From the fall of the Roman Empire to the last days of Nazi power, marine archaeologist Jack Howard and his team of adventurers are hot on the trail...
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reviews
Sep 22, 2010
Linn
rated it: 
Well, what can I say more than very interesting? I really liked this book and it “only” took me 2 months to start reading it! That’s an enormous achievement coming from me during a school year... As some of you might know already, I didn’t really LOVE the previous book, Atlantis, since it was a bit too slow ... but I must say that this book was much easier to get into and once starting reading it, I couldn’t put the book away. I didn’t do much else than reading, so I finished it in about 1, 5 da
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Dec 16, 2010
Jeremy
rated it: 
This is David Gibbins' second book - the first, Atlantis, I have not read - and it shows. The style is there and the great storytelling is there but it does feel a bit like he is feeling his way into this writer thing. I wasn't too impressed in the diving inside an iceberg bit, probably because I am not a diver and so the jargon (and other descriptions) were quite lost on me. The "almost" being frozen inside the berg was a bit difficult to swallow and the way they get out of the imposs
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Mar 05, 2011
Johanna
rated it: 
I haven't read David Gibbins first book about Atlantis but I felt intrigued by the 'Crusader's Gold' so much I bought it on this years' book sale. I'm a great fan of historical fiction and I like the idea how authors can take the time to read up on, and none the less actually produce an interesting story of historical facts (not that facts on their own can't be interesting).
Half way through this book; however, it occured to me that I felt it somewhat a mix of 'The Da Vinci Code' and 'H More...
Half way through this book; however, it occured to me that I felt it somewhat a mix of 'The Da Vinci Code' and 'H More...
Apr 05, 2009
Kayeb
rated it:
the kind of historical fiction that I enjoy...but nothing spectacular. Light on character development, but lots of history and description.
[close:] From the fall of the Roman Empire to the last days of Nazi power, marine archaeologist Jack Howard and his team of adventurers are hot on the trail of history’s most elusive and desired treasure: the lost golden menorah of Jerusalem. And what they discover could change the world forever….
Deep beneath the windswept water More...
[close:] From the fall of the Roman Empire to the last days of Nazi power, marine archaeologist Jack Howard and his team of adventurers are hot on the trail of history’s most elusive and desired treasure: the lost golden menorah of Jerusalem. And what they discover could change the world forever….
Deep beneath the windswept water More...
Feb 26, 2010
Jose
rated it:
Critics claimed it was something like Dan Brown books... but with a mix of Indiana Jones... but I didn't find it to be all that...
This is the second book of a series in which and arecheologist / scientist goes around the globe trying to solve the quest...
On this book they are looking for "The Menorah"... Jewish Gold lamp stand...
The author appears to be very knowledgable about archeological terms... espeically when it comes to underwater exploration More...
This is the second book of a series in which and arecheologist / scientist goes around the globe trying to solve the quest...
On this book they are looking for "The Menorah"... Jewish Gold lamp stand...
The author appears to be very knowledgable about archeological terms... espeically when it comes to underwater exploration More...
Jan 26, 2009
Jeff
rated it: 
Sorry, just could not get into this book. Too much droning history lesson. Actions scenes a little too out there. Had to force myself to read the book through. I am a big fan of Cussler, Rollins and Dan brown, and despite some of the reviews, I see nothing but a low level "homage" to them..nice try but no cigar, so to speak. I really have to take exception to the review that compared it to Angels and Demons..did you really read A&D?? That book was 10 times better than DaVinci code..kep
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May 26, 2010
Alice
rated it:
I loved this book... but there were, what, twenty pages of actual story? The rest was just yabber yabber yabber, bla de bla scientific name bla bla. The story and plot that were there were fantastic... but the rest? Did we really need to know the entire extent of every single persons knowledge on every topic they happen across, from icebergs to norsemen to mayan sacrifices? And how the heck did Jack Howard get so perfect? His only un-perfect-bit is claustrophobia. Thats it. So, all over... I do
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Jan 29, 2012
Inês
rated it:
Não sei se foi também por se tratar de um género que logo de princípio não me atrai muito, mas a leitura deste livro revelou-se um aborrecimento tal que, quando me apercebia, tinha começado a divagar durante a sua leitura.
A linha do enredo tem o seu quê de atractivo, roçando vinkings, aventuras em glaciares e até mistérios Maias, mas nem isso foi o suficiente para me salvar a leitura… A ideia não foi bem prosseguida, levada a cabo com personagens planas e pouco apelativas, e diálogos que More...
A linha do enredo tem o seu quê de atractivo, roçando vinkings, aventuras em glaciares e até mistérios Maias, mas nem isso foi o suficiente para me salvar a leitura… A ideia não foi bem prosseguida, levada a cabo com personagens planas e pouco apelativas, e diálogos que More...
Apr 28, 2011
Stuart
rated it: 
Like many of this genre, David Gibbins picks up a thread from history and then surmises what could have happened in the future. In this case it is the missing gold menorah taken by the Romans when they crushed Jerusalem. The story then cleverly links Rome, Byzantium and the Vikings before ending up in the New World. Once again there is a mysterious secret organisation with its ties to the Vatican (Dan Brown must take the blame for this trend!!!!). However, a well-researched, well-written adventu
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Sep 16, 2009
Katie
rated it:
Not as good as Atlantis, but still very exciting. Again up to a point archeologically accurate, this time following in the footsteps of the vikings, particularly Harald Hardrada and his part in the ransacking of Constantinople with the Varangian Guard, and the the supposed taking of some of the treasures from the Temple of Solomon including the Jewish Holy Menorah. It follows his escape from this battle and his alleged journey to America where he has supposedly hidden it.
Oct 19, 2010
George
rated it:
Another in the marine archaeologist Jack Howard adventure series. In this one, he and his crew are searching for treasure supposedly looted by Vikings at the end of the 11th century from Constantinople. The search takes him from Istanbul to England to Greenland, New Foundland and the Yuchatan while also dealing with villains also in search of the lost treasure.
It is a fairly fast moving story with a historical basis.
It is a fairly fast moving story with a historical basis.
Jun 15, 2010
Michael
rated it:
The character development is almost non existent. The scenes were a lot more gory and disturbing than I was expecting. Too much detailed description of the technical aspects of deep sea diving.(I don't really care what the exact mixture of gases in their breathing apparatus is)
Also, the book's title is misleading. The majority of the historical parts of this book are NOT about the Crusaders- it's all about Vikings instead.
This book was not horrible but I Probably won't buy anyth More...
Also, the book's title is misleading. The majority of the historical parts of this book are NOT about the Crusaders- it's all about Vikings instead.
This book was not horrible but I Probably won't buy anyth More...
Oct 04, 2011
Richard
rated it:
I really liked the archaeology and gaining some perspective on timing and the issues around the crusades. In fact, his whole series are extremely interesting for their historical perspectives. My being a SCUBA diver and being an enthusiastic purveyor of historical impacts, his books all relate to my interests.
Feb 07, 2012
Umega
rated it:
i admit that the book was a little slow..but once i got into the story it was really interesting! there were soooooo many facts abt the mayans and other civilisations that i didn't know. even though the descriptions were sometimes not relevant to the story line i really enjoyed this book!
Jun 02, 2009
Wisam
rated it:
From ancient Rome to the Medieval Byzantium, with Roman legions and on the long boats of the Viking. The incredible odyssey of Harald Hardrada from England to Greenland to Caribbean Sea, and a mad Nazi murder in search for one of the most ancient sacred realm. A real amazing novel.
Sep 21, 2009
Talk about far fetched! This was a fun book, though. An Indiana Jones style story. The writer seems to have a huge pile of strange history to draw from, most of which seems to be true (just not the part where the characters in the book find it all in a week).
Sep 28, 2009
Ian
rated it:
Good for a day on the beach or a boring flight.
A little bit predictable at times with one of the main characters possessing seemingly superhuman skills and recovery times!
A little bit predictable at times with one of the main characters possessing seemingly superhuman skills and recovery times!
Aug 20, 2009
Peter
rated it:
I am amazed at how difficult these books are to get through. I love history, archaeology, adventure, etc, so I assumed I would love Gibbins' books. Unfortunately, they are tediously paced, the heroes are surpassed in their cliched nature and lack of depth only by the villains, and the plots (also tedious) are given almost entirely through ridiculously long expository dialogues in which the characters make outrageous jumps in logic. So despite the content, which is actually fairly interesting,
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Aug 06, 2011
Mai-ana
rated it:
Some really amazing detail in some parts of the book and then no detail in others....and only seemed to take minutes to sail half way around the world...lol
Oct 02, 2011
Bradley
rated it:
Well-written for a contempary story. Plenty of action, but reads sort of like a history text. Not bad, but definitely not for me. =)
May 23, 2009
Ken
rated it:
I put it down after reading it and thought, well I suppose it was ok(small ok) Very forgettable characters, I've forgotten them already.
Jun 21, 2010
Sam
rated it:
Another thoroughly enjoyable book inspired by Gibbins obvious love for archaeology and history, based on actual people, events and well known stories enough to be plausible to the reader. Gibbins has kept many of the characters from the previous Atlantis book although there are some additions and the existing characters are developed further. This is another very exciting and fast paced read that has just enough detail but not too much to smother the story or the readers enjoyment of it. And
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Jan 16, 2011
robert
rated it:
A good adventure, exhilarating at times, built on an interesting mix of historical fact and fiction.
Aug 17, 2010
Pa
rated it:
An action-packed adventure tale. Interesting, but just too many improbable archeological discoveries.
Jun 06, 2010
Based on a passage from 'The Jewish Wars VII by Josephus. Great work of fiction woven around historical fact.
Apr 11, 2009
April
rated it:
It was ok. The author did research the subject thouroughly but the storyline was confusing at times.
Feb 16, 2012
Heather
rated it:
Good beach reading for the summer (or the winter if you are into that kind of thing!).
Jan 05, 2009
Tommy
rated it:
I really enjoyed the history, whether real or embelished, that the author used to tell the story. I look forward to reading more by this author.
May 22, 2011
David
rated it:
A good book for archaeologists for all the detail but maybe crams in a bit too much for the rest of us.
