Title: The Kingdom
Author: Clive Cussler
First published June 6, 2011
464 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 4.01
Overview
Clive Cussler’s latest addition to the Sam and Remi Fargo series is a heart-pumping adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The husband-and-wife treasure-hunting duo is back and this time they are on a mission to find a lost city.
The Fargos are approached by a wealthy businessman who needs their help in finding his missing daughter. The search takes them across the world, from the deserts of the Middle East to the jungles of South America.
Along the way, they encounter treacherous obstacles and ancient secrets that could change the course of history. With non-stop action and endless surprises, The Kingdom is a must-read for any adventure lover.
About the Author
Clive Cussler was a writer who began creating novels in 1965, and he introduced his series hero, Dirk Pitt, in 1973. He released his first non-fiction book, The Sea Hunters, in 1996.
The Maritime College’s Board of Governors, a part of the State University of New York, considered The Sea Hunters as a substitute for a Ph.D. thesis and awarded Cussler a Doctor of Letters degree in May 1997. It was the first time that the college had awarded such a degree since it was founded in 1874.
Cussler was an expert on shipwrecks on an international level and established the National Underwater and Marine Agency (NUMA), a non-profit organization that is a 501C3. This group, named after the fictional Federal agency in his novels, is devoted to preserving American maritime and naval history.
Cussler and his marine team of experts and NUMA volunteers discovered over 60 significant underwater wreck sites. They found the first submarine to sink a ship in battle, the Union’s Housatonic, and the Confederacy’s Hunley, which sank it.
They also found the U-20, the U-boat that sank the Lusitania, and the Cumberland, which the famous ironclad Merrimack sank. The Florida, a renowned Confederate raider; 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 after saving Titanic’s survivors from the sea were also discovered by them.
Cussler was the Chairman of NUMA and was 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 his outstanding underwater exploration.
Cussler’s books have been published in over 100 countries and in more than 40 languages. His past international bestsellers include Raise the Titanic! and Sahara (written with his son, Dirk Cussler); the non-fiction books The Sea Hunters 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 passed away at his Scottsdale, Arizona home on February 24, 2020.
Editoral Review
Fans of action-packed adventure novels will thoroughly enjoy Clive Cussler’s The Kingdom. First published in June 2011, the book follows the thrilling story of husband and wife treasure hunters, Sam and Remi Fargo, as they race against time to prevent a new world order from coming into fruition.
Clive Cussler is a renowned American author who has written over 50 books, many of which are part of his popular Dirk Pitt series. Known for his fast-paced, action-packed storytelling, Cussler’s books often include themes of adventure, treasure hunting, and espionage.
The Kingdom takes place in modern-day Yemen, where Sam and Remi are on the hunt for the lost city of Ubar. While exploring the region, they stumble upon a shadowy organization known as the Kingdom, which seeks to create a new world order through violent means.
The Fargos must navigate through dangerous terrain, outsmart their enemies, and unlock ancient secrets to stop the Kingdom from achieving their sinister goals. Cussler expertly weaves historical and cultural significance throughout the novel, delving into the ancient legends surrounding Ubar and the real-life significance of Yemen’s location in the Middle East.
The book also touches on current events and issues, such as the conflict in Yemen and the impact of greed on society. The characters in The Kingdom are well-developed and have distinct personalities, making them easy to root for.
Cussler does a great job of balancing the intensity of the action scenes with moments of levity, giving the reader a chance to catch their breath. The plot structure is well thought-out, with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader engaged until the very end.
However, some readers may find the pacing to be uneven, with some sections feeling slower than others. Overall, The Kingdom is a thrilling read that will satisfy fans of the adventure genre.
While it may not be the best introduction to Clive Cussler’s work, it is well worth checking out for those who enjoy fast-paced action and treasure hunting. I give it a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars.
