"The most innovative figure in marine geology has shared a lifetime of self-growth and challenging adventures in the danger zones between science and politics."--Marlan W. Downey, Bartell Professor of Geoscience, University of Oklahoma, and former president of Arco International

"Written in a frank, sometimes earthy style, Bootstrap Geologist leads the reader through life in the Persian Gulf, diving in the Gulf of Mexico, and the bureaucratic constraints of big oil. I couldn't stop reading!"--Bruce Purser, emeritus professor, University of Paris

"Demonstrates how one can achieve professional success by combining a strong work ethic with high intellect and a willingness to learn from mentors and peers. Shinn's spirited outlook is infectious, and his problem-solving talents have produced a remarkable set of significant discoveries."--Anthony F. Randazzo, coeditor of The Geology of Florida

Known worldwide among geologists, marine scientists, and petroleum engineers, Gene Shinn sometimes seems a product of another century.

Born in the Florida Keys, he attended the University of Miami on a music scholarship, where he earned a bachelor's degree in biology. A U.S. national champion spearfisher, he worked as a salvage diver, becoming an expert in the use of dynamite underwater. A self-tutored field geologist for nearly 50 years, he made major geological findings that have significantly changed professional and academic knowledge of undersea oil reserves. Shinn helped invent technology for underwater core drilling, and more recently, he has studied the effects of transoceanic African dust on coral reefs, agriculture, and human health. He's even the basis for a character in a mystery novel.

In Bootstrap Geologist Shinn enthusiastically shares the highs and lows of his remarkable life. Taking readers around the globe as well as below the ocean, he recounts the painstaking process of data gathering that can lead to paradigm-breaking discoveries. He emphasizes the importance of field science and pointedly addresses the use and abuse of scientific research and the emergence of market-funded research.