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Fargo Adventures #1
Spartan Gold
The debut of a brand-new, action-packed series from the #1 New York Times bestselling master of ?pure entertainment? (People).
Thousands of years ago, the Persian king Xerxes the Great was said to have raided the Treasury at Delphi, carrying away two solid gold pillars as tribute. In 1800, Napoleon Bonaparte and his army stumble across the pillars in the Pennine Alps. Unable to transport them Napoleon creates a map on the labels of twelve bottles of rare wine. And when Napoleon dies, the bottles disappear?
Treasure hunters Sam and Remi Fargo are exploring the Great Pocomoke Swamp in Delaware when they are shocked to discover a World War II German u-boat. Inside, they find a bottle taken from Napoleon?s ?lost cellar.? Fascinated, the Fargos set out to find the rest of the collection. But another connoisseur of sorts has been looking for the bottle they?ve just found. He is Hadeon Bondaruk?a half- Russian, half-Persian millionaire. He claims to be a descendant of King Xerxes himself.
And he wants his treasure back?
Thousands of years ago, the Persian king Xerxes the Great was said to have raided the Treasury at Delphi, carrying away two solid gold pillars as tribute. In 1800, Napoleon Bonaparte and his army stumble across the pillars in the Pennine Alps. Unable to transport them Napoleon creates a map on the labels of twelve bottles of rare wine. And when Napoleon dies, the bottles disappear?
Treasure hunters Sam and Remi Fargo are exploring the Great Pocomoke Swamp in Delaware when they are shocked to discover a World War II German u-boat. Inside, they find a bottle taken from Napoleon?s ?lost cellar.? Fascinated, the Fargos set out to find the rest of the collection. But another connoisseur of sorts has been looking for the bottle they?ve just found. He is Hadeon Bondaruk?a half- Russian, half-Persian millionaire. He claims to be a descendant of King Xerxes himself.
And he wants his treasure back?
Audiobook
First published September 1, 2009
About the author
Clive Cussler
509 books8,116 followersCussler began writing novels in 1965 and published his first work featuring his continuous series hero, Dirk Pitt, in 1973. His first non-fiction, The Sea Hunters, was released in 1996. The Board of Governors of the Maritime College, State University of New York, considered The Sea Hunters in lieu of a Ph.D. thesis and awarded Cussler a Doctor of Letters degree in May, 1997. It was the first time since the College was founded in 1874 that such a degree was bestowed.
Cussler was an internationally recognized authority on shipwrecks and the founder of the National Underwater and Marine Agency, (NUMA) a 501C3 non-profit organization (named after the fictional Federal agency in his novels) that dedicates itself to preserving American maritime and naval history. He and his crew of marine experts and NUMA volunteers discovered more than 60 historically significant underwater wreck sites including the first submarine to sink a ship in battle, the Confederacy's Hunley, and its victim, the Union's Housatonic; the U-20, the U-boat that sank the Lusitania; the Cumberland, which was sunk by the famous ironclad, Merrimack; the renowned Confederate raider Florida; the Navy airship, Akron, the Republic of Texas Navy warship, Zavala, found under a parking lot in Galveston, and the Carpathia, which sank almost six years to-the-day after plucking Titanic's survivors from the sea.
In addition to being the Chairman of NUMA, Cussler was also a fellow in both the Explorers Club of New York and the Royal Geographic Society in London. He was honored with the Lowell Thomas Award for outstanding underwater exploration.
Cussler's books have been published in more than 40 languages in more than 100 countries. His past international bestsellers include Pacific Vortex, Mediterranean Caper, Iceberg, Raise the Titanic, Vixen 03, Night Probe, Deep Six, Cyclops, Treasure, Dragon, Sahara, Inca Gold, Shock Wave, Flood Tide, Atlantis Found, Valhalla Rising, Trojan Odyssey and Black Wind (this last with his son, Dirk Cussler); the nonfiction books The Sea Hunters, The Sea Hunters II and Clive Cussler and Dirk Pitt Revealed; the NUMA® Files novels Serpent, Blue Gold, Fire Ice, White Death and Lost City (written with Paul Kemprecos); and the Oregon Files novels Sacred Stone and Golden Buddha (written with Craig Dirgo) and Dark Watch (written with Jack Du Brul).
Clive Cussler died at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona on February 24, 2020.
Cussler was an internationally recognized authority on shipwrecks and the founder of the National Underwater and Marine Agency, (NUMA) a 501C3 non-profit organization (named after the fictional Federal agency in his novels) that dedicates itself to preserving American maritime and naval history. He and his crew of marine experts and NUMA volunteers discovered more than 60 historically significant underwater wreck sites including the first submarine to sink a ship in battle, the Confederacy's Hunley, and its victim, the Union's Housatonic; the U-20, the U-boat that sank the Lusitania; the Cumberland, which was sunk by the famous ironclad, Merrimack; the renowned Confederate raider Florida; the Navy airship, Akron, the Republic of Texas Navy warship, Zavala, found under a parking lot in Galveston, and the Carpathia, which sank almost six years to-the-day after plucking Titanic's survivors from the sea.
In addition to being the Chairman of NUMA, Cussler was also a fellow in both the Explorers Club of New York and the Royal Geographic Society in London. He was honored with the Lowell Thomas Award for outstanding underwater exploration.
Cussler's books have been published in more than 40 languages in more than 100 countries. His past international bestsellers include Pacific Vortex, Mediterranean Caper, Iceberg, Raise the Titanic, Vixen 03, Night Probe, Deep Six, Cyclops, Treasure, Dragon, Sahara, Inca Gold, Shock Wave, Flood Tide, Atlantis Found, Valhalla Rising, Trojan Odyssey and Black Wind (this last with his son, Dirk Cussler); the nonfiction books The Sea Hunters, The Sea Hunters II and Clive Cussler and Dirk Pitt Revealed; the NUMA® Files novels Serpent, Blue Gold, Fire Ice, White Death and Lost City (written with Paul Kemprecos); and the Oregon Files novels Sacred Stone and Golden Buddha (written with Craig Dirgo) and Dark Watch (written with Jack Du Brul).
Clive Cussler died at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona on February 24, 2020.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,000 reviews
June 21, 2024
Years ago I read one of the Fargo Adventure mid-series books from Clive Cussler... I usually enjoy the archaeological / adventure / historical novels and found it good but not something I needed to start from scratch. A decade or more later and I found myself looking to pick up another series like this one, so I decided to read the first book. I was fine but again not totally engaging. The protagonists are a little cheeky and seem full of themselves but I did like the history lessons with Napoleon and Xerxes, plus all the countries they travel to make for a fun read. The bad guy was bad but never actually fought the Fargos, so it was a tiny letdown. All in all, I liked it enough to give the next book a chance, and then I'll decide whether to keep reading the series or seek out a different one. Open to recommendations from others too.
August 8, 2013
This is a good summer read in the sense that your brain kind of has to be shut off to enjoy it -- so I am giving it three stars in the same sense I would give a mindless action movie two thumbs up for entertaining me while keeping me out of the heat in an air-conditioned theater.
Now, if your brain isn't shut off while reading this book, you may notice some things that might irk you, such as (spoilers ahead, you have been warned):
- The heroes, married treasure hunters Sam and Remi Fargo, are flatter than cardboard cut-outs. The only attempt at all to liven them up is with snappy banter that is a bit reminiscent, if you have read Cussler's most famous series, of Dirk Pitt and Al Giordino. This lack of character development is somewhat masked, however, by the plot moving at a breakneck adventure pace.
- Speaking of that, the already brisk pace at the beginning of the book accelerates exponentially as the story progresses, to the point where the protagonists are nearly in a different country for every chapter by the end of the book. This left precious few pages for the final climactic scene, with no pause for suspense whatsoever, an underwhelming end to the antagonists, and very little description of the treasure they hunted the entire book for (although their wonder at eventually figuring out the mystery will not be shared by the reader, who were spoiled by said treasure being the title of the book).
- Speaking of the antagonists, the main antagonist, Ukranian warlord Hadeon Bondurak, and his henchmen, former Spetsnaz soldiers, are written as to be less effective than Scooby Doo villains. The protagonists, who are loathe to use lethal force and do not make a habit of carrying weapons, constantly and easily outwit these bloodthirsty, trained, well-armed men with unbelievable childish ruses and incredible luck. (For a better example of how a Russian former Spetsnaz mercenary should be written, see Sokolov in Reamde.)
- Sam falls out of a boat after hitting his head and while the hit leaves him unconscious, he does not pass out until after he pulls himself back into the boat. I am pretty sure this is not how head injuries work. Sam is also later shot through ear, mentions the wound will need stitches, never gets the wound taken care of, and it is never brought up again.
- The paint-by-number, follow the wine bottle trail of obscure historical clues were very derivative of Dan Brown's Robert Langdon books, and there was a glaring plot-hole as they were unable to get the clue from the broken wine bottle shard -- or was that bottle the only one to mysteriously not have the cryptic, sequential instructions leading to the next bottle on it?
- And speaking of those bottles, at one point Sam and Remi find a bottle in an old crypt and pay $500 for it to a descendant of the crypt's inhabitant, who did not know the significance of the bottle or its value, and later get $250,000 for their exploration foundation for that bottle from the French government. That entire transaction did not sit well with me at all, considering the Fargos were allegedly not interested in material wealth, and were already financially set up.
- Finally, there was the inevitable Clive Cussler cameo. I have read enough of his books to know that when the "sun-kissed, white haired man with the sparkling blue eyes" appears, I am being treated to yet another superfluous indulgence of the author's ego, and to just grin and bear it.
Now, if your brain isn't shut off while reading this book, you may notice some things that might irk you, such as (spoilers ahead, you have been warned):
- The heroes, married treasure hunters Sam and Remi Fargo, are flatter than cardboard cut-outs. The only attempt at all to liven them up is with snappy banter that is a bit reminiscent, if you have read Cussler's most famous series, of Dirk Pitt and Al Giordino. This lack of character development is somewhat masked, however, by the plot moving at a breakneck adventure pace.
- Speaking of that, the already brisk pace at the beginning of the book accelerates exponentially as the story progresses, to the point where the protagonists are nearly in a different country for every chapter by the end of the book. This left precious few pages for the final climactic scene, with no pause for suspense whatsoever, an underwhelming end to the antagonists, and very little description of the treasure they hunted the entire book for (although their wonder at eventually figuring out the mystery will not be shared by the reader, who were spoiled by said treasure being the title of the book).
- Speaking of the antagonists, the main antagonist, Ukranian warlord Hadeon Bondurak, and his henchmen, former Spetsnaz soldiers, are written as to be less effective than Scooby Doo villains. The protagonists, who are loathe to use lethal force and do not make a habit of carrying weapons, constantly and easily outwit these bloodthirsty, trained, well-armed men with unbelievable childish ruses and incredible luck. (For a better example of how a Russian former Spetsnaz mercenary should be written, see Sokolov in Reamde.)
- Sam falls out of a boat after hitting his head and while the hit leaves him unconscious, he does not pass out until after he pulls himself back into the boat. I am pretty sure this is not how head injuries work. Sam is also later shot through ear, mentions the wound will need stitches, never gets the wound taken care of, and it is never brought up again.
- The paint-by-number, follow the wine bottle trail of obscure historical clues were very derivative of Dan Brown's Robert Langdon books, and there was a glaring plot-hole as they were unable to get the clue from the broken wine bottle shard -- or was that bottle the only one to mysteriously not have the cryptic, sequential instructions leading to the next bottle on it?
- And speaking of those bottles, at one point Sam and Remi find a bottle in an old crypt and pay $500 for it to a descendant of the crypt's inhabitant, who did not know the significance of the bottle or its value, and later get $250,000 for their exploration foundation for that bottle from the French government. That entire transaction did not sit well with me at all, considering the Fargos were allegedly not interested in material wealth, and were already financially set up.
- Finally, there was the inevitable Clive Cussler cameo. I have read enough of his books to know that when the "sun-kissed, white haired man with the sparkling blue eyes" appears, I am being treated to yet another superfluous indulgence of the author's ego, and to just grin and bear it.
November 23, 2011
Okay, I'm done. It was an enjoyable read. I agree with one of the other reviewers that, even though they took some damage, Remi and Sam didn't seem phased in the slightest by the bad guys in a way that I felt they should have. They brushed off the attacks from villains and thugs with a shrug. As for the History-mystery, I liked that part of it. The writing was smoother than I remember Clive Cussler being in the Dirk Pitt Novels. It's worth another book, but not three if Sam and Remi don't learn how to be properly concerned about bullets and bombs and Russian Mobsters with high priced hitmen. It seemed too easy for them. Three stars. This may be the review. I'll think about it. Enjoyable read, worth the time. Not in my top ten.
The Narrator needed some getting used to. This was an audiobook for me. Brik seemed to think everyone either sounded like Dracula, a Midwesterner, or Italian. He also flat footed some of the punchlines that might have been funnier/more fun to read.
The Narrator needed some getting used to. This was an audiobook for me. Brik seemed to think everyone either sounded like Dracula, a Midwesterner, or Italian. He also flat footed some of the punchlines that might have been funnier/more fun to read.
August 15, 2011
I...am having a hard time figuring out what to say about this novel. I believe the "ARGH" pencilled in near the end of the copy I read may say it all.
(that "ARGH" no doubt had to do with a xiphos, a Spartan sword, being referred to as having "gleaming steel" showing through on the blade. The xiphos was bronze and, in later times, iron. There would be no gleaming steel.)
That, really, says it all. This book read like someone spliced some action scenes into a series of Wikipedia printouts - the entire thing was an infodump. Or, to be more accurate, a series of infodumps pertaining to everything from Nazi minisubs to Napoleonic winemaking techniques to Crimean Sea smuggling tactics. In between, there were lavishly detailed descriptions of how to temporarily disable a speedboat, or extract a tracking chip from an iPhone.
Truly, this was research porn. Cussler obviously sketched out a vague scenario - one that made next to no sense, veering as it did from Nazi minisubs in the Carolinas to vineyards in France to THE TREASURIES OF DELPHI - and handed it off to his cowriter on a paper napkin. The cowriter clearly enjoys researching, and couldn't bear to eliminate any of his thousands of carefully compiled notes and references. So instead, he incorporated them all into the novel, as its main text. Add a character or two here and there, and a few guns and explosions, and boom! Novel. With convenient Nazi sub on the cover, seeing as all Clive Cussler novels appear to be mandated to have Nazi subs on their cover (if the preview of the next book the publisher is touting in the back is to be trusted).
In all honesty, this wasn't a BAD book. It read quickly, and I even learned a few things. But it was rather like going on a Wikipedia binge and clicking from link to link to link and finding myself, four hours later, on a page that I can't figure out how I got to, bleary-eyed and slightly dizzy. Only with more explosions, and a bit more stilted dialogue.
At least now I know how to take that tracking chip out of my phone, though.
(that "ARGH" no doubt had to do with a xiphos, a Spartan sword, being referred to as having "gleaming steel" showing through on the blade. The xiphos was bronze and, in later times, iron. There would be no gleaming steel.)
That, really, says it all. This book read like someone spliced some action scenes into a series of Wikipedia printouts - the entire thing was an infodump. Or, to be more accurate, a series of infodumps pertaining to everything from Nazi minisubs to Napoleonic winemaking techniques to Crimean Sea smuggling tactics. In between, there were lavishly detailed descriptions of how to temporarily disable a speedboat, or extract a tracking chip from an iPhone.
Truly, this was research porn. Cussler obviously sketched out a vague scenario - one that made next to no sense, veering as it did from Nazi minisubs in the Carolinas to vineyards in France to THE TREASURIES OF DELPHI - and handed it off to his cowriter on a paper napkin. The cowriter clearly enjoys researching, and couldn't bear to eliminate any of his thousands of carefully compiled notes and references. So instead, he incorporated them all into the novel, as its main text. Add a character or two here and there, and a few guns and explosions, and boom! Novel. With convenient Nazi sub on the cover, seeing as all Clive Cussler novels appear to be mandated to have Nazi subs on their cover (if the preview of the next book the publisher is touting in the back is to be trusted).
In all honesty, this wasn't a BAD book. It read quickly, and I even learned a few things. But it was rather like going on a Wikipedia binge and clicking from link to link to link and finding myself, four hours later, on a page that I can't figure out how I got to, bleary-eyed and slightly dizzy. Only with more explosions, and a bit more stilted dialogue.
At least now I know how to take that tracking chip out of my phone, though.
January 3, 2011
Overall, a disappointing outing from Cussler and Blackwood. In this novel, Remi and Sam Fargo, treasure hunters extraordinaire and generous philanthropists, find themselves up against the forces of a mysterious Ukranian crime boss who traces his ancestry to Persia, and Xerxes the Great. Both are after the secrets of the lost cellar of Napoleon and the potential treasure it will lead them to.
The major issue here is that there is no threat. Remi and Sam repeatedly face down the bad guys, and do so in non-lethal manners that allow the bad guys to escape and the Fargo's to run free. Once or twice it might work, but after the third or fourth time it becomes repetitive, and the sense of threat and peril to the characters vanishes. You know they're going to get out of it okay, so there's no tension. This echoes through to the end of the book, which hits the climax and conclusion inside a handful of pages.
The mystery that the Fargo's are following requires putting together obscure clues left behind by Napoleon and his chief confidant - an interesting idea, but a difficult one that doesn't leave much room for the reader to figure out what is happening along with the characters. This lack of involvement, combined with transparent motivation for the stereotypical bad guy and muddled logic for involving the main characters, leads to a thoroughly unsatisfying read.
Cussler's books are normally better than this. Skip this book; if you're in the mood for Cussler, pick up a NUMA/Pitt or Isaac Bell book instead.
The major issue here is that there is no threat. Remi and Sam repeatedly face down the bad guys, and do so in non-lethal manners that allow the bad guys to escape and the Fargo's to run free. Once or twice it might work, but after the third or fourth time it becomes repetitive, and the sense of threat and peril to the characters vanishes. You know they're going to get out of it okay, so there's no tension. This echoes through to the end of the book, which hits the climax and conclusion inside a handful of pages.
The mystery that the Fargo's are following requires putting together obscure clues left behind by Napoleon and his chief confidant - an interesting idea, but a difficult one that doesn't leave much room for the reader to figure out what is happening along with the characters. This lack of involvement, combined with transparent motivation for the stereotypical bad guy and muddled logic for involving the main characters, leads to a thoroughly unsatisfying read.
Cussler's books are normally better than this. Skip this book; if you're in the mood for Cussler, pick up a NUMA/Pitt or Isaac Bell book instead.
October 28, 2011
I feel as if I have ordered a steak and recieved a hamburger. A good hamburger, but still just that, a hamburger. What's that, a hamburger is better with cheese making it a cheeseburger? Yeah, well I got a hamburger and that is it. Here is the line on this one: a gorgeous young and wealthy couple stumble upon a great historical find, meanwhile a nasty rich bad guy is also after the find that the young couple stumbled upon. And of course the bad meany will send his cronies in to attempt to thwart the young couple from any attempts at figuring out the historical riddle before he can. Well a bit of a formulaic plot is developing here it seems. Yes this is a good book it just seems like this one has been done before. I hope the second in the series will provide my steak I was looking for. Or at least a damn cheeseburger.
March 2, 2023
It’s a well researched treasure hunt. And it’s written in a way that will make you fly through the pages. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of info dumping and there’s never a sense of threat or danger for the protagonists. It can be a bit boring at times but it’s not a bad read.
June 23, 2019
Pācat cā nu pot o fārâmā dintr-o ⭐.
Of, of, asa carte mai bine nu. Sper sa nu mai intalnesc una ca asta. Sotii Fargo cauta o comoara, dar deoarece nu sunt singurii care o doresc, trebuie sa fuga din calea baietilor rai. M-a enervat la culme cum scapau din orice situatie, ba cu barca, ba cu avion, ba cu nu stiu ce masina sport. Deh, banii isi pun amprenta pe aventurile din aceasta carte. Doar ca nu sunt aventuri, banii fac totul, nu ei.
Imi doresc sa mai citesc candva carti ale autirului, dar nu din seria Fargo, nu, nu, nu.
Of, of, asa carte mai bine nu. Sper sa nu mai intalnesc una ca asta. Sotii Fargo cauta o comoara, dar deoarece nu sunt singurii care o doresc, trebuie sa fuga din calea baietilor rai. M-a enervat la culme cum scapau din orice situatie, ba cu barca, ba cu avion, ba cu nu stiu ce masina sport. Deh, banii isi pun amprenta pe aventurile din aceasta carte. Doar ca nu sunt aventuri, banii fac totul, nu ei.
Imi doresc sa mai citesc candva carti ale autirului, dar nu din seria Fargo, nu, nu, nu.
June 18, 2015
I enjoyed it, was good enough adventure to keep me interested.
August 3, 2012
I've read a couple of Cussler's book before this one, mainly Dirk Pitt adventures and I honestly enjoyed them a lot. I was expecting a great adventure, spiced with political intrigues, fictional historical events and topped with some good humor, cheesy romance and good enough characters. But instead I got a shallow treasure hunt, more than usual unrealistic action scenes, two uni-dimensional main characters ( a couple: husband and wife), some very retarded side characters. The dialog and action scenes wore plain and simple: bad. And, for crying out loud, they were using google to search for clues and to solve the mysteries! I know it's supposed to be a modern book: in the internet age, but it's hard to believe you can find centuries old buried treasures by searching clues with google.
To summarize, I think that the plot was the worst of all. In the middle of the book I stopped and asked myself: Why am I reading this? I finished it only because I have a habit to read a book completely once I've started it.
To summarize, I think that the plot was the worst of all. In the middle of the book I stopped and asked myself: Why am I reading this? I finished it only because I have a habit to read a book completely once I've started it.
November 7, 2019
Spartan Gold is another treasure hunt story, along the lines of a Steve Berry novel, but with a weaker plot. There is, of course, the bad guys who are on the trail of the same treasure, and who are willing to kill to make that happen. The book loosely weaves some "history" into the story, including the notion that Napoleon had discovered gold stolen by the Spartans from Delphi. But, if you're looking to learn anything factual, this ain't the book for you. I felt it was difficult to follow the two protagonists, Remi and Sam Fargo, as they trek around the globe collecting clues. Lots of action, but little substance. Also, the character development was pretty weak.
October 10, 2018
Some years ago I read Cussler--probably with Dirk Pitt. So thought I'd try this with different protagonists. The audio version isn't the best one to choose because of all the statistics, etc. I like Remi and Sam, but their scrapes with the bad guys are a little unbelievable. Maybe it was because of the reader, but the style of writing reminded me of DeMille. Don't think I will read the others in this series.
June 13, 2017
A solid/fun suspense novel.
Sam and Remi are two likable characters, both capable as well as self deprecating with decent sense of humor.
I also enjoyed the traveling and the little morsels of history the book offers.
Worth it to me to continue to the next book in the series.
Sam and Remi are two likable characters, both capable as well as self deprecating with decent sense of humor.
I also enjoyed the traveling and the little morsels of history the book offers.
Worth it to me to continue to the next book in the series.
August 8, 2018
One of the first Remi and Sam Fargo books..
January 8, 2010
He's not Tom Clancy, so he should definitely leave out the Spatsnaz soldiers in his books. He made them look like kids with toy guns in this book. Not even close to real life. Also a definite thing to do is to drop all the product placement. I actually got so tired of it that I wrote him on his website, cusslerbooks.com, and asked him to leave it out...forever. I wrote that I felt more like I was reading a sales catalog than an adventure in comparison to his earlier books.
Anyway, I like the true, historic events mingled into the book, as most of his books have done. I thought that this might be a good book to read with Stephanie, since we read a lot of Cussler books together, as they main characters are a husband and wife team. Seemed like it would fit for us. However, we'll pass on reading this one together and will have a high bar set for any further books in this team's future. I liked how they talked and joked with each other, and I even laughed at it a bit when some of their lines, but the aforementioned items overshadowed me enjoying it much more than a laugh here and there.
In the end, I disliked how by the time that they found the treasure there wasn't much talk or description about it. Only a handful of pages and the book was done all of a sudden. I would like to have read more about that, especially given how much he mingles actual historic events into his books, as mentioned. I still have yet to look up if there really was a man named Laurent in Napoleon's army and if there was a 'Lost Cellar" to be found and if Xerxes I actually attacked the places that he did and found these two Karyatids (caryatids in the dictionary as I actually looked them up to see what they were).
Anyway, I like the true, historic events mingled into the book, as most of his books have done. I thought that this might be a good book to read with Stephanie, since we read a lot of Cussler books together, as they main characters are a husband and wife team. Seemed like it would fit for us. However, we'll pass on reading this one together and will have a high bar set for any further books in this team's future. I liked how they talked and joked with each other, and I even laughed at it a bit when some of their lines, but the aforementioned items overshadowed me enjoying it much more than a laugh here and there.
In the end, I disliked how by the time that they found the treasure there wasn't much talk or description about it. Only a handful of pages and the book was done all of a sudden. I would like to have read more about that, especially given how much he mingles actual historic events into his books, as mentioned. I still have yet to look up if there really was a man named Laurent in Napoleon's army and if there was a 'Lost Cellar" to be found and if Xerxes I actually attacked the places that he did and found these two Karyatids (caryatids in the dictionary as I actually looked them up to see what they were).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2021
This is my first ever Clive Cussler - he's really popular at the library so I said screw it and decided to give one of his books a chance. Its not great literature but it's entertaining and fast paced. It's like a modern day uber-wealthy Indiana Jones going on adventures with his wife (if he had one). I liked the history aspect of it and it was fast paced - there is never a slow moment. Treasure hunting team Sam and Remy Fargo stumble upon a World War II German U-boat in in the Pocomoke Swamp - the fact that a German vessel made it inland with no one ever knowing is impressive but what is even more impressive is what they find inside - an old French wine bottle. Could it be part of Napoleon's lost cellar? They soon realize they aren't the only ones on the treasure hunt, Hadeon Bondaruk, a half Russian, half Persian millionaire will do whatever it takes to stop the Fargos and seize their research - could it be there is another layer to the mystery? Great listening for the car - I think I'll continue with the series.
October 25, 2017
This is the first book in the Fargo Adventure series by Clive Cussler (and Grant Blackwood for the first three novels).
The story is filled with action and suspense, along with a healthy dose of history.
The rapport between the two married protagonists, Sam and Remy, reminded me strongly of Jonathan and Jennifer Hart from the 80s television series, Hart to Hart .
The story is filled with action and suspense, along with a healthy dose of history.
The rapport between the two married protagonists, Sam and Remy, reminded me strongly of Jonathan and Jennifer Hart from the 80s television series, Hart to Hart .
July 23, 2014
I've read a number of Cussler books over the years, and have enjoyed every one. This was no exception. The story was entertaining, and the characters (although somewhat stereotypical) were engaging. I did have a few problems with it, though. The writing wasn't up to the standard I expected. There were a couple of grammatical errors, and in many places the exact same phrasing was repeated in consecutive sentences. This change in style may be due to Cussler collaborating with another author. I'm not sure. Small points, I know, but I found them distracting. My main concern was an unexpected number of typographical errors. I borrowed this book from my library through our new eBook program with OverDrive. A simple proofreading would have caught most (if not all) typos. I hope this isn't going to be a trend with OverDrive material.
Overall, a very good book, and I will be reading the others in the series. I definitely recommend it to those who enjoy "adventure" type books. I suspect that's mostly older men (40's and up). It seems to be popular with our patrons, since it was the first of our OverDrive eBooks to get placed on hold by another patron. I think we may need to order more of Cussler's books.
Overall, a very good book, and I will be reading the others in the series. I definitely recommend it to those who enjoy "adventure" type books. I suspect that's mostly older men (40's and up). It seems to be popular with our patrons, since it was the first of our OverDrive eBooks to get placed on hold by another patron. I think we may need to order more of Cussler's books.
October 17, 2012
Not my usual read, but I thought I'd break it up with something different. This is an adventure story about a treasure hunting married couple on their quest to find 12 lost wine bottles from Napoleon's "lost cellar." But believing that these bottles hold the key to finding the secret treasure of Xerxes I, the book's villain will stop at nothing to get to them first.
I'd never read anything by Clive Cussler before this; his stuff always seemed to be like something my dad would read. I don't say that like it's a negative, just an observation and a speculation of the target audience. I can certainly see why his books are so popular, though. There's lots of action and adventure as our main protagonists the Fargos solve riddles and uncover secrets in a way that is reminiscent of the DaVinci Code.
The only problem is, it's just not too thrilling or suspenseful. Sam and Remi Fargo are a couple of goody-two-shoes always letting their adversaries go free, allowing them to ambush them another day. Sam and Remi always seem to stay a step ahead, but the villains end up catching up, there's usually a struggle, the Fargos win and capture the villains, and then let them go. This cycle must have repeated itself a few more times before the tension just left me for good.
I'd never read anything by Clive Cussler before this; his stuff always seemed to be like something my dad would read. I don't say that like it's a negative, just an observation and a speculation of the target audience. I can certainly see why his books are so popular, though. There's lots of action and adventure as our main protagonists the Fargos solve riddles and uncover secrets in a way that is reminiscent of the DaVinci Code.
The only problem is, it's just not too thrilling or suspenseful. Sam and Remi Fargo are a couple of goody-two-shoes always letting their adversaries go free, allowing them to ambush them another day. Sam and Remi always seem to stay a step ahead, but the villains end up catching up, there's usually a struggle, the Fargos win and capture the villains, and then let them go. This cycle must have repeated itself a few more times before the tension just left me for good.
January 14, 2018
This is first book in a series about husband and wife treasure hunters Sam and Remi Fargo.
The plot is the familiar find a clue, solve it to find the next clue etc.. In this case that formula was used too literally and there was very little sub plot or anything. Added to that, the Fargo's, managed to just escape the bad guys too many times for my liking.
As an adventure story it wasn't bad, but lacked an edge of tension and suspense that make many books of this genre page turners. Some of the Historical details were interesting and I did Google a few of the things to find out how much was fact, and how much fiction. (Mostly fiction, but some good starting points based on truth.)
Not sure if I will read any more in this series as there are many, many books of this type out there.
The plot is the familiar find a clue, solve it to find the next clue etc.. In this case that formula was used too literally and there was very little sub plot or anything. Added to that, the Fargo's, managed to just escape the bad guys too many times for my liking.
As an adventure story it wasn't bad, but lacked an edge of tension and suspense that make many books of this genre page turners. Some of the Historical details were interesting and I did Google a few of the things to find out how much was fact, and how much fiction. (Mostly fiction, but some good starting points based on truth.)
Not sure if I will read any more in this series as there are many, many books of this type out there.
December 25, 2017
This book was decent. It entertained me for what I was looking for, something light, funny, and like the video game "Uncharted" and that's what I got! It is filled with world class architectural references, world history, and enough mystery to keep you turning the pages. For my friends at FBR, it's comparable to The Dresden Files as it has that kind of light feel and quick witty humor that Mr. Butcher brings to his novels. This is the first Clive Cussler novel that I've ever read but it will not be my last. I'm already looking forward to Lost Empire where I can join the Fargos for another wildly good treasure chase!
December 25, 2021
5/5 ⭐️: This was so much fun to read!!!!!!! Normally, I run as fast as possible in the opposite direction when a book starts to reference history. I do NOT find historical fiction engaging in any way. Even though this story centered around historical events, the book itself took place in modern times (2009 AND iPhones!). The two main characters, Sam and Remi, are freakin' treasure hunters. I never knew this kind of book existed. They are literally being chased by Russians in pursuit of treasure that they just happened to find out about. It's super fun to follow along and watch the adventure unfold.
I see there are 11 books in this series.
I will now read all of them.
I see there are 11 books in this series.
I will now read all of them.
April 10, 2020
Notes:
Solid adventure story with a gutsy couple. =)
Solid adventure story with a gutsy couple. =)
August 31, 2020
I enjoy treasure hunt history novels and some action. It delivered. I'll read a couple more in the series and hopefully it continues.
November 28, 2022
Unfortunately, even though the story is very well written, I could not keep my mind focused on the story.
If I was to take a quiz on this book, I’m not sure I would pass. 😳
September 9, 2024
This book felt like watching a treasure hunt movie. Easy and enjoyable read. I'll look to pick up more books from the series
May 19, 2017
This is a biblio-turd. I was disappointed that the protagonists were not killed at the end.
January 30, 2018
This is one of the worst adventure books I have read probably ever. The first half sets up a serviceable mystery and adventure but the jet setting and convenience of timing by the middle of the story makes everything unbelievable.
Our main characters are Sam and Remi Fargo, who are able to do everything even though they are not trained spies nor super geniuses. Just rich folks that like a good treasure hunt. That was created 200 years ago by Napoleon. And might have something to do with Nazi Germany invading America. And is tied to a Russian mobster that hired the most crack team of boobs this side of a Looney Tunes show.
I think my favorite line was in the middle of deciphering the mystery when Sam says I remember reading this one specific book by this one obscure person in college that is directly tied to this mystery... Come on...
If the story was not bad enough this suffers from a distracting period of describing mundane objects but not describing key things enough. Their dinner would be three courses of a meticulously crafted fresh green salad with vinaigrette, fresh hand-ground tortillas with 24-hour braised pulled chicken with spices from exotic locations, and a rich sorbet made from local melons with a light dust of cinnamon sugar, all washed down with a pot of fresh roasted coffee from room service. Then they would walk out on a path to the next plot point in a large brown building.
Outside of the Mary Sue/Gary Stu-ness of both main characters and every person they talk to, who all know English and the exact things the characters want, the fact that by the end they are taking part in the serious injury of individuals without remorse left a bad taste in my mouth. Just an engineer shooting people with meticulously described firearms and quipping one liners...
I wish I could get into the meat of the book's plot without spoiling anything but I have already spent more time writing this than I wanted to. Be aware that the first part is somewhat believable but fun and as the story goes on it becomes less fun and more unbelievable. No shocking twists. Just outlandish circumstances and people.
Our main characters are Sam and Remi Fargo, who are able to do everything even though they are not trained spies nor super geniuses. Just rich folks that like a good treasure hunt. That was created 200 years ago by Napoleon. And might have something to do with Nazi Germany invading America. And is tied to a Russian mobster that hired the most crack team of boobs this side of a Looney Tunes show.
I think my favorite line was in the middle of deciphering the mystery when Sam says I remember reading this one specific book by this one obscure person in college that is directly tied to this mystery... Come on...
If the story was not bad enough this suffers from a distracting period of describing mundane objects but not describing key things enough. Their dinner would be three courses of a meticulously crafted fresh green salad with vinaigrette, fresh hand-ground tortillas with 24-hour braised pulled chicken with spices from exotic locations, and a rich sorbet made from local melons with a light dust of cinnamon sugar, all washed down with a pot of fresh roasted coffee from room service. Then they would walk out on a path to the next plot point in a large brown building.
Outside of the Mary Sue/Gary Stu-ness of both main characters and every person they talk to, who all know English and the exact things the characters want, the fact that by the end they are taking part in the serious injury of individuals without remorse left a bad taste in my mouth. Just an engineer shooting people with meticulously described firearms and quipping one liners...
I wish I could get into the meat of the book's plot without spoiling anything but I have already spent more time writing this than I wanted to. Be aware that the first part is somewhat believable but fun and as the story goes on it becomes less fun and more unbelievable. No shocking twists. Just outlandish circumstances and people.
February 3, 2015
A fast paced read that takes us on a treasure hunt across the world. It's overflowing with action and adventure - a book that lives up to the genre Action/Adventure. But, along with that comes some unbelievable moments. You know? The scene were the bad guys empty their guns and miss with every bullet, while the hero takes one shot that kills three of them. You have to take the good with the bad. In this book there was more good than bad.
A treasure hunting couple stumble upon a WWII German sub hidden in a swamp, while a local antique dealer attempts to sell a broken piece of an old wine bottle. These two events start a whirlwind adventure that takes a treasure hunting couple across the world. It also challenges them to become experts on Napoleon Bonaparte's obscure wine collection in order to solve riddles that lead them to the jackpot pile of spartan gold...sadly, there is no Dragon named Smaug sitting on top of the pile of gold.
This book reminds me of the James Bond collection, which I have been making my way through recently. They both give off the same attitude (if a book can do that?), where the main characters are invincible, have unbelievably good luck, and can solve obscure riddles with impossible ease. This could never happen in real life, but, it makes for some pretty good story lines. I don't know how many times the treasure hunters in this book outwitted the mafia type thugs that were hunting them down. Even in the few hand to hand battles, the smaller treasure hunters managed to win with a well placed judo kick or a spot on hundred yard throw of a brick that smashes into the thugs head while narrowly missing the other treasure hunters face that is only millimeters away. If you are reading this kind of book you have to turn off your logic/reality brain and just go with it. Accept that it is fiction and enjoy the fakeness of it all.
A treasure hunting couple stumble upon a WWII German sub hidden in a swamp, while a local antique dealer attempts to sell a broken piece of an old wine bottle. These two events start a whirlwind adventure that takes a treasure hunting couple across the world. It also challenges them to become experts on Napoleon Bonaparte's obscure wine collection in order to solve riddles that lead them to the jackpot pile of spartan gold...sadly, there is no Dragon named Smaug sitting on top of the pile of gold.
This book reminds me of the James Bond collection, which I have been making my way through recently. They both give off the same attitude (if a book can do that?), where the main characters are invincible, have unbelievably good luck, and can solve obscure riddles with impossible ease. This could never happen in real life, but, it makes for some pretty good story lines. I don't know how many times the treasure hunters in this book outwitted the mafia type thugs that were hunting them down. Even in the few hand to hand battles, the smaller treasure hunters managed to win with a well placed judo kick or a spot on hundred yard throw of a brick that smashes into the thugs head while narrowly missing the other treasure hunters face that is only millimeters away. If you are reading this kind of book you have to turn off your logic/reality brain and just go with it. Accept that it is fiction and enjoy the fakeness of it all.
December 29, 2013
Having listened to this series out of order, second and third and now the first one, I knew what to expect, so I was neither disappointed nor impressed. And yes, this series can easily be read/listened to out of order. Fargos, Cussler's cardboard picture perfect in every aspect married couple of adventurers and treasure hunters extraordinaire, are, of course, much too perfect to be believable. They are boundlessly capable, marvelously inventive, phenomenally clever, competent, knowledgeable and adept in a staggeringly wide array of subjects and disciplines. They are a variable fount of efficacy, strength and vigor. They travel world wide from well known to some fairly remote and exotic locales, yet everyone they meet seems to speak English. They get themselves into the most impossible, impossibly dangerous situations and yet always manage to escape with grace, inventiveness and, for the most part, nary a bruise. In other words, the Fargos are ridiculous. But they are entertaining enough, Scott Brick does a very good reading as always, and, most importantly, it isn't just about Fargos. The best parts of this series are the awesome historical facts and the fascinating travel destinations. And of that there is plenty in this book. And so it makes for a fun listen(much better than the random world outside sounds) and a pretty good companion for walks and bike rides.
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