Rating: 
Summary: Sci-Fi meets Reality
Review: It's interesting to note the other reader's variety of taste in reading material. This book was my introduction to Clive Cussler's style and action. Normally, I dislike science fiction, but this one made it tolerable and nearly believable. Like some of the other reviewers, it's difficult to believe one man could survive the injuries that Pitt sustained, but I'm glad he did, and continued on... (He has to survive or there would be no more Dirk Pitt novels.) The twists and turns in this novel are so original and surprising that I couldn't believe there were any more surprises, and was wrong. They were outstanding. What I appreciated the most was the use of the English language. When the majority of modern writers resort to totally foul and disgusting language, Clive Cussler uses other choices from the dictionary that make you 'think'. Halleluja! ...and thank you, Mr. Cussler. By the way, I wondered if C.C. uses his name in other books for a minor character. That tickled me. (The scientist in the cave.)
Rating: 
Summary: The Best Cussler I've read so Far
Review: You have to take Clive Cussler's books for what they are. He presents his protagonist, Dirk Pitt, as a James Bond type hero except that he operates at sea. A very well written plot with a great ending, unique characters, intense action, make this novel one of Cussler's finest works that I've read so far. However, for some reason, people do not discuss this book as one of Cussler's finest works in the same vein as Sahara. My only disappointment was that Julien Perlmutter, his obese marine historian, does not make any appearances. He's one of Cussler's most interesting characters. I would definitely recommend Shockwave.
Rating: 
Summary: The absolute Pitts...
Review: Having read all 80-odd reviews here, I frequently wondered if the others had been reading the same book. I ended up "inheriting" this book after I bought it as a gift for my father-in-law (a Cusslerphile) and then discovered he (of course) already has it. Thinking I might as well read it, buoyed up by my father in law's enthusiasm and the "Grand Master of Adventure" moniker I plunged in to what has to be one of the most turgid and poorly written books I've ever tackled. The storyline was tortuous and poorly thought out, with elements that seemed to serve no purpose to the plot - the sea serpent, for example. The characters were totally unbelievable - the heroes were all dashingly handsome, noble, unflappable and incapable of error. The villains were totally black hearted without a single saving grace. I've seen more rounded-out characters in episodes of He-Man. The dialogue was stilted and poorly written, with phrases that no real person would ever utter. Many of Cussler's foibles really started to rankle after a while - his microscopic attention to technical detail (no machine, gadget or widget , no matter how trivial must go undescribed). His constant name-dropping and "casual" references to past novels. His cameo appearance in his own book (which apparently happens frequently). I came close to giving up halfway through the book, but some kind of masochismic determination to finish the book kicked in - mostly because I refused to believe it could get any worse, although boy, did it ever! By the end of the book I was clinging on by pure willpower alone - not unlike how Dirk Pitt must have felt climbing that 100metre cliff-face after a good going-over by a bunch of evil henchmen and three weeks at sea in a remarkably well-equipped execution ship. Whoever compares Cussler to Ian Fleming does the latter a disservice. Buzz Lightyear is closer to James Bond than Dirk Pitt ever is.
Rating:
Summary: Shock in more ways than one!
Review: An awesome book with amazing plot twists and some exposure on human nature and the government (sorry, I got than from my English class). Cussler really knows where to put the humor and irony in at the most heavy of moments. Dirk Pitt is just an amazing, shall I say, escape artist. This book, though in my own opinion not as suspenseful as others I've read, kept me on the edge of the bus seat up to the end. The adversaries are just great (I mean as being adversaries, not humans). The two oldest daughters of our dear beloved mining friend have a dispostition of Lady Macbeth caliper (sorry, again, English class) which makes me wonder why they were born with two X chromosones (well, at least one of them). A great adventure with lots of interesting plot twists which could make even the most organized mind do a double take. Warning: Cussler is an excellent writer, but I'm afraid his math is a little off in the historical background on the novel. Check it out anyway, I really loved it
Rating:
Summary: "Mind-boggling Action To The Extreme"
Review: The best way to describe this book . . . Freakin' awesome! I've seen Dirk Pitt in some unbelieveable life and death situations, but this time Cussler outdid himself. Setting Pitt, his buddy Al Giordino and Maeve Fletcher (the very nice estranged daughter of the very evil Arthur Dorsett) out to sea on an unpowered boat, then watching the three use all their wits to survive made for some of the most intense and jaw dropping scenes in the book. Dorsett is definitely among my favorite Cussler villains. He and his other two daughters were some of the most depraved people Cussler has ever come up with. I also really liked the more prominent role NUMA boss Admiral Sandecker took on as he circumvented the White House in order to stop Dorsett's mining operation before it kills millions. You really see how far Sandecker will go in order to do the right thing. An incredible and emotional end as Pitt and company assault Dorsett's island. I've always said Cussler can spin one hell of a tale, and in "Shockwave" he did not disappoint.
Rating:
Summary: Shockwave
Review: Shockwave a book by Clive Cussler is a very good book, it's about a new weapon that has been developed and is threatning to the world which causes the character Dirk Pitt a NUMA agent who has to help put a end to the weapon for the safety of the world. You have to take the book for what it is. There have been many of books that have to do with the same subject just not much of them are written as good with detail in the plot. A good thing about Clive Cussler books is that they all have very diffrent plots one could be about a secret weapon threatning the world and another could be about find some secret artifact lost from existance for thousands of years. Comparing this book to others that kids like to read like The Lord of the Ring's or Harry Potter. Clive's books on the other hand have to deal with different things and not fantasy beings.
Rating:
Summary: The absolute Pitts...
Review: Having read all 80-odd reviews here, I frequently wondered if the others had been reading the same book. I ended up "inheriting" this book after I bought it as a gift for my father-in-law (a Cusslerphile) and then discovered he (of course) already has it. Thinking I might as well read it, buoyed up by my father in law's enthusiasm and the "Grand Master of Adventure" moniker I plunged in to what has to be one of the most turgid and poorly written books I've ever tackled. The storyline was tortuous and poorly thought out, with elements that seemed to serve no purpose to the plot - the sea serpent, for example. The characters were totally unbelievable - the heroes were all dashingly handsome, noble, unflappable and incapable of error. The villains were totally black hearted without a single saving grace. I've seen more rounded-out characters in episodes of He-Man. The dialogue was stilted and poorly written, with phrases that no real person would ever utter. Many of Cussler's foibles really started to rankle after a while - his microscopic attention to technical detail (no machine, gadget or widget , no matter how trivial must go undescribed). His constant name-dropping and "casual" references to past novels. His cameo appearance in his own book (which apparently happens frequently). I came close to giving up halfway through the book, but some kind of masochismic determination to finish the book kicked in - mostly because I refused to believe it could get any worse, although boy, did it ever! By the end of the book I was clinging on by pure willpower alone - not unlike how Dirk Pitt must have felt climbing that 100metre cliff-face after a good going-over by a bunch of evil henchmen and three weeks at sea in a remarkably well-equipped execution ship. Whoever compares Cussler to Ian Fleming does the latter a disservice. Buzz Lightyear is closer to James Bond than Dirk Pitt ever is.
Rating: 
Summary: Shocked and Awed?
Review: Before writing this review I read a few of the others and I must agree with both those who find Dirk Pitt's adventures fantastic and those who find them lame. Cussler certainly enjoys showing off his knowledge of many different topics, and it's his attention to detail that helps carry his stories along and make them seem so realistic. His hero, alas, is so darned perfect he's nauseating--yet I like him. Shock Wave is the second Pitt book I've read. I had to read a second one before I reviewed the first one just to make sure Cussler really does write the way he does all the time. Despite the over-the-top Roger Moore era James Bond-like escapades, the, "Yeah, right...," action, the overly dramatic and tragic supermodel heroines, and the needlessly over described machines, vehicles, even clothing...I still like these books. Shock Wave can't be one of the better titles in this series simply because it stretches belieavability way too thin, yet it's still fun. Once you've picked up a Pitt book, if you like it, you'll pretty much know what sort of stuff to expect from Clive from then on. He doesn't disappoint in that respect with his wry humor and undefeatable almost Olympian band of NUMA heroes. Don't let the bad reviews deterr you. Make up your own mind. Just don't start with Shock Wave unless you're like twelve...enjoy it later after you've discovered what silly fun high-adventure can be. This stuff's for lovers of James Bond films, Indiana Jones, Tomb Raider, and nearly any other over-the-top action and fast romance tales. Relax, chuckle, and let it wash over you like gentle waves. Cussler is almost more entertainer than mere storyteller.
Rating:
Summary: A deep sea shocker
Review: Shock Wave... is it the beggining of the new eria? I should as well be! This book has reached many peole who don't like books or just don't like to read them. It is about a ocean ographer named Dirk Pitt. He and his fellow crew members are on a mission to find out what is killing off sea amimals in the arctic ocean when they stumble across a moving cruise liner that is moving right toword a heep of jagged rocks! Dirk manages to get on the boat and save its crew and passengers. As dirk talks to some of the passengers, a story unravels beneth his eyes. This book is a great read for all ages from 10 to an adult. For more Dirk Pitt books another good one is Inca Gold! Try it.
Rating:
Summary: Great Dirk Pitt Escapism
Review: 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.
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