Clive Cussler, best-selling adventure writer who sought real-life thrills, dies at 88

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Source: Washington Post

Clive Cussler, the multimillion-selling adventure writer and real-life thrill-seeker who wove personal details and spectacular fantasies into his page-turning novels about underwater explorer Dirk Pitt, died Feb. 24 at his home in Scottsdale, Ariz. He was 88. His death was confirmed by Alexis Welby, a spokeswoman for his publisher Penguin Random House, who did not cite a cause.

Mr. Cussler was an Illinois native who was raised in Southern California and lived in Arizona for most of his final years. Born an only child on July 15, 1931, in Aurora, Ill., Clive Eric Cussler’s name and writing persona have the air of a pseudonym, but he was born with his moniker, named for the British actor Clive Brook. Raised in Alhambra, Calif., he studied for two years at Pasadena City College before enlisting in the Air Force and serving as a mechanic and flight engineer during the Korean War.

In 1955, he married Barbara Knight. Through much of the 1960s, he worked in advertising, as a copywriter and creative director. Among the better-known slogans he helped coin was “It’s stronger than dirt,” for an Ajax laundry detergent campaign.

In real life, Mr. Cussler founded his own National Underwater and Marine Agency and participated in dozens of searches for old ships, including one that turned up a steamship belonging to Cornelius Vanderbilt.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/clive-cussler-best-selling-adventure-writer-who-sought-real-life-thrills-dies-at-88/2020/02/26/1f1929fc-58d0-11ea-9000-f3cffee23036_story.html

[murielm99]

1. I have read quite a few of his books.

They are fun.

[Journeyman]

2. Fun books. A little programmatic, but enough twists and history to sustain interest . . .

[Haggis for Breakfast]

3. I have two entire shelves in my study stuffed with Clive Cussler.

I have every one of this "Dirk Pitt" series and "The Oregon Files" in hardback. I always loved his stories, greeting each new book as license to disappear somewhere and read it cover to cover. It was like the most rejuvenating of mini-vacations. Ever. No author so consistently turned out better thrillers. He even made cameos in his own stories. And I forget how many times he killed off his dear friend, Leigh Hunt.

And his car collection !!!!!!!!!! Fabulous, restored beauties from a by-gone era. And each one of them run. I believe he even published a photo book of his babies.

For the past decade or so, his son, Dirk Cussler, has been co-writing with his father, so maybe this won't be the end of Dirk Pitt and Al Giordino, Juan Cabrillo and the Corporation, Kurt Austin and Joe Zavala, Isaac Bell and Sam and Remi. At least I hope not.

Fare thee well, Capt'n. I will miss you and your company. Best rides ever.

[flying rabbit]

4. Not high prose

but very good mind candy. A guilty pleasure. Much respect.

[ChazInAz]

5. I'm a fan!

It delighted me when he located the sunken Confederate submarine Hunley, and left a note for future salvors in its conning tower. Kind of a Dirk Pitt move, I thought.