Rating: 
Summary: Jack Without a Hammer
Review: Clancy has many, many Jack Ryan fans, fans who keep demanding more and more about their favorite character. But Clancy has run into a problem: he has already written Jack into the highest post in the land in previous books, and it is difficult to see how he can continue along his fictional future history and keep expanding Jack's role, much like the problem the writers of Superman comics had when Superman became effectively all powerful. So for this book at least, Clancy has sidestepped the problem by returning us to the days when Jack was just a freshly hired analyst for the CIA. Of course, in this role Jack can't be the prime mover of events, which may disappoint his fans, but at least they get to see a little more of Jack, along with another story of adventure and spy-craft.This story revolves around a Soviet plot to assassinate the Pope, a story crafted around the real events of 1981 (though Clancy takes some liberties with actual dates and concurrent events). Here again this is something of a departure, as Clancy is effectively updating and changing his future history to match the events of the real world, making this book somewhat inconsistent with earlier books in the series. Whether the shooting of Pope was actually plotted by the Soviets is still a matter of conjecture, but it is certainly plausible as the basis for this story. The action revolves around trying to get Oleg Zaitzev, a KGB communications specialist who has critical information about this plot, and his family out of Russia. With these basic elements, it should have been easy to craft a taught, exciting thriller. Especially as Clancy has finally dropped his penchant for having page after page of extreme technical detail interrupting the story flow. But this story does not achieve very much in the way of excitement or suspense at all. I found that all the actions by the various people involved were accomplished way too easily, just about everything goes according to plan. Even the ruse to make it appear that Zaitzev has died rather than defected comes off as just another day at the office, even if it is rather gruesome. This may be closer to the real world of the CIA and KGB, but it doesn't provide for a great reading experience. I also found Zaitzev's attack of conscience, his reason for defecting, just a little too rapid and convenient to be thoroughly convincing. Andropov's portrayed character (at that time head of the KGB) was a little more believable as a pragmatic and coldly calculating man. Jack is still Jack, and Clancy did a good job of returning to the Jack of the eighties, a little unsure of his value to the CIA and his importance in the world, a little more impetuous than he would later become. At best, this is an average spy novel, with too little suspense to be really absorbing, even if well written. A must for Ryan fans, others can skip this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Slow, Boring, and Poorly Written
Review: I have read all of Tom Clancy's book, all of which, up to this point, have been outstanding. Red Rabbit, however, is slow, poorly written, and boring. Not worth the read. I can only imagine the movie will be worse.
Rating:
Summary: Not worth it even at 1/2 price, unfortunately
Review: I was EXTREMELY disappointed with this book, as a Tom Clancy fan. The plot totally fails to evoke any tension, as his other books do so well. An example- the KGB beaurocrat defects with his wife and very young daughter without telling his wife in advance- OK, that makes sense, but the reader is led to believe that major problems could happen when the actual defect occurs and the wife finds out what's going on. Instead, there is absolutely NO character development of the wife herself including any real reaction to the defection. Also, there is no classic Tom Clancy technology detail, another big disappointment. I felt at the end as though Mr. Clancy wrote this book because he felt he HAD to, not because his heart or the creativity that we've come to know were in it. This could have been great, an interesting look into Jack Ryan's beginnings (as well as that of the Foleys and James Greer, etc.)that had the usual edge-of-your-seat energy. I ordered this book in advance and eagerly anticipated it. What a letdown. If you haven't read this book yet and want to anyway, wait till your local library has it, and don't spend the money. You'll be glad you kept your wallet in your pocket, at least. I'm really sorry to have to write such a [bad] review of this book! Good news! If you don't like it, you can sell it used through Amazon[.com]. I took this up, and within a week sold it for $13 (after spending about $15 at 1/2 price originally by pre-ordering) to some library...
Rating:
Summary: Perfect for the commute
Review: I always enjoy a Tom Clancey thriller, so finding "Red Rabbit" on audio CD was perfect for a trip I planned to take. Since I had another audio book with me, "Red Rabbit" was postponed to my daily 90 minute commute. Each 45 minutes to and from work was packed with character developement, interesting spycraft and the continuing question "Why weren't they able to prevent the attempt on the Pope's life?" Knowing the history before the story unfolded made for anticipation each session. The voicing by actor Dennis Boutsikaris was excellent and helped keep the characters straight; sometimes difficult in audio. I enjoyed "Red Rabbit" and found the story flowed well and kept moving between the several venues seamlessly. Since this was an abrigdment, it may explain why it was not as cumbersome as some Clancy novels can be. The hind sight with which it was written made for interesting commentary on Poland, the effect of Solidarity, the Pope and the Soviet economy on history as we now know it. Enjoy this entertaining audio rendition of "Red Rabbit."
Rating:
Summary: Look what Tom Clancy found in his attic
Review: While looking aroung the attic one day, Tom Clancy found an old manuscript he wrote many years ago. The writing was boring, the plot dull and the characters unbelievable. "What the heck" he said to himself, "I'm famous". So the book was published, and millions of us bought and read (as much of it as we could) this drivel. Tom laughed all the way to the bank.
Rating: 
Summary: Jack Ryan Plays James Bond
Review: Red Rabbit is a bit less exciting than some of Clancy's other books, reminding me a bit more of John LeCarre than Ian Fleming. We catch up with Jack Ryan in his younger years, posted to England for a bit of experience with those super sleuths from "6". The plot is taken from the headlines of the mid-eighties, when Regan was crusading against the "evil empire", and Clancy blends his story in rather well with the events of that time. The bad part is some poor editing in several places, with someone not catching what appear to be writing errors by the author. And several times, Clancy uses foreign words in his text without indicating with italics that the words are not English, and with no explanation for those non-linguists who read his work, Two examples are the use of "rodina" (home country) with no explanation and perhaps worse, "schadenfreude" (malicious joy), which is not in cheaper German-English dictionaries. The story also gets to be a bit too much of a travelogue in places, with Clancy apparently wanting the reader to know about all the wonderful places he has seen in foreign countries. The story would not have suffered had some of that been left out. One gets the feeling that Clancy, like the writers of the 17th century, is getting paid by the word. It is an interesting read, probably worth the time, in spite of these minor problems.
Rating:
Summary: Credit co-authors!
Review: Just read the book. I have been a huge Clancy fan for years. This time, as with Larry Bond and Hunt for Red October, he forgot to credit his co-authors. For Rabbit they are:
--Samuel Morse, for helping Clancy telegraph the ending at least 1/3 of the way through the book;
--Eli Lilly, for working with Tom to create the definitive written version of Prozac (or maybe even Thorazine!); and,
--Benjaming Franklin, creator of the Post Office, for aiding Clancy in mailing in yet another book. Seriously, Mr. Clancy, re-read Red October. Taut, fast-paced, believable. Then re-examine Red Storm Rising, a great book as well, even with the "F-19 Frisbee". Compare them to Rabbit, with its pages and pages of characters having Marsha Brady moments, no plot twists, no suspense, geographical and historical screw-ups galore, and just plain lousy writing. Finally, call Larry Bond NOW! You two really ought to get together again. Personally, I will not waste any money on future Clancy novels unless he gets returns to being passionate about his craft.
Rating:
Summary: Arrogance Showing
Review: Clancy is really starting to believe his own press. I saw him give a TV interview, and he was aloof, obnoxious, and downright arrogant. Red Rabbit is a complete failure of a book, filled with self-indulgent meandering and pontificating. What a waste of time, money, and paper. Go read LeCarre if you want to experience a sound demonstration of the use of language.
Rating:
Summary: Why oh why do I buy?
Review: Yet more regret in buying hardcover when I should have waited for a used paperback copy. ARGH! No suspense, no involvement for Jack Ryan, too much political blabber... I'm just simply disgusted. Where the hell is the Clancy that wrote Cardinal and Patriot Games??? Where is the author that once excelled at plot? What drives a man into excessive exposition? ...
Rating:
Summary: Trust this Clancy fan, do NOT buy/read this book
Review: I echo what many others have said: I'm a huge Tom Clancy (and Larry Bond) fan, and read mosts books of this genre. I loved Red Storm Rising, Rainbow 6, etc. I own all Clancy's books -- in hardcover. But, Oh My God is this book bad. Nothing happens for 500 pages. Ryan woolgathers in his head regarding married life, weather in England, coffee, Russia, the role of the CIA, it is just painful to read so many pages about so little. Clancy's previous book (Bear and Dragon) was also sorely in need of an editor, but I was looking forward to that next Clancy book so much I didn't realize how bad it was as well, and that it foreshadowed a general downward slide. Again, please trust a (formerly) huge Clancy fan when I say this book isn't worth your time for free. Get a copy of Without Remorse, Debt of Honor/Executive Orders, or any of the other Clancy books I've mentioned. (Hunt for Red October, too, of course, but that's almost too obvious to mention).
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