Rating: 
Summary: Too Much Bravado
Review: I have read all of the Clancy novels. This was by far the most offensive, as far as language, that I have read. He traded plot and characterization for vulgarity and insensitivity. For example, until now, choirboy Jack Ryan describes child rape by Chairman Mao as " ...Mao liked Virgins, the younger the better. Maybe he liked to see the fear in their cute little virginal eyes--- that's what one of our pshrink consultants thought, kinda like rape, not so much sex as power. Well, I guess it could have been worse-- at least they were girls." In effect Clancy has his hero stating that rape of little girls is less criminal and vile than the rape of little boys. Now Jack Ryan is supposed to have a daughter, what kind of father, would find this less offensive? Clancey I have enjoyed all of your novels up to now, but you falter in trying to make your characters too macho. Jack Ryan's strength comes from his intelligence and dedication too family. He falters on both accounts with language like this.
Rating: 
Summary: Been there, wrote that
Review: Clancy's last few books have been increasingly difficult to wade through, and his latest confirms the downward spiral. I noted from one of the other reviewers that Clancy claims that he was in some ways inspired by Robert Heinlein; he apparently intends to follow Heinlein's career trajectory as well. Heinlein started out as a writer of entertaining science fiction, intricately plotted and well-populated by interesting characters. As the years wore on, he became progressively more enamored of his political views (which, like Clancy's, were jingoistic and reactionary)and therefore spent most of his time hectoring the reader with his political sentiments. Such is the case here. The "scenes" in Pres. Ryan's office are the worst kind of didactic, right-wing gasbaggery. Pres. Ryan spends all of his time moaning about being forced (against his will) to run the country. His President loves secrecy, hates the press, the Congress, and (if he were to admit it) those cattle whom he has been elected to serve. According to Clancy, the business of government should be handed over to the wealthy, because they are too rich to need to steal anything. Apparently Mr. Clancy has never met a wealthy man who was ambitious, and never read the newspapers when Michael Milken was going down. Clancy's racism is no longer veiled by even the slightest artifice. The descriptions of the Chinese characters are appallingly bigoted and simplistic. In the end, Clancy prefers the Russians not because they are no longer Communist, but simply because they are not yellow, and their eyes are round. If someone can slog from one end of the narrative to the other, an entertaining drinking game might be created by having one consume a shot whenever one encounters Clancy's favorite testosterone-laced cliches (been there and done that, etc.). This would necessarily be followed by a trip to Betty Ford. Clancy is no longer a writer, he is a "brand." And this brand is ready for the 99 cent store.
Rating: 
Summary: A bit disappointing...
Review: I give this book 4 stars because I would still rather read 1000 pages from Tom Clancy than any number of pages from most other novelists. That having been said, I think there were two factors that made this book a little disappointing: a) The sudden ending. I agree with those reviewers who felt the book lurched to a sudden halt. There were already 1028 pages, why not another 30 or 50 to flesh out the last segment? b) The lack of real tension. Aside from a couple of very good segments, there was little tension in the book. We all knew what was going to happen, how it was going to happen, and that the bad guys couldn't stop it. Surprises, the hallmark of the classic Clancy books, were few and far between. I don't know if Mr. Clancy reads these reviews, but if he does I would like to offer a couple of suggestions (I paid for the book, I have the right to offer advice): a) Put some real stress on the U.S. military. Bring up the nightmare scenario of more crises than there are resources to meet them (say, simultaneous eruptions in the Middle East and Korea). Make it so victory must be achieved through real blood, sweat, and tears rather than unbeatable technology. And it wouldn't hurt to kill off an established character or three. b) Alternatively, and I know this is drastic, drop the Ryan timeline. I know that would be painful (I'd miss him too) but there's only so much farther you can go here anyway. I always thought Red Storm Rising was your best book anyway. It might be time to find a new story (maybe not even related to the U.S.) and go in that direction. That might make it easier to recapture the excitement of your best work. Just don't be like Larry Bond and use the same old terrorist plot over and over again. Anyway, I still recommend picking this book up, it's not that bad a read. It's just not what we've come to expect from the master.
Rating: 
Summary: China, Russia and US- Oh My.
Review: Another great Jack Ryan book from Tome Clancy. A page turner of a book that almost made me lose my job because I was up so late reading it. Tom Clancy brings out the best of many things in a book that brings to the reader many of the characters of his three previous "Ryan" novels. The presence that President Ryan describes as he visits Auschwitz is the same one I, and others I have talked to, had when I visited Dachau. Overall an intense, readable, suspenseful novel that makes me want to buy the next one as soon as it comes out.
Rating: 
Summary: jarring drivel
Review: The Bear and the Dragon take Clancy's stock players into new positions of power. Clancy however has gone far beyond any of his previous works in his jarring sophomoric political and philosophical drivel. The story line is constantly slowed down by his political meanderings which have absolutely nothing to do with his story . The book could easily be half as long and twice as readable. Even if you try to discount these meanderings they are so jarring and inappropriate that you are quickly torn from the narrative and feel you have just listened to a bad political commercial. If Clancy was not already successful this book would not be published as it stands. Read it as your own risk.
Rating:
Summary: Does Tom Clancy actually know anything?
Review: I have been a big fan of many of his earlier books, but this one touches on a lot of areas I know something about -- and it's clear he doesn't. There are many examples large and small. For example, TC seems to think that any two countries with equal and fair trade laws will have balanced trade. Or, he seems to think that China can run a big trade surplus and use the money to somehow import weapons etc without that reducing its trade surplus. There are many more small ones that in the end detract much more from the book (a top aid being known for his computer skills per se, as distinct from his financial acumen), as well as long lectures on politics that are tedious and childish even if you happen to agree with the underlying sentiment. None of this would matter too much except that (1) the story is super boring -- if you skip all the ignorant diatribe etc. there are only a couple of hundred pages of action, maybe and (2) it makes me wonder in what other areas he is guessing and where he actually knows something (like the military stuff, I assume).
Rating:
Summary: solid read but not his best
Review: I would really give this 3.5 stars, but there aren't any half-stars... The book is a bit formulaic, following a very similar pattern to other recent Clancy books. Otherwise, a solid read, except the occasional entirely unrelated to the story political statements (some of his politics is tied up in the plotline, which is fine, but the stuff unrelated is just annoying). if you're a Clancy fan, you'll enjoy this, if you're not already a fan, this is not the one to start with.
Rating:
Summary: Well of Ideas Drying Up? Extreme Racism?
Review: I have noticed a steady decline in the quality of Tom Clancy's work. His early books were some of the best I've ever read. However, as time progresses, it is clear his well of ideas is drying up. His books are beginning to look the same. The same basic story line read over and over again. Having said that, I think The Bear and the Dragon would have been an interesting read if it wasn't for the extreme racism prevalent throughout the novel. He insults almost every religious and ethnic group he can. I'd say its time for Tom Clancy to retire gracefully before he causes any more damage to his reputation.
Rating:
Summary: Tree Killer 2 - Where was the book?
Review: Typical Clancy fair is buried in this book, hi-tech weapon systems, clever spys and counter-spys, tension filled chases. Unfortunately it is surrounded by lots, and I mean a LOT of crap. In particular we get treated to Clancy prosetlyzing on abortion, race relations, human rights, and even the difficulties of being President. There is a GREAT 350 page book in here somewhere, surrounded by another 700 pages of useless verbosity. Why did I slog through it? Because I was on an airplane that was going to be in the air 10 hrs and sleeping was out of the question. If you must read this book, borrow it from a friend or check it out from the library. Someone needs to give Clancy's editor a better shot at cutting out the parts of the book that don't contribute to the story.
Rating:
Summary: Not up to Clancy's usual standards
Review: Same old, same old. I could tell what was going to happen, who does what to whom, at every step in the story... I can even predict when Ryan will say "I hate this job". Where are the rebels in uniform, the kooky scientists, the hateful politicians, and even the journalists in this 1000+ re-hash of the 3 previous books. Don't spend your money. If you have to have it, wait for the paperback!
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