The Jungle

By: Clive Cussler, Jack Du Brul

Narrated by: Jason Culp

Length: 12 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

The extraordinary new adventure from the number-one New York Times- best-selling author.

Jungles come in many forms. There are the steamy rain forests of the Burmese highlands. There are the lies and betrayals of the world of covert operations. And there are the dark and twisted thoughts of a man bent on near-global domination. To pull off their latest mission, Juan Cabrillo and the crew of the Oregon must survive them all.

A devastating new weapon unleashed in 13th-century China... a daring rescue in the snowbound mountains along the Afghanistan/Pakistan border... a woman gone missing in the jungles of northern Thailand and Myanmar... for Cabrillo and his crew, all of these events will come together - leading to the greatest threat against U.S. security that the world has ever known.

Take another thrilling voyage with the Oregon Files.

©2011 Clive Cussler (P)2011 Penguin

Changes abound, mostly for the better

Two changes here:

First, the story itself is a little less grand than recent Cussler and Cussler collaborations, but to my mind that makes this story all the better. To say much more would be to spoil the story potentially, and so I will only note that the novel follows the formula: ancient historical artifact has potential to change the world in the present; Juan and company chance upon the scene and set about making sure the world is safe from mad man. (Sigh, yes, it's always a mad man, isn't it? Sometime it feels there is no end to men in futuristic suits stroking white persian cats.)

The tempering here really makes for a great change to the story, and I liked too how long it takes for Juan to figure out what's actually at stake. Added bonus is the addition of a new crew member, who is quite the character -- though du Brul and Cussler need to learn a bit more about New Orleans and south Louisiana to get all of McD's character right.)

As for the change in narrator, I am of two minds. On the one hand, I was so used to Scott Brick and his voice is so intertwined with the Oregon stories, that the change in narrator was jarring. On the other hand, Culp brought some dimensions to some of the characters that I hadn't thought about before. His performance of the new character, McD, is quite compelling.

Jason Culp is No Scott Brick

I really liked the story, I really missed Scott Brick. Culp was hard to listen to at times.

Good Book, Bad Read

What did you love best about The Jungle?

Clive Cussler is a master story teller with great plots and constant action!

What other book might you compare The Jungle to and why?

Other OG novels.

What didn’t you like about Jason Culp’s performance?

His nasal voice and terrible imitations. I have never before written a review, but the performance was so bad I felt compelled to warn the public

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me made that Scott Brick did not narrate it!!! I have never before written a review, but the performance was so bad I felt compelled to warn the public

Any additional comments?

This is another classic Cussler tale of tough guys on an impossible mission, but Jason Culps voice sounds like it's being narrated by a tax accountant. His "tough guy" voice for Juan and other team members just sounds stupid and even worse his Linda Ross sounds like someone undergoing gender re-assignment. This is a terrible let down from Scott Brick who is a great reader. Listening to this book is like the first time you see a comic strip character animated on TV and their voice sounds alien and stupid. If I didn't like Clive Cussler books so much I would trash it and move one. Hopefully this is the only non Scott Brick book and from now on I will check for Jason Culp's name before I even buy one.

What happened to Scott Brick

Great story, Cussler does it again, but why did they chage narrorators. Scott Brick has done such a wonderful job in the previous books in this series. Kind of ruined it for me.

great story, hate new narrator.

bring back Scott brick! the accents are bad and sometimes seems like the narrator has never read any of the previous books!

Another winner from this team

Great story, liked the introduction of a new character. Ending was cool too, makes you eager for more. Only problem was the narrator. At first I didn't think I could listen to him because of the wheezing sound but I got over it and really enjoyed it. Can't wait for another book. Recommend this even without Scott Brick.

Very Fast Paced

What made the experience of listening to The Jungle the most enjoyable?

Well written and fast moving. Great story, I had a hard time shutting it off

What other book might you compare The Jungle to and why?

So far all Clive Cussler's books that I have heard and read, are great. He knows how to keep your interest and there are plenty of twists and turns to keep you glued to it

another great Cussler book

What made the experience of listening to The Jungle the most enjoyable?

altho I have read several of Cussler's books this is my first audio. As expected it is typical Cussler. Had trouble putting it down. It is a pleasure reading his books as he doesn't see the need for vulgarity or sex to sell them.

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

Yes, could not wait to see what will happen next

Which character – as performed by Jason Culp – was your favorite?

Juan

Please get Scott Brick back!

Narrator inferior. Slow starting but great body. Ending too abrupt. Definitely worth listening to it.

What happened to Scott Brick?

I missed the original voice of the crew of the Oregon. Hope Scott Brick returns for future installments.