Books

Any of the 13 or so Dirk Pitt adventure mystery novels by Clive Cussler.

I particular like the way he makes his fairly masculine character more human (his love interests have a tendency to die, he doesn't seduce every woman he comes across, and he has a long standing relationship with one, a powerful woman in her own right) and less of a perfect James Bond fantasy image. In one book, Treasure, he had Pitt acting "gay." In many of his novels, Cussler bases his story on real events (e.g. Titanic) or on his experiences diving for deep sea treasure or restoring unique antique automobiles.

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Other resources:

American Library Association (ALA) Editor's Choices for Best Books - 1996
Publisher's Weekly Best Books for 1997.
ALA Awards and Notables
ALA Picks for Young Adults

Movies

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