won't be able to put it down.