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Dirk Pitt? #7
Deep Six
Another ¡°impossible to put down¡± ( Houston Chronicle ) classic Dirk Pitt adventure from the New York Times bestselling author of the NUMA Files and the Sam and Remi Fargo Adventures.
A deadly tide of poison flows into ocean waters. A ghost ship drifts across the empty northern Pacific. A luxury Soviet liner blazes into a funeral pyre. The Presidential yacht cruises the Potomac night¡ªand the President disappears without a trace.
Dirk Pitt takes on a sinister Asian shipping empire in an intercontinental duel of nerves. In his most dangerous, fast-paced adventure, he fights to save the US government¡ªand to seize one desperate moment of revenge!
A deadly tide of poison flows into ocean waters. A ghost ship drifts across the empty northern Pacific. A luxury Soviet liner blazes into a funeral pyre. The Presidential yacht cruises the Potomac night¡ªand the President disappears without a trace.
Dirk Pitt takes on a sinister Asian shipping empire in an intercontinental duel of nerves. In his most dangerous, fast-paced adventure, he fights to save the US government¡ªand to seize one desperate moment of revenge!
535 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
182 people are currently reading
4,740 people want to read
About the author
Clive Cussler
625?books8,324?followersCussler 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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February 26, 2020
?? (? ???, ????) ??????? ?????????? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ??? ??'? ??????? ?? ???? ??? ????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ?????, ???? ?? ?????? ??????? ?????? ?? ??????? ??? ????? ?? ??? ??????? ?????????, ????????, ??????, ????????????? ???????
????????? ??? ????? ?????? ?????? ??? ????? ???-?????????????? ???????? ???? ?????????? ??? ????? ?????, ????? ??? ?? ?????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ???? ?? ?????, '????? ????'? ??????????? ?? ?????????????? ??????? (??? ?????????, ??????, ??????????, ?????? ?????????, ??????????, ???? ??????? ??????? ???????) ?????? ????? ?? ???? ??-?? ??? ???? ????????? ??? ??? ??????? ????? ????? ??? ??????? ???????? ?????? ????? ????????? ????? ?????? ???? ????? ????? ?????? ????? ???????? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ????????? ???????????? ?????? ???????-????????????? ??????? ??? ?????? ????????? ???????? ? ???? ?????, ?? ?? ???? ?????? ????? ???-???????????? ?? ?????? ???? ?????? ???????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ????????? ?????????? ????? ????? ????????? ????????? ?? ??????? ????? ????? ????? ???+ ??????? ?????? ????? ?????? ??????? ??? ??? ?????????? ?-? ????, ???? ????? ???? ??? ?????? ??????? ?????? ??? ??? ????? ?? ??????, ?? ?? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ???????????????? ?????? ???????? ??? ?? ?? ???? ???? ?????, ????? ????? ??????? ?? ???????-?????????????? ????? ????? ?????? ??????????? ??? ?? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???? ?????? ??-????? ?? ???? ???? ???? ?????????? ?????? ?? ???? (??? ????? ?????? ????????? ?? ?????) ???-????? ????? ??????????? ?????? ??????-?????? ????? ??? ???????? Deep Six? ??????? ??? ????? ?????, ??? ?????? ????????? ???? ?????
??? ?????-?? ???????? ???? ????????? ?????? ??????: "destroy or dispose of (something) irretrievably." ????? ????? ??????? ???? ??? ???? ????? ???? ?????? ?????? ?????????? ?? ???? ???????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ????? ??????? ??????????? ???? ???? ???? ???? ?????? ?????? ??? ???? ????????? ?????? ???? (???????? ????????????? ??????? ????? ???????) ? ??? ??????? ????????? ???????? ????? ??? ?????? ???????? ??????? ?? ???????? ???% ????????? ???????? ????? ?????? ????? ???????? ??? ???????? ???? ?? ??????? ???? ??????? ??????????, ?????? ???? ?? ????? ????? ???? ????? ???? ??????? ??????? ???? ????? ???? ????? ??? ???? ???? ??? ?? ??????? ???? ?????????? ?????? ????? ????, ????? ?????????? ?? ????? ???? ???? ??? ??? ?? ?????? ???? ???????? ???? ?????? ?????-??????????, ?????? ???-????? ???? ????? ????? ????????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ????????????? ??????? ???, ?????????????? ??? ????? ?????? ???????-???????? ???????? ???????? ?????????? ???? ??? ?????????? ???? ???????? ??????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ??????? ??? ????? ?????, ??? ????? ??? ???????? ???????? ????? ??????????????? ???? ???? ????????? ??????? ?????? ?????????? ?????? ? ????????? ???? ??????? ?????? ???? ???? ???????????, ???? ???????????, ?????? ? ??????? ?? ??? ????... ???????? ???????????? ???? ????? ??? ????????? ????????????? ??????? ???? ???? ???? ???? ?????? ?????? ????????????? ????? ??? ???? ?????????? ????????? ????? ????? ?????? ?????????????? ???????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ????
??? ??? ??????? ?????? ????? ????? ?????? ?????? (?????????? ????? ??-????) ??? ????? ? ????????? ???????? ??????? ??????? ??????, ??? ??????????? ??? '?????? ???????/??????? ?????'-???? ????????? ???, ?? ?????? ?? ??????-????????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ???? ???????? ?????????? ?????? ?? ?????-????????? ????? ??????? ?????? ???????? ????????? ?????????, ?????? ???????? ???????-?????????????? ???????? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ????? ?????????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??? ????, ???? ????????? ???????? ???????????, ??? ???????? ????????????, ????????????? ??????????-?????????? ??????? ??? ??????? ???????? ?????????? ????? ??? ?? ??? ????????, ???? ?????? ????? ????? ??? ?????? ??? ????? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ????? ??????????? ?????, ??? ????????????? ????????, ???????? ??? ????? ????????? ????????? ???? ??????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ???? ?????? ????? ???? ???? ??? ?????????? '??? ?????' ???????? ????? ????? ??? ???????, ?????? ??????????-?????? ?? ??? ???? ??????? ???????????? ?????? ??? ??????? ???? ????????????? ????? ?????? ???? ??????? ????? ??????? ???????? ???????????-?? ?? ???????????? ???? ???? ?????????? ???????? ????????? ????????? (????????: ??? ?????-?? ??? ???? ??????? ???? ????? ??? ???? ??????? ????????-?? ?? ???? ??? ????????????? ????? ???), ???? ????????? ????????? ???? ????? ??? ????? ??? ????? ???????????? ??????? ???? ?? ??? ?????? ??? ??????? ??????? ??? ?? ???, ??? ?????-?? ?? ???? ??????? ??????? ?????? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????????, ?????? ???????? ?????????? ????? ???-????????? ??????? ??? ?????? ????? ??? ????? ???? ?? ????? ???? ???? ??????? ??? ?????????? ??????? ????????????? ????? ????? ??????? ??????, ?? ??? ????? ????? ????? ???? ????? ???? ??? ?? ???? ???????? ????? ???? ???????, ????? ??????, ??????? ?????, ?????? ????????? ??? ???????? ????????????? ???????-???????????? ??????? ???? ?????? ?????? ??? ???-????? ????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ???? ??????
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????????? ??? ????? ?????? ?????? ??? ????? ???-?????????????? ???????? ???? ?????????? ??? ????? ?????, ????? ??? ?? ?????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ???? ?? ?????, '????? ????'? ??????????? ?? ?????????????? ??????? (??? ?????????, ??????, ??????????, ?????? ?????????, ??????????, ???? ??????? ??????? ???????) ?????? ????? ?? ???? ??-?? ??? ???? ????????? ??? ??? ??????? ????? ????? ??? ??????? ???????? ?????? ????? ????????? ????? ?????? ???? ????? ????? ?????? ????? ???????? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ????????? ???????????? ?????? ???????-????????????? ??????? ??? ?????? ????????? ???????? ? ???? ?????, ?? ?? ???? ?????? ????? ???-???????????? ?? ?????? ???? ?????? ???????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ????????? ?????????? ????? ????? ????????? ????????? ?? ??????? ????? ????? ????? ???+ ??????? ?????? ????? ?????? ??????? ??? ??? ?????????? ?-? ????, ???? ????? ???? ??? ?????? ??????? ?????? ??? ??? ????? ?? ??????, ?? ?? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ???????????????? ?????? ???????? ??? ?? ?? ???? ???? ?????, ????? ????? ??????? ?? ???????-?????????????? ????? ????? ?????? ??????????? ??? ?? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???? ?????? ??-????? ?? ???? ???? ???? ?????????? ?????? ?? ???? (??? ????? ?????? ????????? ?? ?????) ???-????? ????? ??????????? ?????? ??????-?????? ????? ??? ???????? Deep Six? ??????? ??? ????? ?????, ??? ?????? ????????? ???? ?????
??? ?????-?? ???????? ???? ????????? ?????? ??????: "destroy or dispose of (something) irretrievably." ????? ????? ??????? ???? ??? ???? ????? ???? ?????? ?????? ?????????? ?? ???? ???????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ????? ??????? ??????????? ???? ???? ???? ???? ?????? ?????? ??? ???? ????????? ?????? ???? (???????? ????????????? ??????? ????? ???????) ? ??? ??????? ????????? ???????? ????? ??? ?????? ???????? ??????? ?? ???????? ???% ????????? ???????? ????? ?????? ????? ???????? ??? ???????? ???? ?? ??????? ???? ??????? ??????????, ?????? ???? ?? ????? ????? ???? ????? ???? ??????? ??????? ???? ????? ???? ????? ??? ???? ???? ??? ?? ??????? ???? ?????????? ?????? ????? ????, ????? ?????????? ?? ????? ???? ???? ??? ??? ?? ?????? ???? ???????? ???? ?????? ?????-??????????, ?????? ???-????? ???? ????? ????? ????????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ????????????? ??????? ???, ?????????????? ??? ????? ?????? ???????-???????? ???????? ???????? ?????????? ???? ??? ?????????? ???? ???????? ??????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ??????? ??? ????? ?????, ??? ????? ??? ???????? ???????? ????? ??????????????? ???? ???? ????????? ??????? ?????? ?????????? ?????? ? ????????? ???? ??????? ?????? ???? ???? ???????????, ???? ???????????, ?????? ? ??????? ?? ??? ????... ???????? ???????????? ???? ????? ??? ????????? ????????????? ??????? ???? ???? ???? ???? ?????? ?????? ????????????? ????? ??? ???? ?????????? ????????? ????? ????? ?????? ?????????????? ???????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ????
??? ??? ??????? ?????? ????? ????? ?????? ?????? (?????????? ????? ??-????) ??? ????? ? ????????? ???????? ??????? ??????? ??????, ??? ??????????? ??? '?????? ???????/??????? ?????'-???? ????????? ???, ?? ?????? ?? ??????-????????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ???? ???????? ?????????? ?????? ?? ?????-????????? ????? ??????? ?????? ???????? ????????? ?????????, ?????? ???????? ???????-?????????????? ???????? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ????? ?????????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??? ????, ???? ????????? ???????? ???????????, ??? ???????? ????????????, ????????????? ??????????-?????????? ??????? ??? ??????? ???????? ?????????? ????? ??? ?? ??? ????????, ???? ?????? ????? ????? ??? ?????? ??? ????? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ????? ??????????? ?????, ??? ????????????? ????????, ???????? ??? ????? ????????? ????????? ???? ??????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ???? ?????? ????? ???? ???? ??? ?????????? '??? ?????' ???????? ????? ????? ??? ???????, ?????? ??????????-?????? ?? ??? ???? ??????? ???????????? ?????? ??? ??????? ???? ????????????? ????? ?????? ???? ??????? ????? ??????? ???????? ???????????-?? ?? ???????????? ???? ???? ?????????? ???????? ????????? ????????? (????????: ??? ?????-?? ??? ???? ??????? ???? ????? ??? ???? ??????? ????????-?? ?? ???? ??? ????????????? ????? ???), ???? ????????? ????????? ???? ????? ??? ????? ??? ????? ???????????? ??????? ???? ?? ??? ?????? ??? ??????? ??????? ??? ?? ???, ??? ?????-?? ?? ???? ??????? ??????? ?????? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????????, ?????? ???????? ?????????? ????? ???-????????? ??????? ??? ?????? ????? ??? ????? ???? ?? ????? ???? ???? ??????? ??? ?????????? ??????? ????????????? ????? ????? ??????? ??????, ?? ??? ????? ????? ????? ???? ????? ???? ??? ?? ???? ???????? ????? ???? ???????, ????? ??????, ??????? ?????, ?????? ????????? ??? ???????? ????????????? ???????-???????????? ??????? ???? ?????? ?????? ??? ???-????? ????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ???? ??????
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March 24, 2023
March 2023 Cussler Read
I seem to be on a bit of a Cussler / Dirk Pitt kick at the moment as this is my sixth in a row. If you have never read one and enjoy adventure / thriller novels that are and easy / enjoyable read then these could be for you. Yes some of the early ones are a little dated but the books are a good read and you know what you are getting. Slightly less violent than Lee Reacher (whom I also really enjoy) these are nonetheless great escapism.
In this book, Dirk is called in to track down poison leaking into the ocean, and that is the start of the mystery as the identity of the ship involved appears to be in some doubt. He enlists the aid of some of his friends in both the computer industry and maritime experts to help him identify the owners of the ship.
There is then a major emergency as senior government officials in the USA are kidnapped from the Presidents yacht. Again Dirk is called upon , in his NUMA role to help find the yacht . As he investigates further with his sidekick Al Giordino he realises that all these issues are related.
Racing against time to save his good friend Loren Smith as well as senior govt officials he commandeers an old paddle wheel steamship to attack the "baddies".
Excellent fun and a rollercoaster of a ride.
I seem to be on a bit of a Cussler / Dirk Pitt kick at the moment as this is my sixth in a row. If you have never read one and enjoy adventure / thriller novels that are and easy / enjoyable read then these could be for you. Yes some of the early ones are a little dated but the books are a good read and you know what you are getting. Slightly less violent than Lee Reacher (whom I also really enjoy) these are nonetheless great escapism.
In this book, Dirk is called in to track down poison leaking into the ocean, and that is the start of the mystery as the identity of the ship involved appears to be in some doubt. He enlists the aid of some of his friends in both the computer industry and maritime experts to help him identify the owners of the ship.
There is then a major emergency as senior government officials in the USA are kidnapped from the Presidents yacht. Again Dirk is called upon , in his NUMA role to help find the yacht . As he investigates further with his sidekick Al Giordino he realises that all these issues are related.
Racing against time to save his good friend Loren Smith as well as senior govt officials he commandeers an old paddle wheel steamship to attack the "baddies".
Excellent fun and a rollercoaster of a ride.
October 16, 2021
Another of the older Dirk Pitt novels that I'm reading in order, despite the fact that they are out of print and difficult to find.
All the usual traits of a Cussler book here, suspense, action, and diabolical villain's. But, akin with some of the other older books, this one has a plot that stretches believability. Still, it's a good no nonsense thrill read.
I have noticed that with a lot of these older tech based books I have to check the publication date to figure out if I have found a plot hole, or if the technology I am thinking of didn't exist when the book was published.
All the usual traits of a Cussler book here, suspense, action, and diabolical villain's. But, akin with some of the other older books, this one has a plot that stretches believability. Still, it's a good no nonsense thrill read.
I have noticed that with a lot of these older tech based books I have to check the publication date to figure out if I have found a plot hole, or if the technology I am thinking of didn't exist when the book was published.
March 24, 2020
"Deep Six is Cussler¡¯s first book of many since Pacific Vortex whose plot dips dangerously into the ¡°ridiculous¡± category, involving such plot points as the kidnapping of the President along the next three in line for the Presidency and brain manipulation via implanted micro-transmitters. The Russians are again to blame, this time with help from a greedy Korean family, though this story is set in the late 80s, right when the USSR actually fell.
What makes this particular book interesting is the introduction of a few long-time characters that all fans eventually grow to love. St. Julien Pearlmutter, the 400-pound gourmand who owns the largest collection in the world of works regarding maritime history, enters this story in order to give Dirk Pitt a hand in unraveling a maritime mystery. Hiram Jaeger also appears, the pony-tail-wearing hippie who¡¯s a wiz at the computer, though this early on in the Cussler universe, he must use his brain a whole lot more than his advanced processor. Lauren Smith also joins the tale again, this time as a curious and determined congresswoman who just can¡¯t seem to keep herself out of trouble. Her ¡°on again, off again affair with Dir Pitt¡± hasn¡¯t seemed to have hurt her political career at all, and I think that now we¡¯ll start seeing a whole lot more of her."
What makes this particular book interesting is the introduction of a few long-time characters that all fans eventually grow to love. St. Julien Pearlmutter, the 400-pound gourmand who owns the largest collection in the world of works regarding maritime history, enters this story in order to give Dirk Pitt a hand in unraveling a maritime mystery. Hiram Jaeger also appears, the pony-tail-wearing hippie who¡¯s a wiz at the computer, though this early on in the Cussler universe, he must use his brain a whole lot more than his advanced processor. Lauren Smith also joins the tale again, this time as a curious and determined congresswoman who just can¡¯t seem to keep herself out of trouble. Her ¡°on again, off again affair with Dir Pitt¡± hasn¡¯t seemed to have hurt her political career at all, and I think that now we¡¯ll start seeing a whole lot more of her."
February 17, 2018
One of two Cusslers I've read - this one is so over the top it feels that he's kind of the Ed Wood of thriller writing. As such, it is quite enjoyable, but if you like your stories to be about things that can actually happen and heroes that could be real people, skip this one.
October 2, 2013
After this chapter in the Dirk Pitt saga, its really time to call a halt. Sensible, rational, self-respecting readers should all retreat, beyond this point.
Its the last of the Pitt episodes which has any kind of credibility or plausibility whatsoever.
Clive Cussler (the author) unfortunately, does not know when to stop with this goofy series. He is dazzled by his name on movie posters and on supermarket check-out aisle paperback racks.
An author of grossly immodest self-appraisal, overweening ambition, and plutocratic lust for riches. These are the only possible reasons he ever had, to drag out this hysterical silly series of sea-adventures possessing a knock-off American James Bond character.
This particular novel is boiler-plate Dirk Pitt. Nothing more, nothing less. Sound and fury but no lasting value. Read it and toss it aside; and consider yourself the better for knowing when enough is enough.
Its the last of the Pitt episodes which has any kind of credibility or plausibility whatsoever.
Clive Cussler (the author) unfortunately, does not know when to stop with this goofy series. He is dazzled by his name on movie posters and on supermarket check-out aisle paperback racks.
An author of grossly immodest self-appraisal, overweening ambition, and plutocratic lust for riches. These are the only possible reasons he ever had, to drag out this hysterical silly series of sea-adventures possessing a knock-off American James Bond character.
This particular novel is boiler-plate Dirk Pitt. Nothing more, nothing less. Sound and fury but no lasting value. Read it and toss it aside; and consider yourself the better for knowing when enough is enough.
March 29, 2008
It seems like each time I start reading a Clive Cussler book I finish the first chapter and say, "Oh my god this guy can write." This was no exception. This story is quick, entertaining, and thoroughly enjoyable. As I noted last time, it also has too many coincidences, takes on plot elements so big that they verge on ridiculous and diverges sharply from reality. This doesn't bother me, although I admit that I think that Tom Clancy does a better job with realism. On the other hand, I don't think I laugh as much while reading Clancy books. The ending of this book was truly classic.
July 13, 2020
Ridiculous plot as a Korean matriarch, on behalf of the Soviet Union, kidnaps the hierarchy of the USA and then brainwashes the President. Pitt gets involved and saves the day against incredible odds. Couple of interesting additions to his team in Perlmeter and Hiram Yaeger and nice to see Loren Smith return as a love interest who is more substantial than others in this series. Vaguely enjoyable but that is all.
August 11, 2017
I enjoyed the book, but for some reason I had trouble keeping my attention. Maybe it was just me, but with so many characters and everything going every which way, it sometimes lost me. It was definitely unpredictable, to be honest, I'm not sure what happened to some of the characters. I did enjoy reading it, it was just a bit hard to keep track at points!
September 5, 2018
Sti militari!
December 20, 2018
by
Genres; Action/Adventure, Crime, Mystery, Suspense
4 Stars
Published March 22nd 1984 by Hamish Hamilton
This was one of the books in my previous mentioned 'Gold Mine' at a yard sell purchases.
I will not freak Mr. Cussler out on what I paid for this gem. However, I often wonder what went on behind the closed doors of the woman who sold them to me after her husband found out. Hmmm
This was definitely on of my top favorites on the Dirk Pitt series.
The intrigue, to me, seemed more in depth then the previous books of his I had read.
I think I still secretly hold a slight crush on both Al Giordino and Dirk Pitt to this day.
Great, fun reads. Intrigue and super spy/hero shenanigans.
Genres; Action/Adventure, Crime, Mystery, Suspense
4 Stars
Published March 22nd 1984 by Hamish Hamilton
This was one of the books in my previous mentioned 'Gold Mine' at a yard sell purchases.
I will not freak Mr. Cussler out on what I paid for this gem. However, I often wonder what went on behind the closed doors of the woman who sold them to me after her husband found out. Hmmm
This was definitely on of my top favorites on the Dirk Pitt series.
The intrigue, to me, seemed more in depth then the previous books of his I had read.
I think I still secretly hold a slight crush on both Al Giordino and Dirk Pitt to this day.
Great, fun reads. Intrigue and super spy/hero shenanigans.
December 24, 2007
I cannot say that I disliked the book, but I'm not sure that I need to read another Cussler story. He's a good writer, in that action and adventure sort of way, where leading men are strong, moral and all of the women love them. His stories are well plotted, lots happens, not necessarily by the way of surprise plot twists, but the action scenes are well thought out with the hero racing from one predicament to the next. At the end of the book, the hero saves the damsel and the villain perishes. No surprises there. In many ways, I am surprised that they haven't made one of his books. into a movie. Perhaps the thought of filming in and under water has scared producers off the project.
On on a side note, Cussler's life reads like a superhero
On on a side note, Cussler's life reads like a superhero
January 14, 2015
In the 7th installment of Clive Cussler's Dirk Pitt NUMA action-adventure series, Deep Six, Dirk Pitt returned in this thrilling novel. A deadly tide of poison flowed into the ocean, a ghost ship drifted across an empty ocean, while a Soviet liner went on fire, and the Presidential yacht cruised across the Potomac while the President disappeared without a trace. Dirk and Al took on a sinister Asian shipping empire and fought to save the country, while seizing one moment for revenge.
December 11, 2015
One of the better books I have read in a long time, excellent thriller. You have just got to love how Cussler pulls all these seemingly random strands together.
May 5, 2024
I thought it was about time I start working my way through the Clive Cussler pile and I have found out 2 things already - unless I want to spend as much time sorting them out there is little chance I will read them in order (which is not a problem, apart from), Clive Cussler had been writing these stories for a very long time (there are references here which very clearly dates the book even if it not explicitly stated).
That said we are already starting to see the fantastical stories that Cussler was famous for already starting to take shape. The story has an incredible number of stories which slowly through the book start to draw near - until (yes you guessed it) it is all explained in to one plot.
So yes a fun thriller which I can see by the cover (my edition was from 1990) has stood the test of time and gone through numerous new editions.
That said we are already starting to see the fantastical stories that Cussler was famous for already starting to take shape. The story has an incredible number of stories which slowly through the book start to draw near - until (yes you guessed it) it is all explained in to one plot.
So yes a fun thriller which I can see by the cover (my edition was from 1990) has stood the test of time and gone through numerous new editions.
July 21, 2019
Death is stalking the coastline of Alaska and on the Potomac River the President and the first three men in succession are kidnapped, these two events have thing in common and soon Dirk Pitt will figure out what. Deep Six is the seventh installment in Clive Cussler¡¯s Dirk Pitt series, featuring the titular protagonist racing to stop a deadly nerve agent on one coast before getting wrapped up in a constitutional crisis when the President is kidnapped and subjected to mind manipulation leading to a race to find the missing Vice President.
A ship from San Francisco to Auckland is hijacked in 1966 by Korean seamen resulting in the deaths of the crew and the lone passenger, a female former bank teller who embezzled $120,000 from her employer. Twenty years later a deadly biological weapon is seeping into the Gulf of Alaska from an unknown point of origin, killing everything¡ªman and animal¡ªin its path. Dirk Pitt and NUMA is called in to find the vessel along with an EPA senior scientist, who Pitt bets a date on if he can find it in less than a day. True to his word, Pitt finds the vessel emerging from the upheaval of an island with an active volcano but as they begin clean up the volcano wakes up and the trimer causes the death the EPA scientist which leads Pitt to seek vengeance on the people responsible for stealing the biological agent in the first place. Meanwhile, the President tries to convince his own Vice President, the Speaker of the House, and the Senate Majority Leader to support his aid package to the Communist bloc but the four are kidnapped with the Presidential yacht replaced with a lookalike. Pitt is pulled from his investigation into finding the yacht, finding it sunk in the Potomac with the crew dead as well as Korean bodies as well. The kidnapping is sponsored by an international shipping corporation and the USSR to mind manipulate the four leaders into following policies friendly to the USSR with the President being the first subject. For 10 days the White House hides the fact the leaders are missing until the President returns with a story about a secret conference with his USSR counterpart then begins acting like a dictator due to instructions received from his Soviet doctors. Pitt links his Alaskan ship to the missing 1966 ship and the fake Presidential yacht to Bougainville Maritime Lines but is sidetracked when his on-and-off flame Loren Smith is abducted on a Soviet cruiser line. Pitt mounts a rescue and finds the Speaker and Majority Leader on the ship as well, but Bougainville¡¯s black ops head sabotages the ship and almost kills Pitt while abducting Loren while the Speaker is finished out of the Caribbean by the U.S. Navy and heads to Washington wanting to impeach the President and become the new President. Pitt, saved by best friend Al Giordino, searches for where the Bougainville¡¯s are holding the Vice President, and mostly like Loren as well, focuses on Louisiana. With the FBI, Coast Guard, and Navy helping Pitt and Giordino discover the barge the Bougainville¡¯s are holding the Vice President. In desperation, Pitt convinces a captain of a riverboat and a regiment of Civil War reenactors to mount a rescue and in the nick of time save before Loren and the Vice President, who makes it Washington just after the conviction of the President to take the oath of office. Pitt and the father of the woman who died in 1966 go to Bougainville headquarters and kills Matriarch of the clan¡ªthe black ops head being her grandson¡ªto end their criminal activities.
Like the previous book, Cussler¡¯s total lack of understanding of the Constitution once again rears its ugly head once the mind control President begins becoming a dictator with an assist from the Pentagon until he attempts to leave NATO. Frankly what he has the military due would never happen because of being unconstitutional and the military takes an oath to preserve the Constitution not the President. The fact that the Soviet leadership has the President do these unconstitutional things makes sense as not understanding the American government, but Cussler having the military brass be ignorant is just bad. Besides one complaint, this was a fun mishmash of action-adventure and political thriller book. Pitt takes a beating but has just enough to survive and outwit the Bougainvilles to save the day and get vengeance. The main protagonist in the person of Lee Tong, the Bougainville black op head, is probably the best straight-up evil villain in the series so far with a plan for everything that is only foiled by the combined efforts of Pitt, the military, and the Civil War reenactors at the end of the book. The female characters in the book are good for the most part with one passage of Cussler going back to the attitude of his earlier books, but the quality of the female characters is showing improvement. Pitt¡¯s best friend Al Giordino is given more to do and is followed more than in previous books.
Deep Six improves a tad over the previous installment, though it could have been better if Cussler had thought out the Constitutional issues and had not taken a tiny step back in his attitude to female characterization while still getting better at writing them. Personally, I can¡¯t wait for the series to get beyond the Cold War spy thriller aspect in later books because it results in some bad elements being written into the book which detract from interesting plots.
A ship from San Francisco to Auckland is hijacked in 1966 by Korean seamen resulting in the deaths of the crew and the lone passenger, a female former bank teller who embezzled $120,000 from her employer. Twenty years later a deadly biological weapon is seeping into the Gulf of Alaska from an unknown point of origin, killing everything¡ªman and animal¡ªin its path. Dirk Pitt and NUMA is called in to find the vessel along with an EPA senior scientist, who Pitt bets a date on if he can find it in less than a day. True to his word, Pitt finds the vessel emerging from the upheaval of an island with an active volcano but as they begin clean up the volcano wakes up and the trimer causes the death the EPA scientist which leads Pitt to seek vengeance on the people responsible for stealing the biological agent in the first place. Meanwhile, the President tries to convince his own Vice President, the Speaker of the House, and the Senate Majority Leader to support his aid package to the Communist bloc but the four are kidnapped with the Presidential yacht replaced with a lookalike. Pitt is pulled from his investigation into finding the yacht, finding it sunk in the Potomac with the crew dead as well as Korean bodies as well. The kidnapping is sponsored by an international shipping corporation and the USSR to mind manipulate the four leaders into following policies friendly to the USSR with the President being the first subject. For 10 days the White House hides the fact the leaders are missing until the President returns with a story about a secret conference with his USSR counterpart then begins acting like a dictator due to instructions received from his Soviet doctors. Pitt links his Alaskan ship to the missing 1966 ship and the fake Presidential yacht to Bougainville Maritime Lines but is sidetracked when his on-and-off flame Loren Smith is abducted on a Soviet cruiser line. Pitt mounts a rescue and finds the Speaker and Majority Leader on the ship as well, but Bougainville¡¯s black ops head sabotages the ship and almost kills Pitt while abducting Loren while the Speaker is finished out of the Caribbean by the U.S. Navy and heads to Washington wanting to impeach the President and become the new President. Pitt, saved by best friend Al Giordino, searches for where the Bougainville¡¯s are holding the Vice President, and mostly like Loren as well, focuses on Louisiana. With the FBI, Coast Guard, and Navy helping Pitt and Giordino discover the barge the Bougainville¡¯s are holding the Vice President. In desperation, Pitt convinces a captain of a riverboat and a regiment of Civil War reenactors to mount a rescue and in the nick of time save before Loren and the Vice President, who makes it Washington just after the conviction of the President to take the oath of office. Pitt and the father of the woman who died in 1966 go to Bougainville headquarters and kills Matriarch of the clan¡ªthe black ops head being her grandson¡ªto end their criminal activities.
Like the previous book, Cussler¡¯s total lack of understanding of the Constitution once again rears its ugly head once the mind control President begins becoming a dictator with an assist from the Pentagon until he attempts to leave NATO. Frankly what he has the military due would never happen because of being unconstitutional and the military takes an oath to preserve the Constitution not the President. The fact that the Soviet leadership has the President do these unconstitutional things makes sense as not understanding the American government, but Cussler having the military brass be ignorant is just bad. Besides one complaint, this was a fun mishmash of action-adventure and political thriller book. Pitt takes a beating but has just enough to survive and outwit the Bougainvilles to save the day and get vengeance. The main protagonist in the person of Lee Tong, the Bougainville black op head, is probably the best straight-up evil villain in the series so far with a plan for everything that is only foiled by the combined efforts of Pitt, the military, and the Civil War reenactors at the end of the book. The female characters in the book are good for the most part with one passage of Cussler going back to the attitude of his earlier books, but the quality of the female characters is showing improvement. Pitt¡¯s best friend Al Giordino is given more to do and is followed more than in previous books.
Deep Six improves a tad over the previous installment, though it could have been better if Cussler had thought out the Constitutional issues and had not taken a tiny step back in his attitude to female characterization while still getting better at writing them. Personally, I can¡¯t wait for the series to get beyond the Cold War spy thriller aspect in later books because it results in some bad elements being written into the book which detract from interesting plots.
June 25, 2022
This was written 38 years ago. I have to wonder at Mr. Cussler's vision: comments about the US going to war in Afghanistan, the Koreans as "bad guys", presidential impeachment proceedings.
The reader does have to suspend belief that a troop of Civil War re-enactors could accomplish something that Navy SEALs could not.
The reader does have to suspend belief that a troop of Civil War re-enactors could accomplish something that Navy SEALs could not.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2023
Classic, vintage Clive Cussler/Dirk Pitt novel that still holds its entertainment value even having read it three times (first at age 11,then again in my late 20s, and now at the ripe ol' age of 40). The great action, humor, geographical and nautical adventure, plot twists, and intriguing characters that made Clive's early Dirk Pitt books so great. Certain elements of the novel are dated, such as the existence of (1) the World Trade Center and (2) the Soviet Union (but then again, given how the fictitious KGB head shares both his first name and last initial with former KGB officer Vladimir Putin, maybe not entirely dated after all),but that does not detract from the book's entertainment value.
Also contains many examples of old-school Cussler's delightful way with words, including (but not limited to):
--p,39: "ungainly finesse of an inebriated goose," Haha, nice metaphor!
--p. 44: "'[Pitt] could con a great white shark into becoming a vegetarian." Haha!
--p. 56: "'You won't get a chorus of the Notre Dame fight song from me." As a USC Trojan alum (Fight On!), I especially approve of this one.
This was also one of the last one what I considered Cussler's more "hardcore" novels in terms of profanity and sexual innuendo, i.e. before Clive's writing style went from the equivalent of a R-rated movie to a more PG-style. While the newer Cussler-branded novels, written by the ghost writers (including his own son Dirk) are still VERY entertaining, older and bona fide Cussler books like "Deep Six" are proof of the proverb "They don't make 'em like they used to."
Also contains many examples of old-school Cussler's delightful way with words, including (but not limited to):
--p,39: "ungainly finesse of an inebriated goose," Haha, nice metaphor!
--p. 44: "'[Pitt] could con a great white shark into becoming a vegetarian." Haha!
--p. 56: "'You won't get a chorus of the Notre Dame fight song from me." As a USC Trojan alum (Fight On!), I especially approve of this one.
This was also one of the last one what I considered Cussler's more "hardcore" novels in terms of profanity and sexual innuendo, i.e. before Clive's writing style went from the equivalent of a R-rated movie to a more PG-style. While the newer Cussler-branded novels, written by the ghost writers (including his own son Dirk) are still VERY entertaining, older and bona fide Cussler books like "Deep Six" are proof of the proverb "They don't make 'em like they used to."
February 25, 2024
¡°THE PRESIDENT¡¯S NECK IS MISSING!¡± The usual Cussler fantasy, this time about a group of faintly right-wing US government operatives in a race against time to actually STOP an asshole from becoming President. Hindsight makes the congressional coup stuff creepier than it would have been in 1984.
Cussler does his usual great job with the epic scope and wild plot strands. Although there¡¯s less carnage than usual, the paddleboat finale is full of debris and is as good as any other Cussler setpiece. There¡¯s also barely any Dirk Pitt in this - Cussler spends almost all of the 400+ pages on shoe leather and minor characters, all of whom have the same personality of ¡°wisecracking guy who¡¯s cool under pressure¡±. For example, the President¡¯s press secretary gets a big page long description and is only around for one scene. Editor needed!
SPOILER: the final scene has our noble hero Dirk Pitt tipping an elderly woman in a wheelchair down a 100 storey lift shaft LMAO.
Cussler does his usual great job with the epic scope and wild plot strands. Although there¡¯s less carnage than usual, the paddleboat finale is full of debris and is as good as any other Cussler setpiece. There¡¯s also barely any Dirk Pitt in this - Cussler spends almost all of the 400+ pages on shoe leather and minor characters, all of whom have the same personality of ¡°wisecracking guy who¡¯s cool under pressure¡±. For example, the President¡¯s press secretary gets a big page long description and is only around for one scene. Editor needed!
SPOILER: the final scene has our noble hero Dirk Pitt tipping an elderly woman in a wheelchair down a 100 storey lift shaft LMAO.
July 22, 2017
There is a lot of science fiction in this book and the prose is often clunky, but it doesn't lack for suspense, especially at the climax. Dirk Pitt has at least nine lives and possibly a lot more since this is the seventh book featuring him. The author is very knowledgeable about diving and salvage operations, and this expertise is evident. The book has a lot of characters that are difficult to keep track of, since they are often mentioned by just their names rather than a title or affiliation. I wanted to have a cast of characters in front of me. It is definitely scary to picture what would happen if the president was abducted. It doesn't make for quiet bedtime reading.
April 27, 2017
Typical action, one man army hero type novel. A good read for people liking such novels.
November 3, 2020
It has been about five years since I last read this book, and I enjoyed revisiting it. Even with being a shorter book, it still moves at a brisk pace overall (some parts of the book do slow down a bit, but the author was able to maintain the general pacing of the book, for the most part). I was surprised at the ending of the ¡°section¡± (chapter) right before the final chapter in the book, to be honest, with the way it ended. Dirk and Al seemed more ¡®human¡¯ in this book, especially Dirk towards the end. The character development of the secondary cast of characters is decent; there is not really much character change or growth for Dirk or Al ¨C they tend to remain pretty constant in who they are and how they act. It was good to ¡°see¡± Loren in this book, too ¨C I always thought she was the ¡®best foil¡¯ and ¡®only girl¡¯ for Dirk, to be honest, out of all his lovers.
Despite what the blurb on the dust jacket says, (Cussler has created a novel of compelling originality and rich detail that remains totally believable), one does have to suspend some disbelief in the premise of the story.
One thing I do like in his earlier stories is how he tended to keep some of the same characters introduced in one story around over the next few stories, depending on the nature of the subsequent adventures. I like it when references are made to prior stories; it helps create a kind of continuity and also helps to ¡°develop¡± the primary characters over time as opposed to each novel (granted, Al has tended to regress as a character more than grow, which is a sad state of affairs, considering how smart he truly is). In this novel, mention is made a few times of the treaty that joined Canada and the United States into one nation (revealed in Night Probe!) (first mentioned on page 45, and then a time or two later) and how it made the two nations stronger as a result. I recognized Speaker of the House Douglas Oates as well as General Clayton Metcalf as appearing in subsequent novels. Vice-President Margolin, I believe, also appears in subsequent novels, too. One of these times, maybe if I ever decide to reread each story in chronological order, maybe I will keep track of who is in each novel and their ¡°position,¡± ¡®just for fun,¡¯ to see how many appear over the course of various novels.
There were some lines in the book that really stood out to me; most of the made me chuckle.
Some other ¡®random thoughts¡¯:
It was a fun book to revisit, and I am glad that it was still fun to reread.
Despite what the blurb on the dust jacket says, (Cussler has created a novel of compelling originality and rich detail that remains totally believable), one does have to suspend some disbelief in the premise of the story.
One thing I do like in his earlier stories is how he tended to keep some of the same characters introduced in one story around over the next few stories, depending on the nature of the subsequent adventures. I like it when references are made to prior stories; it helps create a kind of continuity and also helps to ¡°develop¡± the primary characters over time as opposed to each novel (granted, Al has tended to regress as a character more than grow, which is a sad state of affairs, considering how smart he truly is). In this novel, mention is made a few times of the treaty that joined Canada and the United States into one nation (revealed in Night Probe!) (first mentioned on page 45, and then a time or two later) and how it made the two nations stronger as a result. I recognized Speaker of the House Douglas Oates as well as General Clayton Metcalf as appearing in subsequent novels. Vice-President Margolin, I believe, also appears in subsequent novels, too. One of these times, maybe if I ever decide to reread each story in chronological order, maybe I will keep track of who is in each novel and their ¡°position,¡± ¡®just for fun,¡¯ to see how many appear over the course of various novels.
There were some lines in the book that really stood out to me; most of the made me chuckle.
Some other ¡®random thoughts¡¯:
It was a fun book to revisit, and I am glad that it was still fun to reread.
August 5, 2021
Honestly, probably hitting that 2.5 range
I've been enjoying delving into a few Cussler books from time to time. I don't know if I will ever finish all of his published books, because other interests catch my fancy more often than fairly run of the mill adventure fiction. Which is where most Cussler books seem to find themselves sitting. Usually they are quick reads and they are an action packed diversion, but there usually isn't very much substance beyond that.
Dirk Pitt has been a major player in creating Clive Cussler's fantasy America, which dominates just about all things in the world. In this case I think Cussler was rather inspired by stuff like The Manchurian Candidate and in this book Dirk faces off against an ambitious Russian plot. Even though I'm reading this in 2021, I have to remind myself this book was written back in the 80's and that came with a certain level of Cold War baggage in a good portion of fiction coming out at the time. So, make sure you read this book through that kind of a lens, otherwise things can feel even more ridiculous than they already are. There are two layers of bad guys in this book, the Russians and an Asian shipping company that has teamed up with the Russians to gain control over the American presidency.
The overall action/adventure interspersed with politics and mystery is pretty good. I think he crafted an interesting story with decent players, but there's a bit of a dryness about Dirk that makes him seem a bit clich¨¦. I'm hoping this will ease up a bit in future novels, but he's written like a sort of Captain America meets James Bond, but his day job is ship salvage. Yet, he often gets entangled in some of the biggest world events and with sheer luck outperforms every specialized government task force. He's the type of character who is nationalistically loyal to a fault and often so stoic he has the emotional range of tic-tac. Still, this is on the heels of the 70's/80's... so it's not unusual and whenever Dirk shows some emotion you just know it's a big deal! Because, you know, "real men" don't do that.
It's interesting to note that Cussler typically writes with his books set a few years in the future, which I think allows him some leeway with making up fantastical technology. I think this is also one of the reasons his books have a bit of that James Bond feel aside from everything surrounding Dirk Pitt as a character. The villains have some fantastically devious plan and in this book they are using this wild mind control technology, that I'm certain would not work based on what we know about neuro science today. Cussler's projection that computational power would only increase was certainly true, but the computers in his world really do work like magic. There's a medical scene where a computer does the diagnosis and it just made me think of that Simpson's episode where Homer and Bart were convinced they had leprosy. Cussler's computers, basically, worked the same way.
Unfortunately, sexism is generally unavoidable in these types of books. It's interesting, because I do think Cussler tries to be a bit "progressive" on that front with presenting women in higher powered positions or technical jobs. He generally seems to try and include their existence in the greater world, which is an effort I think is pretty nice. But then we stumble upon lines like "'Not without my colleagues,' she said with feminine resolve." Who knew such things were gendered... And then there's the line where after another character (not Dirk) fought off a female martial artist even though the male character in question was not even presented as being well versed in that type of combat said: "'Lucky for us there's still a few things we can do better than they [women] can.'" It was just, such an inherently ridiculous statement. I'm really interested to see how things turn around over the years as a good editor will just get rid of such bad writing regardless if the author believes it or not. I have read a post 2000 Cussler novel and thankfully it was much better about this stuff... so I look forward to the time when Cussler creates a more realistic world. It's just tough to tell what he thinks through the writing... on the way hand he seems to celebrate women in the work force... but on the other is he mad about it? It's just content that didn't even need to be in the book to make the story just as good. So, why even write it?
That being said, I do think this book is about 70 or so pages too long. This tends to feel like one of those action movies where the big bad guy is defeated, but the movie keeps going and the audience is in suspense with "...oooohhh, but is he really dead?!" Shock, they're not dead, or some other evil doer you didn't expect was there all along now they have to fight them! Granted, this book isn't that complicated with a bait and switch, but it did drag in a few areas and Cussler could have tied things up nicely earlier if he wanted. Dirk's girlfriend Loren, kept getting captured and Dirk had to play the knight in shining armor more than once within the same story and that is just... well... kind of bad writing in my opinion. It's bad enough that you have the clich¨¦ damsel in distress, but to have slog through that process twice is daunting.
Anyway, overall story arc was not too bad. I was generally entertained, but it could have been a lot better in my opinion. If you're a Cussler fan you'll probably read this at some point, but if you're new to his books and didn't like this one... try others, especially if you grew up with more modern fiction. Sometimes it's hard to go back in time, so try a newer book. Cussler does a decent job of writing fairly stand alone novels and I'm just reading them in order because that's what I tend to like to do with stuff. But if you don't care, by all means, skip this and jump around.
I've been enjoying delving into a few Cussler books from time to time. I don't know if I will ever finish all of his published books, because other interests catch my fancy more often than fairly run of the mill adventure fiction. Which is where most Cussler books seem to find themselves sitting. Usually they are quick reads and they are an action packed diversion, but there usually isn't very much substance beyond that.
Dirk Pitt has been a major player in creating Clive Cussler's fantasy America, which dominates just about all things in the world. In this case I think Cussler was rather inspired by stuff like The Manchurian Candidate and in this book Dirk faces off against an ambitious Russian plot. Even though I'm reading this in 2021, I have to remind myself this book was written back in the 80's and that came with a certain level of Cold War baggage in a good portion of fiction coming out at the time. So, make sure you read this book through that kind of a lens, otherwise things can feel even more ridiculous than they already are. There are two layers of bad guys in this book, the Russians and an Asian shipping company that has teamed up with the Russians to gain control over the American presidency.
The overall action/adventure interspersed with politics and mystery is pretty good. I think he crafted an interesting story with decent players, but there's a bit of a dryness about Dirk that makes him seem a bit clich¨¦. I'm hoping this will ease up a bit in future novels, but he's written like a sort of Captain America meets James Bond, but his day job is ship salvage. Yet, he often gets entangled in some of the biggest world events and with sheer luck outperforms every specialized government task force. He's the type of character who is nationalistically loyal to a fault and often so stoic he has the emotional range of tic-tac. Still, this is on the heels of the 70's/80's... so it's not unusual and whenever Dirk shows some emotion you just know it's a big deal! Because, you know, "real men" don't do that.
It's interesting to note that Cussler typically writes with his books set a few years in the future, which I think allows him some leeway with making up fantastical technology. I think this is also one of the reasons his books have a bit of that James Bond feel aside from everything surrounding Dirk Pitt as a character. The villains have some fantastically devious plan and in this book they are using this wild mind control technology, that I'm certain would not work based on what we know about neuro science today. Cussler's projection that computational power would only increase was certainly true, but the computers in his world really do work like magic. There's a medical scene where a computer does the diagnosis and it just made me think of that Simpson's episode where Homer and Bart were convinced they had leprosy. Cussler's computers, basically, worked the same way.
Unfortunately, sexism is generally unavoidable in these types of books. It's interesting, because I do think Cussler tries to be a bit "progressive" on that front with presenting women in higher powered positions or technical jobs. He generally seems to try and include their existence in the greater world, which is an effort I think is pretty nice. But then we stumble upon lines like "'Not without my colleagues,' she said with feminine resolve." Who knew such things were gendered... And then there's the line where after another character (not Dirk) fought off a female martial artist even though the male character in question was not even presented as being well versed in that type of combat said: "'Lucky for us there's still a few things we can do better than they [women] can.'" It was just, such an inherently ridiculous statement. I'm really interested to see how things turn around over the years as a good editor will just get rid of such bad writing regardless if the author believes it or not. I have read a post 2000 Cussler novel and thankfully it was much better about this stuff... so I look forward to the time when Cussler creates a more realistic world. It's just tough to tell what he thinks through the writing... on the way hand he seems to celebrate women in the work force... but on the other is he mad about it? It's just content that didn't even need to be in the book to make the story just as good. So, why even write it?
That being said, I do think this book is about 70 or so pages too long. This tends to feel like one of those action movies where the big bad guy is defeated, but the movie keeps going and the audience is in suspense with "...oooohhh, but is he really dead?!" Shock, they're not dead, or some other evil doer you didn't expect was there all along now they have to fight them! Granted, this book isn't that complicated with a bait and switch, but it did drag in a few areas and Cussler could have tied things up nicely earlier if he wanted. Dirk's girlfriend Loren, kept getting captured and Dirk had to play the knight in shining armor more than once within the same story and that is just... well... kind of bad writing in my opinion. It's bad enough that you have the clich¨¦ damsel in distress, but to have slog through that process twice is daunting.
Anyway, overall story arc was not too bad. I was generally entertained, but it could have been a lot better in my opinion. If you're a Cussler fan you'll probably read this at some point, but if you're new to his books and didn't like this one... try others, especially if you grew up with more modern fiction. Sometimes it's hard to go back in time, so try a newer book. Cussler does a decent job of writing fairly stand alone novels and I'm just reading them in order because that's what I tend to like to do with stuff. But if you don't care, by all means, skip this and jump around.
September 3, 2014
Clive Cussler has made a very successful career at producing fast paced, entertaining adventures which provide us with a clean cut hero in the form of Dirk Pitt as he finds himself battling yet another villain out to ruin the world.
While Cussler's fans, who number in the legions, faithfully purchase each new novel as it comes out, there has been a change in the novels as they have become longer in length, with more exotic locales and more fantastic in their stories.
Deep Six is one of the older novels, written in the 1980s, and does not suffer from some of the far fetched coincidences that plague the latest stories. The novel concerns itself with the machinations of the Bougainville Shipping corporation. This Korean based company has used hijacking, bribery and murder to grow to its influential status and has become involved in a plot, with the Soviet Union, to kidnap and brainwash the President of the United States.
Into this steps our hero, Dirk Pitt, of the National Underwater Marine Agency (NUMA) who loses a friend to one of Bougainville's old crimes. While investigating this crime, he stumbles across the Presidential kidnapping plot.
Like most of the Pitt novels, this one motors along at breakneck speed as we are introduced to a surprisingly large cast of characters and spend our time moving between US government figures trying to hide knowledge of the kidnapping plot, Soviet agents aiding and trying to block the success of the kidnapping/brainwashing scheme, a private investigator seeking revenge, and a host of myriad characters. The novel nevers spends long at any one location and there is a refreshing lack of multi-dimensionality. The good guys are always good. They are willing to risk their lives for the cause of truth and justice. The bad guys are uniformly bad with no redeeming qualities.
There are, admittedly, gaps in some of the logic and you have to decide to go along for the ride at the beginning of the novel if you hope to enjoy it. However, the novel never strays into fantasy and though it may seem improbable, it never seems unbelieveable.
In the later Dirk Pitt stories, the novels are jam packed with extra information as we learn about, among other things, the diamond trade and the trade in illegal antiquities. The earlier novels, like this one, don't seek to educate but merely to entertain. There are no extraneous scenes here, everything happens for a purpose. Simply put, it is a fun adventure. Great for those times when you just want to turn your brain off and live in the moment.
For accomplishing all that it seeks to do, this novel rates a 5 stars.
While Cussler's fans, who number in the legions, faithfully purchase each new novel as it comes out, there has been a change in the novels as they have become longer in length, with more exotic locales and more fantastic in their stories.
Deep Six is one of the older novels, written in the 1980s, and does not suffer from some of the far fetched coincidences that plague the latest stories. The novel concerns itself with the machinations of the Bougainville Shipping corporation. This Korean based company has used hijacking, bribery and murder to grow to its influential status and has become involved in a plot, with the Soviet Union, to kidnap and brainwash the President of the United States.
Into this steps our hero, Dirk Pitt, of the National Underwater Marine Agency (NUMA) who loses a friend to one of Bougainville's old crimes. While investigating this crime, he stumbles across the Presidential kidnapping plot.
Like most of the Pitt novels, this one motors along at breakneck speed as we are introduced to a surprisingly large cast of characters and spend our time moving between US government figures trying to hide knowledge of the kidnapping plot, Soviet agents aiding and trying to block the success of the kidnapping/brainwashing scheme, a private investigator seeking revenge, and a host of myriad characters. The novel nevers spends long at any one location and there is a refreshing lack of multi-dimensionality. The good guys are always good. They are willing to risk their lives for the cause of truth and justice. The bad guys are uniformly bad with no redeeming qualities.
There are, admittedly, gaps in some of the logic and you have to decide to go along for the ride at the beginning of the novel if you hope to enjoy it. However, the novel never strays into fantasy and though it may seem improbable, it never seems unbelieveable.
In the later Dirk Pitt stories, the novels are jam packed with extra information as we learn about, among other things, the diamond trade and the trade in illegal antiquities. The earlier novels, like this one, don't seek to educate but merely to entertain. There are no extraneous scenes here, everything happens for a purpose. Simply put, it is a fun adventure. Great for those times when you just want to turn your brain off and live in the moment.
For accomplishing all that it seeks to do, this novel rates a 5 stars.
April 11, 2018
The prologue pulled me right into the story. The action continued, the tension increased.
Years ago, while in the Navy, I fell in love with being on ships. This story brought naval memories. So much happens in this story, scuba diving, ship traveling, mystery solving, to name only a few.
Even though I thought the plot was a little far-fetched, I enjoyed it anyway. President kidnapped and brain-washed.
I look forward to more Dirk Pitt adventures.
Years ago, while in the Navy, I fell in love with being on ships. This story brought naval memories. So much happens in this story, scuba diving, ship traveling, mystery solving, to name only a few.
Even though I thought the plot was a little far-fetched, I enjoyed it anyway. President kidnapped and brain-washed.
I look forward to more Dirk Pitt adventures.
July 3, 2017
Typical, exotic Cussler.
The President is kidnapped and the Russians plant a mind control chip in his head.
He declares the US a dictatorship.
Deadly poison in the Artic ocean.
A huge fleet of ships stolen.
Ugly, brutal Korean family is responsible for it all.
Can Dirk Pitt help?? Of course, but not until the last pagef1
The President is kidnapped and the Russians plant a mind control chip in his head.
He declares the US a dictatorship.
Deadly poison in the Artic ocean.
A huge fleet of ships stolen.
Ugly, brutal Korean family is responsible for it all.
Can Dirk Pitt help?? Of course, but not until the last pagef1
May 25, 2019
This was a great read. After reading The Silent Sea, I had to read this one. The mystery was amazing and kept me reading this book. I loved the mystery behind the President¡¯s disappearance. This book was intriguing and very interesting. If you are looking for a good read with tons of action, definitely read this one. The characters were amazing and it was great. Overall 5 stars.
July 16, 2019
Always eager to have Dirk Pitt rescue the world when he defeats the evildoers.
July 23, 2017
My 9th outing with Dirk Pitt adventures.
Clive Cussler the master storyteller, this is yet another feather to his cap. I was awestruck by his skill of interweaving various sub plots in the story.
The novel starts in the year 1966, with Arta Casilighio the teller of Beverly-Wilshire bank steals 120000 dollars and hatches a plan to escape from San Francisco to Auckland, New Zealand in a cargo ship, but she was killed by Korean seamen.
Another sub story, in Augustine Island, Alaska a poison leak in sea kills many, the nature of the agent is that it is absorbed through skin which turns out to be a deadly biological weapon, called Nerve Agent S. Years back the nerve agent was to be buried in desert, however some of the containers disappeared.
NUMA is asked to find out the source of the poison. Working along with Dr.Julie Mendoza, Pitt finds out the sunken ship and all the containers of Nerve Agent S. But unexpected eruption of the volcano tilts the ship and accidentally kills Julie.
Through the help of Alhambra Iron and Boiler Company and St. Julien Perlmutter, Pitt comes to know the ship Pilottown name has been changed several times and that the San Marino, the Belle Chasse and the Pilottown are indeed one and the same ship. The ownership points to Bougainville Maritime Lines, ruled by 89 year old Madame Min Koryo Bougainville.
Sub plot number 3, the President of the United States, Vice President Margolin, President Pro Temp-ore Marcus Larimer and Speaker of the House Alan Moran were abducted from Presidential yacht and mind controlled by a psychologist Aleksei Lugovoy in a secret lab, a part of plot of Soviet Union and Min Koryo.
Meanwhile Paul Suvorov a KGB officer misunderstands the mind control plan and tries to release, but he takes only Alan Moran and Marcus Larimer to a Russian cruise ship Leonid Andreyev. There Pitt's love interest Loren Smith who happens to be in the cruiser sees Moran and Larimer, she informs to her secretary.
She notifies Pitt. And Pitt along with Al Giordino disguises as a couples enters the cruise ship, but the ship was detonated many were killed. Pitt, Al and Loren tries to board nearby boat. As Moran and Loren boards, Pitt was attacked by Lee Tong, the grandson of Min Koryo and he takes Loren with him.
The President under mind control returns to White House, rules as a Dictator. The Congress tries to impeach. Pitt not fully recovered through help from Yaeger and Perlmutter finds out the secret lab and tries their best to save the United States, Vice President and Loren Smith.
How he accomplished is told in the final chapters.
I like to quote some of Pitt's one liners:
1. What in hell are these? Giordino mumbled, emerging from the cobwebs.
Welcome gifts from the sanitation department. (When hood and gloves given to wear for protection against nerve agent S)
2. Deducing the murderer in an Agatha Christie novel is kindergarten stuff compared to finding a lost derelict under hundreds of square miles of water. Sometimes you get lucky early. Most of the time you don't. (Pitt's poetic response to Dover on finding the shipwreck)
3. No one in the world is immune from curiosity. (Pitt asking to release news about finding of two ship wrecks instead of one)
4. What was that all about? Giordino inquired. My travel agent Pitt answered, pretending to be nonchalant. (Pitt's answer to Loren's Secretary Sally on finding Loren Smith in Leonid Andreyev cruise ship)
5. Y' all play the violin when ya fly? Hogan asked curiously.
Soothes my fear of height, Pitt replied. (Colt Thompson sub machine gun carried by Pitt in a violin case)
6. Nice place you have here, came a voice from the doorway. but your elevator is out of order.
You! he gasped. Pitts face tired, haggard and dark with beard stubble lit up in a smile.
Lee Tong Bougainville. What a coincidence. You're alive!
A trite observation. (Climax dialog between Pitt and Lee Tong)
7. Happen to know Lee Tong Bougainville personally, said Emmett. He is a respected business executive who donates heavily to political campaigns. So does the Mafia and every charlatan who's out to milk the government money machine, said Pitt icily.
8. Why have you pursued my grandmother and me, Mr.Pitt? he demanded, stalling. Why have you set out to wreck Bougainville Maritime?
That's like Hitler asked why the Allies invaded Europe. In my case, you were responsible for the death of a friend.
9. Sal Casio? she asked. With his daughter. And Min Koryo Bougainville? In hell. (Pitt answers to Loren in the end)
A penthouse suite, he corrected her. And who's going to pay for this opulent interlude? Pitt looked down at her in mock astonishment. Why the government, of course. Who else? (Pitt answers to Loren in the end)
Clive Cussler the master storyteller, this is yet another feather to his cap. I was awestruck by his skill of interweaving various sub plots in the story.
The novel starts in the year 1966, with Arta Casilighio the teller of Beverly-Wilshire bank steals 120000 dollars and hatches a plan to escape from San Francisco to Auckland, New Zealand in a cargo ship, but she was killed by Korean seamen.
Another sub story, in Augustine Island, Alaska a poison leak in sea kills many, the nature of the agent is that it is absorbed through skin which turns out to be a deadly biological weapon, called Nerve Agent S. Years back the nerve agent was to be buried in desert, however some of the containers disappeared.
NUMA is asked to find out the source of the poison. Working along with Dr.Julie Mendoza, Pitt finds out the sunken ship and all the containers of Nerve Agent S. But unexpected eruption of the volcano tilts the ship and accidentally kills Julie.
Through the help of Alhambra Iron and Boiler Company and St. Julien Perlmutter, Pitt comes to know the ship Pilottown name has been changed several times and that the San Marino, the Belle Chasse and the Pilottown are indeed one and the same ship. The ownership points to Bougainville Maritime Lines, ruled by 89 year old Madame Min Koryo Bougainville.
Sub plot number 3, the President of the United States, Vice President Margolin, President Pro Temp-ore Marcus Larimer and Speaker of the House Alan Moran were abducted from Presidential yacht and mind controlled by a psychologist Aleksei Lugovoy in a secret lab, a part of plot of Soviet Union and Min Koryo.
Meanwhile Paul Suvorov a KGB officer misunderstands the mind control plan and tries to release, but he takes only Alan Moran and Marcus Larimer to a Russian cruise ship Leonid Andreyev. There Pitt's love interest Loren Smith who happens to be in the cruiser sees Moran and Larimer, she informs to her secretary.
She notifies Pitt. And Pitt along with Al Giordino disguises as a couples enters the cruise ship, but the ship was detonated many were killed. Pitt, Al and Loren tries to board nearby boat. As Moran and Loren boards, Pitt was attacked by Lee Tong, the grandson of Min Koryo and he takes Loren with him.
The President under mind control returns to White House, rules as a Dictator. The Congress tries to impeach. Pitt not fully recovered through help from Yaeger and Perlmutter finds out the secret lab and tries their best to save the United States, Vice President and Loren Smith.
How he accomplished is told in the final chapters.
I like to quote some of Pitt's one liners:
1. What in hell are these? Giordino mumbled, emerging from the cobwebs.
Welcome gifts from the sanitation department. (When hood and gloves given to wear for protection against nerve agent S)
2. Deducing the murderer in an Agatha Christie novel is kindergarten stuff compared to finding a lost derelict under hundreds of square miles of water. Sometimes you get lucky early. Most of the time you don't. (Pitt's poetic response to Dover on finding the shipwreck)
3. No one in the world is immune from curiosity. (Pitt asking to release news about finding of two ship wrecks instead of one)
4. What was that all about? Giordino inquired. My travel agent Pitt answered, pretending to be nonchalant. (Pitt's answer to Loren's Secretary Sally on finding Loren Smith in Leonid Andreyev cruise ship)
5. Y' all play the violin when ya fly? Hogan asked curiously.
Soothes my fear of height, Pitt replied. (Colt Thompson sub machine gun carried by Pitt in a violin case)
6. Nice place you have here, came a voice from the doorway. but your elevator is out of order.
You! he gasped. Pitts face tired, haggard and dark with beard stubble lit up in a smile.
Lee Tong Bougainville. What a coincidence. You're alive!
A trite observation. (Climax dialog between Pitt and Lee Tong)
7. Happen to know Lee Tong Bougainville personally, said Emmett. He is a respected business executive who donates heavily to political campaigns. So does the Mafia and every charlatan who's out to milk the government money machine, said Pitt icily.
8. Why have you pursued my grandmother and me, Mr.Pitt? he demanded, stalling. Why have you set out to wreck Bougainville Maritime?
That's like Hitler asked why the Allies invaded Europe. In my case, you were responsible for the death of a friend.
9. Sal Casio? she asked. With his daughter. And Min Koryo Bougainville? In hell. (Pitt answers to Loren in the end)
A penthouse suite, he corrected her. And who's going to pay for this opulent interlude? Pitt looked down at her in mock astonishment. Why the government, of course. Who else? (Pitt answers to Loren in the end)
May 25, 2019
Bravo, Clive Cussler, you've done it again! This was recommended to me a few weeks ago, and I saw it the other day. I don't read much adventure, preferring fantasy or science fiction, so my curiosity was piqued. I just finished it, and I have to say, my expectations were blown out of the water! The plot was riveting and fast paced, keeping me hooked until the end. I love Clive's style of writing, drawing you in with a fascinating prologue. Once the story begins, it seems the plot thickens and thickens. I will admit that it got very confusing, but it quickly resolved. The plot was not just threads intertwined, it was a veritable rope! My favorite part was the ending!
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