During my life I have done many odd things, but I would never have believed that I might be asked, with such insistency, to write the preface to a book! I explained very clearly that asking me to do such a thing was nonsense, in as far as it was so different from the field in which I have some expertise and therefore a certain importance and consequently some credibility.
I said that I was ready to cooperate and help find some prestigious people in the field of culture who, by using their name, would add importance to this work, which it surely deserves, but it was all in vain. I found myself surrounded by a many heads, authors and friends, but they were so stubborn and unreasonable that I could not hide my annoyance; in the end I felt forced to accept this task, but “on your head be it” I cautioned!
However, acceptance came after having talked privately to the author, inviting him to reflect, and trying sincerely and affectionately to make him understand that he should not be influenced by idealistic considerations. He answered that my reasoning could be right but he didn’t care, it seemed that his real interest was in me and because of this he would be quite happy with my signature alone!! It must be made clear that he was influenced more by my gold medal for military valour than by my attempts to dissuade him.
I wanted to underline this detail because I think it helps to emphasize the structure, the feelings and the moral values of Menconi, in whose writing, as well as in any of his definitions, interpretations and conclusions, there cannot be the slightest sign of malevolence or malice (Unless the readers want to see it in this way).
His fellow adventurers lived and worked with Menconi for a fortnight, and that was enough time to ascertain the truth.
Uri Geller was with him for a shorter period of time, but his mediumistic powers allowed him to come to the same conclusion as me.
He borrowed Fogar from Bocami, through my good offices, and he brought him back alive!
The Prof. has always known him; and mutual esteem, friendship and warmth do not permit any false interpretations.
The expedition and its organizers deserve praise and gratitude for trying to reveal a mystery of universal interest.
Aware of this importance, they chose top level experts in every field, and so we have Fogar as the navigator, Maiorca as the skin-diver, a super terrestrial by the name of Uri Geller, and the famous scientist, Prof. Carabelli, and they were greatly helped in complementary fields by collaborators such as Mangiali, Tirelli, Camilli, Biagini, Mossatich, etc.
They could not have had a better group. The mystery will remain a mystery, but it does not diminish the merit of those who tried to reveal it. If you read the story with a serene soul, with a touch of intelligence, you will begin to appreciate the peculiar instinctive inspiration of the author, his concise and expressive humour. Then, between laughter and other feelings, you realize that it is put in a style that makes you appreciate the human dimension of the enterprise and all of its heroes.
I forgot! All the strange things that have happened to me over the years make me realise how lucky I have been!
Here I am, certain to get a great reputation for writing the preface to a surely successful book.
Luigi Ferraro
Commander Luigi Ferraro was the inventor of the means of assault (MAS) for the Marina Militare Italiana (1941). He created and runs the well known manufacturer of diving equipment, Techni-Sub.
I said that I was ready to cooperate and help find some prestigious people in the field of culture who, by using their name, would add importance to this work, which it surely deserves, but it was all in vain. I found myself surrounded by a many heads, authors and friends, but they were so stubborn and unreasonable that I could not hide my annoyance; in the end I felt forced to accept this task, but “on your head be it” I cautioned!
However, acceptance came after having talked privately to the author, inviting him to reflect, and trying sincerely and affectionately to make him understand that he should not be influenced by idealistic considerations. He answered that my reasoning could be right but he didn’t care, it seemed that his real interest was in me and because of this he would be quite happy with my signature alone!! It must be made clear that he was influenced more by my gold medal for military valour than by my attempts to dissuade him.
I wanted to underline this detail because I think it helps to emphasize the structure, the feelings and the moral values of Menconi, in whose writing, as well as in any of his definitions, interpretations and conclusions, there cannot be the slightest sign of malevolence or malice (Unless the readers want to see it in this way).
His fellow adventurers lived and worked with Menconi for a fortnight, and that was enough time to ascertain the truth.
Uri Geller was with him for a shorter period of time, but his mediumistic powers allowed him to come to the same conclusion as me.
He borrowed Fogar from Bocami, through my good offices, and he brought him back alive!
The Prof. has always known him; and mutual esteem, friendship and warmth do not permit any false interpretations.
The expedition and its organizers deserve praise and gratitude for trying to reveal a mystery of universal interest.
Aware of this importance, they chose top level experts in every field, and so we have Fogar as the navigator, Maiorca as the skin-diver, a super terrestrial by the name of Uri Geller, and the famous scientist, Prof. Carabelli, and they were greatly helped in complementary fields by collaborators such as Mangiali, Tirelli, Camilli, Biagini, Mossatich, etc.
They could not have had a better group. The mystery will remain a mystery, but it does not diminish the merit of those who tried to reveal it. If you read the story with a serene soul, with a touch of intelligence, you will begin to appreciate the peculiar instinctive inspiration of the author, his concise and expressive humour. Then, between laughter and other feelings, you realize that it is put in a style that makes you appreciate the human dimension of the enterprise and all of its heroes.
I forgot! All the strange things that have happened to me over the years make me realise how lucky I have been!
Here I am, certain to get a great reputation for writing the preface to a surely successful book.
Luigi Ferraro
Commander Luigi Ferraro was the inventor of the means of assault (MAS) for the Marina Militare Italiana (1941). He created and runs the well known manufacturer of diving equipment, Techni-Sub.
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