Oregon Books

Reading Unreal Cities, by Thomas E. Kennedy, was a real pleasure. From the moment I picked it up I could tell that this was an author I could subscribe to. His first short in the book is about a man who makes it his personal quest to eat everything in his house. The story is detailed and thoughtful, and is an insightful exploration of how obsession can quickly become enlightenment and just as quickly fall apart. Though there are a few stories that I couldn't handle, most of them were along a similar vein and were similarly thought provoking. From a man who briefly finds truth in a shadow, to a darwinist whose ultimate understanding of the subjective realities of nature get him shoved down a flight of stairs by creationists; each story is another example of where the search for enlightenment can take us if we don't watch ourselves carefully. It isn't the greatest book in the world, but 2.5 simply doesn't do it justice.

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Kennedy's Unreal City shows the pleasures of a novelist at his peak of creativity. The endearing readability of Carver and the emotional impact of Nabokov can be found between the pages of this book. Buy it and be blessed.

--Nick Carbo, author of El Grupo McDonald's

I grew up near the scenes in this book and I have received considerable information from local folks. I summarized the tragedy in a Malheur newsletter several years ago, but Don Shannon's book far exceeds my work. He has done a beautiful job of spicing his narrative with letters and quotes from survivors and pioneers of the time. Don's book is so moving I sort of wept at some passages. It has heroes, a particularly savage Indian group of renegades, and some blundering ordinary people. And it is all true!

Mostly unknown by the general public and historians, the story of the ill-fated Utter and Van Ornum parties in 1860 ranks high on the list of most moving struggles of the westward-bound emigrants along the Oregon Trail. This story, inaccurately recorded until now, rates as a must-read by any afficianado of Oregon Trail history. Mr. Shannon spent several years researching this book, and the quality of that reasearch shines through on almost every page. The names of all the players in the tragedy are there. Details of every conceivable facet of the story is included. There are many very rare photos and drawings included, and well-drawn maps of each part of the tale grace the pages of this invaluable resource. The story itself is compelling beyond measaure. There is heroism, cowardice, death, destruction, and intrigue at every turn. If only the story of 13 year-old Emmeline Trimble and her 10 year-old brother Christopher were included in this book, I would still recommend it highly. This slim volume, however, is easily read in one sitting and yet covers the subject of the "massacre" completely. The writing is energetic and entirely factual. This is easily one of the best books on Oregon Trail matters written in the last ten years. I recommend it highly. Anyone interested in how the west was REALLY won and lost should consider Donald Shannon's book an absolute must-have.

A spirited read and praiseworthy effort to promote the historical importance of the Oregon Trail.
In 1993, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Great Migration westward, Candy Moulton, Ben Kern and Earl Leggett, with multitudes of others along the way, traveled from Independence, Missouri to Independence, Oregon in covered wagons. Although at times having access to today's modern conveniences and comforts, the undertaking no doubt was laborious, fatiguing and strenuous.
Candy's writing style is creative and harmonic, bringing together quotes from overlanders' diaries and journals to emphasize the hardships and perils these pioneers had to confront.
Enjoyable and insightful.

Candy Moulton and Ben Kern have captured the reality of the west through the experiences of their 1993 expedition by wagon train from Independence, Missouri to Independence, Oregon. Through excerpts from Ben's daily journal and diaries of their historic predecessors you will feel the essence of every phase of this spectacular undertaking. The tasteful blend of history and the modern day adventure fill the gap from past to present. The authors have you hearing the creak of the wagon, the rumble of iron tires on hard-packed earth, and the jingle of trace-chains. You can almost feel the rolling lilt of the wooden seat beneath you, and smell the approaching rain overwhelming the everpresent scent of the sagebrush and dust. If you want to feel like you are really there on the trail, this is the book for you. You soon will be anticipating the view or the adventure that waits around the next bend or on the next page. This is one of those books that is hard to put down. --- Jefferson Glass, Local Historian

I'm a native Southerner, so reading this book about the Pacific Northwest was a lot of fun. The writers have a unique voice that makes this book much more than a mere compendium of facts. Each piece is written with a lot of humor and insight. Anyone interested in pop culture should own this book!

This is a definite fun read. If you grew up in Portland in the 50's and 60's, like I did, it's a wonderful stroll down memory lane as well as a good refresher on what's been going on since. Seems very close to the truth, at least on the topics I'm in a position to judge. Only knock is it's a little too Seattle oriented for my blood!

I love Patricia Highsmith because of her ability to get you into the heads of her characters. Based on that, this book was recommended to me by "I Love a Mystery" here in Kansas. All I can say is that I knew I was going to love this book from page 1 - but I did not realize how much until I had to put it down. I put the book down only twice to attend to other life things - but the story and the characters stayed with me. If you are a bit squeemish - you may want to be prepared to skim over a few parts......if you can. This should move to the top of your "I recommend" list very quickly. I bought her second book today - hope it is as good....you know how that goes......

I was skeptical about this book at first but I'm glad I read it. Sometimes it was hard to put down that is why I gave it a 4. Overall it was a good read some parts were predictable but overall GOOD. Archie is MESSED up and of course he would be after what he endured, but why on earth is he comforted, attracted and close to this Psycho that completely destroyed his life? The best parts of the book were about Archie's ordeal with Gretchen. It's gruesomly detailed and those are the parts that make you shiver, the "Afterschool Killer" part of the book wasn't as gripping and very predictable. I feel that she was a little flat with that and rushed at the end. I can't wait to read the second one "Sweetheart" but the reviews are lacking luster.

I loved this book! It grabbed my interest right away and I could hardly put it down. The book is well written and I cannot wait to read "Sweetheart". Very refreshing storyline compared to what I've been reading.

Well, actually, they don't. At least, not very often. If you watch Law and Order or CSI, you might be under the impression that beautiful women murder people all the time. But statistically speaking, according to the Department of Justice's Statistics department, only about 8% of convicted violent offenders are female. And female serial killers make up a miniscule portion of that already small group.

So it's interesting to consider, why might a female serial killer murder men? Would it be somehow similar to the ways the creepiest and most violent sexual predators usually kill women? Or would it be somehow different?

Chelsea Cain has come up with a fascinating psychological portrait of a female serial killer that is unlike anything you have ever read. It's scary, it's totally original, it's entertaining, it's bizarre, and yet it never stretches credibility.

Gretchen is not the only interesting character in the book, or even the most interesting one in my opinion. You also get to meet Archie -- the cop who was also Gretchen's victim, and a very entertaining, intrepid Portland news reporter who is following a new serial killer and who has her own demons to exorcise. The characters in this book are wonderfully drawn and intelligent and it is a pleasure to read about what motivates them.

Cain's writing is spectacular. The book poses some very thought-provoking questions about the nature of violence. It's gruesome, but that in itself is a statement --- we've become so used to reading stories of men grossly torturing women that it's almost not shocking anymore. But something about a woman doing the torturing is completely terrifying.

So - why do women kill men? A better question might be, why do so many more men kill women? And why are we all so used to this? Heartsick will leave you with all kinds of things like this to ponder, but it will also entertain you and scare you half to death. Cain is the best new author I've found since Jason Starr. I can't wait to read her next book.

I like serial killer books, both fictional and nonfictional. It's a dark flaw in my character, I'm sure, but there you go. So when I read the blurb on this book--female serial killer tortures lead detective on her case for ten days then calls 9-1-1 and releases him--I was intrigued.

I was a little put off by the "literary thriller" description because I thought that might open the door to loads o' pretentiousness, but for the most part, my fears weren't justified. The writing is straightforward and not overly impressed with itself. The story pulls you in and pulls you forward.

The great strengths of the book are the characters. They are fascinating and (mostly) sympathetic, whether they appear for only a few pages or throughout. They're the kind of characters who stay with you.

I did think the mystery of the new serial killer was a little too transparent, and the ending a little too tidy for my taste, but this was an overall good read. When I heard that Ms. Cain had written another book with these characters, I definitely wanted to read it. And I guess that's the bottom line for any book, isn't it? Did it leave you with a sense of closure, and yet wanting more?

Well constructed tick tock of a husband murder that built up over several years and culminated in a planned shooting that left a few too many questions. The wife was bipolar and that explains a lot. She still has her defenders, remarkably. The husband comes off as the true victim. If you like true crime, this one is well worth the time. Ann Rule is top notch in the genre.

A clue to Liysa Northorn's personality lies in the silly spelling of her name - the sort of "I'm so interesting" nonsense that most of us grow out of after the early teen years. Liysa, however, didn't, & according to Ann Rule she lied & manipulated her way through life until she killed her third husband basically because he wouldn't let her have her own way about everything. Liysa says she killed in self defense.
I found Rule's book mesmerizing, with a few caveats. Chris Northorn, the victim, comes across as rather a hollow man - bland with few personality traits other than being "nice." Certainly he seems commitment-shy & someone who drifted through life. It's no great step to conjecture that the abuse claims by Liysa began as an attempt to get his attention. If anyone in the relationship was abused, I'm guessing it was Chris.
Another caveat is the claim by Rule that Liysa was a devoted & good parent. Naturally the author needs to look at both sides of the story, but it's hard to believe that this self-obsessed, manipulative woman could parent effectively. Her children would merely be an extension of herself, accessories for looking good in the eyes of the world. We also hear how Liysa is a talented writer, but no evidence of this is given. Surely a talented writer would have done more with her talents than journals & an aborted film script.
I would have liked this book to be longer - I suspect Liysa's guilty plea cut short what would have been a lengthy description of the trial. Overall well worth reading, a fascinating story very well told.

Ann Rule is the most incredibly talented author. She can take thousands of facts and make the most compelling, riveting story. At the end, I always feel like I know all the people involved personally. When I sit down with one of her books, I know I am not going to get anything else done for awhile!

I do not agree with the other reviews at all. I thought this book was excellent. At times it made me sick to my stomach, as I could not believe someone could be as manipulative and selfish as Liysa. I feel horrible for the victim, Chris, his family, and his sons. I would highly recommend this book.

This was an interesting story about a psychopath (Liysa). I thought Ann Rule gave a good account of both Liysa and Chris, and I think the only real bias was because Liysa WAS guilty. I was left wanting to know if any of Liysa's stories were invested and found to be true. Some things were alluded to such as her first husband and a boyfriend being killed in car accidents, but was it true? Did she really graduate from college? Did she ever apply and train for the Navy Seals? So many other things. She was a lier, and lied when it suited her. I had a boyfriend much like her. He lied so much that he actually believed his lies. He would go to great lengths to make people believe his lies. I am so disappointed that she only got 10-12 years. I don't understand why the prosecution let her plea down when they had such good evidence. That seems negligent to me.
I didn't think the book was very well written for Rule, in that she repeated herself and certain phrases too much. Maybe she needs a proof reader who actually READS the book.

Not only the trip itself, but the journey of self discovery, holds the reader. Despite some needless repetition, the abscence of which, would have made the story move better, this was a great read. I would have named the bad guy, jailhouse justice could do him good.

The story of what happened to Jentz is horrible and makes for great drama. The aftermath -- her search for her still-unknown attacker, which is the main subject of the book -- could have made a decent story as well. Unfortunately the drama of it is oversold, and the story is wildly overwritten, both in length and in tone. Jentz's discovery of a prime suspect is unfortunately larded over with melodramatic writing -- those of you who've waded through the book know the title of this review is a reference to the dozens and dozens of "In Search of"-like rhetorical questions -- and a level of self-obsessiveness that, while understandable in a person's diary, should not have made it into the final version. Perhaps the editor wanted to provide an open window into how messed up Jentz became as a result of the attack; perhaps only the actual publication of far too much detail could provide her with the catharsis that she absolutely deserves. Anyone with a heart would wish Jentz peace after what she went through. But her story lost much of its power in the telling.

A lot of reviewers stated that this was too redundant, that the author tended to go on and on over the same territory, and that the story could have been completed in a lot fewer words. After reading this story, I have found that I was "hooked" and that this story lingers on long after the final page is turned. It is a haunting story made all the more engrossing by the fact that it is a totally truthful accounting of one woman's attempt to identify her attacker - to identify the person who hacked her and her friend up with a hatchet and left them both for dead. I understand completely her need to do so, as well as I understand completely her friend's need not to do so. This was a catharsis for the author, and a much needed one. I can identify with this. I believe had I been the one this happened to, I would also want to know the who and the why of this terrible crime. My hat is off to this very brave lady, and I feel that this book is well worth the read! You cannot truly be a critic of this manuscript unless you yourself have experienced the same as this author.

The random 1977 crime horrified all who heard about it, although the girls survived. I even read about it when I lived in Chicago. Yet after days, months & decades though the Cline Falls community knew who'd done it, authorities never prosecuted anyone. Why? In this extraordinarily eloquent & riveting memoir of the author's life & times before & after that innocent bicycle trip that ended a hair's breadth shy of murder, she records her emotional reality & her 20 year search for the man who devastated her young self. I thought it quite unsentimental & engagingly intense. Sit back & immerse yourself in this writer's record of her quest for the rest of her soul, of her return to Oregon & the leads to who knew & helped her back then, who investigated the crime & why it was closed. With her you'll meet all sorts of people who could connect the dots of the perpetrator's violent life before & after he attacked her &, incidentally, you'll be at her side when he is at last brought to some semblance of justice, although not for his crime against her. A haunting & satisfying read by someone who knows how to write well & has an astonishing tale to tell. Very well done.

Imagine being 20 years old, on the first real adventure of your young life, sleeping soundly after a strenuous bike journey...only to be awakened and find yourself under a truck, staring at the well-dressed torso of a cowboy yielding an ax. That is what Terri Jentz, the author of this amazing book, asks us to envision.

She and her friend, renamed Shayna, process the aftermath in two different ways. Shayna has selective amnesia based on her injuries, and is unable -- and unwilling -- to confront what has occurred. Terri, on the other hand, after several years of ennui and fear, decides to courageously confront the episode and to try to make some sense of it in order to fully heal.

This journey is what comprises this book. Interestingly, the individuals she meets again -- ranging from the teenage couple who helped save them to the nurses who were there when they reached the hospital -- were all permanently affected by this senseless act. Together again, they all help heal each other. The would-be murderer himself is larger than life and also so much smaller than life. One of the tragedies is that most of the town knew who did it, and yet, thanks to the bungling of three overlapping law enforcement agencies and overprotective parents, his act would never have been totally revealed were it not for Terri's perseverance.

This is a courageous book from a tenacious individual, and it spans 700 pages. I truly understand why Terri Jentz needed to write this book in its entirety, but I believe she needed a better editor. It lags in the middle pages, as Terri meets up with one after another lead (some true, some false); the momentum of the story begins to drag as a result. There is also very little reflection on her personal life -- the key focus is outward, not inward. We know that Terri is gay and she had an unrequited crush on Shayna. There is certain anger that Shayna is unwilling to be the "perfect listener" and to explore the ramifications of that June 22 night. I also wonder how Terri's sexual orientation played out in a conservative, cowboy town, when young women were blamed for their own independence. But these are minor points: all in all, I greatly admire Terri Jentz's courage and her larger observations on our society's passion for violence. She has important things to say.

I started this series because I thought the first one was an interesting idea, but I was NOT too crazy about all of the Wiccan speak going on. In fact, I was hoping he would kill off Juniper, because her part of the story annoyed me, but Mike Havel's part intrigued me. That ended fine, but obviously it was a 'to be continued'. 'Protector's War' updated you on what was going on in the character's lives, how they had progressed, and generally stirred the pot for book 3, but it wasn't bad, especially if you love Tolkien, and I no longer wished for Juniper to die. 'A Meeting at Corvallis', was the book I had hoped it would be, delivering ALOT of battle scenes bent on strategy, and digging deep into the lives of the interesting characters, and what they stand for. It's a good book when the characters MUST fight if they want any hope for their families lives. Of course there was alot of death, and some very sad moments, but I felt they were all very fitting. Not everyone survives such hard times. I felt closure for 'this chapter' of the the story, though the book implies that there will be more to come involving Rudi and the upcoming generations, because in life, the story always continues, especially when you have upcoming generations to factor in. So, I will be reading Stirling's next series, which picks up a little over a decade later, when Rudi should be about a good fighting age....

Just finished this book and it did not disappoint. After reading the first two I did find myself skipping all of the silly songs and incantations that the Mackenzies spew in this novel. I thought it was a bit of overkill. Anyway this novel has all of the merits that the first two books had, great story, exciting and bloody action, etc. I might be crazy but I had hoped that the war would have been a bit more drawn out. The actual war was over rather quickly and I had thought there would be a bit more give and take before the final throw-down. Sam of clan Mackenzie was almost nonexistent in the later portion of the book which was disappointing since he was my favorite character. Still it was a great finish. I will NOT spoil the end of the book but will say it was very well done!

The first book in this trilogy, Dies the Fire, was wonderfully written and chock full of inventive approaches to social organization and technology. Unfortunately the author seems to have run out of the novel ideas that drove the initial entry into the series by this point, and the characters, though still compelling, developed little. That said, though, the plot does move along at a decent pace, and I chewed through the book quite quickly - The action and the ending were reasonably satisfying.

If you read The Protector's War (which featured no war), then The Meeting at Corvallis (which features no meeting at Corvallis, but does feature a war) is certainly worth the read. If you're considering whether or not to finish the series after reading the stellar Dies the Fire, you might be better off investing your money in the other side of this story as well. The entire Island in the Sea of Time trilogy is very well written, and the characters and technologies in the series develop at a much more even and compelling pace.

This was a decent book. Given the ability, I'd have given it another half-star, but it doesn't warrant a full four-star rating.

A Meeting At Corvallis, the final volume of the Change trilogy that began with Dies The Fire, comes to a satisfying, rollicking, action backed end, and there's plenty there to satisfy anyone who became a fan of the first book and followed it all the way through.

After spending two volumes, stretching over nine years, building up to a confrontation between Norman Arminger's Portland Protective Association and the loose alliance between Clan Mackenzie, the Bearkillers, and the monks of Mt. Abbott, Stirling doesn't disappoint this time and gives his readers not one, but two epic confrontations that will decide the future of the characters that we've come to know, and perhaps the new post-Change world itself.

For the first time, he spends considerable time in the territory of the PPA where people are under the thumb of a man that they rallied behind when their lives seemed near an end, only to find themselves in a bondage unseen since serfdom ruled Russia. We also see the conflict about to come from the perspective of the people living in PPA and, while it doesn't really change the moral calculus of good vs. evil, it does paint a broader picture and give depth to characters who otherwise would've been little more than cardboard cutouts.

More importantly, though, this final volume of the trilogy shows why Stirling really is such a good writer. Not only does he take care to humanize his characters, he makes you feel like you're right there in their world with them, which makes the things that happen to them, both good and bad, all the more personal.

Stirling has started a new series based on the world of the Change. The Sunrise Lands takes place about ten years after the events of Corvallis and looks to introduce new characters, new challenges, and at some point perhaps an explanation for what happened to the world back on March 17, 1998. I look forward to continuing the adventure.

Well, the first book was interesting, the second tolerable, but the final one is terrible. Heavily padded - we know the details of every meal eaten, and every journey has several long lists of local flora and fauna. The armor of nearly every important character is described again and again. Even small things are repeated endlessly - every time a character in armor hugs or is hugged we get a reminder of the armor (which generally was described a page or two back).
There continues to be no explanation of The Change, other than hints of a divine origin. Given that the basic laws of physics have been severely tampered with, this is not very satisfactory. And still, most characters seem relatively uninterested in the reasons for the Change. A bit of bad pseudo-physics is given but only annoys.
There are long, long battles and duels, described in painful detail which slows the action to a crawl.
The end is not bad, although the hints of things to come are painfully obvious.
Sigh...if you were intriged by the premise in the first, and slogged through the second, save yourself. Don't buy this book.

The "change" books by S. M. Stirling started off pretty good. I liked Dies The Fire a lot. But since then these books have gotten slower and slower. In The Sunrise Lands, practically nothing happens that advances the plot. It's like an episode of a sitcom that has been running for ten years and all the characters are still stuck in senior year at high-school. I would actually like to know what was the cause of the Change, but I am afraid that it's going to take another eighteen books to get there. Pick up the pace!

I came to Stirling, and this series, with the Purchase of "The Protector's War." I was a halfway through that book before I realized that it was part of a series. Every other book in this series has the same stand-alone quality, including this one. New readers will enjoy every page of this story, although I heartily recommend buying the first three books-- not because you need to, but because they are all excellent reads.

Stirling has taken an amazing catalyst ("The Change") and combined it with outstanding characters, who are realistically portrayed and set against a richly detailed backdrop. Stirling writes extremely well, but more important than that, this dude can tell a story, man. Of the four books I have already read, three were read in a single sitting. One thing that I will say, is that I'm glad that I came to the series late, because Stirling is a master of the cliffhanger ending. I've been practically salivating, waiting for "Scourge of God" to come available.

In any event, the first three books could easily be read as a separate series; although many of the characters in the first three books are reprised in "The Sunrise Lands," the storyline here focuses on a new generation of survivors. Just enough detail about the "old" cast is given to illustrate the characters of this new generation.

It is very rare for me to rave over a book, let alone a series, but the story-telling in these books is second-to-none. As rare as good story-telling is, these days, I have to heartily endorse this book, along with the rest of the series.

Once again, great story telling from Stirling. Really only one complaint -- dial it back a bit with all the inserted Wiccan lifestyle, blessings, devotions, and prayers and such. We get it ... these people are devout practitioners. It's not that I've any objection to the sects per se, it's that it detracts from the story. Stirling is SO conscious of all the icons and practices and such that these people practice that he goes into obsessive detail with it - even to the point of becoming boring in otherwise rich background and scene setting passages. This has become something that's picked up speed over time ... the more he explores this post-Change universe, the worse he gets.

Other than that, good stuff and definitely worth picking up a copy...

As THE SUNRISE LANDS opens it is twenty two years after the Change, the events described in DIES THE FIRE, when the whole world changed in a literal flash. Gunpowder does not fire, electricity and internal combustion engines do not work, throwing the post industrial world back to the pre industrial. The events described in A MEETING AT CORVALLIS have brought peace to the Willamette Valley and the Changelings, those born after the Change, are beginning to reach adulthood.

A stranger, has arrived, one who has traveled from the deep woods of Wisconsin, across the country to Nantucket Island, where perhaps the Change began and back across the country to Oregon. His traveler's tales, and those few others that have managed to filter in, that those who had survived were slowly beginning to rebuild this new world. The US has become fragmented into various factions and border wars were beginning to break out making travel extremely dangerous. So just what had driven this stranger, Ingolf Voegler to make this journey? He has been driven by a vision that he received in Nantucket, a vision about a young man in the far West who must be brought to Nantucket. Unknown to Voegler, twenty years earlier a young man had been born in Oregon amid prophecy about his fate to travel east, to the Sunrise Lands.

This is the fourth volume of the series that began with DIES THE FIRE and that occupies the same universe as ISLAND IN THE SEA OF TIME. Those who have read and enjoyed the earlier books will definitely want to read this one to find out what has happened to the characters and storylines from the earlier books. Also it is hinted that some answers about the Change itself will finally be revealed. Those who are new to these works or only familiar with THE ISLAND IN THE SEA OF TIME will want to begin with DIES THE FIRE. I recommend this to fans of alternate history stories, one that will give the reader much to think about long after the last page has been read.

For fans of the change series, Sunrise Lands will open up new doors of discovery and exploration. For fans new to the series, your imagination will be taken on a 5 star cruise through one of the most thrilling, yet human, science fiction series on the market right now.

Sunrise Land works well on many levels, however, where it excels the most is the development of its characters and the evolution of its protagonist. Rudi and his friends and family are carefully brought to life with equal attention and carefully crafted elements where they each have their own moments to shine. Their dangers are made real as well as their problems both human and political.

I can go on and on for my love of this series, however, you owe it to yourself to give it a whirl. If you are just starting out, remember that the unreal is made real and there maybe forces out there that want humanity to be humbled before the face of god.

Like all his books, it is very hard to put down once you start to read it.
There is nothing like a good fast past book full of adventure for reading.
I an now just starting to reread his Dirk Pitt novels again and they are great this time as they were the first time I read them.

The plot moves quickly, keeping interest from beginning to end. I've been a Cussler reader for a very long time now and I wasn't disappointed.

Skelton Coast was an excellent book. This is the type of writting that made Clive Cussler one of my favorite authors.

I have read all of the Oregon Files and this is by far the best one yet. Although they explain plenty in the first three novels the main character is truly brought to life in this latest adventure. The authors get into gritty details as to why Jaun Cabrillo is the way he is and make him as close to home as his counter part, Dirk Pitt. If you are a Clive Cussler fan or just want a good read I reccomend this book!

The Corporation is a mercenary private enterprise for hire by any government agency that can afford its fees. Juan Cabrillo, the Chairman, runs his black ops from a ship called "The Oregon". Disguised as an overused, out of date, non-descript mercantile vessel that's destined for the scrap yard, the Oregon is actually a state of the art war vessel packed with high-tech intelligence gathering equipment, powerful weaponry and a fully muscled set of magnetohydrodynamic engines that, pushed to flank speed, will give virtually any ship on the high seas a run for its money. If you've read any Clive Cussler novels at all, it won't be a surprise to hear that Cabrillo is right over the top - an entirely unbelievable lead character (think Mr Phelps from Mission Impossible on steroids) leading an equally unbelievable crew with uncanny intelligence and virtually superhuman strength and endurance. The missions they accept in Cussler's Oregon Files series are typically of the "save the world from domination or destruction by a nefarious lunatic" variety.

When I reviewed "Golden Buddha", the first in the Oregon Files series, I gave it a grudging single star and swore that I would likely never read another Cussler novel again. Frankly, it was just awful! But after a two year abstinence, my past fondness for Cussler's earlier work over-ruled my reluctance and "Plague Ship" rewarded me with a thoroughly enjoyable read. I gave Jack Du Brul a second chance and I hit pay dirt again with "Skeleton Coast"

A covert running gun battle with revolutionaries on the Congo River, a search for a long lost fortune in diamonds buried in the Kalahari desert, the typical sexy and beautiful female heroine who overcomes all odds against her, environmental terrorism, the miraculous rescue of a kidnapped industrialist from an abandoned prison - the details are actually not important. The fact is ... they're really quite forgettable within a very short period after you've finished the novel. What's much more important is that, unlike "Golden Buddha", for example, which was an exercise in nonsensical hyperbole, "Skeleton Coast" remained (just barely, mind you) within the bounds of an enjoyable credibility-stretching thriller that really should be turned into a rock-em, sock-em Hollywood SFX loaded James Bond style flick.

I found Cussler's brief sidebars on the evolution of hurricanes and the importance of ocean currents and water temperature in their development particularly interesting.

Literature? Certainly not! But a perfectly enjoyable break from the workaday world that any thriller reader will enjoy. Recommended.

Paul Weiss