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Rating: 
Summary: CUSSLER'S TRUE ADVENTURES ALMOST AS FASCINATING AS PITT'S
Review: Back in 1997, I sent the following to Clive Cussler (to which he responded). It pretty well expresses my feelings about this marvelous book.Having just read and enjoyed your book, The Sea Hunters, I just wanted to drop you a note. Your search and salvage exploits have been amazing!! The book presented numerous situations and scenarios that were unknown to me. Sections of your book should be used by teachers to make the study of history more interesting. Although some people may criticize your fictional accounts of the incidents presented in your book, the writing is certainly vivid and brings to life a somewhat tedious and dull subject. My only criticism of your book is that it did not include a bibliography, although you do mention a few references throughout the text. I guess I'll just have to go to my local library and start looking for appropriate books on subjects of interest. I've read all of the Dirk Pitt® exploits, but they certainly don't compare to some of your non-fictional adventures. Dirk's are becoming a bit "over the edge." But who cares. A well-crafted story is what the reading public wants. Dirk Pitt - What a great name for an adventure hero!! James Bond sounds like a sissy name compared to the one you've created.
Rating: 
Summary: Light reading for history buffs
Review: In his spare time Clive Cussler, the renowned author of adventure stories starring Dirk Pitt, hunts for historic ships that went down at sea or on rivers, by the hand of nature or man. In this first book he describes the explorations of the volunteers of NUMA to trace those ships. The ships are mainly 19th and 20th century warships. In about ten short stories he first very vividly describes what may have happened on board of the boats based on historical facts combined with fantasy and then the tedium and excitement of searching for and finding the ships (plus one train engine). Clive Cussler has a very funny style of writing which makes this book light reading, even though content-wise it is mainly for the really historically interested.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting Subject
Review: When I found this book in the discount bin at Wal-Mart, I knew nothing about Cussler or his other books. I have since read all of his novels. This book is a real(istic) account of Cussler living out his Dirk Pitt fantasies of hunting for lost ships. Each ship is dramatically depicted in its final moments before its tragic demise, followed by Cussler's band of merry men trying to locate the wreck. While the searches aren't nearly as exciting as the ones in his novels, they still held my interest. Though based on actual events, this book shouldn't be confused with a reference book, its not. The author uses his talents as a fiction writer to breathe life into the unfortunate souls on board the doomed ships. Cussler is also very opinionated and doesn't hesitate to share his slant on a subject. Anybody dumb enough to base a college paper on this book alone, probably didn't have much chance of passing anyway (earlier review). Its a nice insight into how Cussler comes up with ideas for his Pitt stories, but don't expect beautiful marine biologists being stalked by evil billionaires here.
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