Clive Cussler, an American adventure novelist and underwater explorer, was born on July 15, 1931, in Aurora, Illinois. Known for his thrilling maritime adventures and a flair for blending history with suspense, Cussler carved a niche for himself in the world of adventure fiction.
Raised in Alhambra, California, Cussler’s early fascination with the sea was evident in his choice of joining the Air Force during the Korean War, where he served as an aircraft mechanic and flight engineer. Post his military service, he worked in advertising and marketing, which honed his skills in storytelling and writing.
Cussler’s foray into novel writing began in the 1960s, but it was the publication of “Raise the Titanic!” in 1976 that brought him to prominence. The book, featuring his most famous character, Dirk Pitt, combined rich historical detail with riveting adventure, setting the tone for his future works. His novels, often revolving around maritime adventures and lost treasures, are known for their fast-paced narrative and meticulously researched historical references.
Beyond his literary pursuits, Clive Cussler was also a renowned underwater explorer. He founded the National Underwater and Marine Agency (NUMA), a non-profit organization dedicated to American maritime and naval history. His expeditions, many of which were integrated into his novels, led to the discovery of more than 60 significant shipwrecks.
Cussler’s work extends beyond the Dirk Pitt series. He authored several other series, including The NUMA Files, The Oregon Files, and The Fargo Adventures, each showcasing his talent for creating engaging, action-packed stories. His writing style, marked by a blend of historical intrigue and modern adventure, has captivated millions of readers worldwide.
Clive Cussler’s passing on February 24, 2020, marked the end of an era in adventure writing. However, his legacy lives on through his novels, which continue to transport readers on exhilarating journeys across the seas and through history. His contribution to both literature and maritime exploration has left an indelible mark, making him a beloved figure in both the literary and underwater exploration communities.
Below are all of Clive Cussler’s books in chronological order of publication.
Publication Order of Dirk Pitt Books
The Mediterranean Caper / Mayday!
(1973)
Iceberg
(1974)
Raise the Titanic!
(1976)
Vixen 03
(1978)
Night Probe!
(1981)
Pacific Vortex
(1983)
Deep Six
(1984)
Cyclops
(1986)
Treasure
(1988)
Dragon
(1990)
Sahara
(1992)
Inca Gold
(1994)
Shock Wave
(1996)
Flood Tide
(1997)
Atlantis Found
(1999)
Valhalla Rising
(2001)
Trojan Odyssey
(2003)
Black Wind(With: Dirk Cussler)
(2004)
Treasure of Khan(With: Dirk Cussler)
(2006)
Arctic Drift(With: Dirk Cussler)
(2008)
Crescent Dawn(With: Dirk Cussler)
(2010)
Poseidon’s Arrow(With: Dirk Cussler)
(2012)
Havana Storm(With: Dirk Cussler)
(2014)
Odessa Sea(With: Dirk Cussler)
(2016)
Celtic Empire(With: Dirk Cussler)
(2018)
The Devil’s Sea(By: Dirk Cussler)
(2021)
The Corsican Shadow(By: Dirk Cussler)
(2023)
In chronological order, Pacific Vortex comes first then it follows the publication order.
Publication Order of NUMA Files Books
Serpent(With: Paul Kemprecos)
(1999)
Blue Gold(With: Paul Kemprecos)
(2000)
Fire Ice(With: Paul Kemprecos)
(2002)
White Death(With: Paul Kemprecos)
(2003)
Lost City(With: Paul Kemprecos)
(2004)
Polar Shift(With: Paul Kemprecos)
(2005)
The Navigator(With: Paul Kemprecos)
(2007)
Medusa(With: Paul Kemprecos)
(2009)
Devil’s Gate(With: Graham Brown)
(2011)
The Storm(With: Graham Brown)
(2012)
Zero Hour(With: Graham Brown)
(2013)
Ghost Ship(With: Graham Brown)
(2014)
The Pharaoh’s Secret(With: Graham Brown)
(2015)
Nighthawk(With: Graham Brown)
(2017)
The Rising Sea(With: Graham Brown)
(2018)
Sea of Greed(With: Graham Brown)
(2019)
Journey of the Pharaohs(With: Graham Brown)
(2020)
Fast Ice(With: Graham Brown)
(2021)
Dark Vector(With: Graham Brown)
(2022)
Condor’s Fury(With: Graham Brown)
(2023)
Publication Order of Oregon Files Books
Golden Buddha(With: Craig Dirgo)
(2003)
Sacred Stone(With: Craig Dirgo)
(2004)
Dark Watch(With: Jack Du Brul)
(2005)
Skeleton Coast(With: Jack Du Brul)
(2006)
Plague Ship(With: Jack Du Brul)
(2008)
Corsair(With: Jack Du Brul)
(2009)
The Silent Sea(With: Jack Du Brul)
(2010)
The Jungle(With: Jack Du Brul)
(2011)
Mirage(With: Jack Du Brul)
(2013)
Piranha(With: Boyd Morrison)
(2015)
The Emperor’s Revenge(With: Boyd Morrison)
(2017)
Typhoon Fury(With: Boyd Morrison)
(2017)
Shadow Tyrants(With: Boyd Morrison)
(2018)
Final Option(With: Boyd Morrison)
(2019)
Marauder(With: Boyd Morrison)
(2020)
Hellburner(With: Mike Maden)
(2022)
Fire Strike(With: Mike Maden)
(2023)
Publication Order of Isaac Bell Adventures Books with Jack Du Brul, Justin Scott
The Chase
(2007)
The Wrecker(With: Justin Scott)
(2009)
The Spy(With: Justin Scott)
(2010)
The Race(With: Justin Scott)
(2011)
The Thief(With: Justin Scott)
(2012)
The Striker(With: Justin Scott)
(2013)
The Bootlegger(With: Justin Scott)
(2014)
The Assassin(With: Justin Scott)
(2015)
The Gangster(With: Justin Scott)
(2016)
The Cutthroat(With: Justin Scott)
(2017)
The Titanic Secret(With: Jack Du Brul)
(2019)
The Saboteurs(With: Jack Du Brul)
(2021)
The Sea Wolves(By: Jack Du Brul)
(2022)
The Heist(By: Jack Du Brul)
(2024)
Chronological Order of Isaac Bell Adventures Books with Jack Du Brul, Justin Scott
The Striker(With: Justin Scott)
(2013)
The Assassin(With: Justin Scott)
(2015)
The Chase
(2007)
The Gangster(With: Justin Scott)
(2016)
The Wrecker(With: Justin Scott)
(2009)
The Spy(With: Justin Scott)
(2010)
The Race(With: Justin Scott)
(2011)
The Thief(With: Justin Scott)
(2012)
The Cutthroat(With: Justin Scott)
(2017)
The Titanic Secret(With: Jack Du Brul)
(2019)
The Bootlegger(With: Justin Scott)
(2014)
The Saboteurs(With: Jack Du Brul)
(2021)
The Sea Wolves(By: Jack Du Brul)
(2022)
The Heist(By: Jack Du Brul)
(2024)
Publication Order of Children’s Books
The Adventures of Vin Fiz
(2006)
The Adventures of Hotsy Totsy
(2010)
Publication Order of Fargo Adventures Books
Spartan Gold(With: Grant Blackwood)
(2009)
Lost Empire(With: Grant Blackwood)
(2010)
The Kingdom(With: Grant Blackwood)
(2011)
The Tombs(With: Thomas Perry)
(2012)
The Mayan Secrets(With: Thomas Perry)
(2013)
The Eye of Heaven(With: Russell Blake)
(2014)
The Solomon Curse(With: Russell Blake)
(2015)
Pirate(With: Robin Burcell)
(2016)
The Romanov Ransom(With: Robin Burcell)
(2017)
The Gray Ghost(With: Robin Burcell)
(2018)
The Oracle(With: Robin Burcell)
(2019)
Wrath of Poseidon(With: Robin Burcell)
(2020)
The Serpent’s Eye(With: Robin Burcell)
(2024)
Publication Order of The Sea Hunters Books with Craig Dirgo
The Sea Hunters
(1994)
The Sea Hunters II
(2002)
Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books
Clive Cussler and Dirk Pitt Revealed
(1998)
Built for Adventure: The Classic Automobiles of Clive Cussler and Dirk Pitt