Iceberg

Dirk Pitt® #3

by Clive Cussler

Frozen inside a million-ton mass of ice-the charred remains of a long missing luxury yacht, vanished en route to a secret White House rendezvous.  The only clue to the ship's priceless-and missing-cargo: nine ornately carved rings and the horribly burned bodies of its crew.

Genres: Fiction, Adventure, Thriller, Action, Mystery, Suspense, Mystery Thriller

369 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

Cussler began writing novels in 1965 and published his first work featuring his continuous series hero, Dirk Pitt, in 1973. His first non-fiction, The Sea Hunters, was released in 1996. The Board of Governors of the Maritime College, State University of New York, considered The Sea Hunters in lieu of a Ph.D. thesis and awarded Cussler a Doctor of Letters degree in May, 1997. It was the first time since the College was founded in 1874 that such a degree was bestowed.

Cussler was 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 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 addition to being the Chairman of NUMA, Cussler was also a fellow in both the Explorers Club of New York and the Royal Geographic Society in London. He was 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. His past international bestsellers include Pacific Vortex, Mediterranean Caper, Iceberg, Raise the Titanic, Vixen 03, Night Probe, Deep Six, Cyclops, Treasure, Dragon, Sahara, Inca Gold, Shock Wave, Flood Tide, Atlantis Found, Valhalla Rising, Trojan Odyssey and Black Wind (this last with his son, Dirk Cussler); the nonfiction books The Sea Hunters, The Sea Hunters II and Clive Cussler and Dirk Pitt Revealed; the NUMA® Files novels Serpent, Blue Gold, Fire Ice, White Death and Lost City (written with Paul Kemprecos); and the Oregon Files novels Sacred Stone and Golden Buddha (written with Craig Dirgo) and Dark Watch (written with Jack Du Brul).

Clive Cussler died at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona on February 24, 2020.

Reviews

[Graham · Rating 1 out of 5]

dirk pitt books are my guilty pleasure; terribly written, totally unbelievable, but non-stop action. This however pushes me over the edge. A totally nonsense, aimless story, even for me the blatant sexism and homophobia (dirk pitt spends half the book pretending to be gay by mincing around in Danny la rue outfits) is a bridge too far. My guilty pleasure may be at an end after at least 10 books. Sad.

[Adrian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read towards the end of January and a fun one, albeit I think not one of the best Dirk Pitt's.
Called in as emergency helicopter pilot to an oceanographer to track down a supposed ship embedded in a glacier, Dirk's day gets worse as he shot at by a mysterious black plane before crashing the helicopter just short of the Icelandic coast.
It seems after that Dirk is never far away from being attacked , shot at or beaten up, so the normal really haha.
Written in 1975, it doesn't feel dated except for a couple of occasions, and I think it is the dated pieces that really let the book down.

That said a fun book and it won't stop me reading me as they were still being written until a few years ago and some of the newer ones are better written with more modern concepts.

[Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Soviet submarine is frozen in an iceberg. Dirk Pitt and cronies race against time to explore the sub before the Russians can get to it. The submarine is actually just the beginning of the problems Pitt faces.

Really well done suspense, even if the ending might possibly trigger some snowflake today.

[Matt · Rating 2 out of 5]

A missing luxury yacht is found encased in an iceberg by a Coast Guard air patrol, but within a week of the discovery that bizarre sight won’t be the only thing that isn’t what it seems. Iceberg is the second published book of Clive Cussler’s series featuring Dirk Pitt, taking the U.S.A.F Major to the north Atlantic and Iceland then to Disneyland.

Taken away from his California vacation and dispatched by NUMA Director Admiral Sandecker to the titular iceberg in the North Atlantic, Dirk Pitt takes Dr. Bill Hunnewell to search for the ship before heading to Iceland. The two commandeer a U.S. Coast Guard cutter as a base of operations along the way, which proves fortuitous as the helicopter is low on fuel after a wild goose chase for the iceberg. Finding a way into the ship, they find it burned along with the crew as well as the owner, Kristjan Fyrie who is identified by Hunnewell who worked with him. As they head for Iceland, the two are attacked by a black jet and Hunnewell is mortally wounded while Pitt uses the helicopter to take out the jet before crash landing just off shore. Pitt survives an attempt on his life by two thugs disguised as local Icelandic police before eventually getting to the American consulate in Reykjavik. Sandecker offers to send Pitt back on his vacation, but as he suspects Pitt wants to find who killed him. The Admiral then orders Pitt to get close to Kristjan Fyrie’s twin sister who is now Iceland’s wealthiest person and who has shied away from the working with the U.S. government on a state-of-the-art probe, but Kirsti is engaged to fishing magnate Oskar Rondheim and Pitt decides to play a homosexual so as not to pose a threat to the man. After several escapes with Sandecker and a National Intelligence Agent respectfully, Pitt and Sandecker’s secretary are invited to party at Rondheim’s home which is a trap for several wealthy and politically important men from around the globe so they can die while a cabal of wealth businessmen that include Rondheim and Fyrie play to take over all of Central and South America. Rondheim beats the presumably gay Pitt and leaves him and the others to die in a remote part of Iceland. Pitt is able to find help and save nearly everyone, while in the hospital the head of the National Intelligence Agency swindles Pitt from NUMA to Disneyland so stop a duel assassination of Latin American leaders. Pitt gets revenge on Rondheim and then makes a deal with Fyrie, who had been Rondheim’s puppet after he learned Kirsti was actually Kristjan after a sex change.

Like The Mediterranean Caper this was a quick paced book, but this time there was a larger cast of characters instead of a tiny one that was present in both Pacific Vortex and Caper. Iceberg improved in narrative flow over its predecessor as well as making the characters a little more rounded, but still the one-dimensional characters were still prevent. While Dirk Pitt wasn’t as big of a…“jerk” as in Caper, he still wasn’t the same character that appears later in the series and what bad qualities he loses from Caper are negated from the over-the-top homosexual clichés that he displays as part of his act. Besides Pitt’s gay act, the transsexual-sex change angle and the misogynistic comments by numerous male characters could be called typical clichés of the mid-1970s but age really badly over the last 40 years. However the biggest hole in the book is the missing of Pitt’s best friend, Al Giordino, a mistake that Cussler never made again.

Iceberg shows improvement in narrative and characters to an extent, but some of the choices Cussler made negated them. Overall I can’t give this a lesser or better rating that the first Dirk Pitt book, but if there is anyone interested in getting into this series I don’t recommend starting with some of these early books. Read books later in the series and then come back to these early ones.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far I have not found even one Cussler book I haven't liked.
Just perfect for any grown up fan of the Hardy Boys, with a hero that's a hint of James Bond (action, adventure, exotic locations, good food and drinks and women) and with a lot of science all over. While this book isn't my most favorite of the series, it was still fun.

This one was first published in 1975. Everyone not having a mobile phone around them all the time is one thing that was different, and another - that seems to generate a lot of angry reviews about this book here - is the way the women were treated. Like the pretty women who were secretaries. C'mon?! We are talking about a fictional hero whose contemporary heroes (and of about the same genre) were such gentlemen as James Bond. Now look at any Bond made before 1975 and let's talk about that again. Bottom line: James Bond isn't supposed to be realistic either, and forget about all the role model talk too. He's just the guy who gets a lot of fun stuff, adventure, exotic places, travel, meets cool villains and fights for the good, drinks or probably even baths in vintage Dom Perignon, seduces every pretty lady he can - so what? Who wouldn't want that? I have always liked Bond, and I'm a girl. Dirk Pitt is the same, but with a ton more science.
But not every book or genre has to be liked by everyone. So if you don't find the James Bond like heroes interesting and find how the pretty bunny girls were treated in the old bunnies offensive to you, go back to 50 Shades of Gray. (Which of course is completely non-misogynistic and such a great piece of literature and relationship advice...)

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

There’s some great action in this book and sharp writing. Pitt is a problem solver and a hero most of the time.

There’s also Austin Powers-level cringe when talking about chicks. I’m no prude but come on man. Who is this for? I would have been embarrassed at 15 reading some of this stuff.

The very end… bruh.

Skip.

[Mackenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Song for summary: Centuries by Fall Out Boy

This was an action packed read! The characters are determined, intelligent, and sedulous; while the plot is an entertaining combination of action, corruption, and science. This was another great Dirk Pitt adventure, one that is sure to satisfy fans.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will admit that I have a huge back catalogue of Cussler's to read through. One of my reluctance to read them was that I was led to believe they were all the same - following the same formula - just change the name.

That may be true I have yet to see - but what I have seen especially in the early books is the evolution of both Cusslers style and more importantly his characters. Considering the series started in the late 70s you get to see the changing moral and social attitudes towards various groups in society.

I will admit that I am not sure if I like the early Cusslers - but as I often say the evolution and the time in which a book is written is sometimes as interesting as the book itself

[Benjamin Clow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clive Cussler is the literature equivalent of a deep fried Mars bar, which has been cooking in several litres of greasy oil. This is James Bond with copious amounts of sugar added. Yes, its politically incorrect and will probably offend anyone with an arts degree. Yes, the plot is so convoluted I have no idea why we suddenly end up in Disneyland at the end. The dialogue is so so awful it made me want to cry tears of joy.
Its so unpretentious. I have no idea if I want to rate it 1 star or 6 stars. Don't read this book unless you are on a long distance flight or suffering from severe heartache (I was neither) . In each case, it would probably make it the best read of your life

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dirk Pitt is the isht....C.C. never fails to entertain with historical fiction at its finest. Not quite on the level of his incredible 'Sahara', but a darn good read nonetheless. Highly recommend the audio as well....enjoy!

[Eli - Bookworm & Vine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good Dirk Pitt book. Got to love the dated stereotypes of the 70's, but it was what it was.

[C. (Comment, never msg). · Rating 1 out of 5]

I liked “Vortex” in 2020 but “The Mediterranean Caper” 6 months later was chauvinistic. Old time periods do not excuse negative treatment. We can disregard words identified as pejoratives now, if they were honestly not intended condescendingly. Viewing people and animals as objects of inferiority was always wrong. Matriarchs and females generally were revered thousands of years before now, including as Deities.

Published in the modern society of 1975, “Iceberg” started out interesting. The ship of a famous philanthropist inventor was missing and odd readings came from an iceberg. I enjoyed above all, the utterly new setting to me and most novels, of Reykjavik, Iceland. It is wonderful to learn something about countries and cultures we do not know. Their people sound earnestly helpful and caring, despite tending to be soft spoken.

Halfway through the story, the plot that came to light in the line of politically owning small island countries around the world, smacked too much of fantastical world domination for me to believe. Where are the simple concepts around which wonderment can entertain us?

Then, I lost respect for the hero we are supposed to cheer on through 50 years of novels. I understand it takes time for people to gain understanding and a comfort level with gayness. What was jarring is that Dirk Pitt pretended to be gay so that the villain would think he was a physically weak man!!!! Later, the villain did the stupidest thing I ever heard of, an unsettlingly weird manner for Clive to express furious violence. People might slap a face. This asshole ripped a woman’s shirt and slapped her in the breasts.

After surviving diabolical odds, bizarrely, the chase culminates in Disney Land! I loved the atmospheric prowl through the Pirates Of The Caribbean boat ride. Everything else pushed my patience.

[Lauren coffeebooksandescape · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Take away the clothes of the greatest living man, his father once told him, and you behold a very embarrassed, naked and defenseless animal.”

✮ ✮ ✮ 1/2

3.5 stars, rounded up for online ratings. If there’s something I love in a book, it’s a great prologue. This wasn’t it. It took a couple of chapters for the book to start actually making sense or bringing in action and adventure. But when Clive Cussler gets going, he BRINGS IT. The plot was incredible, and while it all comes back to this mystery boat that’s been put inside an iceberg, that really is not the jist of it, literally ‘just the tip of the iceberg’. But, I hate spoilers so you won’t get any from me!

Usually, I’m really character driven. I like to feel linked to the main characters. But for what it’s worth. I hate Dirk Pitt. He is sexist and completely and utterly rude. He spent most of this book parading as a gay man, while sexually objectifying women, but acting gay to the extreme by acting ‘camp’ and wearing flamboyant outfit choices. In today’s society, how many homosexual men actually act or dress like this? Not the majority that’s for sure. But then, is it the character or is it the author himself?

However, this is a minor flaw in comparison to the plot itself, which was really interesting and kept me hooked throughout. I will continue to read this series over the course of the year, but if this machoism gets worse or doesn’t go away over the years the books are written, then I’m not sure I can continue to support this author.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some books you read for their great literary merits. And then there are some you read just to have a good time and not think too much about them.

So far, it appears Clive Cussler novels fit into the latter category.

Iceberg appears to be no exception.

Dirk Pitt is back, this time racing against time to find a ship frozen inside an iceberg. Before you know it, there's a far reaching conspiracy and Pitt is firmly at the center of unraveling it.

I've heard the first two Pitt books are to this series what the first two Bond movies are to that series--they introduce the characters but aren't necessarily a reflection of how the series will evolve in later entries. If that's the case, I look forward to seeing how the series changes when I eventually pick up the third novel in the series.

Iceberg is pretty much what I expected based on reading The Mediterranean Caper. It's the book equivalent of a popcorn movie. It's got lots of action and as long as you don't think too much about the plot, you should be fine.

Unfortunately, the issue that plagued Caper kept popping up here. This novel is clearly a product of the time it was written and that's reflect in certain attitudes. This time around, it's a not a female who needs the lovin' that only Dirk can provide. Instead it's the attitude that women's true role in this world is making coffee for the men and certain attitudes about gay people. (Dirk's pretending to be gay is kind of embarrassing). Add in a plotline with a twist that, quite frankly I'm not sure the book earns, and you've got a couple of moments that really take you out of the novel.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

Iceberg is the third book in the Dirk Pitt series by Clive Cussler. The series follows deep-sea expert adventurer Dirk Pitt, who is a James Bond-esque type character who finds himself in all sorts of intriguing situations- along with friends, he/they are called on various missions where he invariably ‘saves-the-day’- making for engrossing reading. With gripping, action-packed adventures – each book bringing something slightly different, but all death-defying capers, from shipwrecks to assassins, treasure hunts to nuclear weapons, danger, vile villains, high stakes, agendas, political intrigue, challenges, the high seas, fast cars, planes, car chases, mayhem, history, race(s) against time, mystery, suspense, tension- and more of the trademark touches that I have come to expect from Mr. Cussler.
->2023 Reading Challenge.
->Glennie's Collection
-> This one's for you Glennie 🥰🙏💗📚📖
Clive Cussler novels were a familiar fixture in our household when I was growing up, as both my parents loved his work. He was amongst the first ‘adult’ reads that I explored at the time, and over the years I have read everything he’s written.
Since my mother passed away over a year ago, I have been making my way through her book collection, finally- reading each one as part of my reading challenge, as well as a way to pay tribute to my mum, who was such a voracious reader..... Reading her collection of books has stirred up a lot of memories, mostly really great ones of our shared love of reading. I am forever grateful that she passed on her love of reading to me. 🥰🙏💗📚📖

[Carl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've been a huge fan of Clive Cussler for years. I probably started reading him in the early 90's and kept going up until he franchised his name and stopped doing the writing. I thought I'd go back and re-read Iceberg, as I love the Dirk Pitt series and I hadn't read the early ones in ages. I was stunned at how poorly the book holds up. It's early in the Pitt series so I knew that Pitt would be a little rougher and the other characters not as developed as I was used to, but I was surprised at the shallowness of the characters and the convoluted and slightly nonsensical plot. What I found really off-putting was the rampant gay bashing in the book. I'm not a fan of political correctness, and I understand that this was written in the 70's, but the language and the stated intention of Pitt that he could "only survive by pretending to be a F****" were show stoppers. It's not one or two insults, it's the entire concept of Pitt pretending to"not being a real man" that is the defining point of the plot and what theoretically allows him the victory. I had trouble believing everything else that went on from that point forward. I'm not saying don't read it or anything like that, but it's so far out of time that it's not an effective or involving story anymore.

[Victor Hernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Más Dirk Pitt. Es lo que muestra: un libro de aventuras, sin parar de acción, múltiples giros de guion en el último segundo y dosis de humor. Al ser de los primeros de Pitt no le da todo el carisma que tiene posteriormente, pero ya va dejando gotas. La trama es delirante y bastante increíble, pero es un no parar de pasar cosas, así que se lee muy bien. Me está sorprendiendo mucho, porque no lo recordaba, los diálogos tan fuera de tono y frases machistas en la actualidad, aunque hay que recordar que se escribió en los 70. Lo dicho, entretenido para pasar un buen rato.

[Aslı Dağlı · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Book2Dragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rarely read this genre but I did for the most part really enjoy this book. Great descriptions, characters developed, lots of suspense. Only thing I would say is there is a ton of testosterone in building the main character. Lots of twists and surprises.

[Ashley Arthur · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cussler’s books in the Dirk Pitt series tend to be either a hit or a miss with me. This is the second book in the series, and it wasn’t my favorite, but I enjoyed it. The pace is quick, with lots of chase scenes and close encounters. Many reviewers will complain that the plot is not believable. I would remind them that, in the same way that you don’t watch a James Bond movie to see something realistic, you don’t pick up a Dirk Pitt book expecting a predictable storyline. You have to suspend disbelief and enjoy the ride.

In the prologue, two members of the US Coast Guard patrolling the North Atlantic spot an iceberg that contains the wreckage of a luxury yacht that disappeared years ago en route to a secret meeting at the White House. When Dirk Pitt arrives to investigate, he finds nothing on board except the incinerated remains of the crew and a few shadowy clues to the yacht’s missing cargo. In his quest to discover the truth about the yacht, Pitt uncovers an international scheme to take over a continent. As the novel progresses, the men in charge of this scheme become increasingly desperate in their attempts to ensure that Pitt never puts the pieces of their puzzle together.

There were a few downsides to this book. At one point, Pitt must “disguise” himself as a gay man, and I found his portrayal offensive. Also, the female characters in the book are what I’ve come to expect from Cussler books – overdramatic creatures that are constantly delirious, either with terror for their lives or uncontrollable lust for Dirk Pitt. This probably should have offended me more than it did, but I concentrated on the plot and found myself suitably entertained.

[Mark Harrison · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mysterious ship locked within an iceberg and Dirk Pitt is off to Iceland tracking down tyrannical killers plotting a major coup. Lots of very good action and a great fight at the end in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride with our hero dressed as the Big Bad Wolf. Big improvement on previous books but the depiction of women characters is dreadful - still getting there bums slapped and being told to stop crying all the time. He does not write women like that in the Isaac Bell series and it takes away from this series. Shame.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although Mr. Cussler's writing has gotten better in each book, ICEBURG is my favorite. When it first came out, I was in my late teens and had just been to Disneyland's Pirates of the Carribean ride, so I guess that is what made me identify with the book first, but I also love the ending where Pitt exacts revenge (or Justice?) on Rondheim for all of the people he hurt or killed. I know it's not necessarily the right thing to have done, but I as the reader wanted Pitt to do it, and he did!

I have read this book and all of Clive Cussler's books many times. I have also enjoyed going through Mr. Cussler's Classic Car Museum in Colorado.

[James Hayward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this. I like the character Dirk Pitt tough cookie and a bit of a womanizer . This book has a very interesting and surprising twist with one of the characters at the end of the book in the epilogue . Got to check see if the next book in the series is available from the library.

[Ken · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's important to remember that this book was written in the 70's and was the second Dirk Pitt novel to be published, so the attitudes are slightly jarring to a modern audience and the series is still in its infancy.

That aside, I found this to be a entertaining read.

[Laura Ruetz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great thriller with a lot of action. Keeps you guessing and Dirk is certainly an engaging and intriguing character. From the settings to the characters, this was a fast moving book that really held my interest.

[Sarah Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a few years since I read a Clive Cussler book, so I thought I would start at almost the beginning. Cussler's Iceberg is an adventure-packed novel starring the fearless Dirk Pitt and delivers an exhilarating blend of suspense and action that hooks you right from the start.

Set against a backdrop of icy Atlantic waters, Cussler crafts a plot with twists that keep you glued to the page. With his charismatic and daring persona, Dirk Pitt makes for a brilliant protagonist. In Iceberg, he's tasked with investigating a ship that's mysteriously vanished in the North Atlantic, only to be discovered frozen in an iceberg. What starts as a straightforward mission soon spirals into a tale of deception involving top-secret technology and international intrigue.

Cussler's writing is as sharp as ever. His ability to describe complex maritime technology and action sequences is unmatched, making you feel like you're right there with Pitt, dodging danger at every turn. The pace is relentless, the stakes are high, and the excitement never wanes.

Iceberg is a must-read for anyone who loves a blend of espionage, adventure, and mystery. It's not just a book; it's an escape into a world of daring exploits and relentless action. Clive Cussler proves once again why he is the master of maritime adventure. Don't miss this one—it's a beauty!

[Jacob Bonesteel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow, that was an experience.

[Margaret Wakeling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes well it’s sexist, violent and unrealistic yet a relief from all that is going on around us. Not as good as some of his later books.

[Joe · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Iceberg" is definitely by least favorite of the Dirk Pitt books so far. They always contained racism and sexism (and a whole bunch of other 'isms') but this time around it was needlessly cruel and strange with the groups that Cussler went after. Also, the story was a bit of a snoozer. I have high hopes for the next one though!

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoy the Dirk Pitt novels. In my opinion, they're better then James Bond! As always, this didn't fail to keep me entertained. But, there was an absence without having Al and Rudy in this novel with Pitt. I look forward to more adventures with Pitt and his crew. I understand that people's view on this specific novel about it being homophobic, sexist and all that. But, that was how it was when it was written, that was their generation. No different then today's world of the "Me Too" movements and LGBTQ and all that. Take it with a grain of salt people, this was how it was back then. If you don't like it, don't read it. This is written and will stand in time just like or current times will be ensconced in paper.