Novel Discussions

[Venture]

Who has read what? I've recently been introduced to the wonderful world of Indy fiction. I just finished Genesis Deluge and Secret of the Sphinx, and I'm getting ready to start Philosopher's Stone. So far, I'm enjoying them immensely. Anybody have a favorite? Let's discuss...

[Attila the Professor]

I've read all of them...Hollow Earth is my favorite, mostly because of the unusual setting - Kansas, Oklahoma, New Orleans, and then the Arctic. It's an American adventure, but yet it feels like Indy.

[HovitosKing]

I've also read all of them, and I think that "Secret of the Sphinx" and "Unicorn's Legacy" are my personal favorites. I think Max McCoy is the best author, though Rob MacGregor is close. Martin Caidin is really, really awful, and his two novels are my absolute least favorite.

McCoy is my favorite author because he has a knack for description of physical environments. His colorful details about caves, inner sanctums, and maze-like locales are really great for adventure novels. MacGregor, however, does the best job of capturing the Indiana Jones personality that we all know and love. Martin Caidin really didn't add a single thing to the franchise, and his books have more of a "spy thriller" feel to them. The main character doesn't act or sound like Indiana Jones.

[Luke_indyWalker]

I'll agree. Martain Caidin spet most of the book 'Sky Pirates' talking about his beloved planes if i remember.

[Venture]

Of the two I've read, I must say I enjoyed MacGregor the most. I'm a character-oriented kind of guy, and his characterization was a little better. I'm thoroughly convinced I could read a book with absolutely no action if the characters were interesting enough. But I enjoyed both. Give me some plot descriptors to help decide what my next purchase will be. What's Hollow Earth about?

[HovitosKing]

Let me say this, before you get started. If you're reading Rob MacGregor, you may want to read them in the order of publication. MacGregor was under licensing agreement not to use some of the other Indy characters we know so well, so he created some of his own (very likable characters, I might add). Throughout the series, some of these characters make various appearances and recurrences, and they build and develop off of previous adventures.

Max McCoy, on the other hand, can be read in any order. Though they do make references to other adventures in the series, it's not all that important to have read them. A sort of subplot runs through the books, though, stemming from a crystal skull Indy finds in the first novel of McCoy's series. The last novel does a nice job of tying the subplots together, and it's nice to see Indy confronting the curse of this skull in each novel.

Omit Caidin.

For plot descriptions, you can search for the novel on Amazon.com and read about it there. "Hollow Earth" was a great one, though. There are only 3 novels in the entire series that I would be wary of recommending without reserve: Martin Caidin's two (which will remain nameless), and Rob MacGregor's last installment, "Indiana Jones and the Interior World." This book was extremely weak and relied heavily on characters from another dimension of reality that gain access to our world through a sort of temporal/physical displacement portal. Very unlike Indiana Jones plots, and somewhat strange. The dialogue seems a bit lacking, too.

Good luck, and let me know how the reading goes!

[HovitosKing]

While we're on this topic, I want to address something that has always grated on me. I think that one of Max McCoy's novels, "Indiana Jones and the Dinosaur Eggs," has the most uncool title ever given to one of Indy's novels. Even Marty Caidin came up with some cool titles, even if that's where the creative genius stopped.

"Dinosaur Eggs" has Indy racing through Asia, trying to locate a missing professor on behalf of his beautiful daughter. "Fresh from a ride on a Nazi submarine, Indiana Jones is persuaded by a beautiful missionary to search for her missing father in Mongolia. Professor Angus Starbuck has discovered a dinosaur bone in the Gobi Desert. But unlike other such discoveries, this bone isn't ancient! As Indy crosses from China through a treacherous mountain pass to Outer Mongolia, he runs afoul of the region's fiercest warlords. Meanwhile the world's last innocent people, dwelling in a Stone Age paradise, are poised on the brink of destruction. Suddenly Indiana Jones is dueling wild dogs and bloodthirsty killers in a desperate effort to save the most historic discovery of the twentieth century: the last living triceratops! (quoted from the back of the book)"

This is hands down a wonderful book, with tons of exotic travel, mystery, and of course, action and adventure. I loved the book, but the title seems better suited for a kindergarten coloring book.

What alternate title would you give the book? Even if you've never read it, you can read the synopsis I just gave and come up with something!

"Indiana Jones and the ..."

[Venture]

How about Indiana Jones and the Last Lizard King? Too hokey? Ah, well...regardless, I think I'll read that one next. Many thanks, Hovitosking!!!

[Attila the Professor]

hehe...Indiana Jones and the Starbucks.

[Aaron H]

IJ & the...Mongolia Crisis
(sorry best I could think of)

I hope to buy all the books by the end of the year, I've started with my favorites, Sphinx, Stone, & Genisis.

[Venture]

Originally posted by Attila the Professor
hehe...Indiana Jones and the Starbucks.

Tell Indy to try the Zebra Mocha...great stuff.

And Aaron H...excellent picks, my friend.

[HovitosKing]

<I>Indiana Jones and the Bedlam of Jurassica</I>? How's that, in response to my own post?? Too overly dramatic.

[Webley]

The best Indy book out thar is Indiana jones and the white witch by Martin Caidin. Every It starts in 1930 in England.Its all ADVENTURE

[Venture]

Originally posted by Webley
The best Indy book out thar is Indiana jones and the white witch by Martin Caidin. Every It starts in 1930 in England.Its all ADVENTURE

What's it about?

[Attila the Professor]

Originally posted by Cain
Originally posted by Webley
The best Indy book out thar is Indiana jones and the white witch by Martin Caidin. Every It starts in 1930 in England.Its all ADVENTURE

What's it about?

It's about some sword of fire whose name escapes me at the moment...no, wait, it's Caliburn. The real object of the quest is some gold coins, and it ends on a Civil War battlefield during a reenactment. It isn't all that good, in my opinion.

[HovitosKing]

Right, about Indiana Jones befriending a witch, who takes him to her coven and introduces him to some old bag who has Excalibur, which then helps Indy find some gold coins on a Civil War battlefield. If I remember correctly, they found the coins by tripping over a cannonball (which was just lying around on the surface of the field, covered in tall grass). Really stupid novel, if you ask me.

[Venture]

Sounds like a last resort to me. What about Hollow Earth? And yes, I am milking everyone's knowledge...

[Attila the Professor]

I recommend Hollow Earth highly. The predominant bit is about one of the North Pole explorers who is killed by Nazis and has some info about a Scandinavian myth. Most of it takes place in the U.S. though, including a Nazi gunfight in a Kansas train station, Indy being buried alive, and a duel with Belloq in New Orleans on Mardi Gras. It gets my vote.

[Venture]

Belloq, eh? I wondered if he ever made it into the books. Sounds groovy. Another 'must have.'

[chriscc]

Hi does anyone know if there is an indiana jones book with short round in it?

[Attila the Professor]

Originally posted by chriscc
Hi does anyone know if there is an indiana jones book with short round in it?

None of the English language one...perhaps the Holbeins...

[HovitosKing]

Speaking of the Holbeins, is there any way for Americans to get their hands on any of his works? They all sound really interesting, though I can't seem to get my hands on any. Oh, and a translated version would be really nice, lol.

[Webley]

In 1913 in Luxor,Egypt, an ancient ring leads Indy to a hidden tomb and into terrifying adventures with a German archaeologist. The book is great its got Marcus Brody trying to keep an eye out for Indy and Indy see Sallah for the first time.

[Shipwreck]

the Brody parts - as few as they are.

As for the novel authors?

Campbell Black was the first, with Raiders. You can view an interview with him in our interview section. As a matter of fact, you can view an interview with each of them, excluding Martin Caiden and the Young IJ authors (but they are on the way, hint, hint). Campbell gave us the "guts" of Indy.

Rob MacGregor came next and gave us the "history" and earlier life of Indy - just after college graduation, etc. He also provided us with an adaptation to Last Crusade - which wasn't easy, if you read the interview. His books secured Indy appearing in at least 6 more.

Martin Caiden is a WONDERFUL writer - but with his Indy books, you don't see that. You have to understand that Caiden was a team player and true to his word. He finished those books - as agreed - despite immense pain and suffering. This man, in real life had more adventure than our fictional hero could ever imagine! Caiden flew fighter planes and has a loooong history with the aces of the air. Unfortunately, he was struck with a horrific ailment that left him dying, while writing those two Indy books, so many of you love to hate. Those were his last works.

Max McCoy came along because of Caiden's death. What Max provided was a respectful image of Indy and awesome adventure! Max has a wonderful ability to retain and research history and his books reflect it. If you check out his interview, we even delve into the Chapter logo - that eagle symbol - and he lets us know where it came from.

The future of Indy in print is still very much up in the air. I know that there are discussions about an Indy 4 adaptation and who will write it - there may already be a choice. But the battle with Random House to produce further adventures is a bitter struggle. But Indy endures.

If you are able to, look up the books in your local library or online or in the stores. Read them and savor the adventure for what it is and be glad to have them at all. They are an integral part of that world we long to be so much a part of.

Here's to adventure...

[Venture]

Every time I feel I'm in the upper echelon of Indy fans, someone with the prodigious knowledge of Shipwreck comes along and reminds me I'm still just an upstart.

[Shipwreck]

Sorry....*wringing fedora in his hands*

[Webley]

Originally posted by chriscc
Hi does anyone know if there is an indiana jones book with short round in it?

NOP

[Venture]

Originally posted by Shipwreck
Sorry....*wringing fedora in his hands*

No...*sniff*...really..th-that's okay. I'll move to the back of the class. Just kidding. I'm really impressed. You're insight has influenced my buying decision.

[Shipwreck]

after spending enough time with them, you get to know them and their style. Each story has something unique to offer. For the in-depth Jones - go MacGregor. For something different - go with Caiden. For just an adventure go with McCoy.

All of them are professionals in their own right. The research they put into each tale along with their time and and own adventures makes each book a worthy tale.

I hope you share your favs with us when your done. Personally - I loved the last one by McCoy - Secret of the Sphinx... but perhaps it was because it left me with the knowledge that Indy endures and the adventure continues...

[Venture]

Count on it, most Nautical of Moderators. Currently, Genesis Deluge holds the top spot, but as I've only read two that is subject to change.

[Aaron H]

"Sphinx" remains my personal favorite. However, I haven't read them all, so that could change as well.

[Webley]

This was a fun book. It's one of those find your fate adventure. It starts in Greece 1937. Indy finds pieces of Perseus' golden shield which contains clues to the location of this mysterious eye that has the power to see and change the future.

[Rave&wood]

which one had Lao Che in it?

[HovitosKing]

Wouldn't it be great if they wrote "Find your Fate" adventure novels on an adult level? Admit it, the existing ones are children-to-young adult level reading. I mean, really well-constructed plots with challenging choices to make...that would be a really good idea, I think. Any thoughts?

[Venture]

I was a fan of the "Choose Your Own Adventure" kind of thing. I think it would be awesome to have some on a more complicated level.

[Webley]

I like the find your fate books becaus I suck at reading.

[Webley]

This one was not that good I thout. It has Indy and a budy of his, Cerdic Sandyfor. Thare on a brak from school and thay go to Sandyfor's house for thare vacation. Sandyford's old man has a coal mine that somone is trying to sabotage and young Indy has to save the day. In the book Indy finds an old ring that may have ben King Arthur's.

[Webley]

Out of all the Indy novels what one do you think could have been made in to a movie.
Me I think Unicorn's Legacy would have been a grate movie.

[Attila the Professor]

Originally posted by Rave&wood
which one had Lao Che in it?

Indiana Jones and the Dinosaur Eggs

[Webley]

Ok, this wos not a novel but it was a fun reed. It was Marvels, the further adventures of Indiana Jones #11 and #12. It starts out whith Indy running from these natives in the outback of Australia. he gets saved by this ninja tipe guys and thay take Indy to thare boss this guy named Ben Ali Ayoob. So Ben starts to tell Indy all about this thing called the Forth Nail legend says that when Jesus was to be crucified, four spikes, or nails were allotted one for each hand one for the feet and one to administer the death blow to the heart. This guy Ben trys to hire Indy to go get the 4th Nail but Indys like "No way man Im not for hire" So than Indy gos after the Nail for him self and it takes him to Barcelona ware he is looking for this guy Gypsies guy named Torino who can tell Indy a more of this 4th Nail. You see the 4th Nail was stolen by wandering gypse and when he dos get to see the Nail up close he leves it at the gypse camp whare he fond it.

Idont no it was cool when I reed it.

[Webley]

What is the book cover you like best hers Webs

http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Theater/1002/delphi.html