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Summary: Lori
Review: A fine old-time adventure on the seas with relatively well-built characters and an interesting story line. However, the writing style itself was a bit juvenile and a little too pat...a frequent flaw of new writers who have to make their characters do what the writers intend, not what is in the character's nature to do. Usually it is only mildly noticeable in this book, but a couple of times it was straight-out winceable. If not too critical about style then this book should prove to be a great good time.
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Summary: A suprise
Review: A sea faring Adventure, with all types of people from Cuban sugar cane farmers, to native cannibals, pirates, and Heroes. Jack becomes Black Jack, the feared Pirate. If you enjoy sea and the terms used on a ship, such as starboard and port, this is refresher coarse on sailing. Lots of details, but still understandable, for us landlubbers. These gentlemen have told a very good story, exciting, and it holds your interest till the end. I truly enjoyed it and hope they write more.
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Summary: From Publishers Weekly, September 6, 1999:
Review: Actor Hackman and undersea archaeologist Lenihan team up for this joint debut, a conventional but intriguing coming-of-age adventure full of information about early 19th century diving, salvage and piracy. END
Rating: 
Summary: An Awesome Read
Review: An excellent novel. It read like a Louis L'amour and I look forward to more books from these authors.
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Summary: Voyage for armchair adventurers
Review: As an avid ocean adventures book buff, I was entertained by the writing style and the subject matter as well. Read it cover to cover in 2 sittings
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Summary: engaging page-turner
Review: Brings to mind the absolutely reliable adventure tales--early Melville, for instance, or Jack London. Not just a coming of age novel, it's packed with details about seafaring and old-time diving. Truly an enjoyable read.
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Summary: The Lightning Never Strikes
Review: Can you recall the scene in "Frankenstein" when they raise the dead body up to the heavens so that the lightning will strike it and bring it to life? Well, that is very like this book where all the pieces are in place, everything seems okay, but the lightning never strikes! It never comes to life; you can never quite believe it. Good writers lend a kind of grace to their work and you are drawn in, seduced, involved, and you "live along with it." These authors are workmanlike, but without that grace. If I knew how to do it, I'd be writing. But I know it when I see it and this isn't it. Nothing wrong with this plot or these characters that Louis L'Amour couldn't fix. But these authors either didn't and probably can't. Still - this is a first book; maybe they'll improve.
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Summary: The Lightning Never Strikes
Review: Can you recall the scene in "Frankenstein" when they raise the dead body up to the heavens so that the lightning will strike it and bring it to life? Well, that is very like this book where all the pieces are in place, everything seems okay, but the lightning never strikes! It never comes to life; you can never quite believe it. Good writers lend a kind of grace to their work and you are drawn in, seduced, involved, and you "live along with it." These authors are workmanlike, but without that grace. If I knew how to do it, I'd be writing. But I know it when I see it and this isn't it. Nothing wrong with this plot or these characters that Louis L'Amour couldn't fix. But these authors either didn't and probably can't. Still - this is a first book; maybe they'll improve.
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Summary: A boy's adventure story isn't the worst thing in the world
Review: Fair enough. It reads like a pulp action story, at times. And our hero Jack is a little to good to be true. Mighty thews and all. Brooding countenance and flashing eyes. However that doesn't make this a bad book. It makes it a pretty entertaining and action-packed book, and while Jack may be a little unbelievable, the action and story aren't unbelievable. Essentially, Jack, the 18 year old son of a gun smith, is swept off on a whirlwind adventure that takes him from the fledgling USA to Cuba to the South Pacific. In it, he encounters self-righteous Yankees, evil Cuban noblemen, bloodthirsty Pacific Islanders (savages, don't you know), bloodthirstier Dutch slavers, and British press gangs. Okay, there are a lot of cliches (and I mean a lot), but there is a lot of fun in here too. And despite the notorious and nigh-legendary phrase "the pintles were sprung from the gudgeon," there's not an overwhelming amount of sea-stuff in here. Try reading Patrick O'Brian and you'll see what I mean. This book is comparable to Wilbur Smith's "Birds of Prey." Kinda like an old Errol Flynn movie. I enjoyed this book a good bit, and would be interested in reading more from these authors.
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Summary: Couldn't put it down.
Review: Gene Hackman obviously has a great acting career but I know I'd be happy if he gave it up and collaberated with Mr. Lenihan again and again and again. What happens next? Does Jack marry Colleen? Do Jack and the others fight for America? And what about Paul? He's not cut out to be a pirate yet he is. C'mon guys, you've got work to do.
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