26 replies to this topic

[SirMiles83]

Being an avid reader and fan of the literary Bond, I sometimes look to read other books of the same style. So far, with little time because of all of the reading of Bond I do, I 've only found books like Puzo's mafia books, and Daniel Silva's spy novels (which I recommend highly by the way). While on another thread though, I was pointed to the Dirk Pitt series by Clive Cussler. I then purchased Pacific Vortex! and started reading (after reading LALD for the first time:)).
Pacific Vortex! is the first Dirk Pitt adventure written but not the first released. For the person who doesn't know Dirk Pitt, he is the Special Projects Director for NUMA (National Underwater Marine Agency). Dirk is also a very intelligent, tough, and resoureful adventurer, always keeping a fine mental edge. The story starts off with the Starbuck, the US's newest and most powerful nuclear submarine disappearing into the Pacific Vortex (similar to the bermuda triangle, except only ships disappear in the vortex, whereas ships and planes disappear into the triangle). Pitt is thrust into the adventure by discovering a strange capsule in the sea.
This book is a lot of fun to read. The character of Dirk Pitt is a very interesting because of how smart and resourceful he can be in the book. Witty and cunning, Pitt is easy to like if you are also a fan of the Literary Bond. The aspects that I love in Bond novels are also in here: Well-written action, suspense, intriguing plot, great villain, and beautiful women. Also, what this book has that some Bond novels don't is the mystery aspect. Pacific Vortex! is a very fun mystery novel as well as a good action adventure! I highly recommend it. And right now, I am looking at the next Dirk Pitt novels I just bought, which I'm looking fowrard to read: The Mediterranean Caper, Iceberg, Raise the Titanic!, and Night Probe!

[taxman2001]

Glad you liked it SirMiles83.

Been a Cussler fan since the late 80's (after I had exhausted all the Bond books).

If your'e interested there is a Cussler discussion board (not as excellent as this) that can be found here.

One word of advice, just before you get round to reading Valhalla Rising re-read Pacific Vortex! and then skip the last chapter.

Trust me.

I also know that fellow CBn poster JackChase007 is an avid Cussler fan,

[MrDraco]

Dirk pitt my doctor loves the novels and always sees me reading bond or Clancy... i think i'll give them a try, can you find them on Ebay easy?

[JackChase007]

Yes, definately. The Cussler novels are very easy to come by, almost any where.

Sir Miles, glad to see you enjoyed PV! - I think that it's safe to say that you definately like future Pitt novels (especially Night Probe! - Cussler's best story to date, I feel).

However, I disagree with Taxman on one thing - I don't mind the final chapter of Valhalla Rising all that much. To be honest, I felt it was a nice touch.

[JackChase007]

PS...Just a friendly reminder!
Based on the novels you mentioned, Sir Miles, remember that Vixen 03 is before Night Probe!...

[taxman2001]

Jack,

You closet Dallas fan you ... LOL.

[JackChase007]

Taxman,
LOL - I've never seen Dallas in my life!

[Harmsway]

I love Cussler. I've read all of 'em, and loved most of em, and liked the rest. He really writes some fun stuff. But about Valhalla Rising - skip the last chapter. I really had a problem with it.

[MrDraco]

What so bad about the last chapter (I'm getting the books off ebay next time mom pays me for Her Majesty's services

[JackChase007]

Well, I for one have no problem with the last chapter.

Besides, if you're gonna read Cussler's newest novel (to be released in December), you'd better have read the last chapter in Valhalla Rising.

[DLibrasnow]

I'm also an avid Cussler fan...I think "Night Probe" is one of his best!

(I'm also a closet fan of the "Raise the Titanic" movie, a guilty pleasure because (at the moment) it's the only one of his books filmed -- dodges the stones)

[JackChase007]

Well, the film does have a few charms - John Barry's incredible score, Sir Alec Guiness is enjoyable as ever, and Jason Robards provides an interesting portrayal of Sandecker - not bad, but not Cussler's image, either.

[DLibrasnow]

Originally posted by JackChase007
Well, the film does have a few charms - John Barry's incredible score, Sir Alec Guiness is enjoyable as ever, and Jason Robards provides an interesting portrayal of Sandecker - not bad, but not Cussler's image, either.

I know Sandecker has red hair in the books, but I always picture him in the books as looking like Jason Robards.

[JackChase007]

Well, it's not only how he looks for me - where were the cigars? Why didn't we see him running? WHAT HAPPENED TO NUMA? WHERE WAS AL???

[DLibrasnow]

I guess I saw "Raise the Titanic" (back in the early 1980s) before I read any of the books.

[JackChase007]

Ah, that could do it.

[taxman2001]

Jack,

Al was in Raise The Titanic. He was played by M Emmett Walsh.

His role was minute but he was in there - check IMDb (the link is here).

[JackChase007]

Well, I mean Al in the spirit which Cussler wrote him. Plus, wasn't his name changed to Vinnie?

[taxman2001]

I think what it was was that he was never referred to at all in the film except in the credits.

[JackChase007]

Yeah, that certainly helped.

[DLibrasnow]

Originally posted by JackChase007
Yeah, that certainly helped.

LOL
Does anyone know who the current front runner to play Al in "Sahara" is? I know he's supposed to be Italian but I have always pictured him as Ving Rhames-like when I read the books.
The reason for this is that the first Dirk Pitt novel I ever read was one of the later ones where Al was not described -- so I just pictured him as African American!

[Blofeld's Cat]

Don't laugh, but I've always to this day pictured Al as Danny DeVito with a full head of shortish hair.

[DLibrasnow]

Originally posted by Blofeld's Cat
Don't laugh, but I've always to this day pictured Al as Danny DeVito with a full head of shortish hair.

Okay, I can't see that myself, but to each his own...
Hey JackChase -- any word on the boards who the front runner is?

[JackChase007]

Not really. Although, the fans have been choosing between Nick Tuturro (from NYPD Blue) and some comedian named Ray Ellin.

[Tarl_Cabot]

Mathew McConnahay is going to play Dirk Pitt. eehh...

[DLibrasnow]

Originally posted by Tarl_Cabot
Mathew McConnahay is going to play Dirk Pitt. eehh...

Yeah apparently he has even won over Cussler...

[JackChase007]

And a good number of the fans.