Clive Cussler Books In Order

Publication Order of Dirk Pitt Books

Publication Order of NUMA Files Books

Publication Order of Oregon Files Books

Publication Order of Isaac Bell Adventures Books

Chronological Order of Isaac Bell Adventures Books

Publication Order of Children's Books

Publication Order of Fargo Adventures Books

Publication Order of The Sea Hunters Books

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of General Military Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

About Clive Cussler:

Clive Cussler was a well known adventure novelist who is many times referred to as the “ Grand Master of adventure.” He was born on July 15, 1931 in Aurora, Illinois but spent most of his growing up days in Alhambra, California. Clive sadly passed away on February 24th, 2020. After attending Pasadena City College for a couple of years he joined the US Air Force and served during the Korean War.

He worked up to the status of Sergeant while he was in the Air Force and served as an aircraft mechanic as well as a flight engineer working in various capacities for air transport services. Upon being discharged from the military he worked as a copywriter and then took a position with two ad agencies where he was the creative director. During his time with the ad agencies, Cussler wrote and produced numerous television and radio commercials which won several international awards. One of these awards was given at the prominent Cannes Film Festival.

Early Writing Career

In 1965, Cussler began working on his first Dirk Pitt novel and published it in the year 1973. He released The Sea Hunters, his first non fiction work, was published in 1996. In May of 1997, the Board of Governors of the Maritime College at the State University of New York considered this work in lieu of the thesis required to obtain a Ph.D., and therefore awarded him a Doctor of Letters degree.

This was highly unusual since the college had not bestowed such a degree since its founding in 1874. When Cussler’s wife started working nights at their local police department, he found himself with too much time and no one to talk to so he chose to start writing. Because of his background he created his most remembered character, Dirk Pitt who was a marine engineer, adventurer and government agent. His first couple of novels were basic maritime thrillers but when he wrote the third, it set the precedent for years to come. Cussler had found his niche as he began crafting the type of novel he would be noted for.

His novels are known for the perfect blend of high technology and high adventure and usually involved sunken treasures, lost ships, beautiful women and stereotypical maniac villains. He based many of his novels by looking at things from a historical perspective and considered things like if Atlantis was actually real or what if Lincoln was not assassinated, but kidnapped instead? He has had more than 17 of his written works make the best-seller list for the New York Times.

Cussler Outside of Writing

The National Underwater and Marine Agency, or NUMA, is a non profit organization which was founded by Cussler. The organization is dedicated to discovering and sharing both maritime and naval history. Cussler and an entire crew of marine experts along with numerous NUMA volunteers have been able to discover more than 60 underwater wreck sites which have historical significance.

Once they verified these finds, the artifacts were handed over to various government entities, universities and non profit organizations around the globe. Along with serving as Chairman of NUMA, Clive Cussler is also a fellow in the Royal Geographic Society in London and the Explorers Club of New York. Cussler is also known as an avid collector of classic automobiles. He owns some excellent examples of 50’s convertibles and custom coachwork that are available anywhere. He houses these beauties in Golden, Colorado and divides his time between the desert of Arizona and mountains of Colorado.

Written Works of Clive Cussler

Cussler has written books which have been published in over 40 different languages and in over 100 countries. His fan base is comprised of over 90 million crazed fans. His books are divided and organized into various types and by series. Here are the books and series written by Cussler: The Dirk Pitt Series includes The Mediterranean Caper in (1973), Iceberg in (1975), Raise the Titanic in (1976), Vixen 03 in (1981), Night Probe in (1981), Pacific Vortex in (1983), Deep Six in (1984), Cyclops in (1986), Treasure in (1988), Dragon in (1990), Sahara in (1992), Inca Gold in (1994), Shock Wave in (1996), Flood Tide in (1997), Atlantis Found in (1999), Valhalla Rising in (2001), Trojan Odyssey in (2003), Black Wind in (2004), Treasure of Khan in (2006), Arctic Drift in (2008), Crescent Dawn in (2010) and Poseiden’s Arrow in the year (2012).

He also wrote the Numa Files Series which includes Serpent written on (1999), Blue Gold in (2000), Fire Ice in (2002), White Death in (2003), Lost City in (2004), Polar Shift in (2005), The Navigator in (2007), Medusa in (2009), Devil’s Gate in (2011), The Storm in (2012) and Zero Hour which he finished just recently this year (2013). Clive Cussler’s Oregon Files Series includes the following: Golden Buddha in (2003), Sacred Stone in (2004), Dark Watch in (2005), Skeleton Coast in (2006), Plague Ship in (2008), Corsair in (2009), The Silent Sea in (2010), The Jungle in (2011) and Mirage in (2013).

His Isaac Bell Series includes The Chase in (2007), The Wrecker in (2009), The Spy in (2010), The Race in (2011), The Thief in (2012), The Striker in (2013) and The Bootlegger (2014) Fargo Adventure Series includes Spartan Gold in (2009), Lost Empire in (2010), The Kingdom in (2011), and The Mayan Secrets (2013)

Clive Cussler worked on Non-Fiction Books like The Sea Hunters, written in (1996), Clive Cussler and Dirk Pitt Revealed in the year (1998), The Sea Hunters II in (2002) and Built for Adventure in the year (2011). He also wrote some Children’s Books such as The Adventure of Vin Fiz, written in the year (2006) and The Adventures of Hotsy Totsy in (2010)

Books to Film

Cussler has had several books which have been displayed on the big screen. The first film that was made from a Cussler book was his hit novel,Raise the Titanic!. This riveting story was filmed for only $36 million but when it was all said it done, it grossed over $13 million. Paramount Pictures also made a movie from his work, Sahara which was released in 2005.This movie grossed over $120 million.

Most Notable Character

Dirk Pitt is by far the best known of Cussler’s characters. This fictional character is found as a protagonist in Cussler’s Dirk Pitt series. Dirk is portrayed as an adventurer who seizes any opportunity he has of saving the day. Dirk’s life resembles Cussler in many ways down to his passion for classic cars. Pitt’s is characterized as one who loves the sea and does not shy away from challenges; but actually embraces them.

54 Responses to “Clive Cussler”

1. Danny Halel: 3 months ago

   I started reading cussler about 20 years ago but have taken as a personal challenge to read all his books almost 100. I started in April 2024 and am up to 22.

   Reply
2. Ben: 5 months ago

   2013 set my Clive Cussler addiction off!
   super grateful

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3. Craig Golub: 8 months ago

   While in college back in the mid 80’s I was given an old copy of The Mediterranean Caper. I became so enthralled with that adventure of Dirk Pitt, that I began reading every novel with Dirk.
   I have also almost completed all of The Oregon Files as well.
   Clive Cussler’s writing style was perfect for me to read and follow.
   I have enjoyed every book and continue to do so.
   Thank you Clive RIP !!

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4. George Deme: 8 months ago

   When I read his first action/adventure novel in 1973, I was hooked! I’ve read EVERY one since then, and can”t wait for the next one to be released! My favorite ones are with Isaac Bell & the Oregon Files. I am very glad his son Dirk, along with the other collaboraters, has continued his father’s legacy!

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5. Terry Miller: 10 months ago

   I’ve been a Clive Cussler fan since the 1980’s and have become addicted to his books. I’ve found myself reading his books and have been unable to stop reading them! I’ve also appreciated the work that he and his NUMA crews have done in finding shipwrecks and the preservation of their history. He’s very much missed.

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6. Tony Poulsen: 10 months ago

   Over the last 30 years I’ve enjoyed reading cussler and his co-authors. I currently own every book in every series. Including the children books and non fiction. A big thank you.

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7. Denise Walker: 11 months ago

   My husband and I got hooked on Cussler’s books many years ago. We love them. Words just can’t explain the depth of some of his books, it is like reading about some hot spot in the world that is happening now. We miss reading future books, but are very thankful for the wonderful work he left for humanity to read. Denise (2025)

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8. Diana Moran: 12 months ago

   Twenty years ago, I picked up a used book to read on a trip. I had never heard of Clive Cussler, So I thought I’d give it a go. After reading ICEBERG, I decided to check the library for any other books by the author. I now own the majority of his works.

   I am grateful for the years of enjoyment of reading his books and sharing them with my grandsons. My grandsons had just moved four hours away, in 2005, and I wanted to find a way for us to keep in contact and have discussions. So, I started sending them Cussler books. His books had historic information, very little foul language or explicit sex. I would research the historical events that each book started with, Great history lessons! We would then discuss the adventure. We each had our favorite series.
   I enjoy the Fargo series. The oldest grandson prefers the Isaac Bell series and the second grandson the Dirk Pitt series.
   Thank to those keeping the series on going.

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9. Shae Griffin: 1 year ago

   I have read several of his books so far
   and have loved them so far. I am reading the
   Fargo Series at the moment and already own
   some of his books. He is one of my favorite
   author. Can’t wait to finish all his Series.

   Reply
10. Minnie Hamilton: 1 year ago

    I discovered Clive Cussler in 1980 when I saw the movie Raise the Titanic. I knew I had to read the book. It was so much better. I have read all his books over the years and derived many hours of breathtaking pleasure from them. He was a genius at taking real events and twisting them to create wonderful stories that make you think, “what if?”. I am an 87 years old woman, probably not your average reader, and am currently re-reading some of favorites. I wish I had known this extraordinary man and his imagination.

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11. Bruce Miner: 2 years ago

    What a Patriot person. It is hard to put down one of his books once I start to read. He makes it a point to show right from wrong. A lot of today’s political leaders and people in leadership positions could learn a few things from his writings. I was in the Navy as an a/c electrician’s mate. Served off 3 different carriers, including the ‘First Shake-down’ cruise on the CVAN-65 Enterprise. Hope Clive Cussler novels keep coming out

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12. Tim Getzlaff: 2 years ago

    I have enjoyed many years of enjoying his publications of which most have been on airline flights, domestic and international, as well as Dr. visits waiting rooms and parking lots waiting for my wife but the best of my story comes as I had just purchased a 1934 Ford Model BB 1-1/2 ton dump truck and my wife had called me while in the airport waiting room for a United Flight from Rock Springs Wyoming to Denver and them connecting to Houston, TX. She said the truck had arrived at our farm and the driver did not know how to start it to unload it and I told her I had to board the plane and that I would call her upon landing in Denver to try and add any ideas but at ths moment did not have a clue as the steering wheel was in a locked position. During this flight in reading one of Clive’s exciting scenes, as he was a classic car fan as well, he was in the middle of a hectic chase in Italy near the coast and was chasing after several bad persons with his girlfriend in tow and the bad guys had a Mercedes I believe and wewre getting ready to depart. Clive told her to get in the his car, a 1934 Ford Cabrolet, and he did the same on the driver’s side in finite detail entailing getting in, shutting the door, turning on the key, pushing the lever on top of the steering column to the left and then stepping on the starter and gas pedal and engaging the transmission. Hs said to his girlfriend that on a straight away he would not be able to catch up to them but on these narrow winding streets he had a chance. What are these odds? I have a 1934 Ford Truck sitting in our farm yard with no one there that can start it, I am on a flight reading one of Clive’s many books which just happened to include a vechicle type (Ford) and of the same year as my truck and at that just moment (45 minutes flight) I am being provided with the instructions on how to start my truck. As soon as the aircrafts wheels hit the concrete I called my wife to tell her Grandson (9 years old) how to start the truck and to go and start it so the driver could get it out of the trailer as if the key was not turnedcorrectly one could not turn the steering wheel, early theft and safety protection device. I unfortunately delayed my contacting Mr. Cussler to convey these very unique circumstances of my enjoying one of many of his books but this one in particular had a very special ending. Shared this story with many co-workers and individuals over the years and all were very surprised and excited as well.

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13. cameron Treloar: 2 years ago

    As a little boy I read action adventure. As an Adult (and now a retiree) I still read Action adventure. I was drawn to Clive’s style in the 1990’s and have purchased and read everyone several times since. I put notes in the front jackets of the books on the date I read them and what was going on in my life. I now put notes of my Grandson with hopes that one day he will want my collection. Thanks to Dirk Cussler to continue the novels. Your Dad was one person I would have liked to have met. Cam

    Reply