Something different from Clive Cussler

[Capt Steve]

I thought I had read just about everything Clive Cussler had written. All the Dirk Pitt series etc. A couple of days ago I stumbled on "The Chase". Set in 1906 in the western US, it is a great tale of the hunt for the "Butcher Bandit" by a determined detective. Lots of guns, trains, turn of the century automobiles and a little bit of an earthquake in San Francisco. Don't know how I missed this one when it came out in 2007 but it's worth your time. (o;

 

[deadin]

I just finished his latest "The Wrecker". It looks like Cussler is getting away from his formula (Dirk Pitt, etc) style of books.
Of course he is also using "ghost writers" on most of his recent books.

 

[Faulkner]

I bet old Dirk Pitt has just about run his race. He's got to be in his mid 70's by now . . . didn't he and Sandecker met as pilots during the Korean War?

 

[scooter123]

Not only is he using gost writers, he really needs to spend a bit of time on his research, perhaps as much as 10 or 15 minutes. He has written some things into his stories that would have anyone with just a passing knowledge of Physics grinding their teeth.

For example, if the Ross Ice shelf were to break away from Antartica it would NOT cause sea levels world wide to rise, BECAUSE IT'S ALREADY FLOATING YOU IDIOT ! ! ! In addition, the mass would NOT throw the planet off balance and cause it to wobble, BECAUSE IT'S SUSPENDED IN A LIQUID MEDIUM ! ! !

Yeah, he can spin a decent tail, but the preponderance of junk science in his books drives me nuts. Personally, I'd rathr sit down with something written by a writer who has taken some time to get the basic facts correct, such as Robert B. Parker or Archer Mayor.

 

[Lee Barner]

steve, i read that one last fall and liked it. of course in the end, he gets the girl and they live happily everafter. i think there is another train one out now, but haven't seen it. lee

 

[TACC1]

I've read "The Chase", and found it good reading. I overlook the
stuff that seems to have no contact with reality so I can enjoy the
story. This stuff is just entertainment, and Cussler is good at that.
Didn't know about "The Wrecker", I'll have to get a copy. Thanks.
TACC1

 

[The Big D]

Have read all of the Dirk Pitt series. Can't wait 'til Clive gets around to posting a photo(s) of Summer. (That's Pitt's daughter, for those of you unfamiliar.) I already have her pictured in my mind; trust I won't be disappointed.

Be safe.

 

[mm6mm6]

The Chase is the last book that Clive Cussler wrote himself. He retired from writing entire books himself after the Dirk Pitt adventure Valhalla Rising. His son, Dirk Cussler, now co-writes the Dirk Pitt series (Black Wind, Treasure of Kahn, and Arctic Drift so far) with Cussler's input.

The spin off books (The Oregon Series, The NUMA Files, and the Fargo Adventures) are co-written by Jack Du Brul, Paul Kemprecos, and Grant Blackwood respectively. Cussler still gives character input, plot guidance, and re-write direction on character he either created or helped to create.

I've come to really enjoy the latest Oregon and NUMA Files books.

The Wrecker is the sequel to The Chase and is co-written with Justin Scott. I found it to be almost as good as The Chase and I really enjoy reading about the firearms of that timeframe in the early 1900's.

Cussler is still very active. I met him at the Auburn-Cord-Dusenberg museum last fall when he was the Grand Marshall of the annual festival. He was, as always, very kind and signed everything I put before him.

As to Cussler's books being a bit outlandish? He once said that was his goal. One of his earlier books, Cyclops, had a plot line concerning a colony on the moon. If I can get past that, I can get past anything!

He's still my all time favority author with Stephen Hunter a close second!

More info and to keep up to date on Cussler, visit:

www.cusslersociety.com
and
www.numa.net

 

[Mediumbore]

Facts in Robert B. Parker? Most of his seem like one long conversation. Course, that's one reason I like them.