Date first published	1988
ISBN Number	0 586 07472 4
Page Count	600 p/b
h/b= hardback : p/b= paperback

Storyline

The pre-quel to the main story is set in the Ancient World, where the old order is coming to an end and with it the destruction of the Library and museum of Alexandria. One man is tasked with the preservation of some of the most valuable artifacts, which he spirits away.

Modern day. The USA is faced with two fanatics, one in Egypt and the other in Mexico. Both preach a return to the relative nations old ways. The two men lust for power and will stop at nothing to gain power.

Pitt is conducting a survey for NUMA but is covertly seeking a sunken Russian submarine. Shortly after discovering the submarine Pitt witnesses the crash of United Nations aircraft. On reaching the craft Pitt finds a planeload of corpses. Importantly they are all delegates belonging to Egypt and Mexico. Pitt manages to rescue the Secretary General who is hidden at his fathers ski lodge.

Pitt now involved in a race to find the Alexandria relics, decides to get his ski equipment from his fathers lodge and blunders into a terrorist attack on the lodge.

Pitt seemingly escapes from one major problem only to be faced with other more serious tests, and enters a desperate race to find his father before he is killed by the terrorists.

Can Pitt find the relics before Topiltzin invades Texas and steals the Library forever. What is the secret link between Topiltzin and Yazid the Egyptian fanatic.

Review

This story is a real rollercoaster of a story. Pitt is hardly out of one situation before he's thrown into the next. One moment you are enjoying the relative peace, as Pitt picks up his latest car, (it's first and last journey is unbelievable), to an all out battle with Egyptian terrorists.

From the slopes Colorado, to a game of cat and mouse in the Pacific Ocean, you are sure to find something to enjoy in this novel. Cussler weaves seemingly unrelated plotlines, which are all heading in the same basic direction. Pitt is set against a seemingly remorseless enemy, who make the mistake of making the battle personal.

Cussler creates a record for Pitt with Pitt managing to arrange 3 dates in as many hours. On a more serious note the plotlines are incredibly strong with less reliance on 'future' technology. Pitt has to rely on good old fashioned blood and guts to get him through, and there is certainly a very high body count in this story.

The hunt for the relics is almost a story in itself and provides for some quieter moments in the book, and prove interesting interludes for the reader to catch his/her breath. The story also brings into question when European man first discovered the Americas. Something which is still hotly being debated some 10 years after the book was first written (although its doubtful if the Romans really found America first).

The main story pre-quel is also well written, and you almost feel sorry for the brave men who fight to ensure Venator escapes the massed hordes. It should however be noted that the Roman Legionnaires brought the attack on themselves.

An excellent novel all round, and one with which I can find little or no fault. The plotlines are good, the characters interesting and well rounded. This is Cussler coming to his peak

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