BORELLI CONSULTING: Recreational Equipment Reviews

Clive & Dirk Cussler's "Black Wind"
27 November 2006

"The only constant in life is change." I wish I knew who to credit with that quote because it is so true! I've been a fan of Clive Cussler for a number of years now but I knew that inevitably something would change and I'd have to decide whether or not to remain a fan. In his line of books about the daring Dirk Pitt, Dirk's buddy Al Giordino and the stern - but always fair - Admiral Sandecker, the National Underwater Marine Agency (NUMA) battled bad guys on waterways (and in deserts) all around the world. With Black Wind, two evolutions have occurred: 1) Clive has his son, Dirk, helping him write (so we know who's going to continue the books), and 2) Sandecker is Vice-President, Dirk Pitt is NUMA Director, and Dirk's son (Dirk Jr.) becomes the Special Projects Director. Aside from those changes, this is a classic story from Cussler about historical events that affect our future.

Typically in Cussler's books he finds or creates some historical event that has far reaching implications for our future. In the case of "Black Wind" this historical event is the sinking of a Japanese sub that was carrying bio-weapons to the United States' west coast during World War II. A modern day terrorist organization (actually, not really - just a front for another government) secures those bio-weapons which have miraculously survived submersion in the ocean's water for six decades and further strengthens them to use against the United States and other world powers.

In most of Cussler's books, his hero Dirk Pitt, along with Dirk's partner Al Giordino, would come to the rescue against all odds. In "Black Wind" Cussler makes a generational transition, passing the torch along - at least partially - in both fiction and reality. As Clive Cussler's son, Dirk Cussler, helps him write this novel, Dirk Pitt is taking over the reigns at NUMA and his son, Dirk Jr., is taking the senior Pitt's place as Special Projects Director. NUMA still enjoys high level protection as the former agency head, Admiral James Sandecker, moves up to become the Vice President.

What makes Cussler's books so enjoyable is the fact that they educate while they entertain. Clive Cussler's encyclopedic knowledge of everything maritime, and his real-life experiences with search and salvage operations, lends an air of authenticity to the book even though it's a work of fiction. It often feels real.

In a stroke of true irony, Cussler's fictional aggressor in the book mimics a true life contemporary potential enemy of the United States. Unfriendly communist countries just never seem to disappoint when placed as fictional enemies. Another teasingly fun point of Cussler's writings is that this books always take place only a couple of years in the future. This allows him, as he writes, to include contemporary points of interest - expressed as historical notes in the plot as it unfolds. What a tease...

If you like maritime fiction combined with a healthy dose of action / adventure, I highly recommend "Black Wind." It's written in the same voice, tone and tempo as was "Sahara" and that story was truly enjoyable - both in book and movie form. Maybe we'll get lucky one day and "Black Wind" will find its way to the movie screen. I'm kind of curious to see who they'd get to play Dirk Pitt Jr's sister, Summer Pitt.

Until then...

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Don't forget to check out our Tactical Equipment Review about a Glock 19 after ten years of use.

This week's Training Article discussing the need to pay attention to the message delivered whether you like what is said or not.

For a listing of all reviews in chronological order, GO HERE.

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