I’m sorry, I can’t seem to find any of your books? Love the balls on you man. And on this subject, I can’t wrap my head around the fact that you have a problem with the author writing himself in. There usually very small roles and I always enjoy these parts, seems to me you nit picking. Apologies to you’r own views, but I love his books, especially Clive Cussler and jack du brul.
When it's just a cameo, I see nothing wrong with that. My issue is with the author becoming a literal deus ex machina who gets characters out of impossible situations. I find that cheap:) I'm saying I don't care for them, but anyone can like whatever they like. As for my own writing, you just must not have scrolled down far enough in the results haha. Fair enough. the ebook version is .99 so feel free to pick it up and tear it apart! www.amazon.com/Blind-Justice-Blake-Anthony-Taylor/dp/1737665115/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2790NAPMDFC4I&dchild=1&keywords=blind+justice+mark+taylor&qid=1627595247&sprefix=blind+justice+mark%2Caps%2C321&sr=8-2
I'm rather dumbfounded. Clive died February 24th 2020, video hating on his writing style drops less that 6 months later. Real classy. It makes me question the real reason you don't like his stuff. Idk, maybe it's the fact you can hardly find your name on Google without specifically searching Blind Justice or Mark Anthony Taylor, and even then there's mostly self published results like Facebook page. Or the 34 subs. Bashing a dead author who sold over 100 million copies of 80 some odd novels worth 120 odd million at his death, with a very decent antique car collection and who knows what else. We know he had odd quirks in his writing style, we know his stuff wasn't perfect, and fully accepted it as part of his unique style and what set him apart from the masses. But judging by the body of work him vs you, I don't know if I place much stock in your credentials to knock his stuff. Popular opinion would actually indicate a fair amount of people would agree. Also I was raised to not speak ill of the deceased. Dropping a fairly harsh critique so soon after his death smacks of a desperate grab at his coattails before he fully settled into his grave to me.
@@DakotaTrucker Had no idea he had passed away a half year before I posted that video. I've posted on Clancy, Stephen King. I assure you, I'm making no money on these videos with my 20 subscribers:) I also don't think I was bashing Clive Cussler as a person. I was talking about one of his trademark writing styles that I found very silly and jarring as a reader.
So, Clive Cussler writes himself into his books. Is this worse than writers showing up in movies based on their books? Maybe you are forgetting that Clive's books are written purely for the entertainment value. Have you also noticed that in all of his books that he has carefully researched historical dates, names and events? Not only do people write themselves into their books, they also show up in the movie version of those books; 25 Movie Cameos by the Authors of the Original Books | Mental Floss Wow! How bad is that? So, please - before denigrating a fellow writer, think!
Hey, Stephen, thanks for watching and the comment. I think my viewpoint on this has changed somewhat. An author can do whatever he or she wants. Absolutely. And obviously tons of people love Cussler. I'm totally with you that it's for fun and entertainment and that's clear in Cussler's books. My biggest frustration with his cameos is that they were pure Deus ex Machina in the story. I've never encountered another author writing themselves into their books, but for the cameos in movies, that character doesn't miraculously save everyone. At least in Cussler's earlier works, the main characters would be in an impossible situation with no options. Then comes a man in a hot air balloon named Clive Cussler who whisks them away to safety and goes on his way. I read a later book where there was merely a man on a raft who had a briefcase with the initials CC. I had no problem with that. Anyone is allowed to read and love whatever they want to. I simply don't care for Clive Cussler's books. That's just my take. I hope one day I can make it big enough that someone rants about how awful my writing is:)
@@marktaylorauthor1000 I'm sorry if I came off as an irate book critic. That, I am not. I am just a reader that likes adventure stories. I've been reading sea stories since high school (1955-1959) and when I first received 2 Clive Cussler books from my librarian grand daughter, I was elated and hooked on Clive. I will admit that there are passages in his books that I don't really care for, BUT - on the whole - his books are very, very entertaining. Thanks in advance for understanding my coming in defense of my favorite writer.
@@stephensladaritz9737 Haha, no worries! I get it. I read lots of different genres, and I'm sure there are plenty of books I like that other people don't. I have several friends who would absolutely come fists swinging to defend their love of Cussler. No worries there. I read "The Day They Sank The Lusitania" when I was younger as well as "HMS Hood vs. The Bismark." Right now I'm reading Treasure Island too. Sea stories are great.
@@andrewpurchase6837 I read all different genres. I like to challenge myself, but I also enjoy a simple, fun story. Cussler books are perfect audio books for when I'm mowing or cleaning the kitchen.
Clive has written thousands of pages that are some of the best writing in the world. The fact that he is able to write himself into his books is a nod to how good his writing is. The fact the you are aggravated by the amount detail that is put into what they are wearing. I truly don't understand your POV. I'm not mad, It's your opinion. I just happen to disagree completely. Of course some of the themes are far fetched. It's a fantasy adventure where the hero always wins. Once I realized he wrote himself into the stories. I find myself looking for the cameo with each new book. He has said many times Dirk Pitt is his Alter Ego. If you can write a story that you only dream on living. Why can't you include your name sake in the story. It's genius to me. The way he works in it is completely fresh and new each time. Sometimes it's just a stranger at a bar named the Bayou kidd. You just gotta know what to listen for.
He's definitely earned his fan base. And cameos are OK too, I guess. I just don't want his cameo solving impossible situations for the main characters:) That's aggravating, and I would say it's not good writing.
@@joey533 Well, yes, but I don't think a lucky save or an unlikely save is the same as a true Deus Ex Machina. Let's say a dude is sliding down the side of a hill towards the edge of a cliff. If we saw where he had previously packed his climbing pick "just in case" or one of his climbing partners had decided to stay behind and ends up grabbing him, it would be an improbable and maybe unbelievable moment, but it's not a true Deus Ex Machina moment. I'm talking about the moment when a character who hasn't been introduced at this point and is never talked about again shows up in hot air balloon at the exact moment the guy slides off the cliff and he ends up in the basket. That's not as crazy as the situations that happen in some of the Cussler books. AND the guy in the hot air balloon would be named Clive Cussler! haha
@@joey533 Absolutely nothing wrong with that. Thank goodness we're not all the same person with all the same tastes and interests! What a boring world that would be. Enjoy what you enjoy!
@@marktaylorauthor1000 I could see that. And, tbh, as an avid Clive Cussler reader, I can agree, especially if it's an impossible scenario. It's still fun to read though, regardless of the realism.
Dirk is Clives own sons name. Just like Lee Hunt who dies in every book he turns up in, is actually an old mate of Clives, so he write him in his books.
Clive Cussler, along with his NUMA crew of volunteers, has discovered more than 60 lost ships of historical significance. So of course when you read his fictional stories, know that the man has actually participated in the search and resurfacing of ships in REAL life. The man is a legend! Don't forget that you're reading fiction so if you're looking for something more realistic, I would suggest The Sea Hunters, it's a non-fiction. You can write your stories the way you want but Cussler, is, and will always be the best.
Of course! My issue is not with the man or the type of stories he crafts. It's with inserting himself as a literal Deus ex Machina. Haha. I have nothing against Clive Cussler. I just don't like that aspect of his writing. Thanks for watching!
Cussler wrote himself into several of his books. Pitt always gets that "I should know who you are" feeling from him. Like, "I know you're my creator but can't figure it out" moment. I loved Clive popping up in his stories. I think that second book you were talking about is Shockwave. I can't remember a hundred percent because it's been years now but I think it's Shockwave.
I read his first few books in the Netherlands when i was age 12 /13. They have this 'Schwarzenegger & Stallone meet Indiana Jones ' vibe . I guess a lot of people like reading books, knowing the heroes will win without too much trouble and no beloved character will die . I heard a nephew of mine calling this genre 'Cozy violence ' 😄
I totally agree with Cozy Violence. That's a great description of it! Like the A Team with tons of guns and explosions and no one dying. Nothing wrong with the invincible hero. I'm a fan of those too:)
The only thing about Clive Cussler books I fund infuriating is when people leaped and Sleeped and Dived instead of Leapt, Slept, and Dove! The rest of the stuff keeps me engaged. I've read every single book in the Oregon Files, Dirk Pitt, Numa Files, and Sam and Remi Fargo book. I haven't been able to get into the Issac Bell books, but I have them all, and I've read them all multiple times. Yes it cracks me up when he shows up in every book except the Oregon Files. But I will correct you. It is a rare occasion if he actually introduces himself until the end of their encounter, or they see his name on a placard, or a piece of paper. Yes, maybe it's corny. Tell that to Alfred Hitchcock, and Peter Jackson, who insist on being in their movies.
@marktaylorauthor1000 I've never seen h show up in The Oregon Flies books or Isaac Bell books, but he is in every Pitt, Numa, and Fargo book. Lol! But I have every single book on audio, and I love them all ! Even if I do scream at the narrator Leapt Leapt Leapt, every time he reads Leaped! Lol
They're pulp fiction adventure novels, not literature. They're a short, predictable, usually rediculous, and at worst mildly entertaining. Don't read too much into them. That said; It bugged the hell out of me that Stephen King wrote himself into the dark tower series, but that was more serious fare.
Oh, wow. I didn't know that. I haven't read that series, but I had not heard that he wrote himself in. I'm going to buck convention and write an autobiography about someone fictional.
I still struggle to understand why someone would create a 15 minute video ranting about how much better another writer is than them….. never heard of you, wont be finishing this video, (got to 5 minutes) and wont be looking for any of your books cos you’ve already admitted your plots are not very good. On a constructive note, many writers are writing themselves into their movies too. Wasn’t Hitchcock the first one?
Cussler novels are very dear to my heart and they usually follow the same formula and while as he got older at times that formula got stale...I love the books. I always like when they come upon the mystery old man.
It’s really obvious Pitt is meant to be the power fantasy of who cussler wants to be. Pitt goes on adventures he wish he could, he implements himself as a character so he can find a way to pretend he’s in on it, pitt gets to do stuff he wish he could, and since he likes all the stuff pitt does, it just goes to show that these novels are just well-written daydream fantasies
Your assessment is spot on... I listen to Clive Cussler while I’m cooking, taking care of my 2 toddlers, doing chores... I always end up missing half of it, but still able to enjoy the story 😂 I have only heard him write himself in a book once, and I did have to roll my eyes.
If it works, don't fix it ... right? Cussler's style is emblazoned into every one of his works. FYI, cameos have been practiced by Stan Lee, Quentin Tarrentino, Alfred Hitchcock and Mel Brooks. That list lends credibility to his actions.
I feel like you guys aren't actually watching my video haha. It's not a cameo that's the issue. It's using the cameo as a literal Deus ex Machina to solve an impossible situation the characters are in. The cameos are fine:) It's his books, he can do that. But as far as the deus ex machinas? I don't enjoy that. Totally took me out of the books.
@@marktaylorauthor1000 the 'God in the machine' aspect makes his work all the more endearing to me. If he had named the rescuer any other name besides Clive Cussler, then would the God in the machine be less objectionable. To me it's just a plot device that many of his fans look forward to. It reminds me of the old Bugs Bunny cartoons in which the cartoonists' hand or pen interacts with the cartoon characters by redrawing them in preposterous renditions of themselves. It is artistic license that's being celebrated here. He could most certainly have written a plausible means if escape for his protagonists but instead, he added himself in the vignette because he could. Just for the sake of accuracy, Clive Cussler's cameo didn't always end up with him saving the day. Sahara is a good example of him showing up and just giving some advice.
@@marktaylorauthor1000 not gonna lie, though ... his plots always stretched the limits of credulity. The situations his characters find themselves, oftentimes by "mere chance", have caused me to raise an eyebrow on many an occasion. He was a devotee of Sax Röhmer, of Dr. Fu Manchu fame an early pulp fiction success story. The similarities between the two authors are uncany. Thanks for taking the time to write.
I started reading Clive as a kid about 1980... Have read and reread almost all his books except for the newest few. His books were fun, and we've all probably wanted to be Dirk at some point. The fact that he spent so much of his royalties on (often unsuccessful) expeditions to rediscover history is phenomenal. My favorite discoveries are the century old railroad insurance scam (Kiowa Creek), and of course the Hunley. A great man, and great author....
That's awesome. It's a huge blessing to be able to find an author with tons of books that you love. Glad you had Cussler! I happened upon the first book of a series by Preston and Child in a library .50 cent bin. Twenty books in and I can't believe I found them.
@@marktaylorauthor1000 Although I think my father might've brought the first one home, Raise the Titanic, I read my first halfdozen Cusslers by trading them in on the rack in the old school barbershop we always went to. Take one, leave one. Free. That's where I discovered Clancy also, and was a diehard fan of both before I became a teenager!!
Have to agree wholeheartedly. Losing Clive, and Tom Clancy, was like losing a close friend. Dark days indeed. With todays internet and lack of reading in general, sadly I dont think younger generatioms will experience the enjoyment and connections that you can have with a favorite author...
Cussler wrote the first cameo of himself for his 10th Dirk Pitt novel (Dragon) as a joke for his editor, and expected it to be removed. It wasn't, and that was the start of that particular running gag. The first few were simple cameos, but later they became more contrived with him actually saving the characters or giving them vital information in some improbable way. I don't particularly like it, but since I read the series in order of appearance, it didn't bother me that much. However, I can imagine it breaking immersion if you jump in later in the series, when it had become more of a literal deus ex machina moment. I think he'd gotten a bit carried away with the cameo gag at that point.
Very interesting. Again, as I've said, cameos would be fine, but the saving the day in impossible situations completely takes me out of any drama. I'll have to check out some of his earliest stuff.
@@marktaylorauthor1000 I started reading the series really only because of the massive role Cussler has played for half a century within the development of the adventure genre, and I wanted to understand what attracts people to his work, but I do like the books on the whole. There are of course many valid criticisms, e.g. my biggest gripe is that the plot sometimes gets way too convoluted and the villains too cartoonish for my taste. The earlier ones from the seventies also have some passages that reflect the social climate of the day, e.g. attitudes towards women, gung-ho American patriotism, that kind of stuff. It's not that overt, but it is present in the background. I actually like that because it's just realistic, but a lot of people are offended by it (just check the amazon reviews, lol). So fair warning about some of his early work if history ruffles your feathers. What throws some people off is that the Amazon kindle versions list the kindle publication date as the publication date. So e.g. 'Iceberg' is listed as published in 2009, while it's actually from 1975. Check the Wikipedia page for the correct dates and order of publication if you want to get more into it.
As a more recent reader of Cussler books my only peev is that he had to name the father and son duo BOTH Dirk Pitt which, to me, is extremely aggravating as a reader.
Haha. Fair enough. Go read his early books and see what you think. I think the latest books, and those written by other authors are just fine. The first ones, not so much.
Because sons are never named after their fathers or because you have to follow more closely? It's like trying to mingle at an event with lots of identical twins--can be done, but more difficult.
Honest question from someone who has never read a Clive Cussler book. I'm going on vacation in Florida and wanted something seaworthy, ya know scuba diving, underwater research, to help the vibes when I'm on the beach. Is Clive Cussler good for that. You mentioned Numa using a submersible.
It absolutely is. His NUMA series is about a government program that does research, salvaging, exploration of ship wrecks and other maritime incidents and then they get caught up in international incidents. Lots of SCUBA. They're actually perfect beach reads. There are things that drive me nuts about them, but they are written as light, aquatic adventure entertainment.
The secret is solved 3/4 in . Then it's just tying up loose ends. Other than that it's easy entertainment. When you sell that many books you can integrate yourself into the story. I'm going to see if I can find a book by you on audible - 2y later. Edit : woops , I think that name is already taken.
OK, to each his own, but I don't have a problem with him writing himself into his books. Shoot, you can do whatever you want in your books. A Hitchcock cameo is fine:) But when you literally write yourself into your books (at least the early ones) as a deus ex machina, that is infuriating! There are no stakes now. There is no tension. When your characters have gone down in a submersible, and then come up to find their boat gone and they're in the middle of the ocean, outside of any shipping lanes, and I as the reader am thinking "holy crap. How will they get out of this??" and then you send in yourself (the author) who happens to be circumnavigating the globe in a state of the art catamaran with state of the art communication equipment and say, "where would you like to go?", then I'm left with nothing. And then I read another book of his and the exact same thing happens when they're stranded in the arctic. That's when I wanted to throw my book out the window:) The later books don't seem to have that kind of nonsense.
@@marktaylorauthor1000 Haha! I understand your point. But think of it this way: everybody wants to be a hero! Sure it's silly. But like you said: it's his book. I'm actually happily on the lookout for where he will pop up next 😊. That being said: the last couple of books he did wasn't any good. Firstly you could tell when the disgusting PC culture made it's way into his books, and every other author on the planet, but also the books lacked character depth and development. It was just: he did this and it led to that etc.
The defensive Cussler fans here are hilarious. Yes something can be fun and thrilling while also being well written. The reason Indiana Jones is great is because it’s fun and thrilling but also because it elevates a pulpy genre to something genuinely well-made and cinematic. I’ve liked a couple of Clive Cussler novels but he isn’t a good writer. Ian Fleming wrote pulp but it felt classy, he never needed to put himself in the story to get James Bond out of a tough situation. Having a couple of generic formulaic stories is ok but after dozens of books you have to be truly sycophantic to keep reading a rich old man’s trashy power fantasies. I have to wonder if readers who accept bad writing because it’s “fun” realize that there’s plenty of fun adventure stories that are well written.
He didn't always write himself into every book. The early ones were just straight adventure stories. Is it formulaic? Yes. Is it self indulgent? Absolutely. However I would take any Clive Cussler Dirk Pitt novel over Tom Clancy and Frank Herbert who clearly loved the sound of their own voice and droned on and on... and on... and on... and on... and on... and on... The biggest problem I think among many literary for lack of a better term snobs, is the belief that every book should be this life changing/altering event. There's absolutely nothing wrong with reading to be entertained. In the days before television, movies and even radio, how do you think people were entertained? By going to the theater, sure. What was the other way? Reading! I've always said you have about a hundred pages to hook me, otherwise that's it, I'm going to put the book down and never touch it again. The irony here is you mention Indiana Jones. After the film Raise the Titanic was released and was a subsequent flop, about a year later he saw Raiders of the Lost Ark, and said to his wife "this is what I wanted!". Dirk Pitt was really Indiana Jones before Indiana Jones.
Im listening to Shockwave and Dirk does have a moment thinking of the twins mum and it states they had a short affair but both had different life loves and knew it wouldnt last when hes also thinking of Maeve. I love that CC turned up in his books. The books are fun to read. I love the old cars that Dirk owns or finds. Why do you Americans call it the Artic? Its Arctic. And its not Anartic but Antarctic! We all have people we love to read. I adore Clive Cussler and have for 20+ years. First book I red was Flood Tide. The thing I like about CC is the things in the books can easily be reality like White Death about geneticly modified salmon and he mentions a sheep created in New Zealand at Lincold university. Dolly the sheep was cloned. I love the different character groups. Dirk and Al, Juan and The Coperation, Issac Bell and Van Dorn, Sam and Remny and Curt and Joe. Fun books.
I like his books ive only read 1 and a half of his books, but I like them so far.they are good to read in between other deeper darker subject books or on a cruise or something.
I have to agree, The last Clive Cussler book I read, had the stupid idea that the earth would flood not because of ice melt but because that a very large pressurised pocket of water under the seabed was ruptured. Don't get me wrong, I like the adventure, but sometime it's difficult if you can't believe the premise.
I just finished listening to another one today😂 They're great to listen to while you cut the grass. Clive Cussler showed up in the Thames in this one haha
Alfred Hitchcock appeared somewhere in all his films. Quinton Tarentino appears in many of his films. I have read about a dozen Clive Cussler books and he did not appear in any of the ones I have read.
For sure. He appears in all of the NUMA books with Dirk Pitt I believe (I haven't read all of them, but he's in every one I've read). Sure, Hitchcock, Tarentino, ML Night, and the numerous other people who wrote/directed and acted in their own movies and that's totally cool. It's their movie. The difference is that 1) hitchcock was a literal "Where's waldo/Hitchcock?" 2) Tarentino and ML Night are not playing themselves. They're acting as characters. Can you imagine if in Pulp Fiction they show up to a house with a body and it's the real life director Tarantino who needs to help them clean up the bloody car? Or if in Signs they run into town writer/director ML Night to ask him what to do about the alien invasion in the movie he's currently directing? Then after each encounter, they turn to the camera and wink. Is that good writing? I don't think it is for that type of story. Of course it's a fun, goofy adventure with lots of unrealistic moments and that's great, but to have the literal author show up was super jarring and really took me out of the book.
I began reading Clive Cussler at 10 years old after seeing the film "Raise the Titanic". I fell in love with the books and Dirk Pitt and NUMA. But it should be noted that the quality dropped like a brick after 1997's Flood Tide when he switched from Simon and Schuster to Berkley. It made me ponder just how in house editors may actually be a factor in quality. Maybe I'm wrong, but to me beginning with 1999's "Atlantis Found!" it felt like a different writer all together. I have not read any books "co-written" by his son Dirk and other writers. Stop with "Flood Tide".
That's an interesting observation. There's definitely another element in the writing process with professional editors, especially if you feel obligated to do what they say. Seeing first drafts and final drafts of any creative endeavor is always fascinating.
I have a bookcase that contains EVERY book Clive has written and pre-ordered his next. Superb writing , hard to put down once started and Clive does not say his name in the books
Just come across your post. I've got back into CC books on RUclips. You're absolutely right with your description of them! They are fun, lightweight, predictable and occasionally cringe worthy in a LOL way😂 The nerdy description of things is fun! I haven't read the later ones where he saves the day, but I laughed when he first introduced himself in Inca Gold (I think) but it was a small side part🙂 Anyway, loved your video 👍😃
As we say in Russian: "Сколько людей, столько и мнений.", which means "opinions differ" or something like "the amount of points of views equal the amount of people". I, personally, love Mr.Cussler's books. They are masterpieces.
I think the contexts you described are what his books are for. They’re popcorn novels and purely escapist entertainment. I read a lot of more deep difficult reads. Sometimes I just want an adventure where I can just turn my brain off. So the cameos and plot holes just don’t matter to me. I don’t hold these books to the standard of literature.
Who knows?! www.amazon.com/Blind-Justice-Blake-Anthony-Taylor/dp/1737665115/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1IOS4PGVWK1YJ&keywords=blind+justice+mark+taylor&qid=1695139148&sprefix=blind+justice+mark+tayl%2Caps%2C538&sr=8-1
Read the Clive Cussler oregon files with Juan Cabrillo. Especially those written by Boyd Morrison. They are awesome, still have name Cussler written on them. 😉
I started listening to "The Chase" and I couldn't get halfway through it. Super boring with more emphasis on "see how old timey this is!" than actual substance. But I also listened to "Shadow of Tyrants" from the Oregon Files and I really enjoyed that.
Question for you guys? Seems Clive had a co-writer for most of his books the past 15 years or so. Did the guy, or girl, actually write the book?? I heard Clive came up with the plot
@@guytansbariva2295 My understanding is that when an established author has another author join a series, the new author writes the entire book and the old author just has their name on it. The established author has earned the right to sell books with their names on it, and the new author gets the opportunity to write for a big name and gain that audience for themselves. This is how Clancy and Patterson and many others do it.
So I started reading his books earlier this year and I am finishing up Sahara and it’s by far the most poorly written book I’ve read in a while. Not withstanding the multifaceted, convoluted plot, he uses the -ly adverbs at least five times on every page or every other page. I’m at the point I’ve read enough. Been going in order of the Dirk Pitt novels, so after 11, they’re the equivalent of literary fast food. Pulp novels. I don’t think I want to own them all or even read them all.
I have nothing against pulp novels. I happen to love the creature features and sci-fi horror. But I just found his insertion of himself frustrating, and I prefer to just listen to his books:)
Huh I disagree. I just think there is great action and adventure stories. But I do understand what you're saying. I've heard the earlier ones aren't as well written. But they get better. If you read Trojan Odyssey. It's the best one I've read. I'd definitely recommend that one specifically 😊
I would say that several of his initial books were little bit better, perhaps because he was in the stage of creating his characters and was searching for the base in creating his score. After sometimes when he started using co-authors, his books are full of paradoxes, unrealistic situation, impossible escapes and so on so on, many situation are doubled in every third book, and sometimes I am not sure if I already went through it or not. Entire franchise is just created for money grabbing purpose and nothing else (as you said: the fast food). After reading almost every book of the series he created, I like detective Bell books the best, besides I am getting tired of predictability of the writing. I think Ludlum's or Clancy's franchises are a little bit more ambitious and better written. Still Cussler is an easy reading and many people enjoy that. But when it comes to CC I am a cheapskate and I buy them for a dollar in thrift stores, because I am not paying 10-20 dollars for that crap, hahahahahah
(I actually like the coauthored ones better haha) I love fancy meals and I love fast food too. Give me Les Miserables or a creature attacking a submarine in a deep underwater base--I love them both!
What? Really? THAT'S HILARIOUS😂😂😂 How big of an ego do you have to have to insert yourself in your novels? However, authors do that. In The Shining, the character Jack Torrance IS Stephen King. Jack is a school teacher, a writter, alcoholic, young father at the time. That's King! In Misery, the character Paul Sheldon is once again King. Paul is a successful novelist and encounters his #1 fan and experiences the horrors of fandom. Also I think Dan Brown inserts himself too. In The DaVinci Code and Angels & Demons, he Robert Langdon.
Well, I mean, if you create something, you can do whatever you want with it haha. My problem was when his own character literally saved the day in an impossible situation like a literary god! There are a couple books in more recent books where it's just a cameo, a la Hitchcock, and I had no problem with that. I think there's a big difference between basing a character on your real life interests and literally making it you! haha
Clive doesn't always write himself into his books. As a clive fan , I absolutely loved it! Before you say you don't like clive, put down the dirk Pitt and pick up "oregon files." And to be a bit of a smart ass; clive wrote himself in his book, and you named your RUclips channel with your name, and you announce yourself as an author. How's that different? 😀
I actually have listened to quite a few of the Oregon File audiobooks while working around the house. They're definitely entertaining. And to respond to your smartassery:) Putting your name on the title of a book (or RUclips channel) is quite different than inserting yourself into your books. It would be like Joe Smith naming his roofing company "Smith Roofing Company." That's just branding. But what if Joe Smith also put a picture of himself on every shingle he installed on a customer's roof? That might be going a bit overboard;) But as I've responded to almost every person who has commented: The issue is not writing yourself into your book. (If you're the author, you can do whatever you like.) It's inserting yourself into your book to solve an unsolvable problem. That's cheating. In the case of the book I mentioned, they're stranded in the middle of the ocean, and this created a lot of tension. How would they get out of this situation?! And then the author of the book shows up in a state-of-the-art vessel and just takes them where they need to go. It's not the self-insert, it's the deus ex machina self-insert. Not my cup of tea:)
I've learned one thing from this video. If you want to trigger people, lightly criticize dime-store novels you find at dentist's offices. Good thing you don't have a problem with Goofus and Gallant, else you would REALLY have upset comments!
I heard somewhere that men are described in lit by their emotions, women by their hair color. Clive Cussler was the first author I read that illustrated that 💀💀💀
Writing jobs, emotions, and similar interests into your characters is slightly different than inserting yourself into each book to save the main characters haha. No, most authors don’t do that
I just got his 1992 Dirk Pitt novel Sahara in the mail after ordering it about a month ago and I am very excited to see what the Deus Ex Clive Cussler cameo is going to be personally my money is on him showing up in a dune buggy to save the characters in the middle of the desert
I’ve read Clive for decades. All of his ardent fans wait for him to appear in the books. That you don’t understand only shows the hollow understanding you have. He writes dirk into a corner and uses himself to help. Sorry you can’t comprehend his style.
Haha I comprehend it. I don't care for it. I understand exactly what he's doing. He writes himself as a Deus ex Machina. I'm glad you enjoy the books. It's a huge blessing to have a an author with tons of books you love.
as a writer lets hope you don't repeat yourself as much as you do here. or contradict yourself as much. or..well, this is just a dumb and pretty much inarticulate review.
I have read or listened to so many of his books on boring stretches of highway driving. My lily white ears are pleased to not have to listen to a bunch of swearing as if that is really necessary in a book. Great imagery and historical to present day intelligence. The ability to paint a picture full of life with just words.
Except it’s not always just a cameo:) cameos would be fine. But he literally writes his characters into impossible dangers and then has himself come and save them in the middle of nowhere. That’s what I don’t care for:)
All due respect, but if you don't "get" Clive Cussler there's no use explaining him to you because you'll never understand the answer, save for this: We read Clive because he's FUN. And a big part of that fun is exactly the far fetched aspects of his books that you're having a problem with. Do you also read books about haunted houses and then complain about the ghosts? We all knew that when a new Dirk Pitt novel was released, we'd be able to escape into a world of fantasy adventures backed up by the very real work of NUMA. Just relax and enjoy the ride. Clive had popped up in much stranger places than the ocean to furnish Dirk and Al with exactly what they needed. Chill, man. It's why they call it fiction.
I'm not really angry haha. And I totally get the fun aspect and escapism of his books and genre. I love James Rollins, I love Preston and Child, I love Steve Alten, Crichton, and many others in similar genres. It's just jarring to see such focus on realism and details in the ships, science, and weapons, and then have the author show up to rescue the heroes. Just my opinion. I'm glad you love them. It's awesome to find a book series you love.
Most modern so called literary authors just thinly fictionalize their own lives and because they’re shallow writing program products the books are dreadful.What’s the problem with Clive doing a cameo? Hitchcock did, Peter Jackson did. When you’ve sold zillions of books maybe you will too 🤣🤣🤣
Frustrating that an author can get away with writing the same book twenty times. Look on the bright side, you can do it, too. Read the Isaac Bell series, no submarinie rescues to be found.
I find his Numa and Oregon File novels to be good escapist novels to listen to, but I tried Isaac Bell and just could not get into the first book at all.
I think that writing yourself in your book as a small cameo is fine, sorta like stan lee in the spiderman movies, but I dont like it if they use themselves as a solution to a problem for the main character makes for poor writing.
Gave you a thumbs up for recommending Overdrive. Librarian I am. Love overdrive. Been reading Cussler since high-school and He's my fave. Scott Brick who reads the Cussler novels is amazing. He's an award winning artist. Ty for the opportunity to big up my fave author.
I entirely agree that these "CCTV" (Clive Cussler Television, I call it) moments in his novels are cringe-worthy, at best. And, I'm pretty sure that's one reason why I have only been able to read three or four of his books in the past decade-- and I really love the genre! I think that WAY too many people get "writing prolifically" mixed up with "being a great writer," which is a mistake Cussler was a good writer, whose stories could be interesting, and who definitely found a niche-- thus his success. But his writing was immature at times (i.e. CCTV), and could have been so much more "in depth and flavorful," if he had wanted it to be, which I always find disappointing... (Tbh, I'm pretty sure he got away with that crap, later in his career, because he was a huge cash-cow for his publisher. lol!) Another reason I don't read his books prolifically, for me at least is the old cliche' of: once you've read one, you've kind of read them all-- plot wise, action-wise, etc... Like you apparently, Adventure Fiction is my favorite genre to read and write in. Honestly though, I really don't see Cussler's body of work as so much "entertainment par excellence," as much as it is a de-facto guide on some things that are done right, and a LOT of things that are laughably horrendous and to be avoided! Lol!
Agree with pretty much everything you say. I certainly think that one can write literature and one can write pulp, and they can both be just as legitimate within their genre. There's something to say about reading a book for pure entertainment (though it's not all I want to read). I love to read creature features (a la Meg by Steve Alten or books about killer spiders and such), but I also love Les Miserables. But Les Miserables is EXHAUSTING haha. Totally agree with you about the reading one and reading them all take. I love to read lots of different books, and I pretty much pick a book in a different genre after finishing one. I often wonder about the author who has written 15 plus books in one series or the same genre. How do you keep it fresh? Do they ever want to break out and try something else? One of my favorite authors is Dan Simmons and I'm in awe of the genres he spans in his writing.
Of course, but the issue here is that he wrote himself in as a deus ex machina solution to impossible situations in his books:) That's what is cheap--not having fun putting himself in the books
This piece of trash :/ Works well as a doorstop. www.amazon.com/Blind-Justice-Blake-Book-ebook/dp/B09B6ZJW7M/ref=sr_1_7?crid=17AE385EILK8D&keywords=blind+justice&qid=1652449847&sprefix=blind+justice%2Caps%2C718&sr=8-7
Clive Custer was an interesting guy but a third rate writer. His non-fiction has to be better than his fiction which is cliched and formulaic. I like Ian Fleming much more. For one thing his Bond novels are not over-written.
haha. Yeah, having cameos is fine. You can do whatever you want in your book. But having your cameo as the only way to get out of an impossible jam is very frustrating to me.
@@marktaylorauthor1000 He didn't start doing it until Dragon. All the books before then don't have this. But it began to be an irritant. At least in Dragon, it was merely a jokey cameo, Dirk loses in some charity race with old cars against Clive Cussler. But then he turns up in the Sahara Desert in Sahara (indeed in the book, it is Cussler who tells Dirk all about the Civil War ironclad), he's in Antarctica in Atlantis Found, and then, in the middle of the ocean Cussler turns up to rescue Pitt and co, it was just too much. I haven't even finished that book. And from what I gather, we get new characters that contradict an earlier book (Pacific Vortex - by contradiction, I mean he did not have sex with their mother in that book and could not possibly be their father), a retcon of Raise the Titanic (trying to rewrite it so they recovered it in the state it was discovered to be in which totally screws up scenes of that book), and in the next book he gets married to an on-off lover he has throughout and her father shows up for the wedding - quite impressive since he was dead, murdered, and his disappearance was a key part of the plot of Vixen-03. But even before then - in almost every book, when we open up in contemporary times, someone is in trouble and Pitt just happens to be there. Even if it's at the bottom of the ocean. Also - there is a character in Night Probe working against Pitt, not really a villain, just an antagonist through circumstance. Although the author strongly denies it - this character, who we get a good, detailed background of, is quite blatantly a middle-aged but still sprightly and seductive certain fictional British secret agent living under a false name...
@@TheRasam ya that's fair enough. I love those novels. Maybe he had sex off page. To try to make it a bit more family friendly. Or the publishers didn't at the time allow that. Who knows. I understand why you dislike his books. But to me. They just really keep me entertained. Especially when they try to kill all the bad guys or gals. 😊 I guess I just have a different style of reading than you. Like I have never been able to get into the romance genre 😞 for whatever reason lol 😆. It's just not my cup of tea. Unless it's in a fantasy 😇😈 or sci Fi book. But as long as it's not too spicy 🔥 or whatever. I loved the Trojan Odyssey. It was the first book I've read in the series. It was definitely my favorite too. 😊 So ya ... Hopefully you'll find something else that you will come 🫴 to enjoy instead. Something you love I might hate. Alright take care now.
Yeah, I see the unrealistic side of it, but it's still fun to read. That's the fun thing though, it might be unrealistic, but it's still fun to read. 7:21 Atlantis Rising. Really good book. Granted, it plays off of conspiracy theories of Hitler escaping, it's still a damn fine book. My favorite Dirk Pitt adventure.
Cussler in his third book, inserted James Bond as a major player in the story. If he wanted a cameo in his own book, why not? He spins a pretty good yarn most of the time, but my ONE complaint with his books is the hero. Dirk Pitt. Sounds like the name of a 70's porno actor. He was trying WAY to hard to make his central character sound way too cool, and i should note he has LESS trouble than James bond bedding women. "Hi", "Hi", "How you dooin?" - BOOM-chika-wa-wa!! Like no lead-in, no build-up, no pursuit, just snaps his fingers and the female leads fall into bed with him. He's CRAP at writing that kind of interaction. His books would be 100 times better if he wrote out Dirk Pitt, and inserted a lead who was simply less comic-book in his execution.
Again, the issue is not with the cameo. Cameo away! It's when the cameo becomes a plot saving device out of nothing. Jack Reacher also seems to bed every small town sheriff he encounters haha
@@marktaylorauthor1000 I read a novel based upon the "Man from U.N.C.L.E. TV series [1960's] "The Vampire Affair" The two spies in the novel were joined by Forrest J. Ackerman [the cameo] Granted, he wasn't the author of the book, but a famous pulp magazine publisher associated with movie monsters, so he fit. In this case the cameo was instrumental in assisting the spies in solving their case. So, Cameo's CAN be pivotal to the plot, it's not unknown. And again, Cussler had James Bond as an antagonist in one of his novels, all that says to me is he can have a little fun with his writing. Needed to save the heroes,, okay,, a guy in a boat, who's the guy? Hmmm, well why not? He NEEDED the guy in the boat to save the day, what difference does it make if it was Clive Cussler, or Myron Jenovski. in the end analysis, None at all. Cussler's works are little better than the old pulps, it's not like we are reviewing literary classics here, so if he takes some liberties, Okay, where's the harm? ..... "Dirk Pitt" ~Face palms~
Does he legit do it every book???!! I've read all the Fargo adventures and I'm just finishing Raise the Titanic of the Pitt series and I don't remember Clive in any of them... 😂🤣
I recently stumbled upon your video and all I can say is… THANK YOU! I’ve never given Clive Cussler or his family a single penny of my own money nor have I given him a moment of my free time reading any of his books. I have, however, given him a moment at the public libraries checking out his audiobooks. I listened to them, while driving, in order of publication. Though I don’t remember which book he first wrote himself into, I do remember my initial reaction to it. I thought it was vain albeit interesting. Until his appearance in the next book, then the next, and so on… it became eye rolling dribble. I felt quite let down and balked at the idea. The stories were fun(ish) and held my attention. Though I didn’t run any red lights or stop signs. I also was pretty put off by his characterization and representation of women. How they dressed, how they acted, how they reacted… And to my final point, [spoiler alert] the Twins. The twins, a boy and a girl. Of course when Dirk meets them they are in their early twenties. The boy, Dirk Pitt Jr. bearing an identical appearance to that of his father, and the girl, Summer Pitt, bearing a striking resemblance to their “late” mother. A mother whom I might add, was NEVER in a situation where the baby making process with Dirk Pitt would have ever occurred! They were together briefly, in no romantic way whatsoever, and then she “died” at the end of the book. Clive Cussler laughed his way to the grave knowing full well that he duped many of his loyal, paying readers. I read as many of the earlier comments as I could and one struck a cord with me regarding speaking ill of the deceased. And I have this to say: If you sucked in life, that’s not going to change in death.
I suggest you look up sea hunters on RUclips. I also suggest that you research Clive and his life and writing. You unfortunately seem quite butt hurt… you also go one to say that you “cut lawns as a side hustle”….. can you kindly point me towards any avenues to read your work?
Not quite butt hurt. More throbbing behind the eyeball. Did you listen to the last half of the video. You guys are acting like I attacked the poor man or his character. I just don't like using yourself as a literal Deus Ex Machina in your books. Alas, I am a newbie author who cuts lawns still. Feel free to check out my book and rip it apart. The paper back works well as a fly swatter. www.amazon.com/Blind-Justice-Blake-Book-ebook/dp/B09B6ZJW7M/ref=sr_1_6?crid=RYRN1AG5P1G0&keywords=blind+justice&qid=1651694758&sprefix=blind+justice%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-6
Except, I will say that I think they are totally different types of books. There are a lot of people who read Cussler because they're clean and fun, whereas Reacher can give you the grittiness and brutality of the murders. I definitely think you can enjoy both, but I would put Cussler more with James Rollins. Reacher seems a little more grounded and brutal. Cussler will have the hot guy and girl flirt with each other, and Reacher is just going to bang any hot girl he meets in a small town.
There were passages in some of his early books that felt like Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew with the descriptions of the clothing the characters were wearing. Lots of twinkles in the eyes haha. Not my cup of tea, but there are lots of people who love them.
Sounds like another case of new/undiscovered writer being jealous and envious about writers that are commercially successful. You too could make money dealing schlock but, do you want to be a real writer, or a just a book peddler? Make the choice and leave the criticism to the critics.
Well, there are many authors whose skill I am envious of. Clive Cussler is of course a prolific author. Who are the appropriate critics? haha, who better than those who read the books? And it's much better to punch up against the giants of the industry than for them to punch down. I think that as a new author, this is my only chance to point out things in particular works I don't enjoy. And I would love to be commercially successful! I'll sell out so hard...
Not a fan of a lot of his books, but here's an interesting video about the fascinating true life of the man himself. Not a personal attack, just a literary opinion:) ruclips.net/video/gdckWZpjjIM/видео.html
I’m sorry, I can’t seem to find any of your books? Love the balls on you man. And on this subject, I can’t wrap my head around the fact that you have a problem with the author writing himself in. There usually very small roles and I always enjoy these parts, seems to me you nit picking. Apologies to you’r own views, but I love his books, especially Clive Cussler and jack du brul.
When it's just a cameo, I see nothing wrong with that. My issue is with the author becoming a literal deus ex machina who gets characters out of impossible situations. I find that cheap:) I'm saying I don't care for them, but anyone can like whatever they like. As for my own writing, you just must not have scrolled down far enough in the results haha. Fair enough. the ebook version is .99 so feel free to pick it up and tear it apart! www.amazon.com/Blind-Justice-Blake-Anthony-Taylor/dp/1737665115/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2790NAPMDFC4I&dchild=1&keywords=blind+justice+mark+taylor&qid=1627595247&sprefix=blind+justice+mark%2Caps%2C321&sr=8-2
I'm rather dumbfounded. Clive died February 24th 2020, video hating on his writing style drops less that 6 months later. Real classy. It makes me question the real reason you don't like his stuff. Idk, maybe it's the fact you can hardly find your name on Google without specifically searching Blind Justice or Mark Anthony Taylor, and even then there's mostly self published results like Facebook page. Or the 34 subs. Bashing a dead author who sold over 100 million copies of 80 some odd novels worth 120 odd million at his death, with a very decent antique car collection and who knows what else. We know he had odd quirks in his writing style, we know his stuff wasn't perfect, and fully accepted it as part of his unique style and what set him apart from the masses. But judging by the body of work him vs you, I don't know if I place much stock in your credentials to knock his stuff. Popular opinion would actually indicate a fair amount of people would agree. Also I was raised to not speak ill of the deceased. Dropping a fairly harsh critique so soon after his death smacks of a desperate grab at his coattails before he fully settled into his grave to me.
How many sold copies? It’s NOT what YOU wanna read as proclaimed author it’s the reader. DUH!!!
@@DakotaTrucker Had no idea he had passed away a half year before I posted that video. I've posted on Clancy, Stephen King. I assure you, I'm making no money on these videos with my 20 subscribers:) I also don't think I was bashing Clive Cussler as a person. I was talking about one of his trademark writing styles that I found very silly and jarring as a reader.
@@DakotaTrucker do you think criticism has a flippin mourning period??
I read Cussler expecting a tongue and cheek story. It's what you get, it's a bit silly but fun. It's literary junk food.
Absolutely. Read it and enjoy it. Nothing wrong with that.
This exactly - it's not supposed to be realistic, it's an adventure romp
I am a big time Clive Cussler fan. The fact that he includes himself in some of his books didn't bother me at all. Loved all his books.
Awesome. I'm glad you enjoy them! It's always great to find an author you love. Especially if they have that many books! haha
So, Clive Cussler writes himself into his books. Is this worse than writers showing up in movies based on their books? Maybe you are forgetting that Clive's books are written purely for the entertainment value. Have you also noticed that in all of his books that he has carefully researched historical dates, names and events? Not only do people write themselves into their books, they also show up in the movie version of those books; 25 Movie Cameos by the Authors of the Original Books | Mental Floss Wow! How bad is that? So, please - before denigrating a fellow writer, think!
Hey, Stephen, thanks for watching and the comment. I think my viewpoint on this has changed somewhat. An author can do whatever he or she wants. Absolutely. And obviously tons of people love Cussler. I'm totally with you that it's for fun and entertainment and that's clear in Cussler's books. My biggest frustration with his cameos is that they were pure Deus ex Machina in the story. I've never encountered another author writing themselves into their books, but for the cameos in movies, that character doesn't miraculously save everyone. At least in Cussler's earlier works, the main characters would be in an impossible situation with no options. Then comes a man in a hot air balloon named Clive Cussler who whisks them away to safety and goes on his way. I read a later book where there was merely a man on a raft who had a briefcase with the initials CC. I had no problem with that. Anyone is allowed to read and love whatever they want to. I simply don't care for Clive Cussler's books. That's just my take. I hope one day I can make it big enough that someone rants about how awful my writing is:)
@@marktaylorauthor1000 I'm sorry if I came off as an irate book critic. That, I am not. I am just a reader that likes adventure stories. I've been reading sea stories since high school (1955-1959) and when I first received 2 Clive Cussler books from my librarian grand daughter, I was elated and hooked on Clive. I will admit that there are passages in his books that I don't really care for, BUT - on the whole - his books are very, very entertaining. Thanks in advance for understanding my coming in defense of my favorite writer.
@@stephensladaritz9737 Haha, no worries! I get it. I read lots of different genres, and I'm sure there are plenty of books I like that other people don't. I have several friends who would absolutely come fists swinging to defend their love of Cussler. No worries there. I read "The Day They Sank The Lusitania" when I was younger as well as "HMS Hood vs. The Bismark." Right now I'm reading Treasure Island too. Sea stories are great.
He is in every book, i actually love it. It's fun, you dont take it seriously.
I'm glad you love them. It's always awesome to find a series you love!
@@marktaylorauthor1000 Agreed, I read Raymond Feist, Michael Cobley.... but it's nice to have a easy read as adventure too.
@@andrewpurchase6837 I read all different genres. I like to challenge myself, but I also enjoy a simple, fun story. Cussler books are perfect audio books for when I'm mowing or cleaning the kitchen.
@@marktaylorauthor1000 Doing the garden, due to I really REALLY hate mowing lol. Not mention weeding lol
@@marktaylorauthor1000 J.A. Jance is who I like to read. Maybe, you'd like her.❤🌈
Clive has written thousands of pages that are some of the best writing in the world. The fact that he is able to write himself into his books is a nod to how good his writing is. The fact the you are aggravated by the amount detail that is put into what they are wearing. I truly don't understand your POV. I'm not mad, It's your opinion. I just happen to disagree completely. Of course some of the themes are far fetched. It's a fantasy adventure where the hero always wins. Once I realized he wrote himself into the stories. I find myself looking for the cameo with each new book. He has said many times Dirk Pitt is his Alter Ego. If you can write a story that you only dream on living. Why can't you include your name sake in the story. It's genius to me. The way he works in it is completely fresh and new each time. Sometimes it's just a stranger at a bar named the Bayou kidd. You just gotta know what to listen for.
He's definitely earned his fan base. And cameos are OK too, I guess. I just don't want his cameo solving impossible situations for the main characters:) That's aggravating, and I would say it's not good writing.
@@joey533 Well, yes, but I don't think a lucky save or an unlikely save is the same as a true Deus Ex Machina. Let's say a dude is sliding down the side of a hill towards the edge of a cliff. If we saw where he had previously packed his climbing pick "just in case" or one of his climbing partners had decided to stay behind and ends up grabbing him, it would be an improbable and maybe unbelievable moment, but it's not a true Deus Ex Machina moment. I'm talking about the moment when a character who hasn't been introduced at this point and is never talked about again shows up in hot air balloon at the exact moment the guy slides off the cliff and he ends up in the basket. That's not as crazy as the situations that happen in some of the Cussler books. AND the guy in the hot air balloon would be named Clive Cussler! haha
@@joey533 Absolutely nothing wrong with that. Thank goodness we're not all the same person with all the same tastes and interests! What a boring world that would be. Enjoy what you enjoy!
@@marktaylorauthor1000 I could see that. And, tbh, as an avid Clive Cussler reader, I can agree, especially if it's an impossible scenario. It's still fun to read though, regardless of the realism.
Dirk is Clives own sons name. Just like Lee Hunt who dies in every book he turns up in, is actually an old mate of Clives, so he write him in his books.
Clive Cussler, along with his NUMA crew of volunteers, has discovered more than 60 lost ships of historical significance. So of course when you read his fictional stories, know that the man has actually participated in the search and resurfacing of ships in REAL life. The man is a legend! Don't forget that you're reading fiction so if you're looking for something more realistic, I would suggest The Sea Hunters, it's a non-fiction. You can write your stories the way you want but Cussler, is, and will always be the best.
Of course! My issue is not with the man or the type of stories he crafts. It's with inserting himself as a literal Deus ex Machina. Haha. I have nothing against Clive Cussler. I just don't like that aspect of his writing. Thanks for watching!
I like Clive writing himself in. He always assumes a small part and it’s more or less a running joke
Cussler wrote himself into several of his books. Pitt always gets that "I should know who you are" feeling from him. Like, "I know you're my creator but can't figure it out" moment. I loved Clive popping up in his stories. I think that second book you were talking about is Shockwave. I can't remember a hundred percent because it's been years now but I think it's Shockwave.
I’m glad you love them!
@@marktaylorauthor1000 Not only is HE in some of them, so are some of his fabulous collection of vintage cars!
I read his first few books in the Netherlands when i was age 12 /13. They have this 'Schwarzenegger & Stallone meet Indiana Jones ' vibe . I guess a lot of people like reading books, knowing the heroes will win without too much trouble and no beloved character will die . I heard a nephew of mine calling this genre 'Cozy violence ' 😄
I totally agree with Cozy Violence. That's a great description of it! Like the A Team with tons of guns and explosions and no one dying. Nothing wrong with the invincible hero. I'm a fan of those too:)
@@marktaylorauthor1000 Well I think it's horrible now. But as a kid i liked a bit of cozy violence. ;)
The only thing about Clive Cussler books I fund infuriating is when people leaped and Sleeped and Dived instead of Leapt, Slept, and Dove! The rest of the stuff keeps me engaged. I've read every single book in the Oregon Files, Dirk Pitt, Numa Files, and Sam and Remi Fargo book. I haven't been able to get into the Issac Bell books, but I have them all, and I've read them all multiple times. Yes it cracks me up when he shows up in every book except the Oregon Files. But I will correct you. It is a rare occasion if he actually introduces himself until the end of their encounter, or they see his name on a placard, or a piece of paper. Yes, maybe it's corny. Tell that to Alfred Hitchcock, and Peter Jackson, who insist on being in their movies.
I just happened to read two books in a row where he shows up and saves the day haha. I'm glad you enjoy his books.
@marktaylorauthor1000 I've never seen h show up in The Oregon Flies books or Isaac Bell books, but he is in every Pitt, Numa, and Fargo book. Lol! But I have every single book on audio, and I love them all ! Even if I do scream at the narrator Leapt Leapt Leapt, every time he reads Leaped! Lol
They're pulp fiction adventure novels, not literature. They're a short, predictable, usually rediculous, and at worst mildly entertaining. Don't read too much into them. That said; It bugged the hell out of me that Stephen King wrote himself into the dark tower series, but that was more serious fare.
Oh, wow. I didn't know that. I haven't read that series, but I had not heard that he wrote himself in. I'm going to buck convention and write an autobiography about someone fictional.
I still struggle to understand why someone would create a 15 minute video ranting about how much better another writer is than them…..
never heard of you, wont be finishing this video, (got to 5 minutes) and wont be looking for any of your books cos you’ve already admitted your plots are not very good. On a constructive note, many writers are writing themselves into their movies too. Wasn’t Hitchcock the first one?
Cussler novels are very dear to my heart and they usually follow the same formula and while as he got older at times that formula got stale...I love the books. I always like when they come upon the mystery old man.
I’m glad you love them!
There are holes in every book written. Cuddler books are light easy writing. Fanciful and implausible. The Juan Cabrillo books are the best I think.
Yeah. I used to think Dirk Pitt was my favorite, by Oregon Files and Carrillo took that spot.
It’s really obvious Pitt is meant to be the power fantasy of who cussler wants to be. Pitt goes on adventures he wish he could, he implements himself as a character so he can find a way to pretend he’s in on it, pitt gets to do stuff he wish he could, and since he likes all the stuff pitt does, it just goes to show that these novels are just well-written daydream fantasies
Damn this guy puts freaking Stan Lee to shame with his cameos
Haha, it's impressive!
Clive Cussler kinda lived the life he writes about, at least the explorer part. NUMA is a real organization because of Clive.
Totally fair. My criticism is about the fact that he saves his characters from impossible situations, not that he wrote himself in the books.
Your assessment is spot on... I listen to Clive Cussler while I’m cooking, taking care of my 2 toddlers, doing chores... I always end up missing half of it, but still able to enjoy the story 😂
I have only heard him write himself in a book once, and I did have to roll my eyes.
If it works, don't fix it ... right? Cussler's style is emblazoned into every one of his works. FYI, cameos have been practiced by Stan Lee, Quentin Tarrentino, Alfred Hitchcock and Mel Brooks. That list lends credibility to his actions.
I feel like you guys aren't actually watching my video haha. It's not a cameo that's the issue. It's using the cameo as a literal Deus ex Machina to solve an impossible situation the characters are in. The cameos are fine:) It's his books, he can do that. But as far as the deus ex machinas? I don't enjoy that. Totally took me out of the books.
@@marktaylorauthor1000 the 'God in the machine' aspect makes his work all the more endearing to me. If he had named the rescuer any other name besides Clive Cussler, then would the God in the machine be less objectionable. To me it's just a plot device that many of his fans look forward to. It reminds me of the old Bugs Bunny cartoons in which the cartoonists' hand or pen interacts with the cartoon characters by redrawing them in preposterous renditions of themselves. It is artistic license that's being celebrated here. He could most certainly have written a plausible means if escape for his protagonists but instead, he added himself in the vignette because he could. Just for the sake of accuracy, Clive Cussler's cameo didn't always end up with him saving the day. Sahara is a good example of him showing up and just giving some advice.
@@justcallhoward I gotcha. I'm glad you enjoy them! Right, some of the later ones are just encountering a man named Clive Cussler. You're right.
@@marktaylorauthor1000 not gonna lie, though ... his plots always stretched the limits of credulity. The situations his characters find themselves, oftentimes by "mere chance", have caused me to raise an eyebrow on many an occasion. He was a devotee of Sax Röhmer, of Dr. Fu Manchu fame an early pulp fiction success story. The similarities between the two authors are uncany. Thanks for taking the time to write.
@@justcallhoward You bet. I love plots that are straight science fiction or blend that line like James Rollins, Crichton, or Douglas and Child.
I started reading Clive as a kid about 1980... Have read and reread almost all his books except for the newest few. His books were fun, and we've all probably wanted to be Dirk at some point. The fact that he spent so much of his royalties on (often unsuccessful) expeditions to rediscover history is phenomenal. My favorite discoveries are the century old railroad insurance scam (Kiowa Creek), and of course the Hunley. A great man, and great author....
That's awesome. It's a huge blessing to be able to find an author with tons of books that you love. Glad you had Cussler! I happened upon the first book of a series by Preston and Child in a library .50 cent bin. Twenty books in and I can't believe I found them.
@@marktaylorauthor1000 Although I think my father might've brought the first one home, Raise the Titanic, I read my first halfdozen Cusslers by trading them in on the rack in the old school barbershop we always went to. Take one, leave one. Free. That's where I discovered Clancy also, and was a diehard fan of both before I became a teenager!!
Have to agree wholeheartedly. Losing Clive, and Tom Clancy, was like losing a close friend. Dark days indeed. With todays internet and lack of reading in general, sadly I dont think younger generatioms will experience the enjoyment and connections that you can have with a favorite author...
Cussler wrote the first cameo of himself for his 10th Dirk Pitt novel (Dragon) as a joke for his editor, and expected it to be removed. It wasn't, and that was the start of that particular running gag. The first few were simple cameos, but later they became more contrived with him actually saving the characters or giving them vital information in some improbable way. I don't particularly like it, but since I read the series in order of appearance, it didn't bother me that much. However, I can imagine it breaking immersion if you jump in later in the series, when it had become more of a literal deus ex machina moment. I think he'd gotten a bit carried away with the cameo gag at that point.
Very interesting. Again, as I've said, cameos would be fine, but the saving the day in impossible situations completely takes me out of any drama. I'll have to check out some of his earliest stuff.
@@marktaylorauthor1000 I started reading the series really only because of the massive role Cussler has played for half a century within the development of the adventure genre, and I wanted to understand what attracts people to his work, but I do like the books on the whole. There are of course many valid criticisms, e.g. my biggest gripe is that the plot sometimes gets way too convoluted and the villains too cartoonish for my taste.
The earlier ones from the seventies also have some passages that reflect the social climate of the day, e.g. attitudes towards women, gung-ho American patriotism, that kind of stuff. It's not that overt, but it is present in the background. I actually like that because it's just realistic, but a lot of people are offended by it (just check the amazon reviews, lol). So fair warning about some of his early work if history ruffles your feathers.
What throws some people off is that the Amazon kindle versions list the kindle publication date as the publication date. So e.g. 'Iceberg' is listed as published in 2009, while it's actually from 1975. Check the Wikipedia page for the correct dates and order of publication if you want to get more into it.
As a more recent reader of Cussler books my only peev is that he had to name the father and son duo BOTH Dirk Pitt which, to me, is extremely aggravating as a reader.
Haha. Fair enough. Go read his early books and see what you think. I think the latest books, and those written by other authors are just fine. The first ones, not so much.
Because sons are never named after their fathers or because you have to follow more closely? It's like trying to mingle at an event with lots of identical twins--can be done, but more difficult.
Honest question from someone who has never read a Clive Cussler book.
I'm going on vacation in Florida and wanted something seaworthy, ya know scuba diving, underwater research, to help the vibes when I'm on the beach. Is Clive Cussler good for that. You mentioned Numa using a submersible.
It absolutely is. His NUMA series is about a government program that does research, salvaging, exploration of ship wrecks and other maritime incidents and then they get caught up in international incidents. Lots of SCUBA. They're actually perfect beach reads. There are things that drive me nuts about them, but they are written as light, aquatic adventure entertainment.
@@marktaylorauthor1000 awesome 👌 thanks for the feedback. I'll have to grab something by him.
@@CoffeeFresh_ You bet. Hope you enjoy the trip and reading
yes very good
Same .
Cussler has several key things in every story, a hot girl, a hot car, and an exotic location.
I know a lot of people who appreciate the familiar when they crack open the book. There's a reason Bond is popular!
The secret is solved 3/4 in . Then it's just tying up loose ends.
Other than that it's easy entertainment. When you sell that many books you can integrate yourself into the story.
I'm going to see if I can find a book by you on audible - 2y later.
Edit : woops , I think that name is already taken.
It's not in every book 😂 I've read the first 4 or 5 Dirk Pitt books and this did not happen.
I'll have to read them. Other people have said that he started doing it as a joke and the editors didn't do anything about it.
I disagree: I like the fact that he writes himself into his books :D
OK, to each his own, but I don't have a problem with him writing himself into his books. Shoot, you can do whatever you want in your books. A Hitchcock cameo is fine:) But when you literally write yourself into your books (at least the early ones) as a deus ex machina, that is infuriating! There are no stakes now. There is no tension. When your characters have gone down in a submersible, and then come up to find their boat gone and they're in the middle of the ocean, outside of any shipping lanes, and I as the reader am thinking "holy crap. How will they get out of this??" and then you send in yourself (the author) who happens to be circumnavigating the globe in a state of the art catamaran with state of the art communication equipment and say, "where would you like to go?", then I'm left with nothing. And then I read another book of his and the exact same thing happens when they're stranded in the arctic. That's when I wanted to throw my book out the window:) The later books don't seem to have that kind of nonsense.
@@marktaylorauthor1000 Haha!
I understand your point. But think of it this way: everybody wants to be a hero! Sure it's silly. But like you said: it's his book. I'm actually happily on the lookout for where he will pop up next 😊. That being said: the last couple of books he did wasn't any good. Firstly you could tell when the disgusting PC culture made it's way into his books, and every other author on the planet, but also the books lacked character depth and development. It was just: he did this and it led to that etc.
chuckle chuckle . Good thing to know before attempting a read . Thanks . I've never read anything of his .
The defensive Cussler fans here are hilarious. Yes something can be fun and thrilling while also being well written. The reason Indiana Jones is great is because it’s fun and thrilling but also because it elevates a pulpy genre to something genuinely well-made and cinematic. I’ve liked a couple of Clive Cussler novels but he isn’t a good writer. Ian Fleming wrote pulp but it felt classy, he never needed to put himself in the story to get James Bond out of a tough situation. Having a couple of generic formulaic stories is ok but after dozens of books you have to be truly sycophantic to keep reading a rich old man’s trashy power fantasies. I have to wonder if readers who accept bad writing because it’s “fun” realize that there’s plenty of fun adventure stories that are well written.
He didn't always write himself into every book. The early ones were just straight adventure stories. Is it formulaic? Yes. Is it self indulgent? Absolutely. However I would take any Clive Cussler Dirk Pitt novel over Tom Clancy and Frank Herbert who clearly loved the sound of their own voice and droned on and on... and on... and on... and on... and on... and on... The biggest problem I think among many literary for lack of a better term snobs, is the belief that every book should be this life changing/altering event. There's absolutely nothing wrong with reading to be entertained. In the days before television, movies and even radio, how do you think people were entertained? By going to the theater, sure. What was the other way? Reading! I've always said you have about a hundred pages to hook me, otherwise that's it, I'm going to put the book down and never touch it again.
The irony here is you mention Indiana Jones. After the film Raise the Titanic was released and was a subsequent flop, about a year later he saw Raiders of the Lost Ark, and said to his wife "this is what I wanted!". Dirk Pitt was really Indiana Jones before Indiana Jones.
Im listening to Shockwave and Dirk does have a moment thinking of the twins mum and it states they had a short affair but both had different life loves and knew it wouldnt last when hes also thinking of Maeve. I love that CC turned up in his books. The books are fun to read. I love the old cars that Dirk owns or finds. Why do you Americans call it the Artic? Its Arctic. And its not Anartic but Antarctic! We all have people we love to read. I adore Clive Cussler and have for 20+ years. First book I red was Flood Tide. The thing I like about CC is the things in the books can easily be reality like White Death about geneticly modified salmon and he mentions a sheep created in New Zealand at Lincold university. Dolly the sheep was cloned. I love the different character groups. Dirk and Al, Juan and The Coperation, Issac Bell and Van Dorn, Sam and Remny and Curt and Joe. Fun books.
Im female but still love action adventure books over silly romance novels. Clive Cussler,Steve Berry, Scott Marani, James Rollins etc
Glad you love his books! It's a huge blessing to have certain authors you can count on for a fun read.@@ronatoddnz
I like his books ive only read 1 and a half of his books, but I like them so far.they are good to read in between other deeper darker subject books or on a cruise or something.
Absolutely. I do like like that you don't come out of it feeling grimy at all. Nice change of pace.
@@marktaylorauthor1000 yes exactly
Clive had Sandecker sneak a microchip inside dirk bro sometime in the 1990s
I have to agree, The last Clive Cussler book I read, had the stupid idea that the earth would flood not because of ice melt but because that a very large pressurised pocket of water under the seabed was ruptured. Don't get me wrong, I like the adventure, but sometime it's difficult if you can't believe the premise.
And again, I love crazy, science fiction, supernatural plot devices. I don't like using yourself to get your characters out of those predicaments haha
We like to hunt for Clive's cameos.
Yeah, Clive Cussler books have always been impossible to incorporate into what I think is reasonable, and that's why I stopped reading them.
I just finished listening to another one today😂 They're great to listen to while you cut the grass. Clive Cussler showed up in the Thames in this one haha
If you don't like his books or his style of writing it your option don't read them
Ps: clive also used a lot of money to bring up shipwrecks and gives them to museums. He has 2 books that are non-fiction.
That's fantastic! again, none of this was about the person, just the writing.
Alfred Hitchcock appeared somewhere in all his films. Quinton Tarentino appears in many of his films. I have read about a dozen Clive Cussler books and he did not appear in any of the ones I have read.
For sure. He appears in all of the NUMA books with Dirk Pitt I believe (I haven't read all of them, but he's in every one I've read). Sure, Hitchcock, Tarentino, ML Night, and the numerous other people who wrote/directed and acted in their own movies and that's totally cool. It's their movie. The difference is that 1) hitchcock was a literal "Where's waldo/Hitchcock?" 2) Tarentino and ML Night are not playing themselves. They're acting as characters. Can you imagine if in Pulp Fiction they show up to a house with a body and it's the real life director Tarantino who needs to help them clean up the bloody car? Or if in Signs they run into town writer/director ML Night to ask him what to do about the alien invasion in the movie he's currently directing? Then after each encounter, they turn to the camera and wink. Is that good writing? I don't think it is for that type of story. Of course it's a fun, goofy adventure with lots of unrealistic moments and that's great, but to have the literal author show up was super jarring and really took me out of the book.
I began reading Clive Cussler at 10 years old after seeing the film "Raise the Titanic". I fell in love with the books and Dirk Pitt and NUMA. But it should be noted that the quality dropped like a brick after 1997's Flood Tide when he switched from Simon and Schuster to Berkley. It made me ponder just how in house editors may actually be a factor in quality. Maybe I'm wrong, but to me beginning with 1999's "Atlantis Found!" it felt like a different writer all together. I have not read any books "co-written" by his son Dirk and other writers. Stop with "Flood Tide".
That's an interesting observation. There's definitely another element in the writing process with professional editors, especially if you feel obligated to do what they say. Seeing first drafts and final drafts of any creative endeavor is always fascinating.
I have a bookcase that contains EVERY book Clive has written and pre-ordered his next. Superb writing , hard to put down once started and Clive does not say his name in the books
Just come across your post. I've got back into CC books on RUclips. You're absolutely right with your description of them! They are fun, lightweight, predictable and occasionally cringe worthy in a LOL way😂 The nerdy description of things is fun! I haven't read the later ones where he saves the day, but I laughed when he first introduced himself in Inca Gold (I think) but it was a small side part🙂 Anyway, loved your video 👍😃
As we say in Russian: "Сколько людей, столько и мнений.", which means "opinions differ" or something like "the amount of points of views equal the amount of people". I, personally, love Mr.Cussler's books. They are masterpieces.
I think the contexts you described are what his books are for. They’re popcorn novels and purely escapist entertainment. I read a lot of more deep difficult reads. Sometimes I just want an adventure where I can just turn my brain off. So the cameos and plot holes just don’t matter to me. I don’t hold these books to the standard of literature.
Totally makes sense. I enjoy listening to the Oregon Files audio books while doing chores around the house. Thoroughly enjoyable
Can't wait for your books to see if you are any good
Who knows?! www.amazon.com/Blind-Justice-Blake-Anthony-Taylor/dp/1737665115/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1IOS4PGVWK1YJ&keywords=blind+justice+mark+taylor&qid=1695139148&sprefix=blind+justice+mark+tayl%2Caps%2C538&sr=8-1
Read the Clive Cussler oregon files with Juan Cabrillo. Especially those written by Boyd Morrison. They are awesome, still have name Cussler written on them. 😉
I started listening to "The Chase" and I couldn't get halfway through it. Super boring with more emphasis on "see how old timey this is!" than actual substance. But I also listened to "Shadow of Tyrants" from the Oregon Files and I really enjoyed that.
@@marktaylorauthor1000 The chase was an Isaac Bell story, right?
@@scorpionarthur Yes, I believe it was the first in the series and I didn't connect at all with anything or anyone in the story.
Question for you guys? Seems Clive had a co-writer for most of his books the past 15 years or so. Did the guy, or girl, actually write the book?? I heard Clive came up with the plot
@@guytansbariva2295 My understanding is that when an established author has another author join a series, the new author writes the entire book and the old author just has their name on it. The established author has earned the right to sell books with their names on it, and the new author gets the opportunity to write for a big name and gain that audience for themselves. This is how Clancy and Patterson and many others do it.
So,,I'm captain Jack Zauhn, leader of the Martin Provisonal Government ,,,M P G ! What's your point Bru ??
Clive Cussler (RIP) has sold like 100 million books! his books are awesome and fun! i dont even know who you are !
Of course he has! He's one of the most successful authors ever. haha I just don't like his gimick. I'm a nobody. I'd be shocked if you did know me:)
So I started reading his books earlier this year and I am finishing up Sahara and it’s by far the most poorly written book I’ve read in a while. Not withstanding the multifaceted, convoluted plot, he uses the -ly adverbs at least five times on every page or every other page. I’m at the point I’ve read enough. Been going in order of the Dirk Pitt novels, so after 11, they’re the equivalent of literary fast food. Pulp novels. I don’t think I want to own them all or even read them all.
I have nothing against pulp novels. I happen to love the creature features and sci-fi horror. But I just found his insertion of himself frustrating, and I prefer to just listen to his books:)
Huh I disagree. I just think there is great action and adventure stories. But I do understand what you're saying. I've heard the earlier ones aren't as well written. But they get better. If you read Trojan Odyssey. It's the best one I've read. I'd definitely recommend that one specifically 😊
I would say that several of his initial books were little bit better, perhaps because he was in the stage of creating his characters and was searching for the base in creating his score. After sometimes when he started using co-authors, his books are full of paradoxes, unrealistic situation, impossible escapes and so on so on, many situation are doubled in every third book, and sometimes I am not sure if I already went through it or not. Entire franchise is just created for money grabbing purpose and nothing else (as you said: the fast food). After reading almost every book of the series he created, I like detective Bell books the best, besides I am getting tired of predictability of the writing. I think Ludlum's or Clancy's franchises are a little bit more ambitious and better written. Still Cussler is an easy reading and many people enjoy that. But when it comes to CC I am a cheapskate and I buy them for a dollar in thrift stores, because I am not paying 10-20 dollars for that crap, hahahahahah
(I actually like the coauthored ones better haha) I love fancy meals and I love fast food too. Give me Les Miserables or a creature attacking a submarine in a deep underwater base--I love them both!
What? Really? THAT'S HILARIOUS😂😂😂
How big of an ego do you have to have to insert yourself in your novels?
However, authors do that. In The Shining, the character Jack Torrance IS Stephen King. Jack is a school teacher, a writter, alcoholic, young father at the time. That's King! In Misery, the character Paul Sheldon is once again King. Paul is a successful novelist and encounters his #1 fan and experiences the horrors of fandom.
Also I think Dan Brown inserts himself too. In The DaVinci Code and Angels & Demons, he Robert Langdon.
Well, I mean, if you create something, you can do whatever you want with it haha. My problem was when his own character literally saved the day in an impossible situation like a literary god! There are a couple books in more recent books where it's just a cameo, a la Hitchcock, and I had no problem with that. I think there's a big difference between basing a character on your real life interests and literally making it you! haha
Clive doesn't always write himself into his books. As a clive fan , I absolutely loved it! Before you say you don't like clive, put down the dirk Pitt and pick up "oregon files." And to be a bit of a smart ass; clive wrote himself in his book, and you named your RUclips channel with your name, and you announce yourself as an author. How's that different? 😀
I actually have listened to quite a few of the Oregon File audiobooks while working around the house. They're definitely entertaining. And to respond to your smartassery:) Putting your name on the title of a book (or RUclips channel) is quite different than inserting yourself into your books. It would be like Joe Smith naming his roofing company "Smith Roofing Company." That's just branding. But what if Joe Smith also put a picture of himself on every shingle he installed on a customer's roof? That might be going a bit overboard;) But as I've responded to almost every person who has commented: The issue is not writing yourself into your book. (If you're the author, you can do whatever you like.) It's inserting yourself into your book to solve an unsolvable problem. That's cheating. In the case of the book I mentioned, they're stranded in the middle of the ocean, and this created a lot of tension. How would they get out of this situation?! And then the author of the book shows up in a state-of-the-art vessel and just takes them where they need to go. It's not the self-insert, it's the deus ex machina self-insert. Not my cup of tea:)
I've learned one thing from this video. If you want to trigger people, lightly criticize dime-store novels you find at dentist's offices. Good thing you don't have a problem with Goofus and Gallant, else you would REALLY have upset comments!
People came swinging!
It not uncommon for creators to put themselves in the story. Alfred Hitchcock made it a game with the audience to see where he would pop up.
I heard somewhere that men are described in lit by their emotions, women by their hair color. Clive Cussler was the first author I read that illustrated that 💀💀💀
I love Clive Cussler. I highly recommend his books 😁
They're good ones to listen to in the car.
Bro this is so cringe; most authors write a part of themselves or an alter ego into their book, even if it's not as obvious.
Writing jobs, emotions, and similar interests into your characters is slightly different than inserting yourself into each book to save the main characters haha. No, most authors don’t do that
I just got his 1992 Dirk Pitt novel Sahara in the mail after ordering it about a month ago and I am very excited to see what the Deus Ex Clive Cussler cameo is going to be personally my money is on him showing up in a dune buggy to save the characters in the middle of the desert
Excellent! You forgot a restored CLASSIC dune buggy
...you won't be disppointed...I am reading sahara
I’ve read Clive for decades. All of his ardent fans wait for him to appear in the books. That you don’t understand only shows the hollow understanding you have. He writes dirk into a corner and uses himself to help. Sorry you can’t comprehend his style.
Haha I comprehend it. I don't care for it. I understand exactly what he's doing. He writes himself as a Deus ex Machina. I'm glad you enjoy the books. It's a huge blessing to have a an author with tons of books you love.
as a writer lets hope you don't repeat yourself as much as you do here. or contradict yourself as much. or..well, this is just a dumb and pretty much inarticulate review.
Oh, I can assure you it's worse
The old retort comes to life;
If you so smart, why aint you rich?
Ha, I think people are allowed to share their opinions and criticisms of art without being rich. It's true, I'm sure not rich!
I have read or listened to so many of his books on boring stretches of highway driving. My lily white ears are pleased to not have to listen to a bunch of swearing as if that is really necessary in a book. Great imagery and historical to present day intelligence. The ability to paint a picture full of life with just words.
I've listened to a few of them now. They're perfect audio books. And they're definitely fun adventure books that you don't feel gross after.
It's a cameo like Stan Lee in marvel movies or comics. It's fun, its fiction. I like it. Sry you don't. What books/authors do you really enjoy?
Love Dan Simmons, Douglass Preston and Lincoln Child, James Rollins, Michael Crichton, Tolkien, Brandon Sanderson, and so many more
Except it’s not always just a cameo:) cameos would be fine. But he literally writes his characters into impossible dangers and then has himself come and save them in the middle of nowhere. That’s what I don’t care for:)
All due respect, but if you don't "get" Clive Cussler there's no use explaining him to you because you'll never understand the answer, save for this: We read Clive because he's FUN. And a big part of that fun is exactly the far fetched aspects of his books that you're having a problem with. Do you also read books about haunted houses and then complain about the ghosts? We all knew that when a new Dirk Pitt novel was released, we'd be able to escape into a world of fantasy adventures backed up by the very real work of NUMA. Just relax and enjoy the ride. Clive had popped up in much stranger places than the ocean to furnish Dirk and Al with exactly what they needed. Chill, man. It's why they call it fiction.
I'm not really angry haha. And I totally get the fun aspect and escapism of his books and genre. I love James Rollins, I love Preston and Child, I love Steve Alten, Crichton, and many others in similar genres. It's just jarring to see such focus on realism and details in the ships, science, and weapons, and then have the author show up to rescue the heroes. Just my opinion. I'm glad you love them. It's awesome to find a book series you love.
Most modern so called literary authors just thinly fictionalize their own lives and because they’re shallow writing program products the books are dreadful.What’s the problem with Clive doing a cameo? Hitchcock did, Peter Jackson did. When you’ve sold zillions of books maybe you will too 🤣🤣🤣
Show me the money! I’ll sell out some fast!
@@marktaylorauthor1000 yeah I always said I haven’t sold out because no one’s met my price 😉
Frustrating that an author can get away with writing the same book twenty times. Look on the bright side, you can do it, too. Read the Isaac Bell series, no submarinie rescues to be found.
I find his Numa and Oregon File novels to be good escapist novels to listen to, but I tried Isaac Bell and just could not get into the first book at all.
I think that writing yourself in your book as a small cameo is fine, sorta like stan lee in the spiderman movies, but I dont like it if they use themselves as a solution to a problem for the main character makes for poor writing.
I do like reading his books to fill my imagination and love adventure treasure seeking heist like books.
@@roseliou5827 I agree with both of those comments.
Clive Cussler is one of the few authors in the world who can successfully write himself into one of his stories. He does that in all of his books.
I just love all of Cussler’s serieses! Sue me.
I won’t sue you! I’m glad you enjoy his books. You have tons to devour!
@@marktaylorauthor1000 need more Isaac Bell!
Wow at how butt hurt people are in the comments lol
I had to go back and listen to my video to make sure I didn't wasn't calling this guy a murderer or something!
@@marktaylorauthor1000 your good man. I think the majority of people here including myself really enjoyed that aspect of the books 😊
Gave you a thumbs up for recommending Overdrive. Librarian I am. Love overdrive. Been reading Cussler since high-school and He's my fave. Scott Brick who reads the Cussler novels is amazing. He's an award winning artist. Ty for the opportunity to big up my fave author.
You’re very welcome. I live for overdrive and Libby. I have books I buy, books for kindle, and books to listen to:)
Inca gold is his best im telling.
I entirely agree that these "CCTV" (Clive Cussler Television, I call it) moments in his novels are cringe-worthy, at best. And, I'm pretty sure that's one reason why I have only been able to read three or four of his books in the past decade-- and I really love the genre!
I think that WAY too many people get "writing prolifically" mixed up with "being a great writer," which is a mistake
Cussler was a good writer, whose stories could be interesting, and who definitely found a niche-- thus his success.
But his writing was immature at times (i.e. CCTV), and could have been so much more "in depth and flavorful," if he had wanted it to be, which I always find disappointing...
(Tbh, I'm pretty sure he got away with that crap, later in his career, because he was a huge cash-cow for his publisher. lol!)
Another reason I don't read his books prolifically, for me at least is the old cliche' of: once you've read one, you've kind of read them all-- plot wise, action-wise, etc...
Like you apparently, Adventure Fiction is my favorite genre to read and write in. Honestly though, I really don't see Cussler's body of work as so much "entertainment par excellence," as much as it is a de-facto guide on some things that are done right, and a LOT of things that are laughably horrendous and to be avoided! Lol!
Agree with pretty much everything you say. I certainly think that one can write literature and one can write pulp, and they can both be just as legitimate within their genre. There's something to say about reading a book for pure entertainment (though it's not all I want to read). I love to read creature features (a la Meg by Steve Alten or books about killer spiders and such), but I also love Les Miserables. But Les Miserables is EXHAUSTING haha.
Totally agree with you about the reading one and reading them all take. I love to read lots of different books, and I pretty much pick a book in a different genre after finishing one. I often wonder about the author who has written 15 plus books in one series or the same genre. How do you keep it fresh? Do they ever want to break out and try something else? One of my favorite authors is Dan Simmons and I'm in awe of the genres he spans in his writing.
I must not pay much attention because I have never noticed him inserting himself in any of his books that I've read ahaha whoops
His books are 20% story and 80% stupid.
well uptil now I have listened to many of his books and enjoyed it thoroughly !! you should read 'rising the titanic' and 'sahara' briljant!!!!
I'll check them out!
@@marktaylorauthor1000 Trojan Odyssey is my favorite so far
Every author writes what he knows best and writes himself into whatever he's writing, intentional or otherwise.
Of course, but the issue here is that he wrote himself in as a deus ex machina solution to impossible situations in his books:) That's what is cheap--not having fun putting himself in the books
Give Deep Six a try. Absolute masterpiece and no he didn’t write himself in
Absolutely will! Thanks for the recommendation.
..... and WHAT did you write ???? 😂😂😂
This piece of trash :/ Works well as a doorstop. www.amazon.com/Blind-Justice-Blake-Book-ebook/dp/B09B6ZJW7M/ref=sr_1_7?crid=17AE385EILK8D&keywords=blind+justice&qid=1652449847&sprefix=blind+justice%2Caps%2C718&sr=8-7
Clive Custer was an interesting guy but a third rate writer. His non-fiction has to be better than his fiction which is cliched and formulaic. I like Ian Fleming much more. For one thing his Bond novels are not over-written.
This was the moment I'd had enough. This was going too far with his cameos in the book.
haha. Yeah, having cameos is fine. You can do whatever you want in your book. But having your cameo as the only way to get out of an impossible jam is very frustrating to me.
@@marktaylorauthor1000 He didn't start doing it until Dragon. All the books before then don't have this. But it began to be an irritant. At least in Dragon, it was merely a jokey cameo, Dirk loses in some charity race with old cars against Clive Cussler. But then he turns up in the Sahara Desert in Sahara (indeed in the book, it is Cussler who tells Dirk all about the Civil War ironclad), he's in Antarctica in Atlantis Found, and then, in the middle of the ocean Cussler turns up to rescue Pitt and co, it was just too much. I haven't even finished that book.
And from what I gather, we get new characters that contradict an earlier book (Pacific Vortex - by contradiction, I mean he did not have sex with their mother in that book and could not possibly be their father), a retcon of Raise the Titanic (trying to rewrite it so they recovered it in the state it was discovered to be in which totally screws up scenes of that book), and in the next book he gets married to an on-off lover he has throughout and her father shows up for the wedding - quite impressive since he was dead, murdered, and his disappearance was a key part of the plot of Vixen-03.
But even before then - in almost every book, when we open up in contemporary times, someone is in trouble and Pitt just happens to be there. Even if it's at the bottom of the ocean.
Also - there is a character in Night Probe working against Pitt, not really a villain, just an antagonist through circumstance. Although the author strongly denies it - this character, who we get a good, detailed background of, is quite blatantly a middle-aged but still sprightly and seductive certain fictional British secret agent living under a false name...
@@TheRasam ya that's fair enough. I love those novels. Maybe he had sex off page. To try to make it a bit more family friendly. Or the publishers didn't at the time allow that. Who knows. I understand why you dislike his books. But to me. They just really keep me entertained. Especially when they try to kill all the bad guys or gals. 😊 I guess I just have a different style of reading than you. Like I have never been able to get into the romance genre 😞 for whatever reason lol 😆. It's just not my cup of tea. Unless it's in a fantasy 😇😈 or sci Fi book. But as long as it's not too spicy 🔥 or whatever. I loved the Trojan Odyssey. It was the first book I've read in the series. It was definitely my favorite too. 😊 So ya ... Hopefully you'll find something else that you will come 🫴 to enjoy instead. Something you love I might hate. Alright take care now.
Yeah, I see the unrealistic side of it, but it's still fun to read. That's the fun thing though, it might be unrealistic, but it's still fun to read.
7:21 Atlantis Rising. Really good book. Granted, it plays off of conspiracy theories of Hitler escaping, it's still a damn fine book. My favorite Dirk Pitt adventure.
No problem with that!
Cussler in his third book, inserted James Bond as a major player in the story.
If he wanted a cameo in his own book, why not?
He spins a pretty good yarn most of the time, but my ONE complaint with his books is the hero. Dirk Pitt.
Sounds like the name of a 70's porno actor.
He was trying WAY to hard to make his central character sound way too cool, and i should note he has LESS trouble than James bond bedding women.
"Hi", "Hi", "How you dooin?" - BOOM-chika-wa-wa!!
Like no lead-in, no build-up, no pursuit, just snaps his fingers and the female leads fall into bed with him.
He's CRAP at writing that kind of interaction.
His books would be 100 times better if he wrote out Dirk Pitt, and inserted a lead who was simply less comic-book in his execution.
Again, the issue is not with the cameo. Cameo away! It's when the cameo becomes a plot saving device out of nothing. Jack Reacher also seems to bed every small town sheriff he encounters haha
@@marktaylorauthor1000 I read a novel based upon the "Man from U.N.C.L.E. TV series [1960's] "The Vampire Affair"
The two spies in the novel were joined by Forrest J. Ackerman [the cameo] Granted, he wasn't the author of the book, but a famous pulp magazine publisher associated with movie monsters, so he fit.
In this case the cameo was instrumental in assisting the spies in solving their case.
So, Cameo's CAN be pivotal to the plot, it's not unknown.
And again, Cussler had James Bond as an antagonist in one of his novels, all that says to me is he can have a little fun with his writing.
Needed to save the heroes,, okay,, a guy in a boat, who's the guy?
Hmmm, well why not?
He NEEDED the guy in the boat to save the day, what difference does it make if it was Clive Cussler, or Myron Jenovski.
in the end analysis, None at all.
Cussler's works are little better than the old pulps, it's not like we are reviewing literary classics here, so if he takes some liberties, Okay, where's the harm?
.....
"Dirk Pitt"
~Face palms~
I will have to read one of his books because that does sound hilarious to me.
Does he legit do it every book???!! I've read all the Fargo adventures and I'm just finishing Raise the Titanic of the Pitt series and I don't remember Clive in any of them... 😂🤣
I can't answer to all of them, but in every Dirk Pitt novel I've read (maybe 6 of them) he does.
He doesn't do it in the Oregon files.
How is the fargo series, I've just started reading one, does it get repetitive at all?
He is in the Fargo books.
I recently stumbled upon your video and all I can say is… THANK YOU! I’ve never given Clive Cussler or his family a single penny of my own money nor have I given him a moment of my free time reading any of his books. I have, however, given him a moment at the public libraries checking out his audiobooks. I listened to them, while driving, in order of publication. Though I don’t remember which book he first wrote himself into, I do remember my initial reaction to it. I thought it was vain albeit interesting. Until his appearance in the next book, then the next, and so on… it became eye rolling dribble. I felt quite let down and balked at the idea. The stories were fun(ish) and held my attention. Though I didn’t run any red lights or stop signs. I also was pretty put off by his characterization and representation of women. How they dressed, how they acted, how they reacted… And to my final point, [spoiler alert] the Twins. The twins, a boy and a girl. Of course when Dirk meets them they are in their early twenties. The boy, Dirk Pitt Jr. bearing an identical appearance to that of his father, and the girl, Summer Pitt, bearing a striking resemblance to their “late” mother. A mother whom I might add, was NEVER in a situation where the baby making process with Dirk Pitt would have ever occurred! They were together briefly, in no romantic way whatsoever, and then she “died” at the end of the book. Clive Cussler laughed his way to the grave knowing full well that he duped many of his loyal, paying readers. I read as many of the earlier comments as I could and one struck a cord with me regarding speaking ill of the deceased. And I have this to say: If you sucked in life, that’s not going to change in death.
The twins were conceved in book no. 1. And i suggest you read the "oregon files". The strong women are done with respect and admiration.
@@daryllynn5406 ya it was just the first 3 novels were badly written. I'm a woman I've never seen that.
Atlantis Found. That's the one. The driver of the snow mobile
I suggest you look up sea hunters on RUclips. I also suggest that you research Clive and his life and writing. You unfortunately seem quite butt hurt… you also go one to say that you “cut lawns as a side hustle”….. can you kindly point me towards any avenues to read your work?
Not quite butt hurt. More throbbing behind the eyeball. Did you listen to the last half of the video. You guys are acting like I attacked the poor man or his character. I just don't like using yourself as a literal Deus Ex Machina in your books. Alas, I am a newbie author who cuts lawns still. Feel free to check out my book and rip it apart. The paper back works well as a fly swatter. www.amazon.com/Blind-Justice-Blake-Book-ebook/dp/B09B6ZJW7M/ref=sr_1_6?crid=RYRN1AG5P1G0&keywords=blind+justice&qid=1651694758&sprefix=blind+justice%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-6
It's fiction dick . Get over it,amazing books.
It is called poetic licence Mr.Taylor and Clive has written over 80 novels and sold millions of books.What have YOU achieved? Zilch zero nothing !
Lawn care side hustle? I think author is the side HUSTLE.
Oh, I've got a day job. :) I've got side hustles. Making a living as an author is the goal. Gotta start somewhere!
I'm with you man.
Keep mowing yards. That’s your financial future.
Maybe it will turn into a good novel!
I feel that Lee Child Jack Reacher books are just better versions of these books
Except, I will say that I think they are totally different types of books. There are a lot of people who read Cussler because they're clean and fun, whereas Reacher can give you the grittiness and brutality of the murders. I definitely think you can enjoy both, but I would put Cussler more with James Rollins. Reacher seems a little more grounded and brutal. Cussler will have the hot guy and girl flirt with each other, and Reacher is just going to bang any hot girl he meets in a small town.
I have read and loved them all. Tuff you don't like them. Don't expect me to read.any of yours.
Lol, so true....but I love it. RIP C-dawg
Nothing wrong with loving the books and authors you love!
In one book Clive Cussler ran a roadside dinner built in an old train car. Books written by a 5 year old in an adults body.
There were passages in some of his early books that felt like Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew with the descriptions of the clothing the characters were wearing. Lots of twinkles in the eyes haha. Not my cup of tea, but there are lots of people who love them.
Sounds like another case of new/undiscovered writer being jealous and envious about writers that are commercially successful. You too could make money dealing schlock but, do you want to be a real writer, or a just a book peddler? Make the choice and leave the criticism to the critics.
Well, there are many authors whose skill I am envious of. Clive Cussler is of course a prolific author. Who are the appropriate critics? haha, who better than those who read the books? And it's much better to punch up against the giants of the industry than for them to punch down. I think that as a new author, this is my only chance to point out things in particular works I don't enjoy. And I would love to be commercially successful! I'll sell out so hard...
I’m sooo jealous of Dostoyevsky except the part where he’s DEAD!
The Oregon Files!!!!! End of story 👍
Not a fan of a lot of his books, but here's an interesting video about the fascinating true life of the man himself. Not a personal attack, just a literary opinion:) ruclips.net/video/gdckWZpjjIM/видео.html
Fair assessment.
The guy found the Hunley and a lot more !!
That's incredible