Originally Posted By Rebekah So after reading about the lawsuit over Sahara and learning more about the novelist Clive Cussler I think I want to read one of his books -- I've not ever read this type of novel before. Those of you who have read Cussler -- which would you recommend that I read first? I've read various Amazon reviews but am interested in learning from you. Thanks for any sugggestions. Rebekah.
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb I've only read one of his books. "Raise the Titanic" or something like that. It was written before she was actually found so I doubt it was accurate (I think I read it in the early '90s). I do remember it was pretty interesting and took place in the early 21st century. What I found interesting is smoking was such a taboo in the book that they were going through old movies and digitally removing all signs of cigerettes and smoke, I read recently that they're now looking at handing out 'R' ratings for movies with smoking in them.
Originally Posted By knightnfrees I have a couple of friends who *love* Clive Cussler...I think they have most, if not all of his novels...I'll try to touch base with them and get back to you. Fwiw, the Dirk Pitt novels of his are the most popular. An american James Bond type of character from what I hear.
Originally Posted By MPeriolat I do love Cussler, but I must admit I'm behind on my reading. Life is what happens and all that. But I can recommend a few Cusslers. I too would agree with liking Raise the Titanic. Also Night Probe and Deep Six. Quite fond of Inca Gold. If you must start from the beginning and go in order, start with Pacific Vortex. There is a continuity through the books and past references. Enjoy them, very macho adventure books.
Originally Posted By BrnardM My first Dirk Pitt novel was Treasure, but Shockwave is one of my favorites. Both are pretty good introductions to Cussler's Bond esqu' style. Sahara is not one of his best and I still can't figure out why they chose it for the movie. Treasure is a great book to start on.
Originally Posted By knightnfrees My friend recommends Raise the Titanic. He mentions that Cussler in the book, states the location of the wreckage (before it was found for real). I think he wrote it 10 years before it was found.
Originally Posted By hightp 'Raise the Titanic' is his most popular book, and is quite good. Unfortunatly, AutopiaDeb is giving you some misinformtion. The book she describes is 'Ghost from the Grand Banks' by Arthur C Clark, it did take place in the early part of the 21st Century, concerned with preserving the Titanic (it had been found by the time this book was written), and the people involved did have jobs removing smoking references from old movies, and solving the Y2K bug. Cussler's 'Raise the Titanic' is an excellent adventure story and if you like espionage/spy/action/adventure stories then there are worse stories to read. Cusslier's Dirk Pitt novels do have linier background stories, but they don't have to be read in order to be enjoyed. Pacific Vorted was the first Dirk Pitt novel written, but not the 1st published (which was Mediterranean Caper). As a result, the characters are a little different. My favorite was "Night Probe" which had Dirk looking for a special treaty with England, both copies of which had been lost a century before. One of the characters was a British Secret Service agent brought out of retirement so the English could find the treaty before the Americans. This agent retired because he had become so famous he could no longer keep his cover in the field. There are some very strong 'James Bond' references. What ever story you pick, you'll probably enjoy it.
Originally Posted By hightp By the way, for what it's worth, the Dirk Pitt character enjoys collecting firearms, vintage cars and airplanes. Items he collects in one story usually end up being mentioned, or featured in another story. This brings a linier aspect to the stories. Dirk also get's older as the books progress.
Originally Posted By twirlnhurl The best place to start is with Shockwave, then continuing through the order they were published up to Atlantis Found. Then you can break order if you are interested. My favorite earlier ones are The Mediterranean Caper, Iceberg, and Dragon.
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb <---- might have confused Raise the Titanic with another book but never even heard of 'Ghost from the Grand Banks' so haven't read it.
Originally Posted By Rebekah Thanks everyone for the information regarding Clive Cussler. I'll take it with me to the library and see which novels they have. I was hoping to find them via ebooks (I've discovered a prefer reading on the gadget) -- but it appears only later novels are available through that medium. So I'll check out an earlier novel in the paper form first. =) Thanks again. Rebekah.
