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'Dirk Pitt' is a fictional character, the protagonist of a series of bestselling adventure novels written by Clive Cussler. The name Dirk Pitt is a registered trademark of Clive Cussler.

Contents

Character Information and the Supporting Cast

Style

Themes

Films

Characteristics of Dirk Pitt novels

Continuity errors

Cars of Dirk Pitt

List of novels

External links

Notes

Character Information and the Supporting Cast

Dirk Eric Pitt is a renowned adventurer, a comparable blend of Indiana Jones, MacGyver and James Bond. He's described as tall (6'3") with craggy looks, dark wavy hair, and possessing a rangy build. His most striking features are his opaline green eyes, which can be both alluring or intimidating, as need be. Pitt has a commanding presence, this combined with a quick, sly wit, often infuriates those opposed to him. His comical banter with sidekick Al Giordino during stressful situations leaves the reader with little doubt that both are confident of their abilities. While Dirk may be considered the hero of the two, Al Giordino is the man behind him.
Dirk is the son of Senator George Pitt of California. With a woman named Summer Moran, he has twin children: a son, Dirk Pitt, Jr., and a daughter, Summer Pitt. He has had a long-term relationship with Congresswoman Loren Smith, whom he eventually marries. He graduated from the United States Air Force Academy, and attained the rank of Major (this was changed to the U.S. Naval Academy in the film version of ''Sahara'') with lifelong best friend, Al Giordino. In the novel Pacific Vortex! it is revealed that Pitt has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with two clusters, a Silver Star, a Purple Heart and many other commendations.^[1] Dirk is an accomplished pilot who is qualified to fly both fixed wing and rotary aircraft. His weapon of choice is a .45 Colt M1911 that he received from his father. His drink of choice is Tequila with salt and lime. He's often seen wearing an orange faced Doxa dive watch.
Dirk Pitt received a commendation for shooting down Admiral Sandecker's plane during the Vietnam War. The plane was carrying the Admiral and his staff to a remote base north of Da Nang. Unknown to them the base was overrun by the North Vietnamese and their radio was malfunctioning so they were unable to receive a warning. Pitt was flying nearby returning to his base from a bombing mission and was ordered to intercept and alert the Admiral by whatever means available. When efforts to communicate with the Admiral's plane were unsuccessful Pitt expertly shot out both engines on the transport forcing them to ditch in the sea instead of landing at the captured base. Dirk then flew cover strafing any boats that left the shore until everyone was taken aboard a Navy patrol vessel.^[2]
Pitt is actually named after Dirk Cussler, son of the author, who incidentally is also co-writer of the newest Pitt adventures with his father.
When Dirk Pitt is not traveling, which he is doing most of the time, he lives in his unique home - a remodeled and refurbished hangar on the grounds of Washington National Airport, near Washington, D.C.. A cast-iron stairway leads into a cluttered apartment with maps of the sea and models of ships scattered all about. The hangar houses his classic car/antique car collection, as well as a Messerschmitt Me 262 aircraft, a Ford trimotor aircraft, a Pullman railroad dining car, a totem pole and a cast-iron bathtub with an outboard motor sticking out the back. The hangar also contains items collected from prior adventures, and is protected by a state-of-the-art security system.
In the course of his work as a marine engineer of the National Underwater and Marine Agency (NUMA), an oceanographic research organization headed by Admiral James Sandecker with Rudi Gunn as second in command, Dirk Pitt has made numerous important shipwreck discoveries, as well as thwarted a large number of plans by villains intent on global catastrophe or world domination.
Dirk Pitt went on, in the more recent novels, to become the head of NUMA when Admiral James Sandecker was appointed as Vice President of the United States by President Ward after the Vice President unexpectedly died in office.

Style

The books are written in the style of fast-paced action, and follow a simple and predictable storyline (see below). Most of the creative effort is devoted to highly detailed descriptions of events and technology that are not necessarily mandatory to get the story across. Determination, perseverance and the tendency to overcome hopeless odds are trademarks of the main characters, who, in difficult situations, use humor to further antagonize their opponents or to lift their own spirits. Often, the activities of the main characters are described over action packed consecutive days as they become more determined and more exhausted.
In the later novels Dirk Pitt meets an odd, eccentric individual, sometimes explicitly identified as Clive Cussler, sometimes hinted at ("C.C." or something similar). This cameo appearance by the author is relatively unusual in modern novels. ''Dragon'' (1990) is the first novel in which a character identified as Clive Cussler appears. However, in ''Night Probe!'' (1981) the character of Prof. Preston Beatty bears a striking resemblance to Cussler. The characters usually cannot remember who the character of Cussler is between his appearances.

Themes

The most obvious theme of the novels are respect for, and the mystery of, the sea. It is clear that Cussler has gleaned such an appreciation from his personal life, and this is expressed continuously throughout each novel. It is not difficult to arrive at the conclusion that Cussler wishes a governmental organization such as "Fictional" NUMA (as described in the novels) existed to protect and explore the oceans, managed by a "can-do" person such as Sandecker. It is noted that Cussler formed an organization, called NUMA, which has a slightly different purpose. The Cussler "NUMA" is a non-profit company devoted to shipwreck exploration.
Another primary theme of the Dirk Pitt novels is that the merger and combination of the modern and the ancient are of value. Compare the ultra modern computer lab run by Hiram Yeager to the unorganized book collection of St. Julien Perlmutter, both are used to the advantage of Dirk Pitt even within the same novel. The technologically advanced NUMA scientific equipment is supplemented by classic cars and aircraft. The deep interest of Dirk Pitt to seeking out shipwrecks and solving old puzzles often leads to discoveries useful in the modern world. Characters in the novels explore and preserve history.
The books stress the sanctity of human life, the characters will spare no expense or personal sacrifice to save a single life, though the plots usually involve events affecting thousands.

Films

Pitt has twice appeared on the big screen, in movie adaptations of ''Raise the Titanic!'' in 1980, and ''Sahara'' in 2005. In the former he was portrayed by Richard Jordan, and in the latter by Matthew McConaughey. Cussler was unhappy with the film adaptation of ''Raise The Titanic!'' and for almost 25 years refused to sell the movie rights for any of his novels unless he had both casting and script approval. Eventually, he sold the rights to ''Sahara'' with those two provisos in place. However, after many rejected drafts, the production decided on one and began filming without Cussler's consent, leading him to pursue legal action for violating their agreement. Cussler lost the decision and was ordered to pay $5 million for breach of contract.

Characteristics of Dirk Pitt novels

★ The novels almost always open with a flashback to a historic or ancient event.

★ The next sequence is often a heroic rescue by Pitt which foils or reveals information later linked to the antagonist.

★ Next, Pitt is usually given a NUMA assignment that at first appears unrelated to the events causing the rescue, but which will relate back later in the book.

★ Pitt often meets or saves a woman who is involved in the plot in some way.

★ A villain or villains cause events to occur which either deliberately or accidentally would cause serious and dramatic worldwide injury to people or the environment.

★ The main villain tries to kill Pitt which often leads to the destruction of one of Pitt's classic cars.

★ The main villain becomes personally agitated by Pitt and/or Al Giordino, despite the fact that the villain is always the head of a huge criminal organization.

★ At some point the following happen:

★
★ "Clive Cussler" makes a brief appearance (see above).

★
★ A historic or classic automobile or aircraft is momentarily featured, and often wrecked or destroyed.

★
★ The antagonist's plan is almost always described as a "Machiavellian scheme," or as being "clandestine."

★
★ Advanced NUMA technology is employed.

★ Eventually Pitt discovers the facts surrounding the introductory historical event and may keep a memento of the event, which is mentioned in subsequent books (usually as part of his collection at his residence).

★ Corrupt government officials are revealed.

★ By the end of the book, said destroyed car is always rebuilt, and used in the seduction of said saved woman.

Continuity errors

★ In ''Vixen 03'', the father of Pitt's girlfriend (Congresswoman Loren Smith) is murdered. However, when Pitt married her in ''Trojan Odyssey'', her father attended the wedding. ^[3]

★ In ''Pacific Vortex'' Pitt meets Summer while at a bar with Admiral Hunter's daughter, but when he recounts their meeting in ''Trojan Odyssey'' he claims he was at the bar with Admiral Sandecker's daughter. ^[4]

★ In ''Pacific Vortex'' There is only one space of time that is available for Pitt and Summer to have their children and that was during a space of time where Pitt is knocked unconscious. It is highly unlikely to be during that time so as of yet their conception is not record and appears to be flaw in the writing.

Cars of Dirk Pitt

★ The Mediterranean Caper - 1936 Maybach Zeppelin Town car

★ Iceberg - (no car, but Pitt acquires the Ford Trimotor aircraft)

★ Raise the Titanic! - (no car, but reference to a Stutz Bearcat Speedster, and a Renault town car recovered from the ''Titanic'' is mentioned in Vixen 03)

★ Vixen 03 - 1912 Renault open-drive landaulette

★ Night Probe! - AC Cobra and Jensen

★ Pacific Vortex! - AC Cobra

★ Deep Six - Talbot-Lago

★ Cyclops - Daimler

★ Treasure - Cord L-29

★ Dragon - 1932 Stutz

★ Sahara - 1936 Avions Voisin

★ Inca Gold - 1936 Pierce-Arrow Travelodge Trailer

★ Shock Wave - J2X Allard

★ Flood Tide - 1929 Model J Duesenberg

★ Atlantis Found - 1929 Model J Duesenberg

★ Valhalla Rising - 1938 Packard Towncar

★ Trojan Odyssey - Marmon V-16

★ Black Wind - 1958 Chrysler 300-D Convertible

★ Treasure of Khan - 1921 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost

List of novels

Dirk Pitt adventure novels
# ''The Mediterranean Caper'' (1973)
# ''Iceberg'' (1975)
# ''Raise the Titanic!'' (1976)
# ''Vixen 03'' (1978)
# ''Night Probe!'' (1981)
# ''Pacific Vortex!'' (1983)
# ''Deep Six'' (1984)
# ''Cyclops'' (1986)
# ''Treasure'' (1988)
# ''Dragon'' (1990)
# ''Sahara'' (1992)
# ''Inca Gold'' (1994)
# ''Shock Wave'' (1996)
# ''Flood Tide'' (1997)
# ''Atlantis Found'' (1999)
# ''Valhalla Rising'' (2001)
# ''Trojan Odyssey'' (2003)
# ''Black Wind'' (2004) - Written with son Dirk Cussler
# ''Treasure of Khan'' (2006) - Written with son Dirk Cussler
Although ''Pacific Vortex!'' was released in 1983, it is actually the first Dirk Pitt novel. The events of ''Pacific Vortex!'' happen before those of ''The Mediterranean Caper''. In fact, several events in ''Pacific Vortex!'' are referred to in ''The Mediterranean Caper''.
There is also a Dirk Pitt reference book:

★ ''Dirk Pitt and Clive Cussler Revealed'' (1998) - Written with Craig Dirgo

External links

★ The Real Life NUMA founded and run by Clive Cussler

★ Cussler's Realm - Fan site listing Dirk's Collection and containing other Dirk Pitt information.

★ Clive Cussler Collector's Society - An organization devoted to Clive Cussler's works.

★ Chris' Guide To Dirk Pitt - A fan site with a good reference to Dirk Pitt's Hangar.

★ Cusslermen - Collectors of Clive Cussler memorabilia.

Notes

1. See ''Pacific Vortex!'' Page 77 (Reprinted in hardcover by Cahill Press in 2000.)
2. Cussler, Clive (1985). "Deep Six", New York: Simon & Schuster. 0-671-50373-1; pages 337 & 338.
3. See page 211 of the paperback edition of ''Vixen 03'' (published by Bantam Books in 1979) and page 480 of the hardcover edition of ''Trojan Odyssey'' (published by Putnam in 2003).
4. See page 22 of the Hardback edition of ''Pacific Vortex'' (published by Bantam in October 1994) and page 138 of the hardcover edition of ''Trojan Odyssey'' (published by Putnam in 2003).