Rating: 
Summary: 4th protcol for the modern age.
Review: Maybe it was the excitement of finding a great new author in Treasure but this book just missed the level of enjoyment of Treasure. However having said that this book is a masterpiece in suspense and almost all too believable for its own good. Tales of smuggling bombs and second world war bombers the action never lets off. Another great book from a great author.
Rating: 
Summary: A great book, but not a great Cussler novel
Review: The 10th book in the Dirk Pitt series finds Pitt battling a Japanese enemy intent on taking over the US's economy through the threat of nuclear explosives hidden in hundreds of cars around the US. As usual with Cussler novels, it starts out with a disastrous event that Pitt finds himself coincidently in the middle of.As far as Pitt novels go, this one wasn't bad, but definately not the best. All the usuals are here, including Pitt's relationship with Loren Smith, his best friend Al Giordino, and James Sandecker. The great things about this book is that it's long and filled with action. As usual with Pitt novels, 500+ pages that are filled with action is enough to keep you entertained for a long time. Too long unfortunately. I thought that they could have done without 100-150 pages in this book. It actually took me 3 months to read. Usually when I get a good book, especially a Pitt novel, I'm done in a week. I think I was bored with this one because Pitt was facing a human enemy and searching for a human threat. The past novels have always featured some strange phenomenon or Pitt discovering some famed treasure, which make for a great read. Facing off against the Japanese made it just like any other novel. My other problem with Dragon is Pitt's love interest. In the past novels, Pitt is always introduced to some new woman. The same goes here, but her character was really poorly developed. It pretty much amounted to nothing more than a single sexual encounter, which isn't like Cussler. The last few pages of the novel do feature enough intrigue and suspense though to make me want to pick up the next novel right away. If you're a fan of the series, I definately suggest picking up "Dragon." But if you're looking for a good Cussler novel to wet your teeth with, I'd suggest skipping this one and going straight to "Pacific Vortex."
Rating:
Summary: Dirk Pitt at his finest. Cussler's best ever novel
Review: The reader is caught up in a typically complex Cussler caper with WWII bombs, a Japanese ego maniac and a plan so dastardly that the good guys might not win the day. Enter Dirk Pitt, NUMA's Special Projects director (who makes James Bond look like Jerry Springer) Everything in this novel is high paced and captivating as only Cussler can be. The best of the Dirk Pitt novels by far......
Rating:
Summary: ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!!! THE BEST BOOK I'VE EVER READ
Review: This action packed novel fly's along at a cracking pace but Clive Cussler manages to keep the reader's interest throughout the whole thing. The plot is delightfully deep and one cannot but help wonder if there is any truth in the plots and conspiracy theories in real life. Impossible to put down. A+
Rating:
Summary: Best Yet
Review: This is Clive's best Dirk Pitt book ever!! It is full of action, suspense, and intrigue. This is a great book for someone to start reading Clive Cussler. I recommend it to anyone.
Rating: 
Summary: Classic Cussler action
Review: This is one of those books that looks like it was written to be made into a movie, which is more or less how all the Dirk Pitt novels are. That said, as with most adventure on paper and in film, one must learn to swallow reality at times during the action. Some have offered complaints about the way author Clive Cussler seems to pay little heed to the laws of physics, plate tectonics, electronics, the real-life military and government, and technology in general. These almost without exception, however, are readers unfamiliar with the series. Cussler is not trying to be Michael Crichton or Tom Clancy, and the fun of the Dirk Pitt series is, well... Dirk Pitt! That said, the canny old adventurer is up to his usual tricks- rescuing damsels in distress, killing bad guys, and of course saving the world. Dragon has a somewhat different taste from most of the other novels in that, save for a few scenes astride the main action, there isn't any hidden treasure involved. There's also more skulking around than is typical for Cussler's writing. Despite this, there is no doubt that this is classic Dirk Pitt, now placed in opposition to the gaunt specter of Japanese businessmen out to conquer the free world. Naturally, they don't stand a chance. The outcome is pretty decided in any Cussler novel, but getting there is all the fun. I couldn't put this book down- the pace just doesn't let up. And if a bit of reality-swallowing was necessary to get through, it was a small price to pay for yet another swashbuckling adventure with Dirk Pitt.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome!
Review: This is the first book I've read by Clive Cussler. Every other book I've read by him are just as great! All Dirk Pitt novels are action movie type books. Dirk Pitt and Giordino(character) are two of my favorite characters of all time. Clive really out-does himself. Magnificent peice of work.
Rating:
Summary: Action/Thriller That's VERY Far From Reality
Review: This novel finds action hero Dirk Pitt battling a sinister conspiracy that threatens to establish Japanese commercial dominance over the US and the rest of the world. Given Japan's long-standing economic woes, this seems a bit silly now, but back in the late 1980's (when Japan's economy was soaring and many US assets were coming under Japanese control) it doubtless rang truer. The action is non-stop and some of the plot twists are rather ingenious. Many of these twists are far-fetched, however, if not simply outlandish. Much like the old serial thrillers (i.e. Flash Gordon) turned out by Hollywood back in the 1930's. And there's nothing wrong with this. It's good, clean fun. But the adult reader will often find it hard to suspend disbelief to such an extent. Another aspect worth noting here is the quality of the writing. This is the first Cussler novel I've read and one thing that struck me was the relatively poor use of language. The syntax is sophomoric. The text is replete with poor choices of words and clumsy dialogue. This isn't entirely the author's fault, but it detracts from the overall experience of reading the book. I don't know who edited DRAGON, but whoever it was didn't earn their money. Typical of this genre, DRAGON is a fast-paced but far-fetched story. Further, compared to writers like Ludlum, Crichton and others, the quality of the writing leaves something to be desired. Still, it's a light, fun read. Will I read more of Cussler's Dirk Pitt novels? Yeah, I already have two more on my shelf (given to me by others). This one is mediocre, though, and I can't really recommend it. Fans of this series will like DRAGON, but others might want to look before they buy.
Rating:
Summary: Bond-ish fun!
Review: This was a fun read, although I felt the plot device used to resolve the situation in the end was just a bit too convenient. I also felt the solution to the book was a bit anti-climactic.
Rating:
Summary: A fine book but anti-Japanese sentiment throughout
Review: This was a great read - typical edge of the seat Pitt adventure although a bit difficult to swallow some of the scenarios. Is there nobody else on the planet that can save the world other than Dirk Pitt :-) The one thing that spoilt the enjoyment of this book (hence the 3 star rating rather than the 5 it deserved) was the undisguised anti-Japanese message that was prevalent throughout the entire book. It seemed to go just a little beyond the necessary for making a good crook and although it is stated in a few places that Suma and co. were in it without the backing of the Japanese people and government, it was disconcerting to see much fairly unpleasant criticism of Japanese business practices.
| 
