Atlantis (Jack Howard Series Book 1)

Gibbins has crafted an original, engrossing tale that makes a wonderful addition to the body of Atlantis-themed thrillers.Two separate discoveries, one in the Mediterranean and one in Egypt, provide clues to the true Atlantis: located in a place that no one had previously suspected. The heroes must outwit corrupt Eastern European warlords as they decipher the clues that guide them to their destination. A cold-war throwback subplot is thrown in to add tension.I appreciated the originality of this story. It's not another "Atlantis under the Antarctic ice" story, nor are the Atlantians an alien race. There's no supernatural element. Instead, the back-story is rich in history and archaeology. If you watch enough History Channel or read up on current archaeology, the location of Gibbin's Atlantis will sound familiar, but to most readers this will be a brand new idea, and a highly plausible one. Also, I have to praise Gibbons for the fact that the Vatican plays no part whatsoever in this story. Hopefully that trend is running its course.Gibbins is a marine archaeologist by trade, and his knowledge comes across in his writing. The story is very strong on history, and leaves no gaps unfilled. He also makes a point to be reasonably well-informed on weaponry and related technology. It's not Tom Clancy-level, but neither is it the generic treatment given by many authors. The reader believes Gibbons knows what he's talking about.The pacing of the story is the area that some people may not like. The first two-thirds of the book, while not void of action, is devoted almost exclusively to discussion and analysis of the history, archaeological record and clues regarding Atlantis. The characters are in motion while this is going on, but most of the dialogue and the thoughts of the point-of-view characters are devoted to unraveling the mystery. There's a great deal of, "Dr. Jones, will you please explain to our colleague...." In fairness to Gibbins, he has a great deal of information to share, and he doles it out through dialogue and narrative voice the best he can. Fans of the fast-paced action thriller will find it tedious. But readers and Indiana Jones fans like me, who love the history and archaeology, will eat it up. I was never bored, as I love a well-developed back-story, particularly if it involves ancient history.Its the last third of the book that really flies by, with the exploration angle almost entirely giving way to action sequences and a kidnapping subplot. The story wraps up with the final secret being unveiled. This is another section many might find boring, as it is pages and pages of conversational analysis It reminds me of Indiana Jones only in the present day. Again, I didn't mind it at all, and enjoyed the way Gibbins tied Atlantis to so many cultures, myths and religions, though it made me wonder what he has left about which to write, so thorough was the linking up of stories.As with so many books in the genre, characterization is very thin, though perhaps more so in this book because the characters spend so much time serving as mouthpieces for the vast historical background. A couple of the characters have unique traits, but the plot isn't truly affected by their particular personalities. Im sure Gibbin`s will address this issue in any future books he writes after all this is his first book.Overall, I think Atlantis will be slow but entertaining to some, and highly engrossing to others. In any case it is well worth your time. I cant wait to see what adventures he has planed for Dr. Howard and his readers next.

This author tries to turn fictional history into reality but his characters in the book are just that...cardboard replicas. It took at least half of the book to see them as even human let alone supposedly living action figures, little fleshing out...much as you'd read someone's profession under their name on a business card. I hope in succeeding books the author gets better but this book frankly is boring for it's first half...ex soldier ( and of course he was Special Forces trained, but you see little of that actually IN the book), turned archeologist..eventually about 2/3rds through you get some action and then the author seems to finally wake up and finish the book. Can't say I'd recommend this author...writes too much like a "alternate history facts stringer", not a real author and if he ever actually served in the military I'd think he left it definitely not as any member of Special Forces but as some reservist weekend warrior somewhere who decided to write a book. You see, I am a Veteran, and served overseas....

This was the first book I read from David Gibbins and it is the first book he wrote in the Jack Howard series. When I first started reading it seemed a bit heavy on the archeology and I wondered when the action was going to start. When he finally got to the action it was short lived and then it was back to archeology and there was a lot of archeology throughout the book. When the author finally got to the main villain and to the main portion of the action of the book it was a pretty good read but once again, when the villains were taken care of, it was back to archeology. Note that I'm not saying that it wasn't a good book or a good read but I tend to like a book that gets to the action and sustains the action throughout the book a bit more than this book did. Will I read another book by David Gibbins - yes but I now have several Clive Cussler books to catch up to.

Archeological treasures, deep historical research, and technological wizardry as well as military machinations make Atlantis a juicy read.Jack Howard is one determined man, looking for answers to ancient secrets. Traveling across the world, and through time, he slowly connects the dots changing ages-old myths into verifiable facts.My only complaint is that I thought the author was a bit too detailed. More action and less explanation would have made for a better flow. Still, an excellent choice.

David Gibbins' two novels reflect an unusual ability to craft a novel around unfamiliar facts in archaeology and history. He does the serious reader a service by distinguishing in his Author's Note historical fact from literary invention. As an amateur historian, I appreciate this specificity.The characters and their technology in both Atlantis and Crusader Gold are a reasonable means for conveying select bits of history in an entertaining sequence, rather than [by themselves] being the center of drama.Gibbin's description of Atlantis' time, location, and historical contribution in this novel is not unreasonable. The only other work of reason on Atlantis years ago was that of Otto Muck, a geophysicist who approached the topic in a scientific manner looking for geophysical facts as opposed to cultural beliefs.I look forward to Gibbins' next novel.

I picked up my first Gibbons novel in January for a trip to Antigua. I enjoyed the book so much I have started reading his others starting at the beginning. This was his first. I was not disappointed. I particularly like that at the end of the book he discusses the facts behind his fiction sobi learned something as well as being entertained. Currently on book two “Crusaders Gold.”

Atlantis is one of the most mysteriously elusive and fascinating stories of our time and Gibbins applies his considerable expertise in underwater archaeology to it and delivers a riveting tale of discovery.During a dive expedition for the International Maritime University, Jack Howard and Costas Kazantzakis find an ancient disk in a Minoan shipwreck and over the ensuing days, trace its origins back to what may have been the lost city of Atlantis. There is a definite 'will they/won't they find it' touch to Gibbins' storytelling - the plot follows their progress as they explore the possibilities of their find as well as the dangers they face - and this makes this book pretty unputdownable.There were times I felt that the technical descriptions went on a little too long and disrupted the flow of the story. I also could have done without Jack mooning about over Katya - it was such a cliche and felt out of kilter with the adventurous spirit of the book. But Atlantis is a gripping read and I stayed up far too late in order to finish it.

David Gibbins takes us on his magical underwater roller coaster ride of the perfect 3 and their magical discovery! This book is in retrospect, whilst somewhat enjoyable, far more of a hilariously written marine archaeology adventure, involving a Terrorist/warlord with a palace, a nuclear submarine, a variety of ex military characters, the fabled city of Atlantis, research vessels equipped with special forces equipment and a military grade cannon! The characters are mary-sue tier perfect people.The main protagonist is a seemingly (young?) marine archaeologist, with a U.S Naval background, piloting experience, and deep sea diving experience whilst an accomplished academic who works with world experts. Don't worry his companions are just as perfect and untouchable, including an exotic Russian woman and Greek tycoon playboy who all follow a perfectly logical way of thinking, bouncing of each-others thoughts which is all that is needed to drive the plot forward.Their organisation (a marine archaeology one) comes with more connections to the powerful and wealthy than phone-board with various military characters slotted in where drama and action is required. The main character even manages to 360 no-scope an enemy helicopter in midair, from another helicopter! Not only that but every moment of description from high tech devices or the ancient ruins is accompanied by intense detailing with the main characters requiring mere debate and seconds of rational thought alone to conclude what normally would take mere mortals months to even approach.Apart from basically being an early bond movie in terms of film the book also has a fairly unusual and poor narrative structure, more suited to an academic article or descriptive textbook, presumably because the author is an academic. An academic structure does not fit well with a story as everything is explained, fully fleshed out and delivered with the drama and impact of a Sunday morning lecture. To be honest I managed to partially enjoy it only because I have interest in ancient mysteries and myths. Oh and by the way you don't empty rounds, you empty the magazine!

Makes Dan Brown look lame and Indiana Jones look simple. Great historically accurate information combined with a modern intellectual story and at the heart, brilliant characters that you can relate too.

The book is basically very good - the plot is interesting and the pace is reasonably good. I will for sure buy again from this author. Only gave 3 stars as the book gets a bit soggy and bogged down at times - almost like a race where we have got up to speed and then pause to tie up our shoe laces. As said though - would recommend people give this a try and for sure I will buy more from David Gibbins

I REALLY enjoyed all the books in the Jack and Costos series.I have bought all the books so far and read them now I am rereading them.I love these sort of adventure novels and David Gibbons is s master at writing them.More please ......