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NUMA Files #4
White Death
Book
355 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 23, 2003
491 people are currently reading
3164 people want to read
About the author
Clive Cussler
643 books8,518 followersCussler 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 250 reviews
December 27, 2022
Definitely NOT vintage Clive Cussler!
A formulaic thriller that includes everything but the kitchen sink - unrepentant Nazis, Basque separatists, an outcast murderous tribe of Eskimos, Canadian natives in northern Quebec, environmental activists and the usual female sex interest. This one goes beyond the pale and actually seems comedic at best. The heroes can thank their lucky stars that the dastardly villains resort to that time-worn cliche of gloating instead of getting on with killing them when they've got the chance!
This one's definitely a laffer! Give it a pass and save your pennies for the next one.
Paul Weiss
A formulaic thriller that includes everything but the kitchen sink - unrepentant Nazis, Basque separatists, an outcast murderous tribe of Eskimos, Canadian natives in northern Quebec, environmental activists and the usual female sex interest. This one goes beyond the pale and actually seems comedic at best. The heroes can thank their lucky stars that the dastardly villains resort to that time-worn cliche of gloating instead of getting on with killing them when they've got the chance!
This one's definitely a laffer! Give it a pass and save your pennies for the next one.
Paul Weiss
October 17, 2025
Another fun pulpy adventure with a little bit of everything thrown in. Zeppelins, Nazis, sailing ships, Basque separatists, Eskimos, devil fish, pretty much everything you can think of. Crazy plot but somehow it all works and is a devilishly fun read.
June 9, 2021
This follows along the same lines as Cussler’s other books. It is fast paced, seeped in history, and exciting. This one concerns a conglomerate trying to control the seas and thereby controlling the fish population. The only problem is that the experiment goes away and leads to possible serious effects. Again, strap your sear belts on for another thrilling ride.
May 5, 2019
Just like the last Clive Cussler book I read, the action was thrilling and the story was exciting, but some profanities and crude allusions muddled things a bit.
March 26, 2021
Basques & Inuit is a mix that doesn't cut it. The Spanish Inquisition returns from Serpent.
Pet peeve: indigenous culture expert needs to say something smart. He points out 'Eskimo' is a pejorative name for the Inuit. Yet the main villain who sides with the Inuit uses the word Eskimo, as does Cussler throughout in non-dialogue paragraphs...That's a sad 101.
Pet peeve: indigenous culture expert needs to say something smart. He points out 'Eskimo' is a pejorative name for the Inuit. Yet the main villain who sides with the Inuit uses the word Eskimo, as does Cussler throughout in non-dialogue paragraphs...That's a sad 101.
December 10, 2020
I wrote the almost exact same thing about the last Cussler novel I recently finished but I think it’s probably the best description of this book (and basically all of the NUMA and Dirk Pitt books). And here it is:
White Death is pretty typical Cussler fare in that it’a formulaic as hell. Something of importance happens in the past, some kind of disaster or looming apocalyptic scenario happens in the present, and then by the midway point of the book we learn that the past and present have collided under the evil plans of some bad guy or girl who intends to take over the world because they’re pissed off and feeling slighted by some wrong from years ago. Every Clive Cussler novel follows the same plan and it’s basically a paint by numbers game at this point. Hell, even the characters are the same despite being part of the NUMA Files spin off. Even worse, this one borrows plot points and similar settings from both Cyclops and Shock Wave and feels far from original
And that’s all there to say about that...other than to state I still enjoyed the hell out of it. Austin and Zavala are runners up to their NUMA counterparts Pitt and Giordono, but they still find themselves in entertaining (albeit ridiculous and contrived ) situations. White Death was no different in that regard. Austin’s brush with death in Washington was over the top but in a cinematic blockbuster way. The plot was fairly pedestrian as well, as was the antagonist’s motivations, though it did work in the general scheme of things. I guess overall all I can say is that White Death is just...fun.
It wasn’t my intent to read back-to-back Cussler novels and it definitely wasn’t my intent to read White Death in basically a day, but you know what? I’m not gonna question it. I’m just going to accept the fact that I’ve now read something like 25 Cussler novels just in 2020 and reignited my love affair with the author who got me hooked on reading in the first place.
White Death is pretty typical Cussler fare in that it’a formulaic as hell. Something of importance happens in the past, some kind of disaster or looming apocalyptic scenario happens in the present, and then by the midway point of the book we learn that the past and present have collided under the evil plans of some bad guy or girl who intends to take over the world because they’re pissed off and feeling slighted by some wrong from years ago. Every Clive Cussler novel follows the same plan and it’s basically a paint by numbers game at this point. Hell, even the characters are the same despite being part of the NUMA Files spin off. Even worse, this one borrows plot points and similar settings from both Cyclops and Shock Wave and feels far from original
And that’s all there to say about that...other than to state I still enjoyed the hell out of it. Austin and Zavala are runners up to their NUMA counterparts Pitt and Giordono, but they still find themselves in entertaining (albeit ridiculous and contrived ) situations. White Death was no different in that regard. Austin’s brush with death in Washington was over the top but in a cinematic blockbuster way. The plot was fairly pedestrian as well, as was the antagonist’s motivations, though it did work in the general scheme of things. I guess overall all I can say is that White Death is just...fun.
It wasn’t my intent to read back-to-back Cussler novels and it definitely wasn’t my intent to read White Death in basically a day, but you know what? I’m not gonna question it. I’m just going to accept the fact that I’ve now read something like 25 Cussler novels just in 2020 and reignited my love affair with the author who got me hooked on reading in the first place.
January 29, 2010
A multinational company is secretly creating genetic freaks of nature - for their own financial gain obviously. Nobody really knows what is going on behind closed doors but when the local fishermen start reporting that the fish are disappearing the environmentalists try to stop them. In between these two opposing forces, enter our heroes Austin and Zavala resulting in all the ingredients needed for another action-packed novel.
June 17, 2020
This was a pretty good book. I really enjoyed listening to it. However, I think I would've like the unabridged version better. It seemed a little short. Great for reading anytime and pulls you in. There suspense, some action, twists and turns, great personalities and characters and a good ending. Great for a relaxing evening or weekend. Enjoy!
November 24, 2009
Not one of his best books but the story line kept it interesting and still very much worth the read.
February 3, 2011
Clive Cussler books are great for escaping out of our ordinary lives. His characters are believeable & likeable & get to have extraordinary adventures in amazing places.
July 13, 2011
I love clive cussler books, fast reads when I am bored.
October 27, 2015
Truly enjoying the writings of Mr. Cussler. This one does not disappoint.
September 25, 2025
White Death by Clive Cussler and Paul Kemprecos is the fourth entry in the NUMA Files series, starring Kurt Austin, the rugged and resourceful leader of NUMA’s Special Assignments Team. It’s a high-octane adventure filled with over-the-top action, wild villains, and an environmental twist that makes for a ridiculously entertaining ride if you’re willing to suspend a lot of disbelief.
The plot kicks off with Kurt Austin and his trusty sidekick Joe Zavala rescuing a Danish naval crew trapped underwater in a fiery wreck. But what starts as a daring rescue spirals into a conspiracy involving genetically engineered "frankenfish," a shadowy corporation called Oceanus, and a villainous tribe of murderous Eskimos (yes, really). Throw in Nazi zeppelins, Basque separatists, and ancient relics, and you’ve got a plot that’s as bonkers as it is fun. The stakes? Saving the oceans from mutant fish that threaten to destroy marine life and monopolize global fisheries.
Kurt Austin shines as the classic larger-than-life hero smart, brave, and effortlessly cool. His chemistry with Joe Zavala adds humor and camaraderie to the story, while the supporting cast, like the Trouts and Admiral Sandecker, provide the usual mix of quirky personalities. The female lead, Therri Weld, brings a touch of romance, though her role is fairly predictable. The villains are cartoonishly evil, which fits the pulp-adventure vibe but might feel a bit dated for modern readers.
The book’s pacing is fast, with plenty of action-packed sequences boat chases, underwater escapes, and even a sword fight atop a flaming zeppelin. It’s cinematic to the point of absurdity, but that’s part of the charm. Cussler and Kemprecos also sprinkle in historical tidbits, from lost German airships to ancient Basque legends, which add depth to the plot even if they’re wildly implausible. The environmental themes surrounding genetic engineering and corporate greed are intriguing, though they’re handled in a very pulpy, exaggerated way.
Critics have noted that White Death feels formulaic, borrowing elements from previous Cussler novels like Cyclops and Shock Wave. It’s undeniably silly at times dogsled chases in Washington, D.C., anyone? but if you lean into the ridiculousness, it’s a fun escape. However, the heavy reliance on tropes like one-dimensional villains and the "hero always wins" narrative might not appeal to everyone.
White Death is entertaining, fast-paced, and wildly imaginative. It’s not Cussler’s best work, but fans of the NUMA Files series or classic adventure thrillers will enjoy the escapism. Just don’t expect realism or subtlety it’s pure popcorn fiction.
The plot kicks off with Kurt Austin and his trusty sidekick Joe Zavala rescuing a Danish naval crew trapped underwater in a fiery wreck. But what starts as a daring rescue spirals into a conspiracy involving genetically engineered "frankenfish," a shadowy corporation called Oceanus, and a villainous tribe of murderous Eskimos (yes, really). Throw in Nazi zeppelins, Basque separatists, and ancient relics, and you’ve got a plot that’s as bonkers as it is fun. The stakes? Saving the oceans from mutant fish that threaten to destroy marine life and monopolize global fisheries.
Kurt Austin shines as the classic larger-than-life hero smart, brave, and effortlessly cool. His chemistry with Joe Zavala adds humor and camaraderie to the story, while the supporting cast, like the Trouts and Admiral Sandecker, provide the usual mix of quirky personalities. The female lead, Therri Weld, brings a touch of romance, though her role is fairly predictable. The villains are cartoonishly evil, which fits the pulp-adventure vibe but might feel a bit dated for modern readers.
The book’s pacing is fast, with plenty of action-packed sequences boat chases, underwater escapes, and even a sword fight atop a flaming zeppelin. It’s cinematic to the point of absurdity, but that’s part of the charm. Cussler and Kemprecos also sprinkle in historical tidbits, from lost German airships to ancient Basque legends, which add depth to the plot even if they’re wildly implausible. The environmental themes surrounding genetic engineering and corporate greed are intriguing, though they’re handled in a very pulpy, exaggerated way.
Critics have noted that White Death feels formulaic, borrowing elements from previous Cussler novels like Cyclops and Shock Wave. It’s undeniably silly at times dogsled chases in Washington, D.C., anyone? but if you lean into the ridiculousness, it’s a fun escape. However, the heavy reliance on tropes like one-dimensional villains and the "hero always wins" narrative might not appeal to everyone.
White Death is entertaining, fast-paced, and wildly imaginative. It’s not Cussler’s best work, but fans of the NUMA Files series or classic adventure thrillers will enjoy the escapism. Just don’t expect realism or subtlety it’s pure popcorn fiction.
March 28, 2021
In the style of the classic Clive Cussler adventures of the 20th century, Paul Kemprecos does an amazing job of writing White Death, a swashbuckling Kurt Austin adventure that reminded me of the feel of old 007 movies of Sean Connery & Roger Moore, but mixed with oceanic scientific concepts and historical intrigue. Kurt Austin may not be Cussler’s Dirk Pitt, but he almost holds the same spot with his classically heroic, epic, smart, and crazily adventurous shenanigans.
Written(and released) early in the 21st century, it still has the feel of the previous century, with its bold, larger-than-life heroes and vile, almost comical, evil villains; an exciting supporting cast of characters, some of whom feel positively unrealistic while others are purely satirical; technically detailed descriptions and a slow, but immersive narrative that’s both driven by the plot and characters; secret bases of the villain, comically Bondian hatchet men, an evil plan of the bloodthirsty villain that threatens to almost destroy the world’s marine life.
The main story opens with an environmental activist group that’s staging a protest against the whale slaughtering ritual of the people of Faroe Islands when their ship malfunctions and sinks a Danish Navy cruiser. Kurt Austin and his equally insane and brilliant sidekick Joe Zavala are testing a submersible, deep water salvage vehicle, with the Russian Navy, and volunteer for the rescue attempt of the Danish ship’s crew. They beat the odds by bringing their submersible to the Faroe Islands in time by leveraging Russian help and use their ingenuity to save all the sailors who were suffocating to their deaths at the ocean floor. Like any Cussler story, the initial rescue operation leads the protagonists down a rabbit hole of conspiracies.
Hailed as a local hero in the Faroe Islands, Austin soon dives to investigate the wreck of the environmental group’s ship to find its systems sabotaged. This evidence frees the activist leader in the local courts, but Kurt’s curiosity and the coincidences surrounding the sinking make him stay to investigate an industrial fishing facility run by a shadowy mega-corporation. His journey takes him to a remote village, secret caves filled with prehistoric paintings to objects used by the Viking explorers, marvelous hiking trails, and a secret facility filled with monstrous mutant fishes and thugs who don’t let witnesses live. Kurt’s stay in this location, though mystical and calmly exciting, comes to an explosive end while he accidentally makes unlikely but powerful allies.
He investigates a genetically modified type of fishes with experts who confirm that it’ll wipe out all natural marine life if released into the open waters. Kurt also consults historians to uncover the other parts of the plot that involve a lost German blimp named Nietzsche from the 1930s, and a conflict between an evil Spanish Conquistador and the leader of the Basque people from around 500 years ago. This connects to Kurt’s powerful alley against the villain, the leader of the Basque separatist movement, a group who are labeled as terrorists but aim to get autonomy from Spain. Kurt’s agreements with them lead to a hunt for the fabled sword of Roland, a mystical symbol for the Basque people.
The villains are a superficially inhuman splinter group of tribal Inuit Eskimos who have a violently savage culture as opposed to the other peaceful Inuit tribes. Their leader, referred to by the name of their culture’s devil, is a mixed breed descendant of a British whaler and the Arctic tribe. This villain, a brilliant genetic scientist in the open while being the shadowy billionaire behind the Oceanus fishing conglomerate, suffers from a form of Albinism that makes him avoid sunlight like a vampire, and stays a cold-blooded killer till the end.
Kurt’s action scenes range from explosive boat chases, a dog sledge chase down the Nation Mall at Washington DC to escape savage giant Eskimos who throw harpoons to kill, a tactical raid at a giant dome-shaped futuristic facility in Canada, and a sword fight on top of an old blimp that’s burning in the sky. It’s crazy, but that’s the type of entertainment found inside an old-fashioned Clive Cussler adventure.
The recurring cast from the NUMA universe has appearances from the foodie/historian St. Julien Perlmutter, tech genius Hiram Yaeger, and the enigmatically strategic Admiral Sandecker at the helm of NUMA, who knows that they’re not a mere underwater research organization. The Trouts are a fun couple who play a second tier sidekick to Kurt Austin in their own adventurous investigation into Oceanus’ mutant monster fishes. The female lead, who’s the legal advisor for the activist group, has a fun chemistry with Austin, although she and her boss keep increasing his troubles in the plot leading to the final explosive face-off with the villain.
Kurt Austin by himself is an exciting character with his collection of antique pistols, his boathouse, and his regular reading of classical philosophy and literature. He’s powerfully enigmatic, while still human at heart, and regularly consults the writings of Nietzsche and other great thinkers for the sake of understanding his sanity.
While not being serious in any way, the book is successful in being a classically fun dose of necessary entertainment for a weekend. White Death is an epic men’s adventure classic that works to give an immersive and fun experience with a heavy suspension of disbelief and a nostalgia for a lost era of grand heroes and thrilling escapades.
For more long-form book reviews, check out - www.kronosananthsimha.com/book-blog/
Written(and released) early in the 21st century, it still has the feel of the previous century, with its bold, larger-than-life heroes and vile, almost comical, evil villains; an exciting supporting cast of characters, some of whom feel positively unrealistic while others are purely satirical; technically detailed descriptions and a slow, but immersive narrative that’s both driven by the plot and characters; secret bases of the villain, comically Bondian hatchet men, an evil plan of the bloodthirsty villain that threatens to almost destroy the world’s marine life.
The main story opens with an environmental activist group that’s staging a protest against the whale slaughtering ritual of the people of Faroe Islands when their ship malfunctions and sinks a Danish Navy cruiser. Kurt Austin and his equally insane and brilliant sidekick Joe Zavala are testing a submersible, deep water salvage vehicle, with the Russian Navy, and volunteer for the rescue attempt of the Danish ship’s crew. They beat the odds by bringing their submersible to the Faroe Islands in time by leveraging Russian help and use their ingenuity to save all the sailors who were suffocating to their deaths at the ocean floor. Like any Cussler story, the initial rescue operation leads the protagonists down a rabbit hole of conspiracies.
Hailed as a local hero in the Faroe Islands, Austin soon dives to investigate the wreck of the environmental group’s ship to find its systems sabotaged. This evidence frees the activist leader in the local courts, but Kurt’s curiosity and the coincidences surrounding the sinking make him stay to investigate an industrial fishing facility run by a shadowy mega-corporation. His journey takes him to a remote village, secret caves filled with prehistoric paintings to objects used by the Viking explorers, marvelous hiking trails, and a secret facility filled with monstrous mutant fishes and thugs who don’t let witnesses live. Kurt’s stay in this location, though mystical and calmly exciting, comes to an explosive end while he accidentally makes unlikely but powerful allies.
He investigates a genetically modified type of fishes with experts who confirm that it’ll wipe out all natural marine life if released into the open waters. Kurt also consults historians to uncover the other parts of the plot that involve a lost German blimp named Nietzsche from the 1930s, and a conflict between an evil Spanish Conquistador and the leader of the Basque people from around 500 years ago. This connects to Kurt’s powerful alley against the villain, the leader of the Basque separatist movement, a group who are labeled as terrorists but aim to get autonomy from Spain. Kurt’s agreements with them lead to a hunt for the fabled sword of Roland, a mystical symbol for the Basque people.
The villains are a superficially inhuman splinter group of tribal Inuit Eskimos who have a violently savage culture as opposed to the other peaceful Inuit tribes. Their leader, referred to by the name of their culture’s devil, is a mixed breed descendant of a British whaler and the Arctic tribe. This villain, a brilliant genetic scientist in the open while being the shadowy billionaire behind the Oceanus fishing conglomerate, suffers from a form of Albinism that makes him avoid sunlight like a vampire, and stays a cold-blooded killer till the end.
Kurt’s action scenes range from explosive boat chases, a dog sledge chase down the Nation Mall at Washington DC to escape savage giant Eskimos who throw harpoons to kill, a tactical raid at a giant dome-shaped futuristic facility in Canada, and a sword fight on top of an old blimp that’s burning in the sky. It’s crazy, but that’s the type of entertainment found inside an old-fashioned Clive Cussler adventure.
The recurring cast from the NUMA universe has appearances from the foodie/historian St. Julien Perlmutter, tech genius Hiram Yaeger, and the enigmatically strategic Admiral Sandecker at the helm of NUMA, who knows that they’re not a mere underwater research organization. The Trouts are a fun couple who play a second tier sidekick to Kurt Austin in their own adventurous investigation into Oceanus’ mutant monster fishes. The female lead, who’s the legal advisor for the activist group, has a fun chemistry with Austin, although she and her boss keep increasing his troubles in the plot leading to the final explosive face-off with the villain.
Kurt Austin by himself is an exciting character with his collection of antique pistols, his boathouse, and his regular reading of classical philosophy and literature. He’s powerfully enigmatic, while still human at heart, and regularly consults the writings of Nietzsche and other great thinkers for the sake of understanding his sanity.
While not being serious in any way, the book is successful in being a classically fun dose of necessary entertainment for a weekend. White Death is an epic men’s adventure classic that works to give an immersive and fun experience with a heavy suspension of disbelief and a nostalgia for a lost era of grand heroes and thrilling escapades.
For more long-form book reviews, check out - www.kronosananthsimha.com/book-blog/
May 7, 2019
Another solid action-adventure from Cussler.
February 9, 2020
Maybe it’s just me. But Yawn!
January 24, 2022
A lot of action and a lot to think about concerning technology. I enjoyed the read.
August 20, 2024
Really enjoyed this one.
January 25, 2025
Entertaining but some of the scenes not even Hollywood would attempt.
March 14, 2017
Kurt Austin is called on to rescue Danish sailors from a sunk destroyer that resulted from a collision between environmentalist and the ship. He comes in contact with a murderous Eskimo group that is bioengineering fish to destroy the native species and thereby take over the aquaculture industry of the world.
August 27, 2022
This was a fun book to read. It is a little "preachy" in terms "one of the villains" in the story (the "Frankenfish"). Kurt and Joe stay in their lanes; their characters really do not change much at all (based on the later books I read prior to this one) (granted, neither do Rudi, Hiram, Sandecker, or the Trouts). Most of the character development involves the "guest characters", the secondary and peripheral characters that pass through the book. It moved at a fast pace; it held my interest; it had plenty of action in it. The "good guys" were "good guys"; it had some people with feet of clay; the villains were truly despicable and got their just desserts.
After reading this book, I can see why releasing genetically modified creatures into the wild can be a cause for concern as well as the lack of oversight when it comes to corporations being involved the development of any kind of "biotechnology" (something that Michael Crichton focused on some of his various novels such as Jurassic Park, Prey, and . . . there was a third novel and now I cannot think of its name). I can also see the concern over genetically modified food and how it could impact not just society but the environment as well. I thought the authors did a nice job of explaining the dangers of genetically modified organisms and the havoc that could be wreaked if they were either released or escaped into the natural environment.
It was a fun book and a fast read. I am glad I read it.
After reading this book, I can see why releasing genetically modified creatures into the wild can be a cause for concern as well as the lack of oversight when it comes to corporations being involved the development of any kind of "biotechnology" (something that Michael Crichton focused on some of his various novels such as Jurassic Park, Prey, and . . . there was a third novel and now I cannot think of its name). I can also see the concern over genetically modified food and how it could impact not just society but the environment as well. I thought the authors did a nice job of explaining the dangers of genetically modified organisms and the havoc that could be wreaked if they were either released or escaped into the natural environment.
It was a fun book and a fast read. I am glad I read it.
April 30, 2016
Worth the time to see if Clive Cussler style is for you.
It's been a long time since I read a Clive Cussler book and the first that did not have Dirk Pitt as the main character (I read many of those). But, there are a lot of similarities between Dirk Pitt stories and stories involving the new protagonist, Kirt Austin. First, Cussler's books are slow starting, as you have to understand the history behind his tales before he launches into the modern story; second, unless you know something about the "nautical" topic at hand, you have to accept the technical and historical aspects at face value and not get caught up in the details (only reason for a 3 rather than 4 rating); and third, you also have to accept at face value the super powers of the main (probably hot) characters and love them for what you imagine them to be. There are lots of DC area references (location of local offices and homes) throughout (Falls Church restaurant and Fairfax County home in this one) although the main stories are located in or near large bodies of water all over the world. A really good, but different reading experience, especially for people that don't usually travel in these types of circles. Readers need to try one of the early Dirk Pitt or Kurt Austin books to see if Cussler is for them.
It's been a long time since I read a Clive Cussler book and the first that did not have Dirk Pitt as the main character (I read many of those). But, there are a lot of similarities between Dirk Pitt stories and stories involving the new protagonist, Kirt Austin. First, Cussler's books are slow starting, as you have to understand the history behind his tales before he launches into the modern story; second, unless you know something about the "nautical" topic at hand, you have to accept the technical and historical aspects at face value and not get caught up in the details (only reason for a 3 rather than 4 rating); and third, you also have to accept at face value the super powers of the main (probably hot) characters and love them for what you imagine them to be. There are lots of DC area references (location of local offices and homes) throughout (Falls Church restaurant and Fairfax County home in this one) although the main stories are located in or near large bodies of water all over the world. A really good, but different reading experience, especially for people that don't usually travel in these types of circles. Readers need to try one of the early Dirk Pitt or Kurt Austin books to see if Cussler is for them.
January 15, 2018
“White Death” tells the story of an evil genius who wants to take economic control of the oceans. A process that starts out with the development of genetically engineered fish seems innocent enough. Then, killer fish are released into the oceans to eliminate the existing breeds. After the killer fish destroy the competition, the only game in town is Oceanus, the corporation behind the plot. They plan to use their hybrid fish farms to supply the world with its fish. It's up to Kurt Austin and his Special Assignments team from the National Underwater and Marine Agency (NUMA) to stop Oceanus, led by the mysterious Doctor Barker, known by his devoted followers as “Toonook”. In the tradition of Clive Cussler's other novels led by dynamic characters Dirk Pitt, Juan Cabrillo, and Isaac Bell, we follow Austin in his pursuit of eco-terrorist Barker . The chase takes the team from the Barents Sea , off the northern coast of Russia, to the Faroe Islands, to Halifax, Nova Scotia, to Washington, D.C. , and other locations around the world. The story has sea-faring adventures and a bad guy who rivals many Bond villains. Highly recommend this novel to fans of sea-going tales, criminal investigation/detective stories and action packed thrillers.
March 6, 2009
This story was a little slower moving then I usually like it to be. It followed Kurt Austin in his pursuit against Oceanus and their mutant fish. Much more aggressive and massive than normal fish, they were causing havoc against small fisherman families. Kurt Austin and his usual partner Joe Zavala take on the case, but become really determined to stop Oceanus after they tried to murder them. Like always, the battle approaches Oceanus' front door as Kurt gets ready to stop them once and for all.
I was actually pretty disappointed by this book since it was so much less interesting than his other books. However, considering all that it was, it still was a very good book.
I was actually pretty disappointed by this book since it was so much less interesting than his other books. However, considering all that it was, it still was a very good book.
October 21, 2020
Cussler’s novels are always reliable entertainment, full of action and packed with the usual punch but this one was just a bit lacking for me. The classic two seemingly disconnected components were there that get interwoven as the story progresses but it’s an odd one this one - Nazi balloons, Ancient Basque relics and fish farming are incredibly random and almost distracting in their choice.
It’s still a recommended read for Cussler fans and thoroughly enjoyable for those new to his books, but there are better ones.
It’s still a recommended read for Cussler fans and thoroughly enjoyable for those new to his books, but there are better ones.
January 26, 2019
This is a commercial novel in the NUMA series. As always the preparation of Cussler's work is immaculate, without any distractions of any kind. The characters in the book are drawn carefully. The story is weaved through the activities of several sets of characters working toward a common goal. I was surprised Cussler didn't pay a little more credence to the bad guys, give them a little larger role in the book. Nonetheless it was an enjoyable read and could be consumed by almost any age group.
October 20, 2018
As always, this book has some heart stopping action, danger, and an unusual plot. The end of the head bad guy is appropriate considering what he was trying to do. It's always somewhat unbelievable how the good guys get out of really precarious positions. I love the unique plots written by this author.
May 16, 2019
Enjoyed reading this book.
It's interesting this idea of creating a biofish that could wipe out the fish supplies. I think this idea is not too far fetched compared to real life. In terms of the storyline, it was well developed and the characters as well, although I think it took a while to get into the main story as to what exactly was happening.
Nevertheless, a good read.
It's interesting this idea of creating a biofish that could wipe out the fish supplies. I think this idea is not too far fetched compared to real life. In terms of the storyline, it was well developed and the characters as well, although I think it took a while to get into the main story as to what exactly was happening.
Nevertheless, a good read.
January 14, 2021
This series doesn't offer plots as complex as the main Dirk Pitt novels (they are fairly straightforward, and thus wilder and consequently more complex) but they are still entertaining. Think of this as a "traditional" history-mystery, which is the label I've given stories that start with a historical hook/scene where modern day events detail their impact. Cussler and Kemprecos pale a bit in comparison to Steve Berry in my opinion. If I had read this back when it originally came out in the early oughts I might have felt different. However, after having recommended one of Berry's books today to someone, I know this entry in the Kurt Austin-NUMA Files is OK and fun but make as much an impact on my thoughts as say the opening story in the Oregon series -- Golden Buddha -- which is the other Cussler partnership that I read most recently.
I'm working my way forward chronologically through Cussler's many books, main series and spinoffs, and I can only hope the upcoming books -- Trojan Odyssey, Black Wind, Sacred Stone -- don't disappoint. I think it's safe to say that if they serve up anything similar to Frankenfish, lost zeppelins, and echoes of the Inquisition, I can look forward to some entertaining reads. In fact, as I listed some of those central plot points I remembered one of the more memorable scenes, which would play pretty well on the big screen. I won't give that scene away, because it's one of the better ones in the book and shows a writer who likes to box himself into a corner and keep the reader guessing. If there were only more of those White Death would rate more stars.
I'm working my way forward chronologically through Cussler's many books, main series and spinoffs, and I can only hope the upcoming books -- Trojan Odyssey, Black Wind, Sacred Stone -- don't disappoint. I think it's safe to say that if they serve up anything similar to Frankenfish, lost zeppelins, and echoes of the Inquisition, I can look forward to some entertaining reads. In fact, as I listed some of those central plot points I remembered one of the more memorable scenes, which would play pretty well on the big screen. I won't give that scene away, because it's one of the better ones in the book and shows a writer who likes to box himself into a corner and keep the reader guessing. If there were only more of those White Death would rate more stars.
November 25, 2023
3 Stars
White Death is the fourth book in The NUMA Files series by Clive Cussler. This is a bit of a spin-off/related to the Dirk Pitt series – so provides the same sort of engrossing action adventures. The series follows Kurt Austin, the charismatic leader of the NUMA Special Assignments Division (NUMA -> National Underwater Marine Agency – the agency explores the ocean and protects the marine environment). Kurt, along with his team, find themselves whisked off to exotic locations on intriguing missions through the series that include ancient mysteries, environmental threats, historical secrets, global conspiracies, dangerous situations, facing ruthless villains, agendas, dramatic developments, and so much more- all woven into gripping, action-packed adventures...
->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. 🥰🙏💗📚📖
White Death is the fourth book in The NUMA Files series by Clive Cussler. This is a bit of a spin-off/related to the Dirk Pitt series – so provides the same sort of engrossing action adventures. The series follows Kurt Austin, the charismatic leader of the NUMA Special Assignments Division (NUMA -> National Underwater Marine Agency – the agency explores the ocean and protects the marine environment). Kurt, along with his team, find themselves whisked off to exotic locations on intriguing missions through the series that include ancient mysteries, environmental threats, historical secrets, global conspiracies, dangerous situations, facing ruthless villains, agendas, dramatic developments, and so much more- all woven into gripping, action-packed adventures...
->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. 🥰🙏💗📚📖
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