Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining, but comment within narrative offensive...
Review: Withstanding the fact that this is a work of fiction, opinions, points of view and attitudes re. cultures and race are 'built and reinforced' based upon what people read and re-read (without necessarily any further investigation). This is especially true in series-format of books. For this reason, I found Cusslers comment towards Asians within the "narrative" voice of Red Tide disturbing: 'Through the doors of other rooms he could hear the strange, twangy sounds that Orientals call music.' It is one thing for a particular character to make a slur or demonstrate some other form of discrimination so as to make clear that characters particular point of view within the context of the given book. But to present such an strong narrative bias from the writers voice (narrative) is another issue. And was a bit in-your-face in this book. I loved the action and maritime flavor of book but could have done without Cussler's heavy handed perspectives re. whole groups. The book would have been better without it. The lost ship itself and characters Irish Chief Engineer Ghalagher and his lady Katie where the most indearing and interesting characters of Red Tide.
Rating: 
Summary: Great read....
Review: One great read from start to finish....I have only read a few Cussler books and so far I am very impressed. He really draws you into this story from the beginning and it's one of those books that you just can't put down. The storyline really makes you stop and think about how lucky you are not live in a communist country with a billion other people.
Rating: 
Summary: my review
Review: I enjoyed this book. Dirk Pitt to the rescue once again! The storyline is that Dirk Pitt stumbles onto a large smuggling ring which is bringing in illegal immigrants from China. The ring is headed by a chineese business man named Quinn Shang who has more money than God but still wants more. Enter a chineese american INS agent who is repeatedly saved by Pitt. The two of them with help from one of Pitts fellow NUMA agents uncover a plan to redirect the Big Muddy and therefore devistate the economy of Louisianna while killing millions of people. This plan is contrived by Quinn Shang in hopes of making the US an extension of China. Meanwhile, Quinn Shang wants Pitt dead because of a disaster of Pitts making at a lake in Washington State. All this is going on while Pitt is trying to figure out why Quinn Shang built a huge shipping port in the middle of the swamp and why he bought a luxury liner put into retirement years before. All of this makes for a very exiting if unrealistic plot.
Rating:
Summary: Flood Tide
Review: This book gets you hooked from the first page. This was my first book of Dirks and I enjoyed this book immensely. I found that all the trouble that Dirk got himself into, It was amazing the he got himself out of it. This is a good read of Cussler's and I will continue to read more of Dirk Pitt.
Rating: 
Summary: It's amazing!
Review: My title refers not to the book but to the idea that millions of people buy and, I suppose, read this kind of stuff. I made it to page 132 but could not bear to read another sentence. Mindboggingly unrealistic characters, dialogue, and action. Perhaps it takes a male reader to appreciate Cussler, Clancy, and Ludlum.
Rating:
Summary: Grossly overrated
Review: A generous reviewer might say this fits perfectly with other mindless bestseller fiction. However, this book is not entertaining. It does not have a complex plot. It starts out well enough, but since the plot is mostly revealed after the first 100 pages, there is no reason to continue reading. Unless you are enthralled by Cussler's vivid descriptions of old cars, old wine, and old men running around with old guns. Dirk Pitt is not a very likable character, and it is frustrating to be told over and over that he is. It's obvious Cussler loves patting himself on the back.
Rating:
Summary: A waste of time
Review: This was my first Clive Cussler book and will probably be my last. The plot was scattered with no consistent character development. Despite the accolades given to "Dirk Pitt" he seemed to be absent in much of the novel. I was very disappointed and I'm still trying to figure out what all the fuss is about Clive Cussler!
Rating:
Summary: A Rip Roaring Adventure
Review: Yet again Clive Cussler hits the mark. Another stormer of a story, that might not be far from the truth. Who's to say the Missippippi couldn't be re-directed. Our hero Mr Pitt is on hand to save the day. A great adventure for all DIRK PITT fans. You'll love this one
Rating: 
Summary: 5 star only if your an old James Bond fan
Review: Dirk Pit is the best. It, as usual, is far fetched, fun and interesting. Once you start you don't stop......kind of like eating popcorn. Same as many of the others he has written just a new twist.
Rating:
Summary: More like 4 and-a-half stars
Review: For those who pick up 'Flood Tide' without first reading 'Shock Wave' may be a bit confused as to why Dirk is in such a depressed state-of-mind at the beginning of this story, but other than that, this novel holds well on it's own (as usual). Dirk is soothing a recent loss in his life in the Pacific Northwest when he stumbles upon the smuggling of Chinese citizens who paid (illegally of course) to leave their country in order to make a new life in America. The unfortunate situation quickly turns into a barbaric one as the so-called smugglers only plan on drowning them one by one after they arrive. I have wondered a tiny bit why they came all the way across the Pacific in order to do that when they could just as easily have done it a few miles off the mainland coast of China...but that is a minor complaint I assure you. Dirk handles this situation the way he handles pretty much any other: He shoots first and asks questions later as he sees a problem that needs fixing asap and just does what his gut tells him to do...and QUICKLY, too. He rescues what turns out to be an American INS agent who gets in too deep and is set for drowning. From there the story unfolds into a devious plan by the bad guys to divert the mighty Mississippi river--without the help OR permission of the U.S. Government--all for their own nefarious purposes. Dirk & Company intercede at just the right moment to make sure that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is not violated for the Happy Americans in the South. As usual, Cussler has delivered another thrilling adventure for Pitt and his pals...but after I finished this one, I felt that something was missing. I can't say exactly what it is, but all I know is that of all of Cusslers amazing adventures, this one ranks near the bottom for me--which in no way means it isn't worth reading. Just keep in mind that a poor tale by Cussler is still heads and shoulders above the best of most other authors. If you count yourself a big Dirk Pitt fan, you will most likely find 'Flood Tide' to be a journey well worth taking...and even if you aren't--it's a trip that is very much worth the price.
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