The Mediterranean Caper is the kind of book that will appeal to people who are looking for adventure, and a lot of it. The main character, Dirk Pitt, is the kind of self-assured, no-nonsense, take-charge hero that you expect to find in old-Hollywood war movies or James Bond films. The plot gets very complex at times, and so is hard to describe, but here goes: Major Dirk Pitt's services are requested at a scientific research vessel in Greece that's been experiencing acts of sabotage. While Pitt is flying in to visit the vessel, he stumbles across an attack on a U.S. Air Force Base by, of all unlikely things, a World War II biplane. Soon after, he meets the seductive niece of the German shipping guru who promptly tries to murder Pitt. Suffice it to say that these events are all connected. The mystery is in how they're connected, and how Dirk Pitt will survive his investigation. If you're looking for sympathetic, vibrant characters, this is probably not the book for you. The emphasis here is on thrilling action topped with adrenaline served up in the exotic location of the Greek Isles. ( )

Way too much infallible he-man. It went over the top when Pitt discovers the living fossil fish. ( )

I am a huge Dirk Pitt fan (Atlantis Found is probably my favorite), but I hated this book, vehemently. If this had been the first Cussler book I had read, I would never have touched another one, and I would have missed out on a (for the most part) really fun series.

This book, often incorrectly labeled as the first Dirk Pitt novel (Pacific Vortex was the first Dirk novel that Cussler wrote, but it wasn't published first), is a mess. Dirk, normally so likeable, is such a cocky jerk in this book. He meets this lovely widow on the beach who has had a hard time getting over the death of her husband. What does Dirk do? He slaps her across the face and tells her to get over it by sleeping with him (which he does).

Beyond that, the book is dull. I had to force my way through it hoping to find some evidence that this book belonged with the rest of the series that I love. I found nothing.

Do yourself a favor and skip this one. If you have already had the misfortune of reading it, don't let it sour you on an otherwise really entertaining series. ( )

On a quiet greek Island, an US Air force base has come attack by a World War I fighter plane. Now it's up to Dirk Pitt to root out the elusive truth behind the attack - and find out how it's connected to mysterious acts of sabotage against a scientific expedition, an international smuggling ring, and a dark-haired beauty with some dangerous secrets... ( )

Clive Cussler IS the Man!

Unfortunately, he didn't start out as the man. He really was pretty crummy writer and it definitely shows here in his first effort.

BUT, if this is what it took for him to get to where he is at today than I applaud him for hanging in there.

Everyone of his adventures shows his growth. He writes extremely likeable characters with history and details that move the story along. And how many other authors can say they sold as many books and is so well liked as Dr Cussler? And he's done it without swearing and sex in his books. He definitely is the man. ( )