- Paperback: 544 pages
- Publisher: Penguin; Reprint edition (1 Mar 2007)
- Language Unknown
- ISBN-10: 0141017724
- ISBN-13: 978-0141017723
- Product Dimensions: 17.6 x 11.2 x 3.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 48,894 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Polar Shift: A Novel from the Numa Files (Numa Files 6)
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Product Description
Product Description
Polar Shift: It is the name for a phenomenon that may have occurred many times in the past. At its weakest, it disorients birds and animals and damages electrical equipment. At its worst, it causes massive eruptions, earthquakes and climatic changes. At its very worst, it would mean the obliteration of all living matter… Sixty years ago, an eccentric Hungarian genius discovered how to artificially trigger such a shift, but then his work disappeared, or so it was thought. Now, the charismatic leader of an anti-globalization group plans to use it to give the world’s industrialized nations a small jolt, before reversing the shift back again. The only problem is, it can’t be reversed. Once it starts, there is nothing anyone can do. Austin, Zavala and the rest of the NUMA Special Assignments Team have certainly faced dire situations before, but never have they encountered anything like this. This time even they may be too late.
About the Author
Clive Cussler is the author or coauthor of twenty-eight previous books, most recently the Dirk Pitt adventure Black Wind; the Numa Files novel Lost City; and the Oregon adventure Sacred Stone. He is also the author of The Sea Hunters and The Sea Hunters II; these describe the true-life adventures of the real NUMA , which, led by Cussler, has discovered more than sixty ships, including the long-lost Confederate submarine Hunley. Cussler divides his time between Colorado and Arizona. Paul Kemprecos has coauthored the NUMA Files novels Serpent, Blue Gold, Fire Ice, White Death and Lost City. He is a Shamus Award-winning author of six underwater detective thrillers. A certified scuba diver and a former newspaper reporter, columnist and editor, he lives in Massachusetts.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I strongly encourage you to listen to the unabridged CD narrated by Scott Brick instead of reading this book. Brick has a wonderful way with voices and accents that give the story depth and suspense you won't find on the printed page.
The book opens in the closing days of the Second World War in East Prussia as a shadowy Austrian escorts a renowned Hungarian scientist away from the advancing Soviets. The Austrian turns out to be a member of the resistance who wants the scientist's knowledge to remain secret from governments that might use that knowledge to create super weapons. This part of the story is as vivid as any great World War II spy novel I've read.
Moving to the present, an enormous container ship finds itself facing unprecedented large waves. How will it survive? You'll find yourself enjoying some of the strong emotions that A Perfect Storm provided.
Kurt Austin is leading a kayak race when he's suddenly attacked by a killer whale. That shouldn't be happening. What's going on?
Next, the Trouts are off taking some sea water samples when they find themselves unexpectedly drawn into a giant whirlpool. The rescue attempt is simply scintillating!
From there, you'll learn a lot about geology and how the Earth creates electromagnetic waves.
Kurt Austin soon perceives that there's a hidden key to the mysterious events and it all seems to be tied up to a beautiful young scientist who has a theory she's trying to prove about the extinction of woolly mammoths. Others get the same idea ahead of Austin. Can he arrive in time to save her? What other surprises await him?
As an interlude, you'll also experience a most unusual Civil War reenactment.
Starting the book with so many interesting incidents sets a high expectation for what's to come. Unfortunately, the book's ending offers a high octane threat to keep you interested . . . but the resolution doesn't satisfy the desire for one more great sequence to cap what is otherwise an extremely interesting thriller.
The book has a very interesting theme about the potential to use resources for good or evil purposes. I encourage you to draw on that theme to think about resources that are almost always used in harmful ways. How could those resources be used instead for almost always helpful results?
Enjoy this whale of a tale or two!
The book opens in the closing days of the Second World War in East Prussia as a shadowy Austrian escorts a renowned Hungarian scientist away from the advancing Soviets. The Austrian turns out to be a member of the resistance who wants the scientist's knowledge to remain secret from governments that might use that knowledge to create super weapons. This part of the story is as vivid as any great World War II spy novel I've read.
Moving to the present, an enormous container ship finds itself facing unprecedented large waves. How will it survive? You'll find yourself enjoying some of the strong emotions that A Perfect Storm provided.
Kurt Austin is leading a kayak race when he's suddenly attacked by a killer whale. That shouldn't be happening. What's going on?
Next, the Trouts are off taking some sea water samples when they find themselves unexpectedly drawn into a giant whirlpool. The rescue attempt is simply scintillating!
From there, you'll learn a lot about geology and how the Earth creates electromagnetic waves.
Kurt Austin soon perceives that there's a hidden key to the mysterious events and it all seems to be tied up to a beautiful young scientist who has a theory she's trying to prove about the extinction of woolly mammoths. Others get the same idea ahead of Austin. Can he arrive in time to save her? What other surprises await him?
As an interlude, you'll also experience a most unusual Civil War reenactment.
Starting the book with so many interesting incidents sets a high expectation for what's to come. Unfortunately, the book's ending offers a high octane threat to keep you interested . . . but the resolution doesn't satisfy the desire for one more great sequence to cap what is otherwise an extremely interesting thriller.
The book has a very interesting theme about the potential to use resources for good or evil purposes. I encourage you to draw on that theme to think about resources that are almost always used in harmful ways. How could those resources be used instead for almost always helpful results?
Enjoy this whale of a tale or two!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I strongly encourage you to listen to the unabridged CD narrated by Scott Brick instead of reading this book. Brick has a wonderful way with voices and accents that give the story depth and suspense you won't find on the printed page.
The book opens in the closing days of the Second World War in East Prussia as a shadowy Austrian escorts a renowned Hungarian scientist away from the advancing Soviets. The Austrian turns out to be a member of the resistance who wants the scientist's knowledge to remain secret from governments that might use that knowledge to create super weapons. This part of the story is as vivid as any great World War II spy novel I've read.
Moving to the present, an enormous container ship finds itself facing unprecedented large waves. How will it survive? You'll find yourself enjoying some of the strong emotions that A Perfect Storm provided.
Kurt Austin is leading a kayak race when he's suddenly attacked by a killer whale. That shouldn't be happening. What's going on?
Next, the Trouts are off taking some sea water samples when they find themselves unexpectedly drawn into a giant whirlpool. The rescue attempt is simply scintillating!
From there, you'll learn a lot about geology and how the Earth creates electromagnetic waves.
Kurt Austin soon perceives that there's a hidden key to the mysterious events and it all seems to be tied up to a beautiful young scientist who has a theory she's trying to prove about the extinction of woolly mammoths. Others get the same idea ahead of Austin. Can he arrive in time to save her? What other surprises await him?
As an interlude, you'll also experience a most unusual Civil War reenactment.
Starting the book with so many interesting incidents sets a high expectation for what's to come. Unfortunately, the book's ending offers a high octane threat to keep you interested . . . but the resolution doesn't satisfy the desire for one more great sequence to cap what is otherwise an extremely interesting thriller.
The book has a very interesting theme about the potential to use resources for good or evil purposes. I encourage you to draw on that theme to think about resources that are almost always used in harmful ways. How could those resources be used instead for almost always helpful results?
Enjoy this whale of a tale or two!
The book opens in the closing days of the Second World War in East Prussia as a shadowy Austrian escorts a renowned Hungarian scientist away from the advancing Soviets. The Austrian turns out to be a member of the resistance who wants the scientist's knowledge to remain secret from governments that might use that knowledge to create super weapons. This part of the story is as vivid as any great World War II spy novel I've read.
Moving to the present, an enormous container ship finds itself facing unprecedented large waves. How will it survive? You'll find yourself enjoying some of the strong emotions that A Perfect Storm provided.
Kurt Austin is leading a kayak race when he's suddenly attacked by a killer whale. That shouldn't be happening. What's going on?
Next, the Trouts are off taking some sea water samples when they find themselves unexpectedly drawn into a giant whirlpool. The rescue attempt is simply scintillating!
From there, you'll learn a lot about geology and how the Earth creates electromagnetic waves.
Kurt Austin soon perceives that there's a hidden key to the mysterious events and it all seems to be tied up to a beautiful young scientist who has a theory she's trying to prove about the extinction of woolly mammoths. Others get the same idea ahead of Austin. Can he arrive in time to save her? What other surprises await him?
As an interlude, you'll also experience a most unusual Civil War reenactment.
Starting the book with so many interesting incidents sets a high expectation for what's to come. Unfortunately, the book's ending offers a high octane threat to keep you interested . . . but the resolution doesn't satisfy the desire for one more great sequence to cap what is otherwise an extremely interesting thriller.
The book has a very interesting theme about the potential to use resources for good or evil purposes. I encourage you to draw on that theme to think about resources that are almost always used in harmful ways. How could those resources be used instead for almost always helpful results?
Enjoy this whale of a tale or two!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The sixth Kurt Austin novel from the N.U.M.A files isn't a good as the previous primarily because it gets bogged down in character overload. It possesses all the usual Cussler and Kemprecos thriller punch as Kurt slices his way through the mystery (more with an enquiring mind than a ready fist) to save the world from the latest megalomaniacal scheme to gain power and wealth. The problem this time is it never really settles on a one or two characters around whom the plot revolves, choosing to divert equal page time between Kurt, Gamay & Trout, Karla Janos, Karl Schroeder, the various antics of the bad guys in the personages of Tris Margrave, Doyle, Spider Barrett (who is later reformed) and the corporate tyrant, Gant. The science also gets a lot more page time than normal for a Cussler novel.
None of this is bad, per se, but it'll take Austin a couple of novels to settle in if future novels intend to bulk up on content whilst retaining the light-hearted panache that accompanies the adventures.
So, Austin's sixth adventure has us following the flight of the brilliant electro-magnetic scientist, Lazlo Kovacs, as he flees a crumbling Third Reich under the guiding hand of Karl Schneider. Spending the next fifty years becoming rich in the US and having Karl godfather his granddaughter, Karla, we move to present day with the sinking of the Southern Belle in waves greater than 90ft. This, of course, immediately demolishes all current tidal theories and launches Kurt (after escaping being inexplicably attacked by an Orca pod) into a mystery that involves the late Kovacs work on electromagnetism, a couple of brilliant young software geniuses whose wayward youthful desire to be anti-establishment leads them down the dark path of the elitist and corporate overlord, Gant, and the obvious beautiful young lady in the guise of Karla who happens to be a leading authority on woolly mammoths.
So, we find ourselves underwater on the Southern Belle looking at enormous spark plugs, single-handedly saving Trout and Gamay in vast Atlantic whirlpools, avoiding capture in Bond-esque style on a remote ski-run in the Rockies, in shootouts with mercenaries in the Siberian hinterland, discovering lost civilisations that ran a dwarf woolly mammoth rearing farm, poking heads into the lion's den and convincing the US powers-that-be that the world is about to suffer an global cataclysm all before saving the world from an aeroplane with a formula worked out from a nursery rhyme.
As usual, Austin has Joe Zavala along for the ride, Trout & Gamay provide their usual diversionary cameos, and Dirk Pitt makes a brief appearance in the usual Cussler role, lending his antique replica car to Kurt for the obligatory car chase. It's all nonsense, but it's a delightful formula that has earned Cussler legions of fans and money. You get the sense that the formula is trying to expand and has failed to do so in this latest effort. There is a lot of additional verbiage that is not necessary in a Cussler novel and whilst it should be lauded, the Pitt/Austin novels are, perhaps, one mould that shouldn't be broken.
None of this is bad, per se, but it'll take Austin a couple of novels to settle in if future novels intend to bulk up on content whilst retaining the light-hearted panache that accompanies the adventures.
So, Austin's sixth adventure has us following the flight of the brilliant electro-magnetic scientist, Lazlo Kovacs, as he flees a crumbling Third Reich under the guiding hand of Karl Schneider. Spending the next fifty years becoming rich in the US and having Karl godfather his granddaughter, Karla, we move to present day with the sinking of the Southern Belle in waves greater than 90ft. This, of course, immediately demolishes all current tidal theories and launches Kurt (after escaping being inexplicably attacked by an Orca pod) into a mystery that involves the late Kovacs work on electromagnetism, a couple of brilliant young software geniuses whose wayward youthful desire to be anti-establishment leads them down the dark path of the elitist and corporate overlord, Gant, and the obvious beautiful young lady in the guise of Karla who happens to be a leading authority on woolly mammoths.
So, we find ourselves underwater on the Southern Belle looking at enormous spark plugs, single-handedly saving Trout and Gamay in vast Atlantic whirlpools, avoiding capture in Bond-esque style on a remote ski-run in the Rockies, in shootouts with mercenaries in the Siberian hinterland, discovering lost civilisations that ran a dwarf woolly mammoth rearing farm, poking heads into the lion's den and convincing the US powers-that-be that the world is about to suffer an global cataclysm all before saving the world from an aeroplane with a formula worked out from a nursery rhyme.
As usual, Austin has Joe Zavala along for the ride, Trout & Gamay provide their usual diversionary cameos, and Dirk Pitt makes a brief appearance in the usual Cussler role, lending his antique replica car to Kurt for the obligatory car chase. It's all nonsense, but it's a delightful formula that has earned Cussler legions of fans and money. You get the sense that the formula is trying to expand and has failed to do so in this latest effort. There is a lot of additional verbiage that is not necessary in a Cussler novel and whilst it should be lauded, the Pitt/Austin novels are, perhaps, one mould that shouldn't be broken.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Clive Cussler book
This is another very good book by Clive Cussler.
As i am a fan of his i think this is one of his better books and worth a read.
As i am a fan of his i think this is one of his better books and worth a read.
Published on 4 May 2009 by Clayton
Wicked
This book is brillant, but sometimes can be a bit like James Bond with the gadgets, but hey, it is still a great read, I have read most of the Clive Cusslers books and really enjoy... Read more
Published on 16 Feb 2009 by Ms. E. J. Wah
Ripping yarn, poor finish!
Any novel from Clive Cussler is worth a read if you want escapism and adventure. This one is no exception with the usual mix of humour, evil villians intent on world domination and... Read more
Published on 9 May 2008 by Gary Austin
Not my favorite work by a good writer
Bulging muscles blond hair, and fighting orcas who are trying to eat him... Not exactly the sort of deep meaningful characterization for a protagonist I am looking for in a book,... Read more
Published on 31 Oct 2007 by Plessen
Another Terrific Read
Clive Cussler was born in 1931 and grew up in Alhambra, California. He attended Pasadena City College before joining the Air Force. Read more
Published on 20 Jun 2007 by J. Chippindale
Another Winner for the Author
Clive Cussler was born in 1931 and grew up in Alhambra, California. He attended Pasadena City College before joining the Air Force. Read more
Published on 20 Jun 2007 by J. Chippindale
Another Winner for the Author
Clive Cussler was born in 1931 and grew up in Alhambra, California. He attended Pasadena City College before joining the Air Force. Read more
Published on 20 Jun 2007 by J. Chippindale
Another Terrific Read
Clive Cussler was born in 1931 and grew up in Alhambra, California. He attended Pasadena City College before joining the Air Force. Read more
Published on 20 Jun 2007 by J. Chippindale
Another Winner for the Author
Clive Cussler was born in 1931 and grew up in Alhambra, California. He attended Pasadena City College before joining the Air Force. Read more
Published on 20 Jun 2007 by J. Chippindale
Another Terrific Read
Clive Cussler was born in 1931 and grew up in Alhambra, California. He attended Pasadena City College before joining the Air Force. Read more
Published on 20 Jun 2007 by J. Chippindale
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