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The Dakota Cipher (Ethan Gage #3)
by
William Dietrich (Goodreads Author)
William Dietrich is back with another fast-paced new adventure—one that brings together Norse mythology, the American wilderness, and a swashbuckling explorer in an irresistible page-turner.
Ethan Gage, the hero of Napoleon's Pyramids and The Rosetta Key, just wants to enjoy the fruits of victory after helping Napoleon win the Battle of Marengo and end an undeclared naval w...more
Ethan Gage, the hero of Napoleon's Pyramids and The Rosetta Key, just wants to enjoy the fruits of victory after helping Napoleon win the Battle of Marengo and end an undeclared naval w...more
Hardcover, 368 pages
Published
March 24th 2009
by Harper
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It's never fair to compare artists' work. Saying that such-and-such a singer is "The new Ella Fitzgerald" or "The British Courtney Love" does neither the established diva nor the newcomer much of a compliment. Therefore I say this with apology but -
For those of us who love George MacDonald Fraser's "Flashman" series, and are lamenting the author's passing, reading William Dietrich's "Ethan Gage" books is a hell of a good way to wean yourself off of old Flashy, may he rest in peace.
This is not...more
For those of us who love George MacDonald Fraser's "Flashman" series, and are lamenting the author's passing, reading William Dietrich's "Ethan Gage" books is a hell of a good way to wean yourself off of old Flashy, may he rest in peace.
This is not...more
Ethan, safely back in Paris, makes the mistake of getting involved with Napoleon's sister (this was not a politically good move). Ethan makes a quick escape to the relative safety of the US along with his new friend Magnus Bloodhammer. Magnus is a deranged Norwegian who thinks the Vikings not only settled in Vineland (Nova Scotia), but traveled deep into the North American continent. Ethan is soon enlisted by Thomas Jefferson to travel into the Louisiana territory to evaluate if it worth pursuin...more
This is the 3rd novel in William Dietrich's Ethan Gage series. The books are fairly stand-along in nature, so it is possible to read this 3rd book without reading the first two.
This was very enjoyable to read, as it was a rousing adventure, had plenty of intrigue, and the historical details given by the author to historical figures (Napoleon, Thomas Jefferson, etc.) and historical locations is just brilliant. The details add a reality to the book, that helps with the suspension of disbelief.
Etha...more
This was very enjoyable to read, as it was a rousing adventure, had plenty of intrigue, and the historical details given by the author to historical figures (Napoleon, Thomas Jefferson, etc.) and historical locations is just brilliant. The details add a reality to the book, that helps with the suspension of disbelief.
Etha...more
This is the third book in the Ethan Gauge Adventure. The first book was "Napoleon's Pyramids" and the second book was "The Rosetta Key".
If one remembers, Ethan should be considered an adventurer in the 1800's. He is from America and a disciple of Benjamin Franklin. Full of wanderlust, Ethan finds himself in France and becoming a member of Napoleon's entourage. He is enlisted as a spy and provides information concerning the English. He falls into the hands of the English and becomes a spy for the...more
If one remembers, Ethan should be considered an adventurer in the 1800's. He is from America and a disciple of Benjamin Franklin. Full of wanderlust, Ethan finds himself in France and becoming a member of Napoleon's entourage. He is enlisted as a spy and provides information concerning the English. He falls into the hands of the English and becomes a spy for the...more
This book is a quagmire. I enjoy historical fiction, particularly American History topics, yet this one was a mixed bag for me. Dietrich establishes this series character, Ethan Gage, who seemingly works for anyone in power, such as Napoleon and Jefferson. Gage is a master electrician, apprenticed by Ben Franklin. He is all this and more, apparently irresistable to the ladies too. He and new friend Magnus are asked to find the Thor hammer, which should provide conclusive evidence that that the N...more
A mildly amusing book, it lacks depth. While the pace is fast, not much happens or it happens repeatedly. The insights are few and the pay off didn't impress me. For all the knocks Da Vinci Code received, at least it was gripping.
The main character, Ethan Gage, is shallow and things happen to him by accident. Granted that's the point, but every so often he does something clever (and not by accident) which makes me yearn for more.
The book obviously sets up a larger payoff in the future, but I h...more
The main character, Ethan Gage, is shallow and things happen to him by accident. Granted that's the point, but every so often he does something clever (and not by accident) which makes me yearn for more.
The book obviously sets up a larger payoff in the future, but I h...more
Well, this Installment of the Ethan Gage adventures ended better than it began.
I'm not so sure why I care so much about the character, who is Forrest Gump meets Indiana Jones, perhaps the answer is that the historical aspect of this clearly well-researched novel is more than enough for me to suffer through the travails of the idiot hero who only cares about getting laid. Why Astiza fell in love with this loser is a true mystery, especially since she seems so much more evolved as a person, but s...more
I'm not so sure why I care so much about the character, who is Forrest Gump meets Indiana Jones, perhaps the answer is that the historical aspect of this clearly well-researched novel is more than enough for me to suffer through the travails of the idiot hero who only cares about getting laid. Why Astiza fell in love with this loser is a true mystery, especially since she seems so much more evolved as a person, but s...more
The Dakota Cipher is a fast-paced action-packed read. It is more fanciful than Dietrich's other books as it includes a lot of Norse, aboriginal, and Freemason mythology, including a ridiculously large tree linked to some pretty fancy electrical gadgetry including Thor's Hammer.
There is good information about travel in the fur trade days and regarding aboriginal groups of the time. Were I an attractive female character I would not want to be involved with Ethan Gage as he usually makes sexual use...more
There is good information about travel in the fur trade days and regarding aboriginal groups of the time. Were I an attractive female character I would not want to be involved with Ethan Gage as he usually makes sexual use...more
I read this book after reading What is the What. I knew that this book would just be fluff, but I wanted something light after reading something so serious. I got light alright. The plot was so fanciful that I couldn’t believe for even a minute. On the upside, the little Frenchman was a funny character. I’m not going to knock this book too much, because I knew, almost, exactly what I was getting. However, this book wasn’t as fun of an experience as the previous one. The main character spent a hu...more
W/o planning to,I read all these books in their proper order. I really enjoyed them. Ethan Gage, the early 19th century American protoge of Ben Franklin, is an engaging savant, gambler, ladies man, etc., who gets into adventures from the Middle East to the then far American West, meeting with notables such as Napoleon (and his sister Pauline), Jefferson, and a host of rascals who all seem to have some association with Templar secrets, much to Gage's amazement. Told in Gage's amusing voice, rolli...more
This third book of the series again puts fictional character, Ethan Gage, in continuous harrowing situations. The book starts at the conclusion of book two and has Ethan traveling fron France to his home country of America as a diplomat and explorer. From Napoleon to the newly elected Jefferson to the exploration of the great new Northwest frontier, Ethan Gage finds adventure among fur traders and indians as he also finds evidence that connects early settlers to the Knights Templers and a versio...more
This was a surprisingly enjoyable adventure yarn, part of a series. It’s around 1800 and Ethan Gage, who has worked for and against the British, and has been in the employ of Napoleon, leaves the country with Norwegian Magnus Bloodhammer. Ethan has been shtupping Napoleon’s (married) sister and Magnus needs him to go to the US to find Thor’s hammer. Adventure ensues, there are Indians and the British, French and Americans, and Lake Huron and Lake Superior canoe travels. Death and mayhem, a big g...more
I just love reading light historical novels like this one, which is third in a series about Ethan Gage. This one takes place in the USA and includes beliefs that European travelers were in the Americas way before Columbus. The pace is mostly quick and includes lots of close calls. Ethan Gage comes across as a sex-crazed, superficial adventurer. Yet the story really makes for a fun read. At the end, the author explains what is historically accurate and what is fiction.
Yes! I wish there were 30 more of these books. Ethan Gage is an American adventurer, gambler, treasure hunter, and in general a rascal at the turn of the 18th century. This and the previous two books by WD are similar in tone to the Indiana Jones stories. I will not ruin the story by summarizing. (In any case it's complicated and would take entirely too long). Exciting, interesting, well-written and researched. WD is becoming one of my favorites. Finished it in two days.
This is the third book in the Ethan Gage adventure series. Basically, Ethan's an American spy that changes loyalties when ever he needs to save his hide. In this book, his journeys move away from France and Egypt and finally bring him back home to America to help explore the Louisiana Territory for Napoleon and Jefferson. But instead of surveying the land and interviewing the native people living there, Gage gets side-tracked looking for another Templar artifact that may prove that the Norse hav...more
This series needs to stop! Unfortunately, Dietrich uses this story to nicely set up the sequel as the book doesn't end! I was totally uninterested throughout the entire book which is in stark contrast to the first two in the series. The secondary characters (with the exception of Pierre who may reappear in the next book) were totally laughable. The action was tepid and believe it or not, the storyline was even more outrageous than the others. I'm not sure if I should continue on with this unsati...more
One of the series by this author depicting a mythical figure, Ethan Gage, who just happens to be present at important points in history. In this episode he is sent by the newly inaugurated President Jefferson to the Louisiana territory to seek out remnants of Viking visits there. As described in the historical note, there has actually been found evidence of Norse visitors to what is now Minnesota long before Columbus 'discovered' the new world.
I agree with Beth Jersy's review...
This is a fun read, along the lines of the Davinci Code and Indiana Jones. A globe-trotting adventurer and womanizer is swept up in historical events such as Napoleon's march on Italy and newly-elected President Jefferson's interest in the "wild west." He goes on a journey with a one-eyed, flaming haired, Norseman who is looking for Thor's Hammer in Louisiana. Pretty silly stuff.
This is a fun read, along the lines of the Davinci Code and Indiana Jones. A globe-trotting adventurer and womanizer is swept up in historical events such as Napoleon's march on Italy and newly-elected President Jefferson's interest in the "wild west." He goes on a journey with a one-eyed, flaming haired, Norseman who is looking for Thor's Hammer in Louisiana. Pretty silly stuff.
I enjoy these books. A brain break. Good, fast paced storytelling. Not too plausable but then.... This one is a fair visit to the early 19th century despite the fantasy conclusion. The story is a chance to wander through a time when North America was unsettled and rough. Of course our hero's randiness gets him in trouble... a bit I wish the author would use less. Pierre is a character to bring back although I'm not sure how. Unlike many series, I will stay with this one.
Was glad to pick up another Ethan Gage novel the other day. It has all the usual elements -- almost constant action, Gage half-bumbling his way to success and womanizing all the way, the discovery of an important historical artifact that is then immediately lost to history for all-time. A very enjoyable read that takes Gage to North America for the first time and ends with the promise of more Gage adventures to come.
Another superb adventure for Ethan Gage, this time starting in France where he is in Napoleon's good graces again at least until his affair with Pauline Bonaparte, but then moving to America and a perilous journey in the Great Lakes region and then the upper Mississippi area with a Norwegian adventurer looking for mystical Norse artifacts.
This is a fun read, along the lines of the Davinci Code and Indiana Jones. A globe-trotting adventurer and womanizer is swept up in historical events such as Napoleon's march on Italy and newly-elected President Jefferson's interest in the "wild west." He goes on a journey with a one-eyed, flaming haired, Norseman who is looking for Thor's Hammer in Louisiana. Pretty silly stuff.
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This book wasn't as good as the previous two. There wasn't as much action and it was just a little too slow. That being said, the history in the book is quite interesting as it looks at some of the first groups in America. Ethan Gage once again is only interested in treasure and women and there is plenty of both for him. Well, almost...
The third book in the series and the writing is getting better. This one takes place in the upper midwest near some places I used to live. I remember being taught about the Kensington Rune stone in school when I lived in Minnesota. Ethan Gage is still being chased my the followers of the Egyptian Rite of Freemasonry, which implies that that overall theme will continue in the fourth book (my speculation).
Sep 30, 2010
Denise
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Adults
Shelves:
fiction,
my-fav-authors
Book #3 of the Ethan Gage Trilogy. This book was the most bizarre and unbelievable of the three in the series. I love drama and adventure but this was "over-the-top" in strangeness. I plodded through it just to see what the ending would be. Read it and see if you agree with me.
I have read the other Etahn Gage books and they were pretty good action/adventures. This one was a bit disappointing. It seemed like the entirety of it was Ethan and co. wandering in the wilderness of America. It just didn't pack in the thrills that the others had
This is the third book in the Ethan Gage series. The Indiana Jones comparison still holds true in this book. Gage is reluctantly partnered with a Viking (Norwegian) intent on finding Thor's Hammer. Napoleon wants Gage to look at Lousianna (remember the land included in the Purchase not just the state) and Thomas Jefferson wants a report after Gage's travels as well. Another entertaining read with sexual encounters not found in Indiana Jones. Dietrick sets us up for the next book in the series an...more
A rousing adventure. As with the other Ethan Gage books, this one strains belief, but the hero is a likeable rogue (think of an American Flashman, only not quite as well written) and the pace ferocious. Good fun, but not brilliant.
Although I have enjoyed the Ethan Gage series thus far, I was not as pleased with this book as I was with the previous two. The adventures are still unique and I enjoy the inclusion of actual historical as well as mythological events.
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William Dietrich is a NY Times bestelling author of the Ethan Gage series, which has sold into 28 languages. He is also the author of six other adventure novels, several nonfiction works on the environmental history of the Pacific Northwest, and a contributor to several books.
Bill was a career journalist, sharing a Pulitzer for national reporting at the Seattle Times for coverage of the Exxon Vald...more
More about William Dietrich...
Bill was a career journalist, sharing a Pulitzer for national reporting at the Seattle Times for coverage of the Exxon Vald...more
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