From Publishers Weekly
Eric the Red's A.D. 1000 discovery of a radioactive meteorite has present-day life-or-death ramifications in Cussler and Dirgo's second novel (after Golden Buddha) featuring the Oregon, a state-of-the-art warship disguised as a rusty tramp steamer and manned by some of the world's finest ex-military and intelligence operatives. Known collectively as the Corporation, the men and women of the Oregon—"mercenaries with a conscience"—offer their services to various countries and individuals with specialized security and military needs. The Corporation's chairman, series hero Juan Cabrillo, has several pressing concerns: supply security for the emir of Qatar, who is attending a conference in Iceland; track down a nuclear bomb that has gone astray; and pick up the aforementioned meteorite, which has just been found ensconced in a mysterious shrine. These jobs become dangerously complicated when industrialist Halifax Hickman, a man fueled by revenge and hatred, enters the picture. The meteorite, the atomic bomb and a vial of plague are to be used in attacks on holy sites—Israel's Dome of the Rock and Saudi Arabia's al-Haram mosque—and at an Elton John concert. It's a deadly game, but the brilliant Cabrillo is a master player, moving his pieces at lightning speed on several boards until he outmaneuvers his opposition in this action-packed page-turner. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From AudioFile
In another of Cussler's high-tech potboilers, a small band of heroes rushes from one intricate crisis to another in an effort to save the world and the Islamic religion. The latter is presented with objectivity: Some Muslims are terrorists; some are among the good guys; most just go about their business. The artifacts of Islam occupy a central role in the story. The jacket blurb describes J. Charles as having more than forty years of experience in entertainment, but his voice reminds one of emerging younger narrators such as Scott Brick. Charles distinguishes the players skillfully through accent and cadence. This is a fun listen. D.R.W. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

From Booklist
This is the second novel in the Oregon Files series featuring Juan Cabrillo as the chairman of the Corporation, a group of ex-military and intelligence operatives who hire themselves out to countries and individuals needing specialized services--"a private army of mercenaries with a conscience." The Oregon is a 500-foot-long cargo steamer with a state-of-the-art communications and command center and a helicopter. The group's mission is to pick up a meteorite and deliver it to the CIA. It might be made of iridium, and iridium can be used to construct a "dirty bomb." Muslim terrorists who have stolen a nuclear device may use the radioactive material in the meteorite to vaporize a large Western city. Another group, led by a demented industrialist, seeks to destroy the Islamic world. As always, the plot covers many locales around the world, and the dialogue contains lots of military jargon. The large cast of characters includes Elton John and Eric the Red (yes, the legendary explorer). Even though the good guys always win, Cussler fans will remain engaged. George Cohen
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Book Description
Clive Cussler debuted his new series, The Oregon Files, with the incredible adventure of Golden Buddha. Now he follows that triumph with Sacred Stone, a rollicking new tale featuring the enigmatic captain of The Oregon, Juan Cabrillo.

In the remote wastes of Greenland, an ancient artifact possessing catastrophic radioactive power is unearthed. But the astounding find puts the world at risk.

Caught between two militant factions bent on wholesale slaughter, Juan Cabrillo and his network of spies known as The Corporation must fight to protect the stone-and prevent the outbreak of World War III.

About the Author
Clive Cussler is the author of numerous New York Times bestsellers.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Clive Cussler debuted his new series, The Oregon Files, with the incredible adventure of Golden Buddha. Now he follows that triumph with Sacred Stone, a rollicking new tale featuring the enigmatic captain of The Oregon, Juan Cabrillo.

In the remote wastes of Greenland, an ancient artifact possessing catastrophic radioactive power is unearthed. But the astounding find puts the world at risk.

Caught between two militant factions bent on wholesale slaughter, Juan Cabrillo and his network of spies known as The Corporation must fight to protect the stone-and prevent the outbreak of World War III.

Author Biography: Clive Cussler is the author of numerous New York Times bestsellers.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Eric the Red's A.D. 1000 discovery of a radioactive meteorite has present-day life-or-death ramifications in Cussler and Dirgo's second novel (after Golden Buddha) featuring the Oregon, a state-of-the-art warship disguised as a rusty tramp steamer and manned by some of the world's finest ex-military and intelligence operatives. Known collectively as the Corporation, the men and women of the Oregon-"mercenaries with a conscience"-offer their services to various countries and individuals with specialized security and military needs. The Corporation's chairman, series hero Juan Cabrillo, has several pressing concerns: supply security for the emir of Qatar, who is attending a conference in Iceland; track down a nuclear bomb that has gone astray; and pick up the aforementioned meteorite, which has just been found ensconced in a mysterious shrine. These jobs become dangerously complicated when industrialist Halifax Hickman, a man fueled by revenge and hatred, enters the picture. The meteorite, the atomic bomb and a vial of plague are to be used in attacks on holy sites-Israel's Dome of the Rock and Saudi Arabia's al-Haram mosque-and at an Elton John concert. It's a deadly game, but the brilliant Cabrillo is a master player, moving his pieces at lightning speed on several boards until he outmaneuvers his opposition in this action-packed page-turner. (Oct.) Forecast: This series will become a permanent and productive cog in the Cussler machine. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

KLIATT - Steve Dobosz

The "Corporation" is a private security and covert operations group, made up of ex-military and CIA operatives. They are hired to find a nuclear bomb stolen from the Ukraine. This bomb will get into the hands of Al-Khalifa, an Islamic fanatic bent on smuggling the bomb into London to detonate it at the heart of the British financial and governmental district. At the same time the Corporation is asked to obtain a meteor that is highly radioactive and potentially can be used to create a "dirty bomb." By the time Juan Cabrillo, head of the Corporation, gets to the site of the meteor it has been stolen by someone. As the story unfolds it is discovered that an extremely wealthy American wants it as part of his plan to eliminate the core of the Islamic religion by destroying the sacred places of Islam. The motivation for this destruction is the death of his son, an American soldier killed by Islamic terrorists in Afghanistan. This novel is plot-driven, and the reader may find it difficult to keep track of all the players. The reader is placed in the position of facing current Middle East issues and stopping both extremist groups for the good of the world. Though the conflict is deadly, the graphic nature of the violence is held to a minimum, and in solving the dilemmas the authors display the morality and humanity of the Corporation in the way it protects the lives of innocents. KLIATT Codes: SA—Recommended for senior high school students, advanced students, and adults. 2004, Penguin, Berkley, 406p., Ages 15 to adult.

AudioFile

In another of Cussler's high-tech potboilers, a small band of heroes rushes from one intricate crisis to another in an effort to save the world and the Islamic religion. The latter is presented with objectivity: Some Muslims are terrorists; some are among the good guys; most just go about their business. The artifacts of Islam occupy a central role in the story. The jacket blurb describes J. Charles as having more than forty years of experience in entertainment, but his voice reminds one of emerging younger narrators such as Scott Brick. Charles distinguishes the players skillfully through accent and cadence. This is a fun listen. D.R.W. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine

Kirkus Reviews