Rating: 
Summary: pretty good but...
Review: Overall I thought this was a pretty good book. It's by far Mr Clancy's longest book(over 1,000 pages). If you can get through the first 500 pages, everything starts to come together and make sense. I've read all of Clancy's novels and have enjoyed the Adventures of Jack Ryan....but I think it's time to retire the Jack Ryan character. I think he's taken Ryan about as far as he can and it's time to turn to something else. Clancy makes alot of references to WWII so maybe he should try some WWII or Civil War novels?
Rating: 
Summary: Goodbye TC!
Review: This is the worse book by TC I have ever read! He's clearly running out of fresh ideas. It would make a wonderful X'mas present to someone whom you hate!
Rating:
Summary: One from Column A, One From Column B, ....
Review: This book was not written by Tom Clancy, it was compiled by Tom Clancy. All of the passages in this book comes from all of his previous Jack Ryan novels: there's a sub battle (aka Hunt for Red October), there's economic hardship associated with a country to cause a war (aka Red Storm Rising), there's a spy game (aka Cardinal of the Kremlin), there's a fear of nuclear attack (aka Sum of All Fears), and there are plenty of Rainbow references for you John Clark fans. The plot is completely predictable. If you want to skip to the action, begin reading at about page 750. Better yet, forget buying this book, read or re-read Red Storm Rising and subsitute China for the USSR.
Rating: 
Summary: Good grief!
Review: We're (my husband and I) the sort of Clancy fans that register months ahead of time for the next Jack Ryan novel. We're pretty disappointed with this one, for most of the same reasons listed by other readers. Ryan is a little too whiny and way too crude. Many of the details are off kilter. Most of all, the Nomuri/Ming/sausage business is REALLY beneath what we've come to expect from Mr. Clancy and left us both sickened. I'd like to know what happened to better sensibilities of his agent and the editors?
Rating:
Summary: VERBOSE and opinionated
Review: Tom Clancy has been reading too much of his own press. He still can write a good story but now he has to add his irrelevant opinion wherever possible. "Tree huggers" and clinton references abound. This book is much too long and should have been about half the size.
Rating:
Summary: Clancy offers up an insight into diplomatic relations
Review: Tom Clancy takes us once again into the lives of President Jack Ryan and his related cast of characters. This time a minor event in China that gets caught on American video cameras during trade talks becomes the catalyst for a showdown between China and the United States and Russia. The novel does take a while to pull all of the pieces of the puzzle together, but it should help the reader appreciate how a series of events can come together to set off a major world crisis. Also it shows us the importance of diplomatic meetings between countries and the impact they carry. Unlike some of the other reviewers, I did not find this book to be too preachy or outrageous in its language. While there is some cursing, I appreciate the fact that the book does not have two-dimensional characters that make sure everything they say is politically correct. Clancy's books are for a mature audience that can handle controversial subject matter and accept that the President and those around him are bound to have an opinion and it might not always be the one they want to hear. Jack Ryan has conservative views and when he is talking with his inner circle the reader should expect him to express an opinion. One criticism of the book is its length. In addition to reading The Bear and the Dragon I also listened to a friend's audiobook version and the abridged version cut out enough of the book to make it more fast paced and enjoyable to a first time Clancy reader. I appreciate the deep background that Clancy provides, but more editing should be done to only include essential dialogue. His books are always better when the good guys (Jack Ryan and the gang) have to overcome serious odds. This book does not present us which such a situation and as a result the overall enjoyment of the book suffers. The book could have been more interesting if Clancy would have parted with one of his beloved characters (Golovko) to further the plot. It would have been interesting to see how Russia would have handled that particular situation.
Rating: 
Summary: An entertaining read, but merely mediocre
Review: Although not one of Clancy's better novels, this novel was quite entertaining (if only at a shallow level). The plot isn't too stunning; its standard thriller far- Chinese intrigues, missile attacks. Clancy's trademark style is apparent through the book, which is the primary quality distinguishing it from other run-of-the-mill action novels. Another good point about the book is that its a Jack Ryan book, which satisfied me, a long-time Ryan fan. If you liked Clancy you'll probably like the book. But if you're not a fan of shallow action novels don't expect to be enthralled.
Rating:
Summary: Bloated
Review: What a sad slide from The Hunt for Red October. Crisp narrative has devolved into opinionated blather. I had to buy the Audio version to bridge me through the middle 400 pages until the battle sequence. Editor needed!
Rating:
Summary: 2 out of 5. Must try harder, Tom!
Review: I am a big fan of Clancy, Clear and Present Danger is awesome, but with The Bear and The Dragon Clancy appears to have stopped trying. Compared to his previous novels this plot is predictable and lacking in his usual cunning twists. I found myself waiting for something unexpected to happen but it never did. I know Tom is a patriot but I don't think one American soldier died in the entire book! He repeated himself far too often. Yes Jack I know you hate this job, it's the fifth time you have told me. I understand! At one point Clancy says that even scratching an American warship is tantamount to war. That's funny. Someone blew a hole in one the other day without retribution. I think there is a bit too much of how Clancy would like America to be as opposed to how it, and the world, really is. Still, if you like Clancy it's worth a read. I just hope this is only a smudge on an otherwise fantastic career.
Rating:
Summary: A cheap Jerry Furland imitation
Review: I have the upmost respect for Mr. Clancy's literary genius. I probably would not be a pawn shop owner if it were not for "Cardinal of the Kremlin". However, I have been compelled (out of respect for Mr. Jerry Furland, the author of the novel "Transfer") to offer my first ever negative critique of a Clancy novel. Mr. Clancy displayed a complete lack of scruples in stealing the story line from Transfer. It appears that Mr. Clancy's well has dried up and that he has lost his creative edge. Sad as this may be, I cannot condone, and will not stomach, the rape of Mr. Furland's novel.
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