Rainbow Six

Rating:
Summary: How could you NOT love Tom Clancy's work?
Review: For the past 4 years I've been playing the string of games that bear Tom Clancy's name. Rainbow Six. At the time I had no clue he was really a well established author and one day saw Rainbow Six in a Chapters and realised that the game wasn't based "loosely" on the book, it WAS the book. So I bought it.

It was everything I'd ever wanted in a novel. Gripping action that the way Tom Clancy describes it, makes you feel like you're actually holding the HK5, looking down the sight, and popping a terrorist with 3 suppressed shots. Whats even better is how he builds it up so well, slowly, preparing you with tiny bits of information that you dont really piece together until just before hell is unleashed.

Since then I've read Hunt for Red October, the best novel ever, Sum of All Fears, Debt of Honour, Executive Orders and the Bear and the Dragon, all of which I recommend highly - but only if you like fast paced action and books that you absolutely cant put down.

Rating:
Summary: Broken record and shallow everything
Review: Having read many Clancy novels, I was thoroughly disappointed with this work. His books have always dripped of his political and ideological biases, but this book was quite unrefined amonst its siblings.

I agree with another reviewer; the book does feel very James Bondish, but that is not a good thing IMHO. 007 is an exercise in absurdity, while Tom Clacy's works has historical been masterpieces of research and detail.

Mr. Clancy already touched on idea of chemical/biological terrorism in "Executive Orders" which was a far better story, in addition to being a much better political vehicle. The characters in RB6 are very shallow and their commitment to their ideals far too blind to suit their (supposed) intellect. Furthermore, the coincidences, which all Clancy novels tend have, were far tackier than usual.

I guessed the whole ending by about the halfway mark, skimmed the rest, and felt the hours were a waste of my time. I recommend reading older Clancy's -- for example Sum of All Fears -- instead.

Rating:
Summary: Clancy Strikes Again
Review: In the year 2010, terrorism has become an out-of-control force, used to give leverage to radicals. John Clark is the head of an advanced field tactics unit, used to put an end to terrorism, dubbed Rainbow. The book follows the team throughout the world, as they end hostage situations and resolve conflicts. I found Rainbow Six demonstrated Tom Clancy's writing style in flying colors. The book is a realistic insight to actual military operations. Although not all aspects are real, there is a seamless boundary between the author's imagination and the true to date actions of a military unit. The climax of the book extends throughout, although it is most evident in Rainbow's actions to knock down a terrorist leader in Germany.

Rating:
Summary: GREAT BOOK
Review: i am 13, and though i may seem young to be reading these types of books, they are among my favorites. "Rainbow Six" is a book not for the weak of heart. it is full of graphhic violence, "He raised his MP-50 and fired the lethal automatic, and was satisfied to see a cloud of red mist appear where the mans' head had once been." it is also full of some pretty perversive language (...). it is great on how well Tom Clancy discribes his environments and weapony. it gives the reader a sense of feeling that he or she is actually fighting along side the other combatants. i enjoyed this book a lot, and i think that if you are a fan of Clancy;s other reads, then you will enjoy this as well. my advice is: buy it.

Rating:
Summary: Breathtaking action and suspense. Highly Reccomended
Review: Having never really read a Tom Clancy novel before, I wasn't quite prepared for the impact that this book had on me. As a lover of books that are are fast paced, I was richly rewarded with 'Rainbow Six'
The basic storyline is almost Bond-like in its appeal. Bunch of wierdos trying to wipe out the human population on the planet. Its very detailed and compelling though, with all of its sub storylines incredably addictive, leading up to the grand finale in the Amazon jungle. The action sequences are detailed and very, very tense and exciting.
But the main drawcard for this book is the charactars. There is the boss, John Clark, who spearheads an elite group of special forces troops. It is these characters that make Rainbow Six magic. The main theme of this book is the bond between all the soldiers who have to battle their way around the globe to stop the forces of evil. There is a real feeling of friendship and trust in this book, which is what I think Tom Clancy was looking for.
You really have to give credit to mister Clancy, he's been in this buisness for a while now, but he still has that hunger to give the reader a book to remember.
Well done Tom, looking forward to meeting the Rainbow troops in another adrenilin pumped book.

Rating:
Summary: A new direction for Clancy and well worth it.
Review: Basically the book is about a team Mr. Clark has put together of the best-of-the-best counter terrorist specialists. Clancy's description and character building are exceptional along with the fact that this is an action novel (which rarely give you much in terms of character development). The book is long, but very enjoyable due to the story of the building of the team and their first operations. Just because this novel does not take place in the halls of politics or on a warship, his knack for technical and political story telling is not missed. This is a great addition not just to a Clancy library, but a military library as well, due to his knowledge of the subjects he writes about. I can't wait until the follow up to the Rainbow Six.

Rating:
Summary: Clancy does it again
Review: I recently read this book while I was serving in Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom. Since there was not much in the way of television, I had to read on my spare time. I am a huge fan of Tom Clancy's work, and his Jack Ryan series, but I must say, that John Clark is by far the better hero. If one were to read "Without Remorse", it is clear why I think this. John Kelly is a real person with real demons, and his character fascinates me. I wish Tom Clancy would write more books with him in the title role. I must say that this book scared me to death. His tales of extremists in the "nature loving" world are very real. Nobody can deny this, with all the extremists in the world, it does not seem very far-fetched. In addition, the way Clark deals with these extremists in the end is the best kind of karma. Sheer perfection. The only disappointment I had was that, while Clark was the title character, he really was not a main character until the end. This book seemed to be more about Chavez than Clark. "Without Remorse" is still my favorite book, but Clark appears in a handful of other books by Clancy. The Amazon.com editor nails it with his "Clark is Ryan's shadow double" statement. He is an intense character, and I really hope that a movie is made about this book, or "Without Remorse" soon. However, I will not hold my breath

Rating:
Summary: If you don't read it, you will only regret it.
Review: This book was very interesting to read. It was the very first book that i have read that kept my interest from beginning to end. In this great novel you will have the ability to see pride, honor, bravery, and many other extraordinary traits in the many characters through out the story. If you like reading great action packed, edge of your seat fiction that will have you constantly anxious to discover what is yet to come in every part of the story, then you will love this novel.

I highly recomend this book to readers with a reading level above the elementary level. The story may be extremely long and parts may get boring for some people depending on your attention to detail in this book. I still recommend this book higher than any other I have read.

Rating:
Summary: a must read novel for anyone interested in spec ops
Review: Rainbow Six is an extremely well crafted story of international terrorism and the elite warriors who exist to stop it. Tom Clancy's understanding of international politics, military, and governmental agencies is amazing. Rainbow Six left me wondering how any fiction author could possess such a profound level of knowledge. Clancy accurately portrays his subject matter down to the most minute detail. RS does not read like the script to a brainless action movie. Clancy intelligently presents all aspects of spec ops, including the bureacratic/political side, intelligence gathering, logistical considerations, tactics, and strategy. Anyone with serious interest in military matters will greatly appreciate the authenticity and attention to detail.
I've seen a few recurring complaints regarding this book in the other reviews. I would have to agree that Clancy is not the most talented character writer. Certain important characters, such as John Clark and Dmitry Popov are well developed and interesting. The minor characters in the Rainbow squad are also well written for their supporting role in the story. Clancy truly captured the mentality and work ethic of Spec Ops troopers well. At the same time, a lot of the minor characters just seem to blend into each other. Different people seem to possess the same mannerisms. This is forgiveable to a point, but Clancy probably takes it too far. But the truth of the matter is that Clancy's power as a writer is fueled more by his scenarios than his characters. When two Rainbow members are killed in an ambush, it seems distant and uncompelling. Clnacy does not take the time to portray the team's mourning the loss and honoring their fallen comrades. In fact I don't believe he even specifies which two troopers were killed. Despite this flawed moment, the Rainbow story is still an extremely well crafted Spec Ops story. I disagree with those who say the idea of fanatic environmentalists posing such a serious terrorist threat is implausible or ridiculous. Reality is sometimes stranger than fiction. Clancy's environmentalists don't seem any less likely to me than Hitler's Third Reich, Islamic fundamentalism, or Heaven's Gate. When you unite a group of people in some form of fanatic ideology, the results can be frightening. The fanatics in Rainbow Six had a radical goal (as do all fanatics) and with a major American corporation backing them up, they had the means to attempt to carry it out. This doesn't seem implausible to me.

Rating:
Summary: Really Good
Review: This is one of the best Clancy books. Do not pay attention to the 1-star reviews where the reviewer never even finished the book... they obviously don't know what they are talking about. Also, Clancy is writing about environmentalist extremists, not any certain ones that actually exist. The 1-star reviews seem to think that Clancy did not do his homework. His story is quite possible under the right circumstances. This book is a must-read. However, if you want action in every page, try a different book. In real life action does not happen every second. Expect an action scene every 200 pages. The action scene will last probably 20 pages, maybe a little more. But they are awesome! The final battle is a piece of cake, however....