Clive Cussler Fan Forum
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Raise the Titanic
After umpteen years(Yes, that is a real number :-l ), I just went back and reread this exciting novel. It was my introduction to Clive Cussler and to (sigh) Dirk Pitt. Having not picked it up in (as I said) umpteen years, I expected it to be 500-600 pages. As I remembered it, there were so many images in my head of all the scenes, I couldn't see how it could be any shorter. After all, there was the story of the Coloradans, the night of the sinking of the Titanic, the Russians, the Seagrams' angst, the finding of the Titanic, the preparations for raising her, the accident which leads to the early and incredibly nerve wracking raising of her, the Russians' attempt at piracy, the hurricane, the opening of the safe, and the ending and Southby. So you can imagine my suprise when I picked up this little 360ish page paperback! I thought someone had torn out half the pages!!!!!!!
Cussler outdid himself in fitting all of that into the slim volume, while creating an exciting and entertaining adventure. I must say I really enjoyed seeing the 1970's Dirk, and seeing all of my favorite characters in their early days. I had to laugh at the 1970's sensiblities and at how we as a culture have changed since those days. Thank God Dirk has become a "kinder, gentler" Dirk Pitt. That novel solidified Cussler in my mind as an excellent author to whom I can always turn for adevnture and excitement.
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Yes, I am answering my own comment.
I noticed in one of the Dirk Pitt novels I read recently that there is an allusion to the Titanic that I found interesting. One of the characters mentions that the Titanic broke into two pieces. Should Cussler have stuck with the concept that the Titanic was raised in the one piece as in "Raise the Titanic" or should he adjust to the reality that she broke up?
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Annnnnd.........
When I started reading Cussler again after a long hiatus, I was very pleased to find that he is a crusader for the evironment. In several of his novels he comments on the need to take better care of the oceans, as well as the air and land. As we all know, when one spreads the word, even in a piece of fiction, it makes a diference. So kudos to you, Clive Cussler and thanks for everything (mostly for my future husband Dirk Pitt.....).
P.S. If Dirk is not available, Clive, I am a red head, though short and Rubenesque. I love classic cars, I can swim, I love gourment food and wine, and romantic nights in front of the fire..... If Clive is not available, Dirk Cussler...See above.....
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Amy, I agree the book is full of action, from page to page. This was my first Dirk Pitt book, and it hooked me from there. I do have to disagree with you on one thing. I think Dirk should not have changed as much as he has. He had an edge that I liked. He could be brutal in some cases when needed, and kind also. That contrast is what I liked. I know we all mellow with age, but I see a little to much PC coming through now.
As for the book, I still think it's one of his best.
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I agree with you. I like that dangerous edge in Dirk. I think what I noticed the most as dating the novel is the woman (Seagram's wife, whose name I have forgotten). She seems very '70s woman's lib. It is kind of funny now. I was shocked at how little of the novel is about Dirk. It was also my first Dirk Pitt novel. I can't wait to read Pacific Vortex, which I haven't been able to find yet.
I just finished reading three in a row, so I have forced myself to take a break before going back to the novels.
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I agree, He does what has to be done, not holding back anything. But he does have a way to get even in a sometimes brutal way. He does not hold back. Pitt is very good at REVENGE.
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He is, indeed! But he does what we want him to do. He does in the truly evil people because they deserve it. It feels so just when he does, because our own legal system has become so watered down and the truly evil are rarely punished, especially if they have money!
Hope everyone is having a good weekend.
Riff, I am glad you are over your cold!
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Brandon, on you post on nov. 1st, you stated (I guess what I am getting at is Dirk Pitt doesn't just kill the bad guys because he wants to but because the story goes there).
Not sure if I totally agree. Can't be specific, but I seem to remember at times Dirk would go out of his way to get even with the bad guys. That shows me that circumstance was not the reason he kills the bad guy, but for outright revenge, anger, hate, etc. That's the dark side I like, and what Amy stated (He does in the truly evil people because they deserve it). That's Right Amy. What do you folks think?
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I am reading "Cyclops" right now, and I just passed the part where Dirk is on his way back to the island to save Al and Rudi. One of the Seals asks him why he is carrying a baseball bat, and he says it is for an old friend (the torturer). I had to laugh!
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Thats good stuff Amy. That edge was not really showen in the movie was it? Or did I miss it? It would have been nice to see some of that in Dirk.
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Is there a movie of Cyclops?
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Sorry, should have been specific. I was refering to the movie SAHARA.
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You had me excited for a bit there! And not just because of the movie...... :-)
My daughter caught a wild turkey so we are having it for Thanksgiving. What are your plans?
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Dinner with family and friends. And the only wild turky I am consuming comes in a glass.
Nick, Yah, your right, only in our dreams my friend.
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Happy turkey for all! Did I mention she caught the turkey with her hands? My daughter is Pocahontas.
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That is amazing. Now that is a skill. How did she learn that.
You also Nick, have a good one.
I'll start my workout routine the next day.
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She has been capturing animals all her life, from sheep and goats to horses and rabbits and you name it. She has even caught two hawks.
Yes, I start my diet and excercise program right after Thanksgiving as well!
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I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. I am sorry to the Southern Californians who had another wave of fires. Our hearts go out to you.
I just finished reading "Dragon" for the first time. I liked it very much. Now am reading "Flood Tide". I love it.
I had meant before to mention Leigh Hunt. What a great running gag! Poor guy doesn't have much luck does he?
I noted that Cussler was just in San Antonio earlier in November. I never would have thought he would have come close to me!!!! Had I known I would have been there with bells on (Well, maybe no bells)
when I read a Dirk Pitt novel, I love the openeing chapters with the exciting shipwreck or other disaster. I get so excited, and can't wait for the first entrance of DIrk Pitt. The last two novels have been lots of fun and really funny as well.
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Amy, how was the Turkey?
I like the opening's also. Since knowing CC is going to blend it into the story, I keep reading to find out how.
Speaking of the fires. Amy, thanks for thinking of us down here.
Last week we had the Santa Ana winds pick up again. When I looked up into the hills from the freeway, I thought I saw smoke, and thought here we go again. But, found out it was only the ash kicked up from the wind. We have also had deer running in the streets and being struck by cars. They have lost much of the feeding ground. There have been warnings to look out for mountian lions in the area. One was spotted in my friends back yard down the street. Just keeps getting better.
Helped a friend clean up the remians of his house. Had him over to the house for Turkey dinner. We thought we could make him feel better. But he had such a pioneer spirit, was so pssotive, and was looking forward to rebuilding, he made our whole night.
OK enough local news.
I still think Raise the Titanic was maybe his best work.
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The turkey was great, as was everything. The companionship was wonderful and it was a wonderful holiday altogether.
It must be awful having to deal with all the side effects of the fires. The poor wildlife has suffered so much. Does the gov't put food out for the animals? I know the mountain lions can be very scary. We have a few left down here as well. I had a friend corned by one in her back garden one day. She was lucky that it was too scared to attack her.
Yes, I think 'Raise the Titanic" may be his best work. It is certainly one of my very favorites. I just finished "Dragon" and was again struck by how prophetic some of his novels have been. The whole thing with spreading nuclear bombs around the USA was frighteningly real. He has had several pre-9/11 novels that have be prophetic about terrorist activities.
I am right at the very exciting part of "Flood Tide" where the "United States" is about to be exploded in the Mississippi. ooooooh!
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Glad to hear everything was great.
No, as far as I have heard, there has been to food put out for the wildlife. Did your friend have to change her shorts :). Very scary.
As for how some of the books have some real life conections. It is amazing how CC had looked forward enough to have some of the issues now look prophetic. Reading those books when they came out, would anyone have thought that anything close could be realized?
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