Rating: ![2 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-2-0.gif) Summary: Bring back the Dirk Pitt that I know and love! Review: In Clive Cussler's newest book Flood Tide, our hero Dirk Pitt is a tired shadow of himself. There is little excitement or derring-do in this latest adventure (so-called) novel. A very political story line spoiled this book for this reader. I read Mr. Cussler for the adventures that Dirk, Al and Rudy experience. Give me treasure hunts, fantastic sojourns and less reality, please. I strongly suggest that anyone interested in trying one of Mr. Cussler's books for the first time skip this one and start with an earlier and far better story ie Treasure or Sahara (the best he has ever written, in my opinion). Flood Tide is best left as a last resort.
Rating: ![3 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-3-0.gif) Summary: Drik Pitt at it again Review: As with all Dirk Pitt novels, this is an enjoyable read but not as good as Cusslers four previous - Shock Wave, Sahara, Inca Gold or Dragon. I felt that this one was written more to give Pitt another lease of life than the creation of another Cussler masterpiece. If you are a big Cussler fan then it is worth the read, otherwise stick to any of the aforementioned titles, particularly Inca Gold.
Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: Flood Tide is quintessential Dirk Pitt. Review: Following his unusual trek into the nonfiction arena with "The Sea Hunters", Cussler is back doing what he does best. This is an entertaining read which takes you away from real life to a place where the hero always wins and the good guys live happily ever after. I always look forward to the next Dirk Pitt NUMA project. If it's real life believable drama you seek... stay away, but if it's a feel good fun time you want, read this or any of the other Dirk Pitt adventures.
Rating: ![3 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-3-0.gif) Summary: Mid-range Cussler Review: While the formula is getting a little long in the tooth, Dirk is still good for a beach or plane read. This one isn't as good as Cussler's best (such as Titanic or the train one) but it's quite a bit better than some of the junk that he has turned out in recent years. As other reviewers here have noted, Dirk and Al are getting more and more invincible, while the world is still seemingly populated with an endless supply of evil shipping magnates with untold wealth and dreams of global domination. There were only two things that particularly disturbed me about this one. First is something that I'm surprised no one else has mentioned here: a really rabid, politically-far-right screed on immigration policy that is unfortunate and out of place in a Dirk Pitt novel. I don't think any of us begrudge Cussler his beliefs (whatever they are), but when they spill out so sloppily (I mean, hey, this is much worse than Clancy, bordering on the lunatic fringe), it just interferes with the story. The other nit is that Cussler introduces a weird tunnel system under Washington DC that is both ludicrous and unnecessary. Not only is it inserted gratuitously in one chapter and have nothing whatsoever to do with the plot, but its existence is so stupid that you have to stop reading to say out loud "OK, I'm suspending disbelief here." Anyway, if you're already a Pitt fan, you'll find this to be about what you'd expect. If you haven't tried it yet, you will probably enjoy it, but then make sure to go out and get some of the classics.
Rating: ![2 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-2-0.gif) Summary: Old wine in new bottle. Review: After reading all the Cussler's Dirk Pitt stories, this one makes the story predictable. Unlike the stories like cyclops, I was able to predict what happens next with out having to peep at the later pages. I am not sure if this is because I read all of Cussler's novels and am able to catch his rhythm. Dirk is being made more and more invincible, which makes it more of a fantasy tale than fiction. As usual, a new comer will like the novel, but for someone who has already read enough of Cussler's novel, this will be a big big disappointment.
Rating: ![3 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-3-0.gif) Summary: Only a fair Dirk Pitt Adventure Review: The story was only fairly written, I felt that while the story line was well researched, the plots were tired and repeated from other stories. Instead if Dirk being rightous and good he is becoming arrogant and vigilane like in his activities.
In some was this story confuses Dirk with Superman.
I feel Clive has produced a book more for commercial reasons than literary reasons.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: A great read. Review: While not Cussler's best, this novel won't last more than a night or two. Dirk and Al remain as indestructible and uncontrollable as ever! The plot is more realistic than most of his past books, but lacks the non-stop, can't put it down action of some of his previous offerings. It's still worth the money for a great read.
Rating: ![3 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-3-0.gif) Summary: Entertaining, but not one of Cussler's best. Review: In the jacket of Clive Cussler's "Dirk Pitt" novels it says that "Clive Cussler's life nearly parallels that of his hero, Dirk Pitt". This arrogance finally spills into Cussler's latest novel, "Flood Tide". Although the book is entertaining, Cussler makes Dirk Pitt too cute, too ingenious and basically, too perfect. At some points in the book I was rooting for the bad guys to finally outsmart Pitt. Cussler even makes a cameo appearance in his own book! "Flood TIde" has the same theme as all the other Pitt novels. As a matter of fact, when I began reading it, I thought that I picked up Cussler's previous Pitt novel because of the similarities. If the reader is NOT an avid Cussler fan, and has not read too many Pitt novels, this book will be fast, easy and entertaining reading. For us Pitt fans, it is disappointing.
Hey Clive, do us all a favor and bury Pitt and his puppy dog Giordino. Use your interests in history and blending the past into the present by creating a new, not-so-perfect character (unlike yourself, of course).
I guess I will have to go back to reading Grisham novels.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: One of the best yet Review: Cussler has done it again! He has thrust Dirk Pitt in to the fore front of one of our country's biggest problems. Yet he does not preach. Good job.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Cussler does it again Review: Clive Cussler does it again with this exceptionally great book. Like his others, Dirk Pitt is the hero (he is getting old, but can still fight with the best of them). In Flood Tide he has to stop an evil Chinese smuggler, who is planning to take over the United States! Look for references to Clive's other books, most notable Shock Wave.
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