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Summary: The Last Chapter of the Jack Ryan Saga
Review: As far as Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan Saga goes, THE BEAR AND THE DRAGON is a step back--and a step forward.The step back is way back to Clancy's second novel, RED STORM RISING, where an intercontinental conflict begins over possession of oil. In this case, the oil (along with a saturated riverbed of pure gold) belong to Russia, and the enemy who wants it is Minister Zhang (whom we first met in DEBT OF HONOR), who goads his fellow members in China's politburo to invade Siberia to answer the nation's money shortage. Clancy has taken RED STORM's basic plot and reworked it for this saga, and the results are generally successful, although somewhat repetitive if readers have already seen RED STORM. Interestingly, although Ryan is clearly the main protagonist, he is also the least involved in the actual action. He does little, if any, of the traditional Clancy heroics; apart from describing the general policy of his government he is, in effect, a bystander. Clancy's other "heroes," John Clark and Ding Chavez of RAINBOW SIX, also play essentially minor roles. The job of heroics go, instead, to a myriad of characters from previous novels who really get a chance to shine. General Bodarenko, from THE CARDINAL OF THE KREMLIN, finds himself defending Siberia from the Chinese invasion. Chuck Nomuri, the CIA operative from DEBT OF HONOR, seduces the secretary of a Politburo member to gain access to their inner thoughts. Mark Gant (the technogeek from DEBT OF HONOR) and Cliff Rutledge (the liberal diplomat from EXECUTIVE ORDERS) confront the Chinese--and themselves--in a trade dispute that pushes the Politburo over the edge. The "spreading out" of heroics is one of the reasons Clancy's works are difficult for Hollywood to adapt; the "stars" don't do much and the "bit players" carry the day. This structure is a refreshing change from the genre works where the "stars" do everything essential to the novel. Clancy has also better managed the technoprops that are a staple of his novels; he has better emphasis on training and tactics than on hardware and gimmickry. Clancy's book has weaknesses, of course. While he has toned down the political ranting of EXECUTIVE ORDERS, it is still here, and still comes across as preachy as The National Review with too much coffee. And the villains here are still very much too one-dimensional; the Chinese ministers are as badly realized as the Russians of RED STORM. Clancy's bad guys have always been arrogant and egotistical to the point of caricature, and these are no exception. He has never been able to top Cortez of CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER for a three-dimensional villain. Clancy, as a writer, has moved forward in his story structure and characterizations (of his heroes and supporting characters at least); unfortunately he has moved backwards in his plots, which is problematic in this new age of geopolitics. In a world where regional conflict (the world of RAINBOW SIX) is the norm, and in the absence of true superpowers to rival the US, the odds are pretty good that President Ryan's current adventure will be his last.
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Summary: Brush up on the old Clancy before reading...
Review: Great Book. However, as I always read the new Clancy book as soon as it is released -- this one is a continuation of "Executive Orders" which was released three years ago -- it took me a little while to remember what was going on... The standard characters are familiar, but I had almost forgotten the politics of the last book -- other than the fact that Jack Ryan was now president. I did love the book and this one has enough of the separate plots and subplots to be classic Clancy. He is definitely the master storyteller! If you love Clancy -- definitely read this book. If you are new to the author, I recommend "Hunt for Red October"... ;-)
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Summary: Tom Clancy's World View
Review: Inside these 752 pages is an excellent 300 page story. I agree the book is compelling and is hard to put down but the rants, lectures, historical anecdotes and op-ed essays are more a fairly emphatic presentation of Clancy's view of what's important and how things ought to be (and why) than they are a foundation for understanding the justification for action and plot details. I liked it, but I liked his first five much, much better.
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Summary: I thought this was a love story between a bear and a dragon?
Review: First things first, this is obviously fiction, no way a dragon(and just between us this dragon is actually not very good looking) could in anyway win the love and affection of a bear. I mean he has those big claws and teeth...and all the dragon can do is blow fire...flamer. If you want a really good love triangle rent "A Muppet Movie", many don't see that Kermit is actually in love with Gonzo...it is suttle but it's there, look hard. Besides there where no pictures! I haven't spent the last nine years in nineth grade for nothing. I don't even get the symbolism between the dragons cousin and the mongoose, and what was he doing with toothpicks? But all in all I laughed, I cried and it was a roller coaster of emotions....I LOVED IT!!!
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Summary: i recommend another book......
Review: i highly recommend another book -- entitled "JULIA'S MOTHER" -- about an ER doctor working at a children's hospital -- SO beautifully written, so poignant .... i couldnt put it down, didnt want it to end .....
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Summary: Clancy Returns with power and grace
Review: Top class reading! Tom Clancy shows the struggle for a President of the U.S. in day to day life, while creating a story which will not bore even the most sceptic! With the return of Jack Ryan and family to the book series, and Rainbow helping out, the reader is kept captive. Personally, I feel that this is Clancy's 2nd best next to Red October... if you like what he has done before, you'll love this book.
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Summary: Clancy delivers
Review: After the last Jack Ryan novel ended with him being sworn in as President, I could not stand the wait for Clancy to publish this book of Ryan AS President. Well, now it's here, and it was worth the wait. Ryan has a lot to deal with, and there are enough subplots and characters to fill a Russian novel. You may have trouble keeping track of the characters and subplots, but it's worth the effort. This is the best thriller novel since Craig Furnas' THE SHAPE, and I hope Harrison Ford will be still young enough to play Ryan when they make THE BEAR AND THE DRAGON into a movie. (I can't help but think Clancy waited for the presidential campaigns in real life to start up to publish this book, to give an indirect boost to the Republicans. But that's speculation. I don't mind if he did, though.) A rivetting read.
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Summary: The best yet
Review: Tom Clancy outdid himself in this book. In my opinion, this is the best book he has written (Red Storm Rising was a close second and The Hunt For Red October in a virtual tie with RSR) The book combined all the elements of a great technical thriller: War, Espionage, Politics, and Humor. I could not put the book down. This book was amazing and (even though it is a year or two a way) I cannot wait until the next Jack Ryan book.
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Summary: Mr. Vice President, can I fly Air Force Two now?
Review: Well, Tom Clancy's latest is probably the best book he has ever written. All of the old favorites reappear, including some people so obscure that they may have been forgotten from The Cardinal of the Kremlin and Clear and Present Danger. Being Tom Clancy, its got its usual dose of military fun, plus a few humorous moments involving the Ryans. Our two favorite military people (Bart Mancuso, Robby Jackson) have once again been promoted, with both wielding amazing power. Oh, I don't understand how a Chinese man can mistake a pimp for Sergey Golvoko.... Or, for that matter, the six members of the Ryan clan, esp. the President
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Summary: I may lose my job, but it's worth it
Review: All I have done for the past two days is read this book -- it's that good. I started it on a long plane flight to Minneapolis, and when we arrived much too soon I skipped my lunch meeting and read another 4 or 5 chapters on a nearby park bench. This is Clancy's best yet! It's simply indescribable in its greatness. The characterization of romance-novel-addicted hypersexed personal asst. Lian Ming is Clancy's best, most realistic and lifelike female character yet -- she kept me hooked in between the usual highlights of massive destruction and global intrigue. Master Sausage, indeed. As my children are home-schooled, I can put this on their American Literature curriculum immediately.
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