PHOENIX-In FLOOD TIDE Clive Cussler's hero, Dirk Pitt ®, runs into an old tramp steamer that saves the day. The idea germinated in Cussler's brain for many years and the result is GOLDEN BUDDHA, release date 10/7/03, the first in the OREGON Chronicles series. Knowing of Dr. Cussler's support of the International Foundation for Anticancer Drug Discovery (IFADD), Penguin Putnam, his publisher, has donated 600 copies of the over-sized paperback book to the IFADD Dinner. DOXA Watches of Switzerland will donate a genuine DOXA Seahunter Sub 300T orange faced dive watch to be auctioned off at the gala, just like the ones that Clive Cussler and Dirk Pitt ® wear. Those who purchase tables will receive a first edition autographed copy of the book at the October 18th Ball at the Biltmore. No books will be signed at the dinner. In addition, Clive's publicist is donating a signed galley copy of TROJAN ODYSSEY the next Dirk Pitt ® adventure. Cussler gives us his most audacious work to date with TROJAN ODYSSEY which will be released November 24th in the U.S. and Canada. For more information on IFADD or to purchase a table contact IFADD at 602 861 3777 or via E-mail: ifadd2003@aol.com

"Clive and his late wife Barbara Cussler have been very supportive of IFADD for four years as Trustees of IFADD," Robert Machiz, 2003 Ball Co-Chairman, remarked. "We are thrilled that Dr. Cussler has agreed to continue his support of IFADD and to serve as an Honorary Chair of this year's dinner along with Senator and Mrs. Jon Kyl and Senator and Mrs. John McCain. Dr. Cussler's personal participation is sure to help us raise additional funds for IFADD's aggressive clinical trials advocacy efforts."

When asked about GOLDEN BUDDHA, Cussler responded: "I guess you would call it a spin off series. It's taken from Flood Tide where there was this ... we'll call it an old tramp steamer - a freighter that was all rusty and beat up and the crew was mangy - but it was all a façade. It really had all of this exotic equipment inside, Picasso paintings and a gourmet chef and all of these missiles, and it could do 50 knots. We thought it would be great fun to take that and base stories in and around it where they go from port to port and get contracts - because they are kind of mercenary - to save this person or do this or that. I guess you could call it a Mission: Impossible on a boat."