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Dirk Pitt® #6
Night Probe!
Cussler's most dazzling bestseller.Dirk Pitt's most dangerous adventure.Dirk Pitt proved invincible in Raise the Titanic! Now, with the future of virtually every person in the world at stake, he is enlisted to spearhead his most daring mission yet—the rescue of a vital document for the United States. To an energy-starved, economically devastated America, possession of this document is worth billions. But to Great Britain, it’s worth a war. Pitt’s quest plunges him into a head-to-head confrontation with Britian’s most cunning secret agent—and into the throes of a torrid love triangle. As time runs out for a desperate America, Dirk Pitt races toward an underwater clash more terrifying than anything Clive Cussler has ever created—the breathtaking climax of Night Probe!
345 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1981
170 people are currently reading
4895 people want to read
About the author
Clive Cussler
608Ìýbooks8,360ÌýfollowersCussler began writing novels in 1965 and published his first work featuring his continuous series hero, Dirk Pitt, in 1973. His first non-fiction, The Sea Hunters, was released in 1996. The Board of Governors of the Maritime College, State University of New York, considered The Sea Hunters in lieu of a Ph.D. thesis and awarded Cussler a Doctor of Letters degree in May, 1997. It was the first time since the College was founded in 1874 that such a degree was bestowed.
Cussler was an internationally recognized authority on shipwrecks and the founder of the National Underwater and Marine Agency, (NUMA) a 501C3 non-profit organization (named after the fictional Federal agency in his novels) that dedicates itself to preserving American maritime and naval history. He and his crew of marine experts and NUMA volunteers discovered more than 60 historically significant underwater wreck sites including the first submarine to sink a ship in battle, the Confederacy's Hunley, and its victim, the Union's Housatonic; the U-20, the U-boat that sank the Lusitania; the Cumberland, which was sunk by the famous ironclad, Merrimack; the renowned Confederate raider Florida; the Navy airship, Akron, the Republic of Texas Navy warship, Zavala, found under a parking lot in Galveston, and the Carpathia, which sank almost six years to-the-day after plucking Titanic's survivors from the sea.
In addition to being the Chairman of NUMA, Cussler was also a fellow in both the Explorers Club of New York and the Royal Geographic Society in London. He was honored with the Lowell Thomas Award for outstanding underwater exploration.
Cussler's books have been published in more than 40 languages in more than 100 countries. His past international bestsellers include Pacific Vortex, Mediterranean Caper, Iceberg, Raise the Titanic, Vixen 03, Night Probe, Deep Six, Cyclops, Treasure, Dragon, Sahara, Inca Gold, Shock Wave, Flood Tide, Atlantis Found, Valhalla Rising, Trojan Odyssey and Black Wind (this last with his son, Dirk Cussler); the nonfiction books The Sea Hunters, The Sea Hunters II and Clive Cussler and Dirk Pitt Revealed; the NUMA® Files novels Serpent, Blue Gold, Fire Ice, White Death and Lost City (written with Paul Kemprecos); and the Oregon Files novels Sacred Stone and Golden Buddha (written with Craig Dirgo) and Dark Watch (written with Jack Du Brul).
Clive Cussler died at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona on February 24, 2020.
Cussler was an internationally recognized authority on shipwrecks and the founder of the National Underwater and Marine Agency, (NUMA) a 501C3 non-profit organization (named after the fictional Federal agency in his novels) that dedicates itself to preserving American maritime and naval history. He and his crew of marine experts and NUMA volunteers discovered more than 60 historically significant underwater wreck sites including the first submarine to sink a ship in battle, the Confederacy's Hunley, and its victim, the Union's Housatonic; the U-20, the U-boat that sank the Lusitania; the Cumberland, which was sunk by the famous ironclad, Merrimack; the renowned Confederate raider Florida; the Navy airship, Akron, the Republic of Texas Navy warship, Zavala, found under a parking lot in Galveston, and the Carpathia, which sank almost six years to-the-day after plucking Titanic's survivors from the sea.
In addition to being the Chairman of NUMA, Cussler was also a fellow in both the Explorers Club of New York and the Royal Geographic Society in London. He was honored with the Lowell Thomas Award for outstanding underwater exploration.
Cussler's books have been published in more than 40 languages in more than 100 countries. His past international bestsellers include Pacific Vortex, Mediterranean Caper, Iceberg, Raise the Titanic, Vixen 03, Night Probe, Deep Six, Cyclops, Treasure, Dragon, Sahara, Inca Gold, Shock Wave, Flood Tide, Atlantis Found, Valhalla Rising, Trojan Odyssey and Black Wind (this last with his son, Dirk Cussler); the nonfiction books The Sea Hunters, The Sea Hunters II and Clive Cussler and Dirk Pitt Revealed; the NUMA® Files novels Serpent, Blue Gold, Fire Ice, White Death and Lost City (written with Paul Kemprecos); and the Oregon Files novels Sacred Stone and Golden Buddha (written with Craig Dirgo) and Dark Watch (written with Jack Du Brul).
Clive Cussler died at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona on February 24, 2020.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 396 reviews
May 23, 2020
The early Dirk Pitt adventures are always quite enjoyable slightly dated fun, though for some reason I couldn't really connect with the plot on this one.
This time Pitt must try and rescue a long lost treaty signed prior to the First World War.
One having plunged into the Hudson River on an express train, whilst the other was held on an ocean liner that sunk in the St. Lawrence River.
The main reason why I couldn't quite engage with this one was the political landscape of the time.
I'm not overly familiar with the relationship between U.K. and U.S.A. during the late 80's, whilst I've never really understood the significance of the Commonwealth either.
That said once you strip all that away the plot follows the familiar beats of the other books and the occasional action sequences were quite entertaining too.
The name drop at the end highlighted the bonkers of this entry in the series.
This time Pitt must try and rescue a long lost treaty signed prior to the First World War.
One having plunged into the Hudson River on an express train, whilst the other was held on an ocean liner that sunk in the St. Lawrence River.
The main reason why I couldn't quite engage with this one was the political landscape of the time.
I'm not overly familiar with the relationship between U.K. and U.S.A. during the late 80's, whilst I've never really understood the significance of the Commonwealth either.
That said once you strip all that away the plot follows the familiar beats of the other books and the occasional action sequences were quite entertaining too.
The name drop at the end highlighted the bonkers of this entry in the series.
April 20, 2025
So, I’m berating myself that I have only recently discovered the joys of reading Clive Cussler. Seriously, Clive, where have you been all my life?
“Night Probe!� is the third Cussler novel I have ever read, and it’s the sixth to feature his beloved action hero, Dirk Pitt. It’s clear to me now why so many people love the Pitt series.
Strange name aside, Dirk Pitt is a pretty lovable hero. Tough but funny, charismatic but serious when he needs to be, Pitt is basically an American James Bond minus a political agenda. His sole motivation is the thrill of the hunt and the adrenaline rush of adventure. Pitt was into extreme living long before anyone was into “extreme� anything.
Cussler’s novels are ridiculously good fun. They are not meant to be anything more. Matthew McConaughey’s attempt to bring Pitt to the big screen in “Sahara� (which was the second attempt to adapt a Cussler novel to the big screen, the first being “Raise the Titanic!� in 1980, starring Richard Jordan as Pitt) captured some of the fun of the series but apparently didn’t bring the fan base (or the box office revenue) expected.
I think part of the reason for the movie's lackluster success is that Cussler’s machine gun pacing and clever plotting didn't translate well. Not a prose stylist by any stretch of the imagination, Cussler nevertheless tells a damn good story. It’s perhaps no wonder, then, that other best-selling action/adventure authors like Tom Clancy have often cited Cussler as one of their inspirations as writers. Cussler is like Hemingway with a helluva lot more testosterone and minus the literary pretension.
The plot of “Night Probe!� hinges on two tragedies that occurred in May 1914, one fictional and one real. The fictional tragedy was the passenger steam locomotive The Manhattan Limited that went over a bridge and plunged headlong into the Hudson River, killing everyone aboard. Pieces of the train washed ashore but the majority of the wreckage was never discovered. The real-life tragedy was the accidental sinking of the ocean liner RMS Empress of Ireland in the Saint Lawrence River. Of the 1,477 passengers on-board, only 465 survived. It is considered the largest maritime accident in Canadian history in terms of casualties.
In a cosmic twist of fate, two copies of a significant document known as the North American Treaty were lost to history in these tragedies. Mysteriously, all traces and mention of the treaty were purposely erased from history at the behest of the parties involved, namely the British and American governments.
Fast-forward to 1989, when an intrepid naval commander named Heidi Milligan, conducting research on something seemingly unrelated, uncovers mention of the treaty. Her sleuthing attracts the attention of the British government, who activates a retired spy named Brian Shaw to stop her from discovering more.
Unfortunately for Shaw, Milligan shares her information with Dirk Pitt, who is as intrepid if not moreso.
Amidst this ensuing cat-and-mouse, international relations between the U.S. and Canada are becoming strained, to say the least. When Quebec freedom fighters unsuccessfully attempt to assassinate Quebec’s Prime Minister, it opens the door for a national secessionist movement in the Canadian government’s parliament. The U.S. will be hit hard by a potential secession of Quebec from Canada, due to a new discovery of underwater oil wells within Quebec waters. The U.S. is already facing a major oil shortage and skyrocketing oil prices, so Quebec’s secession could result in an economic disaster.
When the President of the United States discovers that the North American Treaty was, essentially, a bill of sale negotiated between President Woodrow Wilson and King George of England to sell Canada in its entirety to the U.S. for one billion dollars of 1914 money, Pitt and his team at the National Underwater and Marine Agency (NUMA) are immediately called in to retrieve the North American Treaty from one or both wrecks, if possible.
Hot on Pitt’s trail, of course, is Shaw and a psychotic Canadian mountie improbably and sadly named Floss Gly. The clock is ticking...
As ridiculous as the plot sounds, Cussler makes it seem believable. Of course, anyone who actually lived through 1989 would notice the glaring historical inaccuracies. One must keep in mind that Cussler published the book in 1981, so the events in the novel were set nine years in Cussler’s future.
If you’re good at suspending some of your disbelief and enjoy an exciting action/adventure now and then, pick up an early Cussler novel if you’ve never done so. You may be pleasantly surprised.
“Night Probe!� is the third Cussler novel I have ever read, and it’s the sixth to feature his beloved action hero, Dirk Pitt. It’s clear to me now why so many people love the Pitt series.
Strange name aside, Dirk Pitt is a pretty lovable hero. Tough but funny, charismatic but serious when he needs to be, Pitt is basically an American James Bond minus a political agenda. His sole motivation is the thrill of the hunt and the adrenaline rush of adventure. Pitt was into extreme living long before anyone was into “extreme� anything.
Cussler’s novels are ridiculously good fun. They are not meant to be anything more. Matthew McConaughey’s attempt to bring Pitt to the big screen in “Sahara� (which was the second attempt to adapt a Cussler novel to the big screen, the first being “Raise the Titanic!� in 1980, starring Richard Jordan as Pitt) captured some of the fun of the series but apparently didn’t bring the fan base (or the box office revenue) expected.
I think part of the reason for the movie's lackluster success is that Cussler’s machine gun pacing and clever plotting didn't translate well. Not a prose stylist by any stretch of the imagination, Cussler nevertheless tells a damn good story. It’s perhaps no wonder, then, that other best-selling action/adventure authors like Tom Clancy have often cited Cussler as one of their inspirations as writers. Cussler is like Hemingway with a helluva lot more testosterone and minus the literary pretension.
The plot of “Night Probe!� hinges on two tragedies that occurred in May 1914, one fictional and one real. The fictional tragedy was the passenger steam locomotive The Manhattan Limited that went over a bridge and plunged headlong into the Hudson River, killing everyone aboard. Pieces of the train washed ashore but the majority of the wreckage was never discovered. The real-life tragedy was the accidental sinking of the ocean liner RMS Empress of Ireland in the Saint Lawrence River. Of the 1,477 passengers on-board, only 465 survived. It is considered the largest maritime accident in Canadian history in terms of casualties.
In a cosmic twist of fate, two copies of a significant document known as the North American Treaty were lost to history in these tragedies. Mysteriously, all traces and mention of the treaty were purposely erased from history at the behest of the parties involved, namely the British and American governments.
Fast-forward to 1989, when an intrepid naval commander named Heidi Milligan, conducting research on something seemingly unrelated, uncovers mention of the treaty. Her sleuthing attracts the attention of the British government, who activates a retired spy named Brian Shaw to stop her from discovering more.
Unfortunately for Shaw, Milligan shares her information with Dirk Pitt, who is as intrepid if not moreso.
Amidst this ensuing cat-and-mouse, international relations between the U.S. and Canada are becoming strained, to say the least. When Quebec freedom fighters unsuccessfully attempt to assassinate Quebec’s Prime Minister, it opens the door for a national secessionist movement in the Canadian government’s parliament. The U.S. will be hit hard by a potential secession of Quebec from Canada, due to a new discovery of underwater oil wells within Quebec waters. The U.S. is already facing a major oil shortage and skyrocketing oil prices, so Quebec’s secession could result in an economic disaster.
When the President of the United States discovers that the North American Treaty was, essentially, a bill of sale negotiated between President Woodrow Wilson and King George of England to sell Canada in its entirety to the U.S. for one billion dollars of 1914 money, Pitt and his team at the National Underwater and Marine Agency (NUMA) are immediately called in to retrieve the North American Treaty from one or both wrecks, if possible.
Hot on Pitt’s trail, of course, is Shaw and a psychotic Canadian mountie improbably and sadly named Floss Gly. The clock is ticking...
As ridiculous as the plot sounds, Cussler makes it seem believable. Of course, anyone who actually lived through 1989 would notice the glaring historical inaccuracies. One must keep in mind that Cussler published the book in 1981, so the events in the novel were set nine years in Cussler’s future.
If you’re good at suspending some of your disbelief and enjoy an exciting action/adventure now and then, pick up an early Cussler novel if you’ve never done so. You may be pleasantly surprised.
February 15, 2023
Ad hoc Cussler read in Feb 2023
I think this is the third read of some of the Dirk Pitt novels, and the first during my GR years, and there are certainly a considerable number of new novels since I last read the series so we shall see if I want to go into buying books territory. That said, I remember the general stories of the novels I've read so far this year, but that hasn't lessened my liking.
This novel like the last is considerably stronger than the earlier ones, and I'm hoping that they keep getting better. In this book, Dirk is called into the search for a document that has been lost for many years, but could be crucial for the future of North America. Add into the mix the ever present problem of the Canadian provinces that are French speaking.
The document comes to light completely by accident but then creates chaos from Washington to Ottawa, with a healthy dose of British Royal Marines added to the mix.
Well crafted and a good adventure romp that just drives you on to read the next, which unfortunately I don't have anymore, hmm do I buy it or jump to the next one that I actually own ?
I think this is the third read of some of the Dirk Pitt novels, and the first during my GR years, and there are certainly a considerable number of new novels since I last read the series so we shall see if I want to go into buying books territory. That said, I remember the general stories of the novels I've read so far this year, but that hasn't lessened my liking.
This novel like the last is considerably stronger than the earlier ones, and I'm hoping that they keep getting better. In this book, Dirk is called into the search for a document that has been lost for many years, but could be crucial for the future of North America. Add into the mix the ever present problem of the Canadian provinces that are French speaking.
The document comes to light completely by accident but then creates chaos from Washington to Ottawa, with a healthy dose of British Royal Marines added to the mix.
Well crafted and a good adventure romp that just drives you on to read the next, which unfortunately I don't have anymore, hmm do I buy it or jump to the next one that I actually own ?
January 26, 2022
In the days of WWI, Britain is desperate, and signs a mysterious treaty with the USA. The ship carrying the treaty across the Atlantic never arrives. Years later, a reference to the mysterious treaty is found. Britain starts killing off anyone who might know about it.
Dirk Pitt gets involved, as a treaty may be in a sunken ship. Plenty of spy jinks and high adventure.
I had a problem with the ending where a Naval officer is rewarded for telling secrets, which got people killed. Sure they were fictional characters, but still.
Dirk Pitt gets involved, as a treaty may be in a sunken ship. Plenty of spy jinks and high adventure.
I had a problem with the ending where a Naval officer is rewarded for telling secrets, which got people killed. Sure they were fictional characters, but still.
December 20, 2018
by
Genres; Action/Adventure, Crime, Mystery, Suspense
4 Stars
Published April 1st 1982 by Bantam Book
I admit it. I oftentimes buy my books at flea markets and yard sells. What is awesome is when the wife is dumping her husbands book collection. Talk about a gold mine for an avid addicted reader and a lover of suspense, action and 'secret agent' types. This particular yard sell endeavor yielded me a BOX FULL of paperback and (got to love it) Hardback! copies of Clive Cussler books and other gems.
Another big plus, in the very near future I was to meet my present husband, and when he saw my collection of these books, it was 'Insta-Love'.
I sometimes wonder if he just wanted me for my books. Lmbo.
This one was full of action and suspense. Mystery & Intrigue.
A super fun read.
I Loved it.
Genres; Action/Adventure, Crime, Mystery, Suspense
4 Stars
Published April 1st 1982 by Bantam Book
I admit it. I oftentimes buy my books at flea markets and yard sells. What is awesome is when the wife is dumping her husbands book collection. Talk about a gold mine for an avid addicted reader and a lover of suspense, action and 'secret agent' types. This particular yard sell endeavor yielded me a BOX FULL of paperback and (got to love it) Hardback! copies of Clive Cussler books and other gems.
Another big plus, in the very near future I was to meet my present husband, and when he saw my collection of these books, it was 'Insta-Love'.
I sometimes wonder if he just wanted me for my books. Lmbo.
This one was full of action and suspense. Mystery & Intrigue.
A super fun read.
I Loved it.
June 2, 2017
In May 1914 two couriers disappear in twin disasters taking the only two copies of the North American Treaty with them. The governments of the United States and Great Britain order a cover up so it is as if the treaty never existed. In February 1989 Heidi Milligan, a stunningly beautiful (of course) naval commander discovers an obscure reference to the long-lost document which is now worth billions of dollars. The race is on to rescue one copy of the treaty from the bottom of the ocean.
I have a soft spot for Dirk Pitt even though these books can get really over the top sometimes. This book is my favorite of the series because part of it is set in the village where I was living at the time. The physical description of landmarks and buildings in the area was so detailed and so correct that I was convinced that a few of the other historical details were based on fact. When I tried to hunt down the story at the local public library the story looked so plausible that the local history librarian was puzzled that she hadn't come across it before. We wrote to Clive Cussler and he replied "Don't believe everything you read" saying that he had made up every single bit of historical background in the book.
I have a soft spot for Dirk Pitt even though these books can get really over the top sometimes. This book is my favorite of the series because part of it is set in the village where I was living at the time. The physical description of landmarks and buildings in the area was so detailed and so correct that I was convinced that a few of the other historical details were based on fact. When I tried to hunt down the story at the local public library the story looked so plausible that the local history librarian was puzzled that she hadn't come across it before. We wrote to Clive Cussler and he replied "Don't believe everything you read" saying that he had made up every single bit of historical background in the book.
March 1, 2012
I've read all of the Dirk Pitt books (except perhaps some of the newest ones) and this definitely ranks as one of my favorites.
In my opinion, Night Probe (pub. 1981) is the best of Dirk Pitt's earlier novel and byy earlier, I mean before books set before Treasure... for no particular reason except I feel that by Treasure, the tone and style of the novels has shifted more to his contemporary style.
I re-read Night Probe! because of my love of the deep water recovery scenes and the exciting locomotive storyline. The reason behind these two storylines is a fantastic plot, and by fantastic, I mean hard to believe. However, its an adventure. I rate it 5 stars not because this is great literature. This is great entertainment. It is definitely one of the best Dirk Pitt novels out there.
The only reason I started reading Dirk Pitt was because my Dad has been a fan of the Clive Cussler series since the publication of "Raise the Titanic!" These are comfortable, entertaining and exciting reads.
In my opinion, Night Probe (pub. 1981) is the best of Dirk Pitt's earlier novel and byy earlier, I mean before books set before Treasure... for no particular reason except I feel that by Treasure, the tone and style of the novels has shifted more to his contemporary style.
I re-read Night Probe! because of my love of the deep water recovery scenes and the exciting locomotive storyline. The reason behind these two storylines is a fantastic plot, and by fantastic, I mean hard to believe. However, its an adventure. I rate it 5 stars not because this is great literature. This is great entertainment. It is definitely one of the best Dirk Pitt novels out there.
The only reason I started reading Dirk Pitt was because my Dad has been a fan of the Clive Cussler series since the publication of "Raise the Titanic!" These are comfortable, entertaining and exciting reads.
December 13, 2018
Despite being a bit dated in parts, this is still a fun book to read. It moves at a pretty good pace from start to finish; it still holds my interest throughout the entire story. It takes place shortly after Vixen 03 and utilizes a character or two who were introduced in the prior novel (including Heidi Milligan). The author does a nice job of weaving historical fiction in with historical fact to tell a crazy, rousing story .
The character development is decent. Al Giordino has some 'cameos' towards the end the story; I may have to read Deep Six next to see if I can figure out when Al becomes a recurring character and Dirk's "sidekick" in future novels. So, considering how much of a 'foil' he becomes in later novels so that Dirk's "genius" can be revealed, it is always 'fun/nice' to see him when he was 'more in his prime' and had some relative depth to his character when he showed up in a story. I am not sure how much Heidi develops as a character; she seems to play more of a 'second fiddle' to keep the story moving . Rudi Gunn also makes an appearance, but his performance does not stand out to me.
Foss Gly was nuts!
One of the 'current' weaknesses of the book when read ‘today� is its portrayal of women. There are three 'primary' women mentioned in the novel (Heidi Milligan, Danielle Sarveux, and Dirk Pitt's secretary, Zerri Pochinski). Each of them has a ‘role� to play in the story, and the roles are ‘prominent� roles, but they still play ‘second fiddle� to the men.
In many respects, it was a fun book. It does beggar the imagination a bit in places, but that is what makes the book so much fun to read. The amount of sex in the book is pretty crazy, too; I cannot figure out if the author was trying to pay too much of an homage to James Bond or not (considering James appears in the story as Pitt’s ‘primary� antagonist) with the amount of sex. The author does a good job, at times, of giving his secondary characters “strong humanity� and some depth, then, in other places, they are just a part of the background. I really enjoyed the “haunted train� that was introduced early on in the book and the source of its mystery was eventually discovered. It was assuredly one of the ‘more enjoyable� moments of the book.
I think one of the ‘most interesting� facets of this book is that Dirk Pitt still plays something of a ‘second fiddle� in his own story. While he is the ‘primary� hero, he is surrounded by other capable people who assist him in ‘getting the job done� and discovering the necessary information to solve the mystery before him (and his team). Whereas in later novels, he would be able to find or deduce most of the information on his own, in this novel Heidi plays a big part in helping him locate the surviving copy of the Treaty, which is pretty cool in its own right. While Al has a smaller part to play in this novel, he still has an important role as leader of one of the search teams (and the descriptions of his ‘leadership� in times of stress were pretty funny to read). I do not remember if Hiram Yaeger was in the novel, but Rudi Gunn was, working with Pitt at the site of the Empress if Ireland to locate the British copy of the Treaty. The technology in the book is somewhat advanced, considering when it was written and the advances the author was hypothesizing would happen.
In an attempt to wrap this up, I still remember the first time I read this book and how crazy I thought it was and how much I enjoyed it. That was over twenty years ago. I still enjoy reading this book, how crazy it is, and how fast-paced it is. While it does not have some of the subsequent “signatures� one usually finds in a Pitt novel, it definitely has a creativity and uniqueness all its own that helps set it apart from the subsequent novels after, maybe, Treasure, that all seem to follow a similar ‘formula� when it comes to telling a Dirk Pitt story. Be that as it may, I am sure I will reread it again at some point in time in the relative near future, as I still enjoyed reading it (again) that much.
The character development is decent. Al Giordino has some 'cameos' towards the end the story; I may have to read Deep Six next to see if I can figure out when Al becomes a recurring character and Dirk's "sidekick" in future novels. So, considering how much of a 'foil' he becomes in later novels so that Dirk's "genius" can be revealed, it is always 'fun/nice' to see him when he was 'more in his prime' and had some relative depth to his character when he showed up in a story. I am not sure how much Heidi develops as a character; she seems to play more of a 'second fiddle' to keep the story moving . Rudi Gunn also makes an appearance, but his performance does not stand out to me.
Foss Gly was nuts!
One of the 'current' weaknesses of the book when read ‘today� is its portrayal of women. There are three 'primary' women mentioned in the novel (Heidi Milligan, Danielle Sarveux, and Dirk Pitt's secretary, Zerri Pochinski). Each of them has a ‘role� to play in the story, and the roles are ‘prominent� roles, but they still play ‘second fiddle� to the men.
In many respects, it was a fun book. It does beggar the imagination a bit in places, but that is what makes the book so much fun to read. The amount of sex in the book is pretty crazy, too; I cannot figure out if the author was trying to pay too much of an homage to James Bond or not (considering James appears in the story as Pitt’s ‘primary� antagonist) with the amount of sex. The author does a good job, at times, of giving his secondary characters “strong humanity� and some depth, then, in other places, they are just a part of the background. I really enjoyed the “haunted train� that was introduced early on in the book and the source of its mystery was eventually discovered. It was assuredly one of the ‘more enjoyable� moments of the book.
I think one of the ‘most interesting� facets of this book is that Dirk Pitt still plays something of a ‘second fiddle� in his own story. While he is the ‘primary� hero, he is surrounded by other capable people who assist him in ‘getting the job done� and discovering the necessary information to solve the mystery before him (and his team). Whereas in later novels, he would be able to find or deduce most of the information on his own, in this novel Heidi plays a big part in helping him locate the surviving copy of the Treaty, which is pretty cool in its own right. While Al has a smaller part to play in this novel, he still has an important role as leader of one of the search teams (and the descriptions of his ‘leadership� in times of stress were pretty funny to read). I do not remember if Hiram Yaeger was in the novel, but Rudi Gunn was, working with Pitt at the site of the Empress if Ireland to locate the British copy of the Treaty. The technology in the book is somewhat advanced, considering when it was written and the advances the author was hypothesizing would happen.
In an attempt to wrap this up, I still remember the first time I read this book and how crazy I thought it was and how much I enjoyed it. That was over twenty years ago. I still enjoy reading this book, how crazy it is, and how fast-paced it is. While it does not have some of the subsequent “signatures� one usually finds in a Pitt novel, it definitely has a creativity and uniqueness all its own that helps set it apart from the subsequent novels after, maybe, Treasure, that all seem to follow a similar ‘formula� when it comes to telling a Dirk Pitt story. Be that as it may, I am sure I will reread it again at some point in time in the relative near future, as I still enjoyed reading it (again) that much.
July 9, 2020
I think this book in the series (#6) is where Cussler really begins to hit his stride in terms of writing an action packed, suspenseful drama. Right from the start it was one of those storied where I just had to keep reading to find out what happened next.
Despite enjoying this book most of the way through I can only give it 3 stars because of a couple of annoyances. One character behaved like a naive and gullible idiot and the ending left me wondering how Cussler is going to go forward with the consequences. It would not surprise me if this is never mentioned again in later books. I will keep reading to find out.
Despite enjoying this book most of the way through I can only give it 3 stars because of a couple of annoyances. One character behaved like a naive and gullible idiot and the ending left me wondering how Cussler is going to go forward with the consequences. It would not surprise me if this is never mentioned again in later books. I will keep reading to find out.
Read
September 13, 2024Very strange, I don’t remember reading this. And the dates read are blank, no start or finish date. I have read a lot of Clive Cussler books, but not this one I’m pretty sure.
April 10, 2020
Not one of my favorites, but do still love these books
May 24, 2019
Months before World War I consumed Europe and brought Britain’s Empire to the fields of France, a historic treaty could have changed everything if not for two accidents. The sixth book of Clive Cussler’s Dirk Pitt series, Night Probe!, finds the series protagonist on a historical and internationally significant hunt for a Treaty that sold Canada to the United States even as the aforementioned nation is on the verge of splitting and the United Kingdom is sending it’s great secret agent to stop him.
On the same day, a railroad disaster along the Hudson River and a ship sinking in the St. Lawrence kills two diplomats from the United States and Great Britain heading from Canada to their respective capitals with signed treaties that sells Canada to the United States. After both men die and the treaties presumed lost, President Wilson communicates with his British counterpart to forget that it ever happened. Three-quarters of a century later, Heidi Mulligan finds a unknown letter by Wilson communicating to Prime Minister Asquith about the North American Treaty setting off a chain of events that discovers evidence about the unknown treaty and makes it’s way across the Pond to the British archives sending 10 Downing Street into a panic and getting out of retirement it’s greatest secret agent, Brian Shaw (not at all James Bond, but is basically an older James Bond). One of those Heidi tells is friend (from Vixen 03) Dirk Pitt who doing his own research on top of Heidi’s gives his circumstantial evidence to the new President, who was previously in the Senate with his father. The President uses the information as part of his plan with the embattled Canadian Prime Minister threatened with Quebec secession while recovering from an assassination attempt by a Quebec terrorist group headed by his own right-hand man in his cabinet, who is also having an affair with his wife. Shaw seduces Heidi to learn everything she does and then attempts to prevent Pitt from getting either copy of the treaty but comes just short. Pitt gets the Treaty to the President, who is speaking to the Canadian Parliament and announces the historical find while inviting the provinces to apply for statehood.
Before anything else, the biggest issue with this book is Cussler’s total lack of understanding of the Constitution, Canadian history, and the Commonwealth of Nations. Of the three it’s the Constitution as all treaties must be approved by the Senate, which a President that had been a sitting Senator would know as well as Pitt’s father who is still a Senator, and after 75 years attempting to bring it to a vote would probably result in a Supreme Court case. The second is the Commonwealth of Nations are all self-governing and not the British Empire under a new name, so while it would have been embarrassing to Britain it wouldn’t result in what happened in the book. Now let’s get to the story; overall, it’s a good overall adventure tale with a good spy subplot and some good political intrigue (Canadian) and not so good (President). Pitt was able to get more nuisance and Heidi Mulligan was the best female character in the series so far, Brian Shaw as the older not-James Bond but basically is was a nice touch and good way to segue into so many plots. The Canadian political intrigue, if fleshed out more, could have been its own book but just added to the overall quality and somewhat makes up for the lack of understanding of various things on Cussler’s part.
Night Probe! is a very good installment of the Dirk Pitt series that is unfortunately undermined by Clive Cussler’s intentional or unintentional lack of understanding over various political and historical factors. The various adventure, spy, and political intrigue subplots work well together to create fun book to read if you don’t think too much.
On the same day, a railroad disaster along the Hudson River and a ship sinking in the St. Lawrence kills two diplomats from the United States and Great Britain heading from Canada to their respective capitals with signed treaties that sells Canada to the United States. After both men die and the treaties presumed lost, President Wilson communicates with his British counterpart to forget that it ever happened. Three-quarters of a century later, Heidi Mulligan finds a unknown letter by Wilson communicating to Prime Minister Asquith about the North American Treaty setting off a chain of events that discovers evidence about the unknown treaty and makes it’s way across the Pond to the British archives sending 10 Downing Street into a panic and getting out of retirement it’s greatest secret agent, Brian Shaw (not at all James Bond, but is basically an older James Bond). One of those Heidi tells is friend (from Vixen 03) Dirk Pitt who doing his own research on top of Heidi’s gives his circumstantial evidence to the new President, who was previously in the Senate with his father. The President uses the information as part of his plan with the embattled Canadian Prime Minister threatened with Quebec secession while recovering from an assassination attempt by a Quebec terrorist group headed by his own right-hand man in his cabinet, who is also having an affair with his wife. Shaw seduces Heidi to learn everything she does and then attempts to prevent Pitt from getting either copy of the treaty but comes just short. Pitt gets the Treaty to the President, who is speaking to the Canadian Parliament and announces the historical find while inviting the provinces to apply for statehood.
Before anything else, the biggest issue with this book is Cussler’s total lack of understanding of the Constitution, Canadian history, and the Commonwealth of Nations. Of the three it’s the Constitution as all treaties must be approved by the Senate, which a President that had been a sitting Senator would know as well as Pitt’s father who is still a Senator, and after 75 years attempting to bring it to a vote would probably result in a Supreme Court case. The second is the Commonwealth of Nations are all self-governing and not the British Empire under a new name, so while it would have been embarrassing to Britain it wouldn’t result in what happened in the book. Now let’s get to the story; overall, it’s a good overall adventure tale with a good spy subplot and some good political intrigue (Canadian) and not so good (President). Pitt was able to get more nuisance and Heidi Mulligan was the best female character in the series so far, Brian Shaw as the older not-James Bond but basically is was a nice touch and good way to segue into so many plots. The Canadian political intrigue, if fleshed out more, could have been its own book but just added to the overall quality and somewhat makes up for the lack of understanding of various things on Cussler’s part.
Night Probe! is a very good installment of the Dirk Pitt series that is unfortunately undermined by Clive Cussler’s intentional or unintentional lack of understanding over various political and historical factors. The various adventure, spy, and political intrigue subplots work well together to create fun book to read if you don’t think too much.
August 26, 2020
Looking forward to the next in the Dirk Pitt series, another excellent and fact filled read!
September 5, 2018
Povero treno!
May 28, 2022
This kept me on the edge of my seat
Loved the mystery
Can’t wait to read more of Dirk’s adventures
Loved the mystery
Can’t wait to read more of Dirk’s adventures
June 3, 2024
So I find it interesting when I have read books from much later in Cussler's career and then reading some of his much earlier (and even earliest) works and comparing the two. You can certainly see how both the style and scope of his work grows in confidence and grandeur and this book is no exception.
The story starts off simple enough and then escalates to ever increasing stakes and complexity as several storylines start to converge.
This is an action book and yes there is plenty of that here - you can certainly see the appeal of his work and its popularity. Like many of these types of books there is a starting point that gives the story (at least to start with) an air of authenticity but for those who know his books that is often where it stops.
I have to admit I am still amazed at when this book was first published (mine is a much earlier edition that GoodReads seems to have picked up).
The story starts off simple enough and then escalates to ever increasing stakes and complexity as several storylines start to converge.
This is an action book and yes there is plenty of that here - you can certainly see the appeal of his work and its popularity. Like many of these types of books there is a starting point that gives the story (at least to start with) an air of authenticity but for those who know his books that is often where it stops.
I have to admit I am still amazed at when this book was first published (mine is a much earlier edition that GoodReads seems to have picked up).
May 2, 2020
The fifth published Dirk Pitt novel was pretty good, and may be a tough standard for the other novels to live up to. Underwater action, adventure, seduction, and of course classic cars - but this novel adds history to the mix quite effectively. I just wish it were more electronically available...
I have read that this is one of the best early Dirk Pitt novels - apparently is the dividing point. I did enjoy it quite a bit, especially the underwater scenes. I also read that Brian Shaw was essentially James Bond, but I didn't get that vibe. Well, okay, full marks in the seduction game, but otherwise no. Gly is a suitable villain, though a bit mad. I understand he returns in a later novel.
So what didn't I like? I remember 1981, and the threat of a separatist Quebec was as much in the news as the Cold war. The ending felt very a-historical. This is only the 2nd Dirk Pitt I've read, so maybe this is always a thing, but I'm not sure how this world continues. Also, the action at the end was a little hard to follow. Minor quibbles, indeed. Will be interesting to see how the others match up to this.
I have read that this is one of the best early Dirk Pitt novels - apparently is the dividing point. I did enjoy it quite a bit, especially the underwater scenes. I also read that Brian Shaw was essentially James Bond, but I didn't get that vibe. Well, okay, full marks in the seduction game, but otherwise no. Gly is a suitable villain, though a bit mad. I understand he returns in a later novel.
So what didn't I like? I remember 1981, and the threat of a separatist Quebec was as much in the news as the Cold war. The ending felt very a-historical. This is only the 2nd Dirk Pitt I've read, so maybe this is always a thing, but I'm not sure how this world continues. Also, the action at the end was a little hard to follow. Minor quibbles, indeed. Will be interesting to see how the others match up to this.
May 14, 2022
Dirk Pitt really does make me think of a less debonair James Bond whose adventures tie in to water in some fashion. In this outing, a woman who Pitt knows from a previous novel discovers references in some historical research that there may have been a treaty in the 1910's signed between England and the United States, giving the US jurisdiction over Canada in exchange for a large amount of money. She tells Pitt about it and they discover there were two copies of the secret treaty, both which disappeared the same day in two separate accidents very soon after they were signed in 1914. One went down with a ship that was struck by another ship on its way back to Canada and the other went into a river on a train when a bridge collapsed on its way to Washington DC. Pitt is tasked with trying to retrieve either copy. Needless to say, when Canada and Britain find out about Pitt's search, obstacles are placed in his way .... As usual, a very enjoyable adventure by Cussler.
March 9, 2017
In 1914 the United States, Canada, and Britain sign a secret treaty selling Canada to the United States. When two couriers carrying copies of the treaty disappear a cover up takes place. Decades later when world energy supplies dwindle, the American president renews efforts to find and enforce the treaty despite the efforts of both the British and a radical French-Canadian group.
June 9, 2020
Excellent adventure tale as Pitt tries to salvage a missing train and a passenger liner to find a treaty ceding Canada to the USA. British agents battle against him and there are lots of good action sequences. All in all a good engaging thriller.
November 9, 2023
Early Dirk Pitt was more of a team player, less of the world's savior and far less of a one-man army.
October 24, 2014
This is a book that brings me both enjoyment and frustration. It is a fast book [not as fast as Vixen 3, but still fast] and it still manages to be interesting. It also has James Bond appearing opposite Dirk Pitt. Ironically, this is my third or fourth copy of the hardbound edition. I bought my first copy at a thrift store, loaned it out, and never got it back. Same with the second copy. The third copy I bought at a used book store, only to have it magically disappear from my shelves [either I loaned it a THIRD time or somebody borrowed it and forgot to return it].
This book frustrates the heck out of me in the sense that it introduces a document that will literally change the geopolitical landscape of the planet as well as previously undiscovered wealth on the ocean floor that will help bring the United States out of bankruptcy/debt. Yet, after this novel, we never again hear of the treaty that combined the countries of Canada and the United States into one country. The entire premise is a fascinating one, and I enjoyed how the author went about ensuring the treaty was lost and then found nearly eighty years later. The author does a masterful job of blending fact with fiction to tell a compelling story.
This is one of the 'off-again' novels for Dirk and Loren. Loren does not even rate an afterthought in Dirk's mind in this book. He is gung-ho for Heidi Milligan in this novel - he encounters her in passing at a restaurant and she convinces him to bed her for the night. She is still in mourning [of a sort] over the passing of her former lover, the retired Admiral Bass, and is trying to move on. Dirk is more than happy to help her. In fact, I think this novel might have the highest concentration of sexual activity in it for a Dirk Pitt novel [not that that is necessarily anything to brag about]. Dirk shacks up with Heidi, who then shacks up a few times with the suave and debonair Brian Shaw [aka James Bond]. Meanwhile, not to be outdone, the Canadian President's wife is having an affair with his Minister of Internal Affairs [nice play on words, get it?] and has been for quite some time. Unbeknownst to her [until it is too late] an assassin of her lover [Foss Gly, who returns in Cyclops] also seduces her in an attempt to drive a wedge between her and her lover. So, yeah, there is a lot of sex in this book. Crazy.
One of my favorite moments in the book was when the Canadian destroyer tells an unidentified floating object to move it or lose it - if the vessel does not move the Canadians will attack. The unidentified floating vessel signals back that they are a guided missile cruiser and will be more than happy to blow the Canadians out of the water [my paraphrase]. I laughed quite a bit when reading that segment the first couple of times, and it still brings a smile to my face.
In the end, Foss Gly appears to die [I say 'appears' because he survives to show up in Cuba in Cyclops]. Danielle and Villon die. Oddly enough, Shaw does not die. And we find out .
The whole treaty where Canada and the US become one country is a great idea. Especially when one considers the amount of mineral wealth and resources that have been discovered in Canadian waters [territories]. Yet nothing is ever said again of Canada and the US becoming one country in future stories. It should have been mentioned several times, in my opinion, in future books. It was kind of a let down, especially after how the author has carried some sub-plots over from one book to the next. For instance, the 'doodlebug' was built specifically due to the actions of Meta Section, which was the think tank started by the former president discussed in Raise the Titanic. Ah, well. It does not detract from my overall enjoyment of the book.
I loved how James Bond shows up in the book and is Dirk Pitt's opponent. It is more than fitting, and it makes the book that much more delightful. I thought it was a nice homage to the British super spy, and the author did splendid job by utilizing the character like he did. It was pretty funny in parts, in my opinion. Definitely made the book worth the reading.
This book frustrates the heck out of me in the sense that it introduces a document that will literally change the geopolitical landscape of the planet as well as previously undiscovered wealth on the ocean floor that will help bring the United States out of bankruptcy/debt. Yet, after this novel, we never again hear of the treaty that combined the countries of Canada and the United States into one country. The entire premise is a fascinating one, and I enjoyed how the author went about ensuring the treaty was lost and then found nearly eighty years later. The author does a masterful job of blending fact with fiction to tell a compelling story.
This is one of the 'off-again' novels for Dirk and Loren. Loren does not even rate an afterthought in Dirk's mind in this book. He is gung-ho for Heidi Milligan in this novel - he encounters her in passing at a restaurant and she convinces him to bed her for the night. She is still in mourning [of a sort] over the passing of her former lover, the retired Admiral Bass, and is trying to move on. Dirk is more than happy to help her. In fact, I think this novel might have the highest concentration of sexual activity in it for a Dirk Pitt novel [not that that is necessarily anything to brag about]. Dirk shacks up with Heidi, who then shacks up a few times with the suave and debonair Brian Shaw [aka James Bond]. Meanwhile, not to be outdone, the Canadian President's wife is having an affair with his Minister of Internal Affairs [nice play on words, get it?] and has been for quite some time. Unbeknownst to her [until it is too late] an assassin of her lover [Foss Gly, who returns in Cyclops] also seduces her in an attempt to drive a wedge between her and her lover. So, yeah, there is a lot of sex in this book. Crazy.
One of my favorite moments in the book was when the Canadian destroyer tells an unidentified floating object to move it or lose it - if the vessel does not move the Canadians will attack. The unidentified floating vessel signals back that they are a guided missile cruiser and will be more than happy to blow the Canadians out of the water [my paraphrase]. I laughed quite a bit when reading that segment the first couple of times, and it still brings a smile to my face.
In the end, Foss Gly appears to die [I say 'appears' because he survives to show up in Cuba in Cyclops]. Danielle and Villon die. Oddly enough, Shaw does not die. And we find out .
The whole treaty where Canada and the US become one country is a great idea. Especially when one considers the amount of mineral wealth and resources that have been discovered in Canadian waters [territories]. Yet nothing is ever said again of Canada and the US becoming one country in future stories. It should have been mentioned several times, in my opinion, in future books. It was kind of a let down, especially after how the author has carried some sub-plots over from one book to the next. For instance, the 'doodlebug' was built specifically due to the actions of Meta Section, which was the think tank started by the former president discussed in Raise the Titanic. Ah, well. It does not detract from my overall enjoyment of the book.
I loved how James Bond shows up in the book and is Dirk Pitt's opponent. It is more than fitting, and it makes the book that much more delightful. I thought it was a nice homage to the British super spy, and the author did splendid job by utilizing the character like he did. It was pretty funny in parts, in my opinion. Definitely made the book worth the reading.
May 15, 2025
I liked this installment in the series, particularly for the premise of cold case mysteries being the key to modern political situations. There were a lot of moving parts, but it was still pretty easy to follow. The characters were a vast improvement from previous books; mostly because of the lack of bigotry, but also for their complex motivations. There were some scenes and choices throughout that didn't really make sense or were a touch too crazy. Also the title has essentially nothing to do with the story, which I feel like was a poor choice.
February 13, 2018
Before Clive Cussler and his "co-authors" worked themselves into a several-books-a-year publishing schedule, as much as three years would elapse between the adventures of National Underwater and Marine Agency scientist, adventurer and Square-Jawed Hero Dirk Pitt. So although Night Probe came out eight years after Pitt debuted, it's only the fifth Pitt adventure and we can see Cussler still working on his storytelling groove.
Set in 1989, seven years after the publication date, we find a United States on the verge of economic collapse because of the depletion of Middle Eastern oil supplies and the lack of native-generated alternatives. Almost a quarter of the nation depends on power generated by a massive Canadian hydroelectric plant, but Canada faces the possibility of Quebec seceding from the nation and causing the kind of chaos a precariously-balanced situation doesn't need.
Into the mix comes US Navy officer and researcher Heidi Milligan, who has found evidence of a mysterious U.S.- Great Britain "North American Treaty" from 1914 that seems to have disappeared from all public record. Milligan's work brings the treaty to the notice of the president, who directs NUMA and Pitt to locate copies believed to have sunk in the St. Lawrence River after a horrific train accident in 1914. Great Britain, on the other hand, would rather the treaty stay buried and so recalls retired agent Brian Shaw to learn what Milligan knows and stop the recovery.
There's quite a bit of skullduggery amongst the various parties of Quebecois separatists, high-level domestic intrigue and bed-hopping, British military secret missions and et cetera and et cetera. Cussler wildly overplots the story and overindulges himself with characters, villainy and geopolitical gamesmanship and commentary that he's not particularly equipped to handle -- one notes the fact that Middle Eastern oil reserves did not run out in the early 1990s, for example.
It would be a few books later before Cussler took his strengths -- action scenes, underwater exploration and maritime and oceanographic expertise and straight-ahead, no-frills talespinning -- and drilled down to keep them in the forefront of the Pitt adventures. Night Probe shows a number of those already present, but mires them in way too much et cetera to rank much above middling in the series.
Original available .
Set in 1989, seven years after the publication date, we find a United States on the verge of economic collapse because of the depletion of Middle Eastern oil supplies and the lack of native-generated alternatives. Almost a quarter of the nation depends on power generated by a massive Canadian hydroelectric plant, but Canada faces the possibility of Quebec seceding from the nation and causing the kind of chaos a precariously-balanced situation doesn't need.
Into the mix comes US Navy officer and researcher Heidi Milligan, who has found evidence of a mysterious U.S.- Great Britain "North American Treaty" from 1914 that seems to have disappeared from all public record. Milligan's work brings the treaty to the notice of the president, who directs NUMA and Pitt to locate copies believed to have sunk in the St. Lawrence River after a horrific train accident in 1914. Great Britain, on the other hand, would rather the treaty stay buried and so recalls retired agent Brian Shaw to learn what Milligan knows and stop the recovery.
There's quite a bit of skullduggery amongst the various parties of Quebecois separatists, high-level domestic intrigue and bed-hopping, British military secret missions and et cetera and et cetera. Cussler wildly overplots the story and overindulges himself with characters, villainy and geopolitical gamesmanship and commentary that he's not particularly equipped to handle -- one notes the fact that Middle Eastern oil reserves did not run out in the early 1990s, for example.
It would be a few books later before Cussler took his strengths -- action scenes, underwater exploration and maritime and oceanographic expertise and straight-ahead, no-frills talespinning -- and drilled down to keep them in the forefront of the Pitt adventures. Night Probe shows a number of those already present, but mires them in way too much et cetera to rank much above middling in the series.
Original available .
July 15, 2011
You know that one favorite restaurant of yours? Sure you do: the one that you go into so often that they know you on sight, and where you order pretty much the same thing every time so that you almost don’t have to order—they just bring it to you. And it is always so good! You know the place?
For me, Clive Cussler’s Dirk Pitt series is like that restaurant (except that Clive Cussler doesn’t know me—at least, I don’t think he does). I have read all but the last two Pitt books—and am rereading them now—so while the details aren’t remembered, I at least know what I’m going to get: a fast read, a great adventure with beautiful women and fast cars, extremely unlikely escapes, coincidences that strain credibility, but I get to the end exhilarated and having enjoyed myself.
This time, the story starts in 1914, before World War I begins. An English envoy is carrying an important paper back to Britain when the ship he’s on collides with a coal ship and sinks in the St. Lawrence River. Meanwhile, an American envoy with another important piece of paper is on the Manhattan Limited, a train headed back down the Hudson towards Washington during a storm when a bridge spanning the river collapses and the train disappears.
In future times (for the book anyway�1989), the United States is having a financial crisis and the President is considering defaulting on all of the nation’s debts. Meanwhile, Quebec is making noises like it wants to separate from the rest of Canada. The pieces of paper that the men 75 years previously come to life, and Pitt now finds himself in charge to salvage operations to find those papers, which could have a monumental effect of history.
That’s all I’ll say. Read the book and enjoy the discoveries in one of Pitt’s best books.
For me, Clive Cussler’s Dirk Pitt series is like that restaurant (except that Clive Cussler doesn’t know me—at least, I don’t think he does). I have read all but the last two Pitt books—and am rereading them now—so while the details aren’t remembered, I at least know what I’m going to get: a fast read, a great adventure with beautiful women and fast cars, extremely unlikely escapes, coincidences that strain credibility, but I get to the end exhilarated and having enjoyed myself.
This time, the story starts in 1914, before World War I begins. An English envoy is carrying an important paper back to Britain when the ship he’s on collides with a coal ship and sinks in the St. Lawrence River. Meanwhile, an American envoy with another important piece of paper is on the Manhattan Limited, a train headed back down the Hudson towards Washington during a storm when a bridge spanning the river collapses and the train disappears.
In future times (for the book anyway�1989), the United States is having a financial crisis and the President is considering defaulting on all of the nation’s debts. Meanwhile, Quebec is making noises like it wants to separate from the rest of Canada. The pieces of paper that the men 75 years previously come to life, and Pitt now finds himself in charge to salvage operations to find those papers, which could have a monumental effect of history.
That’s all I’ll say. Read the book and enjoy the discoveries in one of Pitt’s best books.
February 21, 2020
I enjoyed this one, seemed to have more depth and intensity than the previous books (I'm reading them in order of publication). Definitely a combination of Bond/Cousteau, but spun the only way Clive Cussler can.
May 6, 2015
My Rating Scale:
1 Star - Horrible book, It was so bad I stopped reading it. I have not read the whole book and wont
2 Star - Bad book, I forced myself to finish it and do NOT recommend. I can't believe I read it once
3 Star - Average book, Was entertaining but nothing special. No plans to ever re-read
4 Star - Good Book, Was a really good book and I would recommend. I am Likely to re-read this book
5 Star - GREAT book, A great story and well written. I can't wait for the next book. I Will Re-Read this one or more times.
Times Read: 1
I love Dirk Pitt and Al Giordino.
Characters - The characters are great and what make these stories come alive. I have to say Dirk Pitt is one of my favorite characters in a book series. His buddy Al always puts a smile on my face. I really like the characters.
Story - The stories are average and fairly typical. I really like the NUMA settings for the stories. In general these are just entertaining situations to place some really fun characters (Dirk and Al).
Overall - I started reading these when I was 16. I enjoyed them up until about age 35. My tastes have changed from Military intrigue to Fantasy / SciFi. I would recommend reading these especially for younger males.
NOTE: I am going to rate these all the books in this series the same (except for Treasure which was the first one I read and what caused me to read all the others). Some of the stories are a bit better or a bit worse but I can't find 1 (except for Treasure) that would rate a 2 or 4.
1 Star - Horrible book, It was so bad I stopped reading it. I have not read the whole book and wont
2 Star - Bad book, I forced myself to finish it and do NOT recommend. I can't believe I read it once
3 Star - Average book, Was entertaining but nothing special. No plans to ever re-read
4 Star - Good Book, Was a really good book and I would recommend. I am Likely to re-read this book
5 Star - GREAT book, A great story and well written. I can't wait for the next book. I Will Re-Read this one or more times.
Times Read: 1
I love Dirk Pitt and Al Giordino.
Characters - The characters are great and what make these stories come alive. I have to say Dirk Pitt is one of my favorite characters in a book series. His buddy Al always puts a smile on my face. I really like the characters.
Story - The stories are average and fairly typical. I really like the NUMA settings for the stories. In general these are just entertaining situations to place some really fun characters (Dirk and Al).
Overall - I started reading these when I was 16. I enjoyed them up until about age 35. My tastes have changed from Military intrigue to Fantasy / SciFi. I would recommend reading these especially for younger males.
NOTE: I am going to rate these all the books in this series the same (except for Treasure which was the first one I read and what caused me to read all the others). Some of the stories are a bit better or a bit worse but I can't find 1 (except for Treasure) that would rate a 2 or 4.
May 14, 2020
I enjoyed the start of the book and really expected some great mastermind of evil pulling strings. Then it went into a bit of a historic interesting direction that at first held my interest, then seemed to lose me a bit in the weeds, and then I just couldn't enjoy the ending because it seemed to implausible. As a guy who loves Star Trek and Star Wars, perhaps I should not have a problem with such fiction; but it lost me. I started out thinking it was a 5 star but ended at a 3 star and took dedication to finish.
March 28, 2011
This is a superb example of Cussler's oeuvre. It has action, great scenes, suspense and even a homage to James Bond.
Although Raise the Titanic broke Cussler into superstardom, this book was, to this reader, his best.
Nowadays with his co-written books on the best seller list monthly, its a good idea to go back and read the books that got him there.
Although Raise the Titanic broke Cussler into superstardom, this book was, to this reader, his best.
Nowadays with his co-written books on the best seller list monthly, its a good idea to go back and read the books that got him there.
February 3, 2014
This Dirk Pitt adventure was a dangerous one for our hero. With a high body count, corrupt politician's (imagine that?), and a retired British spy called back in to service. This had the feel of a spy novel, with the action of a Pitt novel. Fun read.
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