The Low-Tech Times

Last night I finished reading The Chase by Clive Cussler, which is one of his most recent novels. The Chase paints vivid images of a detective tracking down an unlikely murderous bank robber in the American West.

More of the Same?

This was the first Clive Cussler book that I have read outside of Cussler’s Dirk Pitt series. Cussler needed to create a new main character for The Chase because much of the novel takes place in 1906, predating Dirk Pitt’s birth. The hero of the story is Isaac Bell, who in many ways resembles Dirk Pitt. Like Pitt, Isaac Bell is brave, determined, and calm under pressure. Another similarity is that the hero, even after being badly injured, does not cease to pursue the bad guy. In several of Cussler’s novels, The Chase included, the hero suffers cracked ribs and yet manages to persevere. The Chase also ties in scenes from a different time period, which is another common Cussler book feature. The similarities between Cussler’s various books have led some to criticize the author for using a formulaic approach to writing novels. However, I have not at all tired from reading Cussler’s fiction and look forward to reading more from the author.

Low Tech Times

Since most of the novel is set in 1906, I especially enjoyed reading the descriptions of what life was like back in the low tech times. Scenes feature unreliable telegraph communications, antique firearms, steamboats, steam trains, and early automobiles. Though the book is entitled The Chase (singular), the novel actually features two amazing major chase scenes. First, trying to stop a crime, Bell pursues a steam train in an antique sports car. Later, leading up to the final dramatic showdown, he chases the villain’s train in a steam locomotive.

The Bottom Line

The Chase by Clive Cussler was fascinating reading and I highly recommend this novel. Click the link below to order the book from Amazon.com:

There’s nothing like the old fashioned fun offered by county fairs. This site is an excellent resource for Virginia county fairs:

Virginia’s County Fairs highlight agricultural heritage and celebrate the rural ways of life. Where else can visitors see livestock, watch a rodeo, ride a ferris wheel, judge a beauty pageant and purchase local produce, homemade baked goods and crafts at one event?

If you’ve never been to a tractor pull, watched pigs race or chickens parade around, you’re about to get educated on what’s fun, what’s weird and why county fairs continue to attract more and more visitors year after year!

After posting a photo and audio clip from yesterday’s Pageant of Steam, I uploaded a couple of short steam tractor video clips taken at the event.