The one that started it all...the first published (second written) adventure of Dirk Pitt and the National Underwater and Marine Agency (NUMA) is well worth picking up as the story contains all the hallmarks Cussler established and has used for Pitt and his crew ever since - including a great plot (and subplots), characters you love and hate, and high-quality action that keeps you turning pages.As a note, this Pitt story does not begin with an historical prologue that later ties into Pitt's adventure. However, there is a World War I German bi-plane that attacks an American Air Force Base on a Greek Island.As fate would have it, Pitt and his partner, Al Giordino, are traveling on assignment in their World War II flying boat (amphibious aircraft) but are, however, only armed with a couple of rifles. Never one to back down from a challenge, Pitt and his WWII plane engage the WWI craft and a dogfight ensues. Through daring and some luck the good guys win.That is the introduction to Pitt arriving in the Aegean Sea to connect with a NUMA research vessel searching for evidence of a fossil believed to be tied to the development of the first mammal. However, what ends up on Pitt's radar is a massive international smuggling operation, including, among other things, drugs and human trafficking, led by a man known by one name (Bruno Von Till) but is, in reality, the former commander of the Nazi transportation fleet during WWII, who then used that experience to establish and run a fleet of cargo vessels.Adding some spice to the story, Pitt meets Von Till after having met and romanced the smuggler's niece (who has a dramatically different role than as a loving relation to her uncle). Pitt escapes death on more than one occasion in his attempt to bring down Von Till, and works with both the U.S. Bureau of Narcotics and Interpol until he realizes that the plan hatched by the two organizations to capture the elusive Von Till may not work. Devising his own course of action, Pitt, with the assistance of his NUMA team, go after the smuggler themselves.As an added bonus is a foreword from Cussler and some cool endpaper maps. Though I also own a 1978 paperback of the book, this 40th anniversary hardcover edition is a welcome addition to my library. Keep in mind this was first published in 1973 and, thus, there is no internet, nor any iPhones nor iPads, to assist in pursuit or escape, but it is a thoroughly enjoyable read. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys action/adventure, and especially to those who follow the escapades of Dirk & Co.
Clive Cussler books fall into the category I like to call "Brain Candy": completely entertaining and teaches me something completely new. If you've seen the movie Sahara, then you're already familiar with these characters. I LOVE that movie and was happily surprised to realize it was a book in a very extensive series.Dirk Pitt and Al Giardino work for the National Underwater Marine Agency and have been sidekicks since their much younger days. The interplay and banter between the two is entertaining and captivating. Cussler is the founder of NUMA in real life, so the information provided is accurate and detailed. Growing up on the Gulf Coast, I've always been interested in marine biology and explorations, so I'm extra appreciative of the information given. I'm also the type who soaks up new info like a sponge.The Mediterranean Caper is Cussler's first novel with Dirk and Al. The action starts within the first 3 pages and doesn't stop until the very last. Dirk Pitt books aren't the kind I can read one after the other. I have to be in a certain mood and need a break from angst and/or romance. In that situation, Cussler's action is perfect. This is actually my second Cussler novel to read. The first was Flood Tide, which is right in the middle of the series. I'm starting over from the beginning now!The synopsis up there pretty much sums it up: a plane straight from WWI starts causing all sorts of problems for not only the AFB in Greece, but the NUMA ship anchored offshore looking for an extremely rare fish in the Mediterranean Sea. Dirk and Al save the day when the plane makes it's first attack on the AFB and end up getting in a lot deeper than they planned. There's a beautiful female lead character which adds extra motivation for Dirk. All the elements of a great time!
What do You think about The Mediterranean Caper (2004)?
This was my 2nd Dirk Pitt book (Dragon was my first) that I picked up after realizing that the BF owned enough of the series that I could read it in some semblance of order. Though I know it doesn't make a huge deal of difference with these novels, I still did find it more enjoyable to start at least close to the "beginning".These are a mix of what I like to call my "Guilty Pleasures" and something more substantial, as even though they are easy reads, they have enough accurate and new information that I do actually feel like I am increasing my knowledge base on at least a slight level. They are definitely a predicatable format (one of my favorite Goodreads Reviews summed up: Meet Bad Guy, Meet Dirk, Meet Hot Girl, Enter dangerous situation to defeat bad guy, Dirk Wins, Dirk Gets the Girl - is spot on) but they are still different enough to be enjoyable. Especially on a rainy day in January!
—Leah Kautz
Set on a small island off the coast of Greece, The Mediterranean Caper follows the story of ex-Military officer Dirk Pitt and his team of oceanographers as they try to piece together a series of attacks and acts of sabotage occurring on the island. Soon after their arrival, a World War 1 era German plane attacks an American Base on the island, leaving it in smoldering ruins. The fast-paced events that follow uncover a massive conspiracy and, furthermore, an illegal smuggling ring with the island at its center. With a fast-paced plot rife with action, The Mediterranean Caper is a gripping novel unlike any other.Nonetheless, the only flaw I found while reading this novel was that it was often romanticized or unrealistic. Time and time again, Dirk escapes near-death experiences completely unscathed. However, it is understandable that such an unrealistic element is essential to the plot of the story. More so, I would recommend this novel to all mature readers as it contains some elements that are not-suitable for younger readers. Nonetheless, The Mediterranean Caper was truly an awesome read!
—Thomas Hooker
This was my first foray into this adventure kind of novel. At least I think that's what it was. It was ok, but pretty mindless entertainment. I feel like I just ate an entire bag of chips or something completely empty of nutritional value. It had its exciting, action-filled moments, but the characters... I had some problems with their lack of depth and the outright sexism really bothered me. I suppose I've been lucky not to read anything before that this blatantly objectifies females, and even more lucky not to be part of a generation that found this kind of attitude normal. I had read reviews that mentioned this and thought I was prepared. I wasn't. I was completely shocked when Pitt slapped a girl in the face right after meeting her, and then seduced her, and then she thanked him for it. His attitude towards women in general was more chauvinist than anything I've read, maybe ever. It was written in the 1970s, so I can at least hope later books are not as bad.I also was disappointed in the mystery aspect, since it didn't take much for me to figure out what was going on (at least the main part), but then a bunch of extra details were thrown in at the end that came out of nowhere. I was kind of annoyed at the end when Pitt took pages and pages to explain everything he had figured out in a villain reveal-all that reminded me of Scooby Doo. One reason I like mysteries is having the chance to put things together myself, but here I just had to sit back and be told the answers. Except for the really obvious ones that I spotted ages before the main character seemed to catch on. Here, the main point seemed to be the action, and the mystery was just a prop.Still, I'm not really sure what to expect from this type of book, so I might try one of the later Pitt novels before I write the series off - if I can get past the whole attitude towards women. The adventure part at least I can see growing on me.
—Allison
