Spartan Gold

By: Clive Cussler

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 12 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

The debut of a brand-new, action-packed series from the number-one New York Times best-selling master of "pure entertainment" ( People).

Thousands of years ago, the Persian king Xerxes the Great was said to have raided the Treasury at Delphi, carrying away two solid gold pillars as tribute. In 1800 Napoleon Bonaparte and his army stumble across the pillars in the Pennine Alps. Unable to transport them, Napoleon creates a map on the labels of 12 bottles of rare wine. And when Napoleon dies, the bottles disappear....

Treasure hunters Sam and Remi Fargo are exploring the Great Pocomoke Swamp in Delaware when they are shocked to discover a World War II German U-boat. Inside, they find a bottle taken from Napoleon's "lost cellar". Fascinated, the Fargos set out to find the rest of the collection.

But another connoisseur of sorts has been looking for the bottle they've just found. He is Hadeon Bondaruk - a half- Russian, half-Persian millionaire. He claims to be a descendant of King Xerxes himself. And he wants his treasure back.

©2009 Clive Cussler (P)2009 Penguin

Entertaining

Would you consider the audio edition of Spartan Gold to be better than the print version?

Didn't read the print version

What did you like best about this story?

History combined with fiction!

Which scene was your favorite?

The caves

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Enjoyed during my morning commute and looked forward to it daily

Better than average Fargo story

Well told, involving, fast paced, but a bit tedious about the lengthy historical detail and the endless globe-trotting (based on some VERY arcane clues). Still, I found it enjoyable and would recommend it!

The 100 Impossible Escapes

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The story line was interesting, but the repeated impossible escapes become boring. focus more on developing the mystery and less on creating the countless and impossible escapes.

Would you ever listen to anything by Clive Cussler again?

Focus more on the mystery and more realistic dialog

What does Scott Brick bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Good read

Did Spartan Gold inspire you to do anything?

No

The Fargo's do it again.

Would you consider the audio edition of Spartan Gold to be better than the print version?

I don't have time to read print versions. It is great to listen as I Drive.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Spartan Gold?

The Fargo's trip through the Oubleetts

Which character – as performed by Scott Brick – was your favorite?

Remi

Who was the most memorable character of Spartan Gold and why?

Sam, he seems to be a little more fleshed out.

great story and very well voiced.

loved it. was great while on driving vacation. Clive Cussler's work continues to be top notch.

great start to a new series for me

great story, got a little too wordy in the middle with the explanations and details, but still a great book!!

A fun and interesting adventure

I enjoyed the story and the Fargo's and their team kept things exciting with their treasure hunting, clue solving abilities. Scott Brick did a great job on this book and I look forward to listening to the next one.

wonderful

thrilling adventure that had just the right amount of action and rich history. great husband and wife relationship

Action with a Flourish

If you could sum up Spartan Gold in three words, what would they be?

Action with style

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The plot was kept in motion by a series of riddles. When one bottle was found, the clues led to the next one and then on to more adventure. The fact that "the bad guys" were also on the trail added to the action and suspense. The very stylish and oh-so-brilliant characters, Sam and Remy Fargo, stretched credibility but made for a fun read.

What does Scott Brick bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Once you get used to a kind of sing-song cadence in Scott Brick's delivery (am I the only one who thinks he sounds a little like a preacher?) you begin to appreciate his range of voices and accents. He does especially well with male voices, but all of his females have a kind of cliched breathy quality.

If you could rename Spartan Gold, what would you call it?

Napoleon's Wine

Any additional comments?

Can't help but think the '60's series "The Avengers" inspired the Fargo series. You have an upscale, brilliant, attractive couple who thrive on adventure for adventure's sake. Makes for good entertainment, but stretches belief.

It Was Alright

This is the first Clive Cussler book I've read. The narrator was great, but the characters were one dimensional and the plot was ridiculous. Imagine a poor man's Davinci Code directed by Michael Bay.