Rating: 
Summary: simply underwhelming
Review: The last time I tried to read a Clancy book, I put it down half way through it, never picked it back up; finally gave it to a friend who wasn't able to read it either. This book is about the same way - i'm into it about 250 pages and it is BORING, BORING, BORING. I can't think of anything good to say, so i'll stop here. I won't waste my money again buying another Tom Clancy hardcover. He goes on the list with Patricia Daniels Cornwell and Ann Rice.
Rating: 
Summary: President Clancy - oops, I mean Ryan - Speaks
Review: Clancy's losing his perspective. It appears that, having reached wealth and acclaim, his personal mission has changed from making bucks and appealing to his market, to using his books as a pulpit from which to vent his political viewpoints. I can't believe I'm beginning to dislike Jack Ryan, Clancy's mouthpiece. Every time the scene shifts to the Oval Office, I know I'm in for another whining, crabbing session from Ryan, who as of page 200 has done NOTHING but sit in the office and complain!!!!! Get a GRIP, Tom.
Rating:
Summary: Clancy going downhill
Review: I eagerly ordered the latest Clancy title with the expectation that I would be as entertained as with all of his previous books. Rainbow Six was gripping and I simply could not put the book down. This latest novel is dreadful and I was on page 528 when I realised I was utterly board with the turgid pace and style of prose. It picked up towards the end but finished in a cop-out manner. It would appear that this was written to simply meet a commitment with a publisher
Rating:
Summary: ROFLMAO! What a joke!
Review: Oh, this was a waste of my money. I normally find Clancy's books to be, at the very least, DECENT, but this one was downright HORRID. It could not have been more trite! Of course, the US folks are ALL bright and brilliant Harvard grads, there's no such thing as a dumb American, (the closest being that Cliffy guy), according to this book. And all Chinese are stupid Commie morons. It's all so contrived... I mean, "Japanese sausage?!" ROFLMAO!! There's definitely a theme going on there... every American's got a surgeon for a wife, is decorated, or something. And the ethnic slurs, oh my goodness. While, I don't doubt that, if we were really involved in a war, slurs would be the norm, I think he carries it off VERY badly in this book, and so, it's just plain bad taste. And poor Jack Ryan. RESIGN, if you hate your job so much! To Mr. Clancy - better luck with your next book. At this rate, you'll need it :(
Rating:
Summary: I Just Can't Take Anymore
Review: I'm sorry. I've bought and read every one of Clancy's books since his first, the Hunt for Red October. But the more years that pass, the less I like his work. Even Executive Orders was a chore. I was in a bookstore recently and compared his books to War and Peace, and his are longer. I mean seriously, can't it be done better? His stories are pretty good. But his way of telling them has become tedious and now, for me, unendurable. Way too long, way too jerky (from one story line to another, many of which just don't matter), and ultimately dark and humorless. I'm done. No more Clancy for me.
Rating:
Summary: I will never finish this book
Review: I was disappointed when the publication date of this long awaited book was delayed. I am now sorry that I ever bought it. I have read all of Tom Clancy's books but this one. I have had it for over a month and am on page 100. It is filled with rambling drival. Jack Ryan shouldn't have run for reelection. I do not think that I will ever buy a hardback of a new Clancy again. Paperbacks will have to come from the half price store. This appears to be the sad end of a brilliant writing career.
Rating:
Summary: This is what happens when you tell your editor to ¿stuff it¿
Review: Clancy has obviously reached the point in his career that he can tell them to publish whatever he writes without any input from an editor. The book should have been hundreds and hundreds of pages thinner. It became embarrassing to read all of the 'Ryan as Clancy's mouthpiece' regarding various 'morality issues' that had little or nothing to add to the storyline. Even then, the same things were said, over and over again. Does he think his readers are so stupid that he has to drill his thoughts into their heads? The only way to get through the entire book is to skim the pages and pages of text that has nothing to do with the story. If someone actually reads every page, I would have to say that they to much time on their hands. I wish I had read a review before I purchased the hardback edition. Otherwise I would have waited for the paperback edition. I could only recommend this to diehard Clancy fans that feel the need to read everything he has ever written. I hope the reviews sink in. I really enjoyed his previous work. Maybe he can return to that level of quality in the future.
Rating: 
Summary: This would make for a nice movie
Review: As a fan of Clancy, i looked forward to the book...it didn't let me down..the espionage drew me in..the relationship of Ryan with his VP..the CIA couple...the inside of the Chinese Politburo...the leftover Russians from the old days...Rainbow Six...All Clancy fans could see it all coming in this saga...New Clancy readers will learn all of this as they read along...What struck me the most was the selfishness of the Chinese government..the people had their say in the end..The US secret weapons were really entertaining...If you like Clancy this is a must..try it out you won't regret it...
Rating: 
Summary: The Possible
Review: The book was scary in some places as it illustrates what could happen; international politics have big consequences. The plot unfolded very well, although not as many plot twists as Clancy usually inserts. This is neither good nor bad - just a choice of method. It was an enjoyable as well as a believable read. Most of the subplots are very well thought out and lead directly to the main climax. The events concern American and Russians in conflict with the barbarian politicians of Red China. I have read every one of Clancy's novels and this one, although not my favorite, still satisfies. It is a good illustration of international issues as they are right now. Some of the reviews that I read here are just unbelievable. I read the book along with Clanccy's others. Reviewers using the word "racism" to describe some of the dialog are simply mouthing off a useless term with little or no meaning. I really cannot believe people still use that worn-out, illiterate term. I suppose popular culture has broadcast the words like "racism" and "sexism" so much that people really feel like the sentences containing these words are somehow meaningful. Pitiful - just pitiful - especially in a review where one expects more. Anyway, this is a good book. It requires a little bit of reflecting, it has some political ideas, but it is a integrated work of art nonetheless. In summary, read the book and not the reviews herein (except for this one)...
Rating:
Summary: Classic Clancy
Review: Yes, it is long; written from an extremely conservative point of view and politically incorrect. In other words, just like all Clancy novels. If you are looking for a book that provides equal time to different points of view you should not be reading Clancy. The good guys win and the bad guys get blown away. I found the book to be very entertaining.
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