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Oregon Files #2
Sacred Stone
Juan Cabrillo and his CIA-backed Oregon crew must beat opposing factions to a meteorite that could end the conflict between America and the Middle East in this novel in the #1 New York Times-bestselling series.
Two embattled groups seek a 50,000-year-old meteorite first discovered and then hidden by Eric the Red and his Vikings. Known as the Sacred Stone, it has powerful radioative properties. Muslim extremists have stolen a nuclear device and need the stone to give them the power to vaporize any city in the west. A megalomaniacal industrialist leads a group seeking to carry out the utter annihilation of Islam itself. And caught between the two militant factions is Juan Cabrillo and his crew, who must do whatever they can to stop the impending doom...
Two embattled groups seek a 50,000-year-old meteorite first discovered and then hidden by Eric the Red and his Vikings. Known as the Sacred Stone, it has powerful radioative properties. Muslim extremists have stolen a nuclear device and need the stone to give them the power to vaporize any city in the west. A megalomaniacal industrialist leads a group seeking to carry out the utter annihilation of Islam itself. And caught between the two militant factions is Juan Cabrillo and his crew, who must do whatever they can to stop the impending doom...
406 pages, Paperback
First published October 5, 2004
971 people are currently reading
3544 people want to read
About the author
Clive Cussler
643 books8,516 followersCussler began writing novels in 1965 and published his first work featuring his continuous series hero, Dirk Pitt, in 1973. His first non-fiction, The Sea Hunters, was released in 1996. The Board of Governors of the Maritime College, State University of New York, considered The Sea Hunters in lieu of a Ph.D. thesis and awarded Cussler a Doctor of Letters degree in May, 1997. It was the first time since the College was founded in 1874 that such a degree was bestowed.
Cussler was an internationally recognized authority on shipwrecks and the founder of the National Underwater and Marine Agency, (NUMA) a 501C3 non-profit organization (named after the fictional Federal agency in his novels) that dedicates itself to preserving American maritime and naval history. He and his crew of marine experts and NUMA volunteers discovered more than 60 historically significant underwater wreck sites including the first submarine to sink a ship in battle, the Confederacy's Hunley, and its victim, the Union's Housatonic; the U-20, the U-boat that sank the Lusitania; the Cumberland, which was sunk by the famous ironclad, Merrimack; the renowned Confederate raider Florida; the Navy airship, Akron, the Republic of Texas Navy warship, Zavala, found under a parking lot in Galveston, and the Carpathia, which sank almost six years to-the-day after plucking Titanic's survivors from the sea.
In addition to being the Chairman of NUMA, Cussler was also a fellow in both the Explorers Club of New York and the Royal Geographic Society in London. He was honored with the Lowell Thomas Award for outstanding underwater exploration.
Cussler's books have been published in more than 40 languages in more than 100 countries. His past international bestsellers include Pacific Vortex, Mediterranean Caper, Iceberg, Raise the Titanic, Vixen 03, Night Probe, Deep Six, Cyclops, Treasure, Dragon, Sahara, Inca Gold, Shock Wave, Flood Tide, Atlantis Found, Valhalla Rising, Trojan Odyssey and Black Wind (this last with his son, Dirk Cussler); the nonfiction books The Sea Hunters, The Sea Hunters II and Clive Cussler and Dirk Pitt Revealed; the NUMA® Files novels Serpent, Blue Gold, Fire Ice, White Death and Lost City (written with Paul Kemprecos); and the Oregon Files novels Sacred Stone and Golden Buddha (written with Craig Dirgo) and Dark Watch (written with Jack Du Brul).
Clive Cussler died at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona on February 24, 2020.
Cussler was an internationally recognized authority on shipwrecks and the founder of the National Underwater and Marine Agency, (NUMA) a 501C3 non-profit organization (named after the fictional Federal agency in his novels) that dedicates itself to preserving American maritime and naval history. He and his crew of marine experts and NUMA volunteers discovered more than 60 historically significant underwater wreck sites including the first submarine to sink a ship in battle, the Confederacy's Hunley, and its victim, the Union's Housatonic; the U-20, the U-boat that sank the Lusitania; the Cumberland, which was sunk by the famous ironclad, Merrimack; the renowned Confederate raider Florida; the Navy airship, Akron, the Republic of Texas Navy warship, Zavala, found under a parking lot in Galveston, and the Carpathia, which sank almost six years to-the-day after plucking Titanic's survivors from the sea.
In addition to being the Chairman of NUMA, Cussler was also a fellow in both the Explorers Club of New York and the Royal Geographic Society in London. He was honored with the Lowell Thomas Award for outstanding underwater exploration.
Cussler's books have been published in more than 40 languages in more than 100 countries. His past international bestsellers include Pacific Vortex, Mediterranean Caper, Iceberg, Raise the Titanic, Vixen 03, Night Probe, Deep Six, Cyclops, Treasure, Dragon, Sahara, Inca Gold, Shock Wave, Flood Tide, Atlantis Found, Valhalla Rising, Trojan Odyssey and Black Wind (this last with his son, Dirk Cussler); the nonfiction books The Sea Hunters, The Sea Hunters II and Clive Cussler and Dirk Pitt Revealed; the NUMA® Files novels Serpent, Blue Gold, Fire Ice, White Death and Lost City (written with Paul Kemprecos); and the Oregon Files novels Sacred Stone and Golden Buddha (written with Craig Dirgo) and Dark Watch (written with Jack Du Brul).
Clive Cussler died at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona on February 24, 2020.
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July 6, 2010NOt up to par with Cussler's usual work; I was confused at the start (and repeatedly throughout the book) as to who was who with the huge cast of characters. Several times one of the bad guys would be in an obvious trap only to reappear elsewhere with no description of how he got away. I really enjoyed the first Oregon files book, but this one made me look to see who Cussler co-authored with. Is he going the way of James Patterson (who I no longer read as his co-authors write abysmally). Guess I'll read the reviews here before investing time in more of Cussler's co-authored books.
March 20, 2017
Disappointment
Of all the Cussler books I've read, this is a major disappointment. There are way too many characters. The plot line...actually there were two plot lines...was so boring that the book was overflowing with "filler text". i.e., pages upon pages of dreary scene descriptions. etc. I make a point of finishing every book I start, and that was a hard rule to follow with this book...but I did finish it. Yawn.
Of all the Cussler books I've read, this is a major disappointment. There are way too many characters. The plot line...actually there were two plot lines...was so boring that the book was overflowing with "filler text". i.e., pages upon pages of dreary scene descriptions. etc. I make a point of finishing every book I start, and that was a hard rule to follow with this book...but I did finish it. Yawn.
January 26, 2023
Multiple characters, two plot lines, action packed, page turner.
I think I enjoyed it a lot more since I haven’t read one of his books in quite some time.
One of the things I did not like about this book was the way he kept mentioning things that would happen in the future at the end of the chapter.
Otherwise a quick read.
I think I enjoyed it a lot more since I haven’t read one of his books in quite some time.
One of the things I did not like about this book was the way he kept mentioning things that would happen in the future at the end of the chapter.
Otherwise a quick read.
August 16, 2019
I enjoyed it, but there was alot going going on and it got a bit confusing
August 19, 2020
Good stuff. I might not enjoy the Oregon series as much as the Isaac Bell stuff.
September 23, 2018
This book gives us Cussler’s usual action-packed, page-turner. Even at over 400 pages it’s a quick, easy read. The usual Corporation Team characters make their appearances in this convoluted plot involving an age-old meteor, hidden in a cave in Greenland, and the other sacred stone, the Kaaba in Mecca. A plan to blow up London during a live Elton John concert on New Year’s Eve is another plot twist that adds to the excitement. Great fun, though the characters are sometimes hard to keep straight. Luckily the authors included a “Cast of Characters” for easy reference
January 21, 2013
The action was fast as promised. However, it distracted from the development of the main characters-- especially those in the corporation. The plot was sloppy toward the end and I did no longer believe that it made sense. There was so many characters that it was hard to keep track of everyone. It did help that the author had a list and explanation for each character. I would have liked to have known more about main character, Juan Cabrillo .
May 17, 2016
This is the 2nd book in the Oregon Files and was a very enjoyable read. It is easier to follow the plot and more interesting than the first book, The Golden Buddha. The only problem I had with this book was that some of the incidents seemed a bit unrealistic. Even with this problem, I would have to say that the book still is a great adventure read. The characters are unique and the plot is exciting. I will definitely continue with this series and look forward to reading the next installment.
4.25 stars
4.25 stars
April 23, 2013
I read two Oregon Files by Cussler and Jack du Brul before and they were awesome. This one cowritten by Craig Dirgo unlike the rest of the series except Golden Buddha. And you see the difference obviously between two co-writers. Jack Du Brul does a much better job. Still a Cussler book. Joyful, thrilling, lots of knowledge about spying, aviation, sailing, etc.
May 15, 2016
Worst book I've ever read, 54 plus different characters is a few to many. Sometimes he would change characters four times on one page. I stayed confused the whole book. The best part about the book was the very beginning and when I finished it. All of the other Clive Cussler books I have read have been good books, but I was disappointed on this one.
April 23, 2017
"- Head and shoulders - said King by radio.
- Shampoo? - asked Adams.
- No - King replied - I'm gonna shoot this bastard there. In the head and shoulders."
Good part but here's too little of Cabrillo, who's I personally love. Big pluses for Elton John concert and his lines, and Hotel California by The Eagles - who read the book knows what I mean ;)
- Shampoo? - asked Adams.
- No - King replied - I'm gonna shoot this bastard there. In the head and shoulders."
Good part but here's too little of Cabrillo, who's I personally love. Big pluses for Elton John concert and his lines, and Hotel California by The Eagles - who read the book knows what I mean ;)
April 10, 2019
by Clive Cussler (well probably more written by his co-author Craig Dirgo). Typical techno-thriller fair, that I've come to expect from Cussler. Several world ending calamities arise that the crew of the Oregon (a private military/spy corporation) has to address.
November 11, 2020
From Erik the Red to nuclear terrorism, one shiny space rock has inspired worship and caused sickness and death throughout the centuries. Which is about how long it took to finish this book. Ah, to have a commando team with an unlimited budget--makes for a good story !
February 18, 2023
Tedious to the extreme 500+ pages of dashing about the world, to many characters to little suspense. An annoying habit at the end of the chapters dropping spoilers. Cussler is just not for me. One redeeming crumb some hilarious one liners.
February 17, 2025
Not his best. Two different things going on, stolen nuke and stolen meteorite that can suck in a bunch of air for some reason? And there’s poison being sprayed on the Muslim mats for the Mecca?
Too many things going on and just was unrelated stuff. Not too impressed.
Too many things going on and just was unrelated stuff. Not too impressed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2025
A deadly meteorite is wanted by Muslim extremists and they will stop at nothing to get it. The meteorite paired with their stolen nuclear device will vaporize a large city in seconds. Cabrillo and his team must stop them!
February 21, 2018
The book is about the cooperation between the Oregon crew and federal agencies to stop two criminal forces opposing each other. The plot was well written but it is becoming similar to sci-fi.
October 28, 2021
Part 1: 2 stars - it's decent and intresting enough in convolouted and confusing way
Part 2: 0,5 stars - not only I was bored with this, it seems like the author was too.
Part 2: 0,5 stars - not only I was bored with this, it seems like the author was too.
May 28, 2023
Mooi boek maar soms wat warrig of ze een stuk oversloegen
May 23, 2020
I already wasn’t a huge fan of the first book in this series, Golden Buddha, but I was willing to give the benefit of the doubt as it was the first in a new side project for Cussler, and things were still getting figured out. And, despite its pacing issues, it had a Mission Impossible feel that the Dirk Pitt and NUMA Files books were lacking. Of course it would make sense that a second book would improve on the formula right?
Wrong.
Somewhere amongst this wreck of a novel, I’m sure there’s a good story. It’s just that it’s buried amongst a ridiculously large amount of characters, confusing scene jumps, disparaging plot lines, and things that just don’t make sense. The constant jumps between characters is jarring and their names are so similar that it’s impossible to remember who is who. There’s like 4 characters with last names that start with the letter “H”. There’s 3 or 4 pilots who basically do the same thing. Cabrillo’s team has 2 women who are basically interchangeable. The 2 plots and their eventual climaxes are too similar to have any kind of distinguishing attributes. The antagonist’s motivation is razor thin and his idea to exact revenge is insanely unrealistic. And of course, the fact that Cabrillo’s team can figure out things before the US, British, Israeli, and Saudi Arabian governments makes them infallible and unlikely.
Clive Cussler is far better than what is presented in Sacred Stone so I’m going to throw blame on Craig Dirgo because, after reading 14 or 15 Cussler novels in 2020, it’s pretty obvious he came up with the idea but let Dirgo run wild with it. I think Cussler himself saw the error of his ways because after this, Dirgo was sacked and replaced by Jack DuBrul, who, if reviews are to be believed, is a superior author and storyteller. Guess we will have to wait and see.
December 26, 2016
Questo è il primo libro di Cussler che leggo dove il protagonista non è Dirk Pitt.
E devo proprio dirlo: mi è mancato.
Juan Cabrillo non mi è sembrato un protagonista all’altezza di Pitt (probabilmente ha a che fare con il fatto che Pitt sia stato il mio primo book-crush, o come si dice, e figura ancora nella lista degli uomini che vorrei fossero reali). L’ho trovato, come dire… meno d’impatto, più spento. In alcuni punti come se non ci fosse.
E poi mi sono mancati i continui riferimenti al mare, alle immersioni e l’utilizzo di tutti quei termini tecnici e quei marchingegni di cui ho sempre adorato scoprire l’esistenza grazie a questi libri. Cioè, mi spiego: in realtà il mare c’è, una nave c’è, ma è solo di sfondo, il mare non gioca alcun ruolo fondamentale.
E devo dire che questa è stata una grande mancanza del libro: come se mancasse quel tocco in più a renderlo un vero libro firmato Cussler.
Per quel che riguarda l’avventura, questa segue la solita trama di Cussler: un avvenimento del passato porta ad una scoperta ai giorni nostri. I buoni e i cattivi lottano per mettere le mani per primi sulla scoperta.
Certo è che la suspense e l’azione non mancano, e tu non puoi che stare incollato al libro, perché devi sapere che cosa succederà dopo (non importa che sia la mattina di Natale e forse sarebbe il caso di prepararsi e uscire…)
Nel complesso un buon libro d’avventura, per quanto non mi sia sembrato davvero un libro di Cussler.
E devo proprio dirlo: mi è mancato.
Juan Cabrillo non mi è sembrato un protagonista all’altezza di Pitt (probabilmente ha a che fare con il fatto che Pitt sia stato il mio primo book-crush, o come si dice, e figura ancora nella lista degli uomini che vorrei fossero reali). L’ho trovato, come dire… meno d’impatto, più spento. In alcuni punti come se non ci fosse.
E poi mi sono mancati i continui riferimenti al mare, alle immersioni e l’utilizzo di tutti quei termini tecnici e quei marchingegni di cui ho sempre adorato scoprire l’esistenza grazie a questi libri. Cioè, mi spiego: in realtà il mare c’è, una nave c’è, ma è solo di sfondo, il mare non gioca alcun ruolo fondamentale.
E devo dire che questa è stata una grande mancanza del libro: come se mancasse quel tocco in più a renderlo un vero libro firmato Cussler.
Per quel che riguarda l’avventura, questa segue la solita trama di Cussler: un avvenimento del passato porta ad una scoperta ai giorni nostri. I buoni e i cattivi lottano per mettere le mani per primi sulla scoperta.
Certo è che la suspense e l’azione non mancano, e tu non puoi che stare incollato al libro, perché devi sapere che cosa succederà dopo (non importa che sia la mattina di Natale e forse sarebbe il caso di prepararsi e uscire…)
Nel complesso un buon libro d’avventura, per quanto non mi sia sembrato davvero un libro di Cussler.
March 23, 2023
Tweede deel uit een serie van elf boeken in de Dossier: Oregon serie.
De Oregon is een state-of-the-art oorlogsschip vermomd als een oude stoomboot. Niemand zou ooit denk dat het bemand is door voormalige militaire en special forces agenten, die bekend staan als The Corporation, onder leiding van Captain Juan Cabrillo.
Een meteoriet land na een miljoenen jaren durende toch op Aarde en wordt in het 1000 door Eric de Rode in Groenland ontdekt. Hij laat twee mannen achter om de meteoriet te bewaken en gaat zelf terug naar zijn dorp om er werklui op te halen. Deze mensen worden allemaal ziek door de radio-activiteit.
Duizend jaar later wordt het herontdekt door een archeoloog, waarop een race tussen twee groepen terroristen ontstaat, die de meteoriet willen gebruiken voor aanslagen. Een daarvan is een radicale islamitische geestelijke die de meteoriet wil gebruiken, om samen met een gestolen kernbom Londen te vernietigen.
De andere is een miljardair die de meteoriet wil gebruiken om de islam te vernietigen. De bemanning van de Oregon moet beide tragedies voorkomen.
Dit boek is gevuld met non-stop actie en er zou een geweldige film van te maken kunnen zijn.
De Oregon is een state-of-the-art oorlogsschip vermomd als een oude stoomboot. Niemand zou ooit denk dat het bemand is door voormalige militaire en special forces agenten, die bekend staan als The Corporation, onder leiding van Captain Juan Cabrillo.
Een meteoriet land na een miljoenen jaren durende toch op Aarde en wordt in het 1000 door Eric de Rode in Groenland ontdekt. Hij laat twee mannen achter om de meteoriet te bewaken en gaat zelf terug naar zijn dorp om er werklui op te halen. Deze mensen worden allemaal ziek door de radio-activiteit.
Duizend jaar later wordt het herontdekt door een archeoloog, waarop een race tussen twee groepen terroristen ontstaat, die de meteoriet willen gebruiken voor aanslagen. Een daarvan is een radicale islamitische geestelijke die de meteoriet wil gebruiken, om samen met een gestolen kernbom Londen te vernietigen.
De andere is een miljardair die de meteoriet wil gebruiken om de islam te vernietigen. De bemanning van de Oregon moet beide tragedies voorkomen.
Dit boek is gevuld met non-stop actie en er zou een geweldige film van te maken kunnen zijn.
May 15, 2016
I have read all 11 of the books in the Oregon Files series and thoroughly enjoyed each and every one. This was a reread and I have to say the fast-paced action of this story, the crew of the Oregon, and the details the authors pay to the historical and factual settings make this one of my absolutely favorite series. On a lighter note…. something that rather amused me was that at the beginning of the book, Eric The Red needed two men to lift the meteorite when it was first discovered. Centuries later, the Corporation and their enemies juggled the stone as if it were a pizza: one person handling it with no difficulty whenever and wherever it was moved during the adventure; up hills, into and out of helicopters, trains, cars…. Try lifting a 100 pound, bowling-ball-sized, smooth-sided sphere. I can only conclude that all of the characters in the book, with the exception of Eric the Red's men, had exceptional strength.
June 15, 2011
Ancient natives find a meteorite and build a shrine, a possible pathogen could be released from the destruction of said meteorite that would consume the oxygen in our air (and a really cool lab experiment gone awry that discovered that) seems to be a page turning premise as far as I'm concerned. Sprinkle in some middle eastern intricacies, some rocking cool military turned private contractors and it seems like story with something for everyone.
Alas, if the author could have blown up a few more things and described just a few zillion more weapons I think I may have tracked down that other worldly virus and set it off myself. Ugh. I can't believe even men want to read this.
Must. renew. my. library pass.
Alas, if the author could have blown up a few more things and described just a few zillion more weapons I think I may have tracked down that other worldly virus and set it off myself. Ugh. I can't believe even men want to read this.
Must. renew. my. library pass.
January 1, 2019
I was a bit concerned when I started this as many of the reviews commented on it being disjointed and hard to follow due to the large number of characters but I actually found that it worked well. The storyline was structured with multiple discrete episodes that each was pulled into the main storyline as needed.
the story itself was a fun, easy read with spy action and thriller components. I am looking forward to getting to know the crew of The Oregon better as I definitely see the people, and their various talents/personalities, as a major strength of the series.
the only significant issue I've had so far -with both books - is the the endings are a bit anticlimactic as the mission is completed.
the story itself was a fun, easy read with spy action and thriller components. I am looking forward to getting to know the crew of The Oregon better as I definitely see the people, and their various talents/personalities, as a major strength of the series.
the only significant issue I've had so far -with both books - is the the endings are a bit anticlimactic as the mission is completed.
September 9, 2012
To be honest i kind of liked the idea of someone in the world trying to make a terrorist attack to the muslims... although and don't get me wrong... I think it will be something wrong to do... and not all muslims are terrorists.. but it was kind of fun to think about it at least... Other than that I feel that the book is better than the first one and it had better plot. The only thing that gets me is how they win all their fights... maybe in future books they will have some upsets... this series kind of reminds me of the A-Team..
June 1, 2016
After a chilling prelude featuring the Vikings of Erik The Red, the book settles into the usual high adventure. A billionaire wants revenge on the Muslim world for his son's death in Afghanistan.
His plans include nuking Mecca, and sending radioactive prayer mats to Afghanistan. Juan Cabrillo and crew have to stop him. Lots of derring do, including a nifty motorcycle chase.
For a book in a series call The Oregon Files, named after a super ship, there was not much nautical action.
Still, not bad.
His plans include nuking Mecca, and sending radioactive prayer mats to Afghanistan. Juan Cabrillo and crew have to stop him. Lots of derring do, including a nifty motorcycle chase.
For a book in a series call The Oregon Files, named after a super ship, there was not much nautical action.
Still, not bad.
May 27, 2017
Good book. can be quite a page turner during action sequences. However too many characters to keep track off. Also goes into POV and backstories of characters the are not needed. For example, the drunk guy who lends him a snow vehicle.
Also not a fan of how he likes to start chapters without identifying the character until a few paragraphs in. Also enjoys finishing early chapters with a reference to the ending. "little did he know that it would be his downfall". "he didn't know the next doctor he would see would actually be a coroner". I found this annoying as it jarred me out of the story.
Also not a fan of how he likes to start chapters without identifying the character until a few paragraphs in. Also enjoys finishing early chapters with a reference to the ending. "little did he know that it would be his downfall". "he didn't know the next doctor he would see would actually be a coroner". I found this annoying as it jarred me out of the story.
March 24, 2016
I did not care for this book much. I found the writing style strange and the plot not up to the usual Clive Cussler standard. At times I found the quality of writing poor with words repeated regularly in the same paragraph. It reminded me of a badly written self published book in need of some serious editing.
I usually thoroughly enjoy reading Clive Cussler books, especially featuring Dirk Pitt so I won't let Sacred Stone put me off.
I usually thoroughly enjoy reading Clive Cussler books, especially featuring Dirk Pitt so I won't let Sacred Stone put me off.
March 3, 2008
Didn't like this one as well as the first, but still a good read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 442 reviews