Ever since it was first published, "Raise the Titanic" has ranked among my favorite heart-pounding action/adventure novels. Now, Clive and Dirk Cussler present the nineteenth Dirk Pitt endurance test, "Treasure of Khan." Like Superman and other fictional heroes, Pitt never leaves behind someone in need or danger, is always gallant to gentleladies (but not necessarily to women up to no good), quips while suffering, and possesses the ingenuity to solve puzzles that stump others. Joining him in "Khan" is the whole gang. Happily, faithful sidekick, Giordino, and Pitt get most of the book space allocated to TFGG (the familiar good guys). The young Pitts -- Summer and Dirk Jr. -- do play a notable role, but aren't as prominently featured as in "Black Wind." That satisfies this reader who wasn't thrilled when these fraternal twins were conjured up a few outings ago, but who is willing to afford them a place in the Dirk Pitt scheme of things as long as they don't usurp their elders. It was also great to see Rudi Gunn have more to do this time around. Too bad Admiral (Vice President) Sandecker got only a cameo. Like all Dirk Pitt novels, "Treasure" follows the proven formula of our heroes tracking down and confronting a wildly rich private citizen of some country (in this case, Mongolia) whose megalomania and perverted use of cutting-edge science and technology are threatening the world's security. Had my druthers, the Cusslers would make their villains two-dimensional at least. It would add some character robustness. But we're talking action/adventure, so I won't quibble too much. As usual, the book begins in the past; in this case, when Kublai Khan ruled. Then we are whisked to China in 1937, where a British Museum representative tries to safeguard some treasures before the invading Japanese arrive. Thereafter the time is just a bit ahead of present day and our minds can buzz about how these blasts from the past will challenge our heroes. The first time we see Dirk Pitt he is aboard a survey ship on Lake Baikal in Russia. This portion of the book is, to my mind, the most engrossing part of the adventure. Not only is there some superduper action (with a very sharp save by Giordino), but the Cusslers manage to pack in a lot of fascinating facts about the real pristine-water lake without losing plot momentum. "Treasure of Khan" isn't great literature (and I doubt anyone would think that's its goal), but it is rousing, adrenaline-pumping fun. Especially since we readers can sit back comfortably and only vicariously chew our nails over 30-feet water walls, Gobi Desert death marches, or ramming drill ships! Enjoy.
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