Shock Wave

Rating:
Summary: Great Dirk Pitt Escapism
Review: Action books aren't for everyone. The protagonists and antagonists are usually one dimensional. The story line can be predictable and the events therein far too coincidental. So when I read such a book, in order for it to work, the story has to be intriguing and the main characters within the story have to be believable, interesting and a cut above the ordinary man or woman. The "cut above" is an absolute because in the typical action story, their actions can usually be described as mythical.

In Cussler's "Shock Wave" we find Dirk Pitt battling a ruthless billionaire, who in his own way wants to rule the world. Curiously, I found myself sympathetic to the means of this goal and Cussler really had to work to make me root against this guy.

Will Dirk get captured? Will Dirk escape death again and again? Will Dirk, with his pal Giordino use their wits to figure their way out of some scrape? Who will prevail? Who will fail? Will the author make an appearance in the book? We know the answer to these questions, but Cussler has a way of telling a tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Crisp action packed writing but surprisingly detailed in parts to give it the extra Cussler flavor. The events of this book make it quite clear why it's been often said Dirk is the American version of James Bond.

What sets "Shock Wave" a step beyond the other books in the series is the back story set up that Cussler uses in this book. While the back story is a Cussler staple, he really shines in this book and the two-part back story could have easily been a whole novel in itself. Cussler can do far more than the Dirk Pitt series and this great intro made me wish he would try.

The only quibble I had with this book was the name given to the event that was causing all the problems. It seemed inappropriate to me and gave the event a slight touch of innocense it did not deserve. But it is a minor quibble because I really enjoyed this book. Thankfully, I have only read about two thirds of the series and I look forward to reading more.

Rating:
Summary: Shock in more ways than one!
Review: An awesome book with amazing plot twists and some exposure on human nature and the government (sorry, I got than from my English class). Cussler really knows where to put the humor and irony in at the most heavy of moments. Dirk Pitt is just an amazing, shall I say, escape artist. This book, though in my own opinion not as suspenseful as others I've read, kept me on the edge of the bus seat up to the end. The adversaries are just great (I mean as being adversaries, not humans). The two oldest daughters of our dear beloved mining friend have a dispostition of Lady Macbeth caliper (sorry, again, English class) which makes me wonder why they were born with two X chromosones (well, at least one of them). A great adventure with lots of interesting plot twists which could make even the most organized mind do a double take. Warning: Cussler is an excellent writer, but I'm afraid his math is a little off in the historical background on the novel. Check it out anyway, I really loved it

Rating:
Summary: Shocked and Awed?
Review: Before writing this review I read a few of the others and I must agree with both those who find Dirk Pitt's adventures fantastic and those who find them lame. Cussler certainly enjoys showing off his knowledge of many different topics, and it's his attention to detail that helps carry his stories along and make them seem so realistic. His hero, alas, is so darned perfect he's nauseating--yet I like him. Shock Wave is the second Pitt book I've read. I had to read a second one before I reviewed the first one just to make sure Cussler really does write the way he does all the time. Despite the over-the-top Roger Moore era James Bond-like escapades, the, "Yeah, right...," action, the overly dramatic and tragic supermodel heroines, and the needlessly over described machines, vehicles, even clothing...I still like these books. Shock Wave can't be one of the better titles in this series simply because it stretches belieavability way too thin, yet it's still fun. Once you've picked up a Pitt book, if you like it, you'll pretty much know what sort of stuff to expect from Clive from then on. He doesn't disappoint in that respect with his wry humor and undefeatable almost Olympian band of NUMA heroes. Don't let the bad reviews deterr you. Make up your own mind. Just don't start with Shock Wave unless you're like twelve...enjoy it later after you've discovered what silly fun high-adventure can be. This stuff's for lovers of James Bond films, Indiana Jones, Tomb Raider, and nearly any other over-the-top action and fast romance tales. Relax, chuckle, and let it wash over you like gentle waves. Cussler is almost more entertainer than mere storyteller.

Rating:
Summary: The absolute Pitts...
Review: Having read all 80-odd reviews here, I frequently wondered if the others had been reading the same book. I ended up "inheriting" this book after I bought it as a gift for my father-in-law (a Cusslerphile) and then discovered he (of course) already has it. Thinking I might as well read it, buoyed up by my father in law's enthusiasm and the "Grand Master of Adventure" moniker I plunged in to what has to be one of the most turgid and poorly written books I've ever tackled.

The storyline was tortuous and poorly thought out, with elements that seemed to serve no purpose to the plot - the sea serpent, for example.

The characters were totally unbelievable - the heroes were all dashingly handsome, noble, unflappable and incapable of error. The villains were totally black hearted without a single saving grace. I've seen more rounded-out characters in episodes of He-Man.

The dialogue was stilted and poorly written, with phrases that no real person would ever utter.

Many of Cussler's foibles really started to rankle after a while - his microscopic attention to technical detail (no machine, gadget or widget , no matter how trivial must go undescribed). His constant name-dropping and "casual" references to past novels. His cameo appearance in his own book (which apparently happens frequently).

I came close to giving up halfway through the book, but some kind of masochismic determination to finish the book kicked in - mostly because I refused to believe it could get any worse, although boy, did it ever! By the end of the book I was clinging on by pure willpower alone - not unlike how Dirk Pitt must have felt climbing that 100metre cliff-face after a good going-over by a bunch of evil henchmen and three weeks at sea in a remarkably well-equipped execution ship.

Whoever compares Cussler to Ian Fleming does the latter a disservice. Buzz Lightyear is closer to James Bond than Dirk Pitt ever is.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Wonderful Wondeful
Review: My mom has read Clive CUssler for years. I on the other hand thought the book jackets always sounded a little to action adventurious(SP?) for my taste. Well I picked up this book used and thought why not. I absolutely loved it. I am a fast reader and was completly absorbed into this story and finished it in 2 hours. Dirk Pitt is such a wonderful character he combines all the parts of man you love and hate. As soon as i finished I caled my mom and borrowed all of hers and am currently reading them in order and even the first ones seem to be of the same caliber. I personally love mysteries and this combines a good mystery wih some grat action and the descriptions are so wonderful I can just picture them in my head. I love that he gives the background of the story and hen beautiful moves into the newer story. Wondeful!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Shock Wave
Review: Shock Wave by Clive Cussler is a good book to read while at the beach or pool this Summer. It has action, adventure, intrigue and mystery within its covers and it will keep you engrossed till the end.

After reading so many Cussler novels, with his main hero Dirk Pitt, you get to know how the author will get the hero out of harms way. But, this book has a few extra twists and turns that were quite unexpected as Pitt continues his adventurous and legendary career with NUMA.

The book starts out, as usual, in the past as Cussler lays the foundation for the mystery to come. Two people get washed ashore on a raft afer a horrible storm sinks a British clipper ship. This of course is a tropical island where a billionaire Australian diamond dynasty is started and the villian for the book hails from.

As the title to to book states it's Shock Wave and that happens to be the new method/technology for extracting diamonds from under water and it's killing seals and dolphins around the Antarctic coast. Cussler works his magic telling a tale to keep you at the edge of your seat. Pitt gets into his usual confrontations, but his relentless drive gets him past the odds, storms, and hunger. All to bring justice as Pitt triumphs, but at what cost?

Cussler has worked a suprise into this book... something that will astonish the reader as the suspense of the story continues till the end. This is one of Cussler's better crafted stories.

Rating:
Summary: A deep sea shocker
Review: Shock Wave... is it the beggining of the new eria? I should as well be! This book has reached many peole who don't like books or just don't like to read them. It is about a ocean ographer named Dirk Pitt. He and his fellow crew members are on a mission to find out what is killing off sea amimals in the arctic ocean when they stumble across a moving cruise liner that is moving right toword a heep of jagged rocks! Dirk manages to get on the boat and save its crew and passengers. As dirk talks to some of the passengers, a story unravels beneth his eyes. This book is a great read for all ages from 10 to an adult. For more Dirk Pitt books another good one is Inca Gold! Try it.

Rating:
Summary: "Mind-boggling Action To The Extreme"
Review: The best way to describe this book . . . Freakin' awesome! I've seen Dirk Pitt in some unbelieveable life and death situations, but this time Cussler outdid himself. Setting Pitt, his buddy Al Giordino and Maeve Fletcher (the very nice estranged daughter of the very evil Arthur Dorsett) out to sea on an unpowered boat, then watching the three use all their wits to survive made for some of the most intense and jaw dropping scenes in the book. Dorsett is definitely among my favorite Cussler villains. He and his other two daughters were some of the most depraved people Cussler has ever come up with. I also really liked the more prominent role NUMA boss Admiral Sandecker took on as he circumvented the White House in order to stop Dorsett's mining operation before it kills millions. You really see how far Sandecker will go in order to do the right thing. An incredible and emotional end as Pitt and company assault Dorsett's island. I've always said Cussler can spin one hell of a tale, and in "Shockwave" he did not disappoint.

Rating:
Summary: After Inca Gold, Cussler redeems himself with Shock Wave
Review: This was far from my first Cussler novel, in fact there isn't one printed beforehand that I HADN'T read more than once. I can't say I did not like 'Inca Gold' but it just didn't have the punch of the earlier Pitt adventures--that isn't to say it wasn't good (I know I'm ruffling a few feathers with this, but it's just MY opinion after all) on the contrary, it WAS fun to read, and satisfied my hunger for Cussler after the usual long wait... however I just wasn't expecting 'Shock Wave' to be as good as it ended up being, and THAT my friends was a pleasant surprise. I'll be reading Dirks adventures just as long as Cussler prints them (long live Clive) and as long as Pitt can hold his own (MUCH better than Bond or Ryan could EVER do) I'll be there to throw down my hard earned money for a few hours of escapism and PURE entertainment. One wonders just HOW many times Dirk can save the world, or be in the right place at the right time, but I'm glad he manages to do it just the same. Write me to tell me YOUR thoughts on Cussler and Dirk...I have pitifully few friends who read, let alone Cussler books. I NEED to have a friend who savors a good adventure novel like a fine wine... [e-mail] Thanks!

Rating:
Summary: Shock Wave
Review: This was one of the best books that one has read, this book takes you through history from the beginning. When a ship, the Gladiator wreaks on uninhabited island in the middle of the ocean en route to the penal colony on Australia. The passengers make a grand discovery of diamonds whitch they use to start a dimond enpire. In 2000 Dirk Pitt takes one on a journey across countries and across oceans, on wild jetski ride and is set adrift to die by an ancestor of the people who were shipwrecked before on the island now called Gladiator Island. As in all of the Dirk Pitt books there are great odds for Pitt because of a plague that threatens to hit the island of Oahu, Hawaii. In ones opinion this book was the best Pitt book of all time that one has read, and is highly recommended by oneself to read.