Rating: Summary: A big change for Clancy fans Review: Well, after the disaster of Red Rabbit, I was curious how Clancy would try to bounce back. Well this book is basically him starting over. While all the old characters are mentioned, Clark, Chavez, Jackson, the Foley's, they aren't actually involved in the book's plot. In fact, since this book occurs some time after the end of the Ryan presidency (and he ages Jack Jr. a little fast) so none of the usual characters has a job anymore. So basically Clancy is starting over with this book. But with that said, there are problems. A super secret agency that "deals" with terrorists who need to be dealt with? Gee, if I wanted that lame a plot line I'd read a Ludlum book. And the book is a bit thin too. Not much really happened other than establishing new characters and the reason for their existance. The best Clancy books had depth and multiple sub-plots, this book has little of that. Finally, the book just feels like a set-up book to some other book(s) to come down the line. But not to be overly negative, the typical Clancy narrative is evident throughout, so most Clancy fans will feel comfortable with this effort.
Rating: Summary: Great Fun, but the new characters seem awfully familiar. Review: After realizing that a Jack Ryan prequel (Red Rabbit) is pretty much is what "The Phantom Menace" was to the original "Star Wars", Clancy decided to create a whole new set of characters to carry on the realpolitik intrigue of the Ryanverse. The story is interesting and moves much faster than his last few books (and much shorter). The problem is the character of Jack Ryan,Jr. He's basically a clone of his dad and already thinks like somebody in his 40's. The guy is 23 years old, just out of college, has a trust fund and what he wants is to work for a supersecret organization as an analyst?!?!? This is truly a work of fiction! He only listens classical music and to National Public Radio, I guess Clancy doesn't know too many twenty somethings. This guy's main motivation should be to get laid, instead of monitoring bank transfers of terrorists. I had hoped that Clancy would have done another Rainbow Six novel. Still, Mr. Clancy knows how to weave a plot and the technojargon is interesting.
Rating: Summary: never thought it could get this bad Review: clancy's downhill slide continues. two words come to mind: thin and boring. i kept reading faster and faster, trying to get to the good part..just reached the end. four simple murders, all with a poison fountain pen. that's it. don't waste your money or even your time on a trip to the library. at least it was terrible for only 400 pages, instead of the usual 800. someone remind me not to fall for this again next august.
Rating: Summary: Really not bad for a new "era" Review: Jack Jr. is just like his father. Patriotic and faithful to his principles. This Clancy book, his first dealing with Sept. 11 (hinted at in the book), strikes a chord with the current global situation. It's a great way to introduce Jack Jr, who through his own research, figures out Hendley Associates is more than just a financial institution. In his early 20's, Junior seems to have just as good analytical skill as his father. While I'm not going to give the whole book away, it is MUCH like Rainbow Six in plot and character. It also leaves PLENTY of room for sequels which I think will be a very good thing. I'd say it's a must-read for younger Clancy fans who will identify with this era better than the Cold War part of the Jack Ryan series. 4 stars for the start of a new era.
Rating: Summary: Mr. Clancy please stop writing! Review: As an avid Clancy fan dating back to The Hunt for Red October, Mr. Clancy has always held an eager anticipation for me on a release date. Unfortunately this has ended. The process was gradual as I continued to purchase his books. Ever since Executive Decision have I realized how his writing has gone from master plot lines to right-wing rhetoric. All his characters have political viewpoints, like, abortion, capital punishment, liberal media, weak Democratic foreign policy, most of which I agree with as a Republican. But I didn't buy the book to read the editorial pages of the NY Times nor The Washington Post. I wanted to read about how Columbian drug lords and Islamic terroists band together to try to take this country apart, and how Ryan's son along with Mancuso's twins would save the day! All I got was how they felt the state of affairs was in the United States. In every chapter! Sorry Mr. Clancy, but you have finally done it . Couldn't finish this book, and will never but another one again. Rarely do I excommunicate an author I enjoy reading as I have with you. But thanks for the memories, and listen to your fans if your editors don't have the courage to tell you when to start writing and stop preaching. By the way the two stars is for the dust jacket information which once again hooked me to purchase the book (I really wanted to read about those drug lords and the terroists, shame).
Rating: Summary: Has Tom Clancy "Jumped the Shark"? Review: A second generation of Ryan superheroes is born as Jack Ryan Jr. makes his debut. Well, since he was in the womb during Patriot Games, maybe that would not be accurate. Anyway, the focus now shifts to issues that were initially talked about during the aftemath of 9/11, but do not seem to get much focus today. A group of Middle Eastern terrorists join forces with the Columbian drug cartel. Lieutenants of the cartel aid in smuggling terrorists and weapons from Mexico into New Mexico, where the terrorists then proceed to strike at the heartland of America as opposed to the primary targets of NYC and Washington D. C. Meanwhile, a new, Top Secret, "black" organization (The Campus) is founded to use tactics that could not be used by the CIA or FBI due to civil liberty concerns and due to weak-kneed politicians and media organizations (Currency arbitragers by day, defenders of the American way of life at night). Jack Ryan Jr. learns about this organization and proceeds to talk himself into an entry-level analyst position. At the same time, his cousins are recruited from the Marines and from the FBI as "field officers". In the first couple of chapters of the book, Clancy throws in a "Where Are They Now" with respect to many of the characters from prior novels. (The time period is after the Jack Ryan presidency) John Clark, Robby Jackson, Ed Kealty, etc. I won't ruin any of the updates except for the fact that daughter Sally is now in medical school (following Mom's footsteps) studying oncology. Much shorters (431 pages) compared to Clancy's recent tomes, he devotes a good amount of text to trying to think in the minds of an Islamic terrorirst. Why do they think the way they do? What is their pereption of justice and their pereption of right and wrong? The parts where Clancy goes philosophical tend to drag. But the action scenes are pure Clancy. The ending left you wanting more as you wish to read on the aftermath of Jack Jr's actions. No doubt we will find out in Clancy's next book. Probably in 20 years, we'll be reading about Jack Ryan, III battling it out as a junior analyst for the Inter-Galatic Counter Terrorist Association as he battles evil Martians in order to keep the Ryan franchise alive. And in 20 years, I'll likely keep buying them to add to my hardcover collection.
Rating: Summary: not his usual work Review: this book just sets the stage for future books. Also this is the third review I have given on this book that states this and none have been "published"...guess Amazon wants to sell more books rather than really listen to customers opinions....
Rating: Summary: The saga continues Review: This is a nice return for Clancy after having drifted to the technical and mundane. Clancy's story telling capability coupled with enough factual detail to maintain the concentration of the intelligent makes this an enjoyable read. This may not be his best book, but it is very entertaining if you are a fan of Tom Clancy and the Ryan saga
Rating: Summary: Another excellent Tom Clancy novel Review: I agree entirely with the Publishers Weekly review above. I couldn't have said it better myself, and, most likely, not as well. "The Teeth of the Tiger" is fast paced, well plotted, and exciting. It seems to me to be the first half of an overly long typical Clancy novel, which is much easier to read in this smaller half-novel format. As much as I like almost all of Clancy's books, he does seem to me to be in need of a good editor to make the books both shorter and less verbose. Most of the information I find fascinating, but the coincidences are sometimes just too convienent. It is easy to be too critical. I am not reviewing a detailed treatise on counter-terror operations, but, rather, an exciting action novel with a viewpoint I mostly agree with to begin with. Opinions may vary. I think there are many more considerations to consider even for a non-governmental assaination agency, with, at least, the tacit approval of some elements of the government. Many of the liberal persuasion will find much to howl about in self-rightous outrage, but this is the standard response from those on the political left. At the vary least, this provides a great deal of food for thought. Thank you for reading this.
Rating: Summary: Biting Back-About Time!! Review: Classic Clancy. I have read all of Clancy's novels immediately upon their release. While the plot, characters, etc. are 'classic Clancy', what is most interesting about this book is the question it begs: Does American have, or need, a Campus-type organization to fight this unconventional global war on terrorism. Seems to me that Clancy makes a convincing argument that our traditional 'resources', including our legal system, are ill equipped to deal with this clear and present danger. Therefore, I strongly recommend that anyone with a keen interest in the preservation of the American way of life, should read this fine book and think about, discuss, debate, etc. the moral, ethical, and legal issues that Clancy has had the guts to raise. I wonder how many university professors will make this required reading to stimulate meaningful thought and debate regarding how to defeat this latest global threat to the civilized world.
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