Rating: 
Summary: Without Remorse shows Clark at his best (and worst)
Review: This was the first Clancy book I have read. I figured I would read them Cronologically (and see the movies chronologically) and maybe that would help me get a better understanding.Without Remorse has to be the best novel i've read. It shows a guy that should have no emotion....and at times he doesnt, but he is surviving on rage, and I dont blame him. The first half of the book is good because it builds up so well and then prepares you for the big events in the second half. The final hundred pages move so quick you will not want to put it down. The ending made all the pieces fall into place. Awesome Book!
Rating:
Summary: It's all good baby!
Review: I loved this book and it remains one, if not THE favourite CLANCY book I've read. It is a lot smaller in scale to the rest of his novels and thats why I think I like it so much. It was such an easy read compared to the brick-like Executive Orders, and the tension is stratospherically high at the end of the book - but in a good way (unlike the pain-staking ending of SUM OF ALL FEARS where you just want to reach in and beat The President and his National Security Advisor to death for being so dumb for soooo long)!!! The beauty about this book is that you dont have to have read any other Clancy book before either. It's totally self contained and thats the way I like it.
Rating: 
Summary: The History of John Kelly aka John Clark
Review: This was a great book. Very different from the other Clancy books that I have read, but very good none the less. While Clancy's books deal with espionage, and war, this book takes those aspects and put them in the background. Shoved to the foreground is a revenge story. This is a great book with characters that you care about, and some very exciting action sequences. This book is highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: the begining of
Review: I don't have too much to say but"a grrreat read" I've read some of Tom Clancy's books with the John kelly/Mr.Clark character and I was hooked and I hope that Mr.Clancy comes out with more of Mr.Clark.
Rating:
Summary: Clark's History is Clancy's Best
Review: If you've never read any other Clancy novel, read "Without Remorse." In typical Clancy fashion, Without Remorse is a lengthy novel filled with great characters, lots of suspense, and more! But it breaks from the Clancy norm in that it's not as intricately detailed, technically-speaking, which makes it a great book to recommend to 1st-time Clancy readers. For those who have read other Clancy novels, and therefore may be familiar with the main character, John Clark... or if you've seen the movie "Clear & Present Danger" or the more recent "Sum of All Fears" and recall Clark (played by Willem Dafoe and Liev Schreiber, respectively)... Without Remorse gives you the story behind the deadly CIA operative. Not that I don't thoroughly enjoy the Jack Ryan series, but the Clark character is mysteriously intriguing and telling his history is Clancy at his best. It's my favorite Clancy novel.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome...
Review: You should really read this book. If you're tired of Clancy's long, drawn out narratives describing every-last detail of a situation...then try this book. Out of all the Clancy novels, this one comes closest to cutting right to the chase.
This book goes a long way in helping to understand one of the most important, behind the scenes characters in the Clancy universe: Mr. Clark.
Rating:
Summary: A surprising classic bay the author of adventure/war novels
Review: "Without Remorse" is not a book you would expect from Tom Clancy. Yes, it is adventurous and action packed. Yes, it is full of the intrigue and drama you have come to expect from Tom Clancy. However, if you read this book and see it only as another in his collection of Jack Ryan/John Clark novels, then you have only scratched the surface of this intriguing addition to American literature that I believe may join the ranks of the classics. We are asked to consider some very deep questions, and Clancy makes some very poignant observations on American culture and perseverance. He uses the continuing, and contrasting metaphor of a Vietnam mission (POW rescue) with the rescue of prostitutes within drug-ridden American streets to show that while we cannot change the world, we can salvage some small bit of it... albeit, not the part we set out to save in the first place. Along the way, Clancy makes us face questions about the existence of moral absolutism... is there an absolute wrong? Is there absolute right? Consider: POW's are brutalized, mistreated and without hope. Held in high regard within the military they are clearly worthy of redemption at any cost. However, in other circles, their worth is questionable. To the Vietnamese, they are the enemy. To certain self-serving bureaucrats they either "took their chances" and better not interfere in the peace process, or are tools to be used and cast away once their worth is expended. In contrast, the prostitutes are tortured, and used within a brutal drug gang. The members of this gang are every bit as cruel as the North Vietnamese. The prostitutes are seen as valueless human beings except by the few whose lives they touch directly. They too are used, to be cast away once their worth is expended. Yet, both touch the lives of John Kelly (aka, John Clark). Even the life of John Kelly is a dichotomy. It is in stark contrast to John Clark. Kelly is an unambiguous hero of the war. He is a decorated rescuer of a naval flier, assists the police, and is a happily married man. He becomes John Clark. Capable of ruthless elimination of human beings, he struggles to retain his moral compass and along the way requires the audience to ask such important questions like, "Is it right to kill a few that are guilty, to save several that are innocent?" Clancy's overriding message is one of American perseverance. Both his adventures at home and abroad lead to initial mission failure; however, Kelly/Clark manages to salvage something good from each. The author contrasts Clark's ability to salvage a compromised covert mission by capturing a Russian officer when the unexpected opportunity presents itself, with the ability to save several of the women being brutalized in the drug ring, while also eliminating the drug ring, its distribution and processing centers. In fact, it could be argued that the Kelly/Clark missions actually accomplish more through their failures than their planned success ever could. The POW rescue mission does ultimately lead to the return of the POW's while also exposing an important leak at the White House. The domestic mission does more than just avenge the death of an innocent... it prevents several more, exposes a corrupt policeman, and destroys and entire drug organization arm. There is a cost... and Clancy shows this through the moral struggle that Kelly/Clark has and his recurring comments on how quickly and easily it is to transition from Vietnam to the streets of America... that there is so little difference, and so little distance between them. This war/peace transition is a metaphor to the struggles between Kelly and Clark, between law and order, and vigilantism. What is the right and the wrong of what Kelly/Clark does? In the end, Kelly dies and Clark is born. But does that represent a moral defeat of Kelly? There is much more to this book than meets the eye. I recommend it to more than just the casual reader of Tom Clancy and "spy/war" novels. Those looking for a true literary experience will also enjoy reading beyond just the words. My last comment is that if this book is ever made into a movie, it deserves the directorship of a Stanley Kubrik not a George Lucas!
Rating:
Summary: Clancy's Best
Review: Any Marine or Soldier will love this novel. Without a doubt Mr. Clark (John Kelly) has all the qualities that all warriors strive for. Suffering a personal tragedy John Kelly fights his own inner demons and avenges a loved one.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating, Gripping....
Review: First, I must say that I rarely give a book 5 stars, especially fiction, but Mr. Clancy has created one of the most intriguing books I have read. The plot(s), characters, and dialogue are simply exceptional and for the first time with one of Clancy's novels, I can honestly say that it wasn't long enough. This a book that has it all.....action, fierce characters, compassion, heartache, oh, and did I mention ACTION. This will be one of the quickest 750 page reads you will ever have!
Rating: 
Summary: Serial killer as a hero
Review: Only Clancy would make a serial killer the hero of a book. The truly sad part is how many other characters in professional positions look the other way. In the past, I have enjoyed Clancy's works. This one went over the limits good taste. I added the second star because like many Clancy works it is well written. I did finish it. Readers should be cautioned that it is a disturbing concept. In the real world, this hero would be seen as an evil villian of Manson or Gacy dimensions. I will admit a personal bias. I am a strong supporter and advocate of local police departments.
| 
