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Amazon.com In this explosive Dirk Pitt novel by the author of Inca Gold, Pitt meets the most intriguing and sinister villain of his adventurous and legendary career--a billionaire Australian diamond king with whom he must wage conflict above and below the sea for the survival of vast numbers of sea creatures and more than a million human beings. Only Clive Cussler--the Grandmaster of Adventure--could have written a story this suspenseful. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. Reader Reviews Great Dirk Pitt Escapism, May 24, 2003 Reviewer: David A Lewis from Palmdale, CA USA Action books aren't for everyone. The protagonists and antagonists are usually one dimensional. The story line can be predictable and the events therein far too coincidental. So when I read such a book, in order for it to work, the story has to be intriguing and the main characters within the story have to be believable, interesting and a cut above the ordinary man or woman. The "cut above" is an absolute because in the typical action story, their actions can usually be described as mythical. In Cussler's "Shock Wave" we find Dirk Pitt battling a ruthless billionaire, who in his own way wants to rule the world. Curiously, I found myself sympathetic to the means of this goal and Cussler really had to work to make me root against this guy. Will Dirk get captured? Will Dirk escape death again and again? Will Dirk, with his pal Giordino use their wits to figure their way out of some scrape? Who will prevail? Who will fail? Will the author make an appearance in the book? We know the answer to these questions, but Cussler has a way of telling a tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Crisp action packed writing but surprisingly detailed in parts to give it the extra Cussler flavor. The events of this book make it quite clear why it's been often said Dirk is the American version of James Bond. What sets "Shock Wave" a step beyond the other books in the series is the back story set up that Cussler uses in this book. While the back story is a Cussler staple, he really shines in this book and the two-part back story could have easily been a whole novel in itself. Cussler can do far more than the Dirk Pitt series and this great intro made me wish he would try. The only quibble I had with this book was the name given to the event that was causing all the problems. It seemed inappropriate to me and gave the event a slight touch of innocense it did not deserve. But it is a minor quibble because I really enjoyed this book. Thankfully, I have only read about two thirds of the series and I look forward to reading more. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition
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