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Cussler is an internationally recognized authority on shipwrecks and the founder of the National Underwater and Marine Agency, (NUMA) a 501C3 non-profit organization (named after the fictional Federal agency in his novels) that dedicates itself to preserving American maritime and naval history. He and his crew of marine experts and NUMA volunteers have discovered more than 60 historically significant underwater wreck sites including the first submarine to sink a ship in battle, the Confederacy's Hunley, and its victim, the Union's Housatonic; the U-20, the U-boat that sank the Lusitania; the Cumberland, which was sunk by the famous ironclad, Merrimack; the renowned Confederate raider Florida; the Navy airship, Akron, the Republic of Texas Navy warship, Zavala, found under a parking lot in Galveston, and the Carpathia, which sank almost six years to-the-day after plucking Titanic's survivors from the sea.
In September, 1998, NUMA - which turns over all artifacts to state and Federal authorities, or donates them to museums and universities - launched its own web site for those wishing more information about maritime history or wishing to make donations to the organization. (www.numa.net).
In addition to being the Chairman of NUMA, Cussler is also a fellow in both the Explorers Club of New York and the Royal Geographic Society in London. He has been honored with the Lowell Thomas Award for outstanding underwater exploration.
Cussler's books have been published in more than 40 languages in more than 100 countries. The author lives in Arizona.
Biography courtesy of Penguin Group (USA)
The Board of Governors of the Maritime College, State University of New York, considered Cussler's 1996 nonfiction book, The Sea Hunters, equivalent to a Ph.D. thesis and awarded Cussler a Doctor of Letters degree in 1997.
Cussler is a fellow in the Explorers Club of New York and the Royal Geographic Society in London, and has been granted the Lowell Thomas Award for outstanding underwater exploration.
In 1907, the Southern Pacific Railroad is constructing the Cascade Canyon Bridge in Oregon, but has deep financial problems. Bankers inform the firm's president, Osgood Hennessy that if the project is not finished by winter, they will withdraw their funding. Hennessy knows if the backers leave his company goes bankrupt.
The SPR can complete the project easily on time except for the labor unrest that has led to delays due to explosions, fires and track destruction leading to derailing and other dangerous mayhem. Hennessy hires the Van Dorn Detective Agency who sends their best sleuth James Bell. He quickly concludes that the Wrecker is causing the deadly havoc by using hobo recruits to sabotage the SPR; after the mission is done he kills his new allies and sets forth on lining up his next crony. Bell believes he is running out of time to prevent the Wrecker's next terrorist act, which will be greater than all his previous sabotage combined.
Even with an odd writing style that represents a bygone era when trains ruled distant travel over automobiles and planes, THE WRECKER travels at speeds much faster than Obama's rail proposal. The story line is filled with action on top of more action. Ironically, the audience knows which direction the plot travels and who the Wrecker is from almost the onset; yet readers will still go along for the ride expecting a High Noon showdown between the saboteur and the detective on THE CHASE to prevent a terrorist act on a scale never seen before.
Harriet Klausner
11 out of 12 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 26, 2010
enjoyed the book but I don't think the ebook should be more expensive than the paperback
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.RRSUSAF
Posted January 1, 2011
Mr. Cussler writes books faster than I can read them. I picked up the first Pitt adventure many years ago and found the addition of other operatives entertaining. Together with the spin on historical data, Cussler weaves a great storyline. This is true with the latest series featuring Issac Bell. I found myself immersed in the turn of the century so much so, I was forced to confirm or deny persons and events through other sources as factual.
Detective Bell's tireless pursuit of the criminal in this latest installment with seemingly endless setbacks made for a quick but entertaining read. We all figured out who the Wrecker was early on, and gave a sigh of relief when Issac was able to pinch the criminal. My only suggestion would be to read the first in the young series "The Chase", to familiarize yourself with his methods and background. ... Now on to the next book... Thanks Mr. Cussler.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 13, 2012
As always, I enjoyed this Cussler. Not my favorite and really not as good as Isaac Bell #1 (The Chase), but I still found myself wanting to go on. I love the way you get to follow up w/Isaac and fam later in life.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.The Van Dorn Agency returns in all its splendor. The authors use terrific prose in this thrilling page-turner. Character development is strong, as it was in the precedant tome.
This is a quick read that combines the rare balance of thrill, suspense, emotion and compassion. It's amazing that Cussler and Scott draw the reader into their time period classics with such ease. Interestingly, many of the situations are loosely based on historical fact, yet the liberties taken promote a bigger than life drama that encaptures the reader.
The Wrecker provides terrific character development, exploring the inticacies of human relationships and dynamics of love. Isaac Bell and Marion, Archie Abbott and Lillian are destined to be life partners. Kincaid, is a masterful creation, bright, articulate, and schyzo! The details of the supporting players are refined to a level rarely seen.
This is a must read and a change of pace for the avid fiction lover. Enjoy!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.GDTX
Posted January 29, 2010
I am not a huge Cussler fan but he is pretty good and this is his best. Might it be that the "co-author", Justin Scott is really good?
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 23, 2010
I Also Recommend:
Clive Cussler is easy reading which is great for me. He has obviliously done his reasearch into the history of the time period he writes about. He ties that history into his story making for very interesting reading. Highly recommend this book.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.KeenKiwi
Posted March 2, 2013
Clive Cussler always delivers a good read. The Isaac Bell series is a real winner, and as most of Mr. Cussler books, they are hard to put down. If you read before you retire for the evening, plan on going to bed a bit latter.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 2, 2012
Could not put the book down. Excellent thriller.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Wyeth_Vendue
Posted September 16, 2012
Great read, Dirk Pitt is still my favorite of Cussler's characters, but I really enjoyed this one.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 12, 2012
This is one of my favorite series ever, the villain is learned early on, but it is still good. Cussler did a great job especially with the limited historical technology. Not the least predictable book ever, but still really good. There is something about cusslers books that really glues you to the book to the very last page. I also enjoy that this entire series is relatively free of any bad language. Overall i greatly recommend this book to all adventure readers ages 13 to 113.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 26, 2012
In the Issac Bell series you learn the villian to early in the book. I would prefer a good twist.
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Posted July 10, 2012
Dirk Pitt is still the best, but Isaac Bell is one of the best Good Guys out there and as usual Clive Cussler writes a good story. The idea of being in the 1900's is very satisfying. No modern tech no fancy toys just good ol detective work.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.zoomiequilter
Posted March 12, 2012
I enjoyed this book. The historical mystery is a good read.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 18, 2012
I'm a Cussler fan and the new Isaac Bell series are great reads. Can't wait to read The Spy (Bell Series #3).
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Old_SoldierTC
Posted December 24, 2011
My second Cussler book. Already very predictable. I will read the third in the Issac Bell series.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 31, 2011
Keeps you guessing. Can you figure out who the wrecker is?
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 31, 2010
I really enjoyed this book even though I read this first before The Chase. Cussler is very predictable in character's though but it's not a bad thing. Glad they all have a sidekick and glad they have a strong beautiful woman.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.RAF2750
Posted August 22, 2010
Great book, very exciting and the characters keep you in suspense.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.What a rush. Isaac is the 1910's version of James Bond! He gets the girl and gets the crook. With a wild train ride through out!
What a fun read!!!
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