Customer Reviews

Inca Gold (Dirk Pitt Adventures)

5 star:		(73)
4 star:		(28)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

STORY: As one editor put,"Dirk Pitt is back in fine form as he rescues two archaeologists from certain death in a Peruvian sinkhole. Before Pitt climbs out of the hole he runs afoul of the Solpemachace, a group of three brothers who steal and sell Indian artifacts. Pitt finds a rope sculpture, a quipu, that points the way to a huge Inca treasure. Meanwhile, the Solpemachace steal the Golden Body Suit of Tiapollo, which leads them to the same treasure inside a mountain in Baja, Mexico." The race for the treasure and the saving of lives are in Pitt's hands.

MY FEEDBACK:
If I was comparing this to "real" literature this book would get rated very low. But thankfully this isn't my first endeavor into a Cussler book so I knew to suspend disbelief and enjoy it for what it is.

As with his other stories, the main character is never really in any danger because he is James Bond, Indiana Jones and The Terminator rolled into one. There is never any doubt that Dirk Pitt will pull off the impossible, which is what makes these stories fun. There is no time to intellecutalize events or think if they are possible or not, they are just there and the reader is along for the ride.

This is my third Cussler book and the reason why I had to knock it down a star is because I just happen to have the luck that the opening few scenes seem to mimic almost event-after-event what happens in another one of his books. The only difference were the characters and locations. That was disappointing, but I quickly got over it and enjoyed the ride.

I cannot comment in detail on Characterization or Plot line because the story is more like a fantasy than something that takes place in real life. In other words, if you've read Cussler before and enjoyed it you are sure to like this story. If this is your first attempt at Cussler, just go into it with the right attitude and you should have fun.

As compared to the other two books from Cussler that I've worked through, this one was the better of the three (Serpent and the other I can't remember the name).

Also, I didn't give it a higher rating because I listened to the audio book version and the reader seemed to not have a lot of life and emotion in his reading. He had great voices for characters, especially Pitt, but when there is an action scene his reading should have been more intense and faster paced in order to draw the listener into the scene more.

Otherwise, it was an enjoyable story.

Inca Gold is one of the more recent Dirk Pitt novels and has the humor of these later ones. In this one there is more emphasis on treasure hunting than on espionage which makes for a ripping yarn. While rescuing some divers, Pitt and his colleages come face to face with an international ring of art thieves and a clue to a massive Inca treasure. While the methods described in finding the treasure, and the treasure itself, are sometimes preposterous, everything somehow works together to make an entertaining adventure story.

I love this novel because I read it after taking an extensive anthropology course at UT in Meso-American culture. Most of the facts checked out (well, come on, who writes 100% authentic historic "fiction"? the main word here is "fiction") and as always, Clive brought the action.

Inca Gold is an action book that is fiction but has some historically correct background facts. The story begins when a diving team of two gets stuck in a sinkhole. A distress signal is sent and Dirk Pitt and NUMA get the call. They go to the sinkhole in Peru where the divers and their team were working. Dirk Pitt and his best friends Giordano goes diving in after them. As they are resurfacing, a group of terrorists cut the rope and leave Pitt stranded. When he finally catches up to the terrorists, he saves everybody by hijacking the helicopter and bringing them back to the NUMA boat. They discover that there is a jade box that leads to Huascar's (an Inca King) treasure. They find the box and translate it very quickly. They search all of the possible target areas, but don't find anything. Then a diner owner tells them about an underground river. They figure out there is a possibility that the treasure will be right near the underground river. However, when they find it, they are told to leave it because the government wants to catch the terrorists. Will they follow the order that they were given? Read Inca Gold to find out.

I loved this book. It is one of the better books in the Dirk Pitt series. Clive Cussler is brilliant in his description. I like that he puts himself in the book as a small part. In this book, he is the diner owner. I also enjoy the action that he puts into his books and the fact that he leaves no part unfinished.

By Kevin

Inca Gold remains one of my favorite Dirk Pitt adventures. A strong opening draws the reader in immediately, with divers being rescued from a sinkhole in Peru. The mystery deepens, as Pitt sets out on the trail of a vast treasure, including the golden bodysuit of Tiapollo. Pitt's then-girlfriend, Congresswoman Loren Smith also gets to play a significant secondary role.

One of the challenges any author in this genre faces is overcoming an inherent lack of suspense. Heroes like Dirk Pitt always survive, always win out in the end, and the girl is almost always ready and willing. Too much emphasis on the "bad guy" is not a good investment because we know he (or she) is going to lose in the end. The better authors in the genre overcome this obstacle by weaving a fascinating back-story, a multi-layered mystery with the elements doled out in savory bites, and puts the hero in well-crafted settings. All of these techniques help draw the reader into the tale and overcome the initial lack of suspense and presumption of success.

What Cussler does particularly well in Inca Gold is spin a fascinating back-story, with a variety of historical and archaeological elements. I'm personally biased in favor of the adventure-thriller that is heavy on both. The fast-paced techno thriller is fine, but I tend to grow bored if there's not enough to engage my mind. In this story we have Inca legends, Francis Drake, and evil art/artifact smugglers and forgers.

Cussler also adds some nice twists to the search. It's more than a linear," shoot my way through the bad guys" sort of plot. Pitt and his friends actually have to use their brains a few times, and his perilous trek down an underground river is compelling and entertaining.

Inca Gold ranks #2 on my list of Cussler faves, and is a terrific introduction to Dirk Pitt if you've never read any of his adventures.

Clive Cussler at his best. This a another book with a gripping plot and suspensefull story. Cussler is great at piecing together all of the little elements to form a conclusion that is full of imagination. Hats off to Cussler.

On the negative side, the events that occur seem rather unbelievable in parts and some statistics are fully fabricated. This book is a definite library pick but I would be hesitant to buy.

To read "Inca Gold" and find it enjoyable, you must start reading it knowing that it isn't serious. Like in the Indiana Jones movies, everything is gonna be okay in the end, your hero will find a way to escape imminent death, and arrive in time to rescue the pretty girl and all his friends. Knowing this, you're able to start to read. Then you'll have fun. You can't compare Cussler's work with Tom Clancy, for an example. While Clancy almost begs the reader to be taken seriously, inserting in the text a huge amount of technical information, Cussler lets the text go its way. It's almost like he's telling you a funny story that happened to him. But "Inca Gold" is very cool. The story starts when an ancient Inca pit, now filled with water, is explored by an american archeological team, and they find out a time-hidden passageway underwater. From there on, art-smuggling bandits, corrupt governments and poor mexican-village people pop out of Cussler imagina! ! tion. Don't get me wrong, it'a good book, only too implausible. Dirk Pitt is what Cussler would like to be. He's every body childhood superhero, he's got historical cars ( Cussler does, also ), women knocking at his door, doesn't need to work for money, and has a full-time italian-bulldog bodyguard, Al Giordino, his best friend. This is a good book when you want to turn your life off, and don't think of anything, even what you're reading. The story explains itself sooner or later. The only difficulty is the number of characters. There's a time when you don't know who's who. Even Cussler himself does a little appearance in the middle of the book. If you want to have fun and don't want to be smashed by information and hard-facts, this is the book, and I think all Cussler's books must be like this, too. Well, I just bought "Raise the Titanic!", let's see what it's like.

This book was totally cool. It was one of the first Dirk Pitt books that I have read and it REALLY got me hooked on the series. Every time I want a good book I automatically think Dirk Pitt. Some people don't like the political intrigue in these books but I think it is one of the most fascinating things about them. That Clive Cussler can master so many characters is amazing. That there is always a different, yet the same, plot around all of his books is stunning. I like the fact that all the stories open up to almost the same scenes. A visit to the past to get some background info and then a whole new cast that are swept into danger and then....... Dun Dun Dun Dun, Dirk Pitt to the rescue. Yayyyy![*] This leads of course to a little romance, as most of the people he rescues are female. Mostly though this book is good action/adventure. Another thing that I think is a definite pro is the fact that we get the villians side of the story too. You get to clearly understand what goes through the evil guy's head and what his motives are, ect., ect., ect. This book is definitely a worthwhile addition to any Dirk Pitt fans collection.

I have never been into reading very much but my father is a big Clive Cussler reader. He suggested I try Inca Gold: A Dirk Pitt Adventure(Adapted for Young Fans). At first I wasn't too thrilled but as I read on it got more interesting. The way the people and places are described in this book is what I think is the best. Plus the plot to the story is great and makes you want to read more. It is very exciting with great caracters. I believe that everyone would enjoy this book.

Clive Cussler lovers will fall in love again when they venture into this masterpiece of suspense and adventure. I have never been so in awe of a fictional character as I am with Dirk Pitt, the hero of Clive Cussler's novels. He is without a doubt the reason the word "stud" was ever used to describe a man! This novel starts off hot and just gets hotter as Dirk Pitt and the undersea organization he works for called NUMA tangle with villians in an attempt to find the "golden chain of Huascar." If you want to know more, read the book yourself! Trust me, you will not be disappointed. I have to admit that after reading the reviews of others on this novel, I am suprised to see negative reviews on the basis of its realistic quality! People, get a life! The reason it is called a fictional thriller is because it is not real! Go read an autobiography or something if your idea of a good time isn't being captivated by an adventure thriller that you can't put down and will read over and over again! Anyways, this book is a must read for anyone who loves a good action thriller. And when your done, your venture into the world of Dirk Pitt will have just begun!