Author Topic: Books written by Tom Clancy... (Read 809 times)

Reschke · « **on:** April 16, 2003, 02:31:14 PM »

After reading the thread linked below last year and then reading the last Clancy book (Red Rabbit) I wanted to say something. "Red Rabbit" takes place after "Patriot Games" and is a bit of a bore at the beginning to get started.

The Bourne Identity

While I agree that Tom Clancy has sort of fallen off the wagon since "Without Remorse". I still read his books and I think he does try to "crank out" books faster than he did back in the Red October, etc... days. I used to blow through them and then read the books over and over. But with this last one I got it for Christmas and stumbled through the first 100 pages since then. However once I got past all the buildup with putting the Ryan's in their house outside of London. The Foleys getting installed as the COS Moscow the book picks up steam quickly. Did I mention that it took me from December 25th till late March to read the first hundred or so pages?

Anyway once the book gets going it does take you back to the times of how Tom Clancy used to write. There is not alot of technobabble but the action is not as in depth as it was in Rainbow Six. I think it is more along the lines of Cardinal of the Kremlin with the story development and how it progresses.

I refuse to watch another Clancy book that gets "adapated" to film. Patriot Games was enough of that for me. I had a cousin go watch Sum or all Fears after she read the book and when she told me she got up and demanded her money back about 1/3 through the movie.

Sandman · « **Reply #1 on:** April 16, 2003, 02:41:22 PM »

I'm alright with the technobabble.

When the entire planet conspired to make Jack Ryan the president and mouthpiece for Clancy's political views, I lost interest.

funkedup · « **Reply #2 on:** April 16, 2003, 02:42:59 PM »

Yeah Jack Ryan jumped the shark a long time ago.

Mini D · « **Reply #3 on:** April 16, 2003, 02:57:32 PM »

Jumped the shark?

I haven't liked much from Clancy lately. I'll read Red Rabbit, but I'll blame reschke if it sucks.

I was actually thinking about Clancy lately though... and current world events. I almost wonder if the current administration has him as one of their advisors. The embedded reporter concept was something he outlined in detail about 5 years ago. A few of the policies genertated were right out his past books too. It was kinda wierd.

Of course, most of his "world events will turn out this way..." assumptions are clearly off the mark as his cause and affect ideas.

MiniD

funkedup · « **Reply #4 on:** April 16, 2003, 03:18:53 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Mini D
Jumped the shark?

http://www.jumpedtheshark.com/

Quote

Q. What is jumping the shark?
A. It's a moment. A defining moment when you know that your favorite television program has reached its peak. That instant that you know from now on...it's all downhill. Some call it the climax. We call it "Jumping the Shark."_ From that moment on, the program will simply never be the same.
The term "jump the shark" was coined by my college roommate for 4 years, Sean J. Connolly, in Ann Arbor, Michigan back in 1985. This web site, book, film, and all other material surrounding shark jumping, are hereby dedicated to "the Colonel."
The aforementioned expression refers to the telltale sign of the demise of Happy Days, our favorite example, when Fonzie actually "jumped the shark." The rest is history.
Jumping the shark applies not only to TV, but also music, film, even everyday life. "Did you see her boyfriend? She definitely jumped the shark." You get the idea.

AKIron · « **Reply #5 on:** April 16, 2003, 03:23:06 PM »

Sum of all Fears was the last of his I tried to read. Only got about half way through.

All time favorite Clancy: Red Storm Rising

Sandman · « **Reply #6 on:** April 16, 2003, 03:23:33 PM »

I wish I was as hip as funked.

WineMan · « **Reply #7 on:** April 16, 2003, 03:27:18 PM »

I have no evidence to back this up, but I am pretty sure that all his books after Sum of All Fears were written by "Ghost Writers." At least I think that's the term they use - Tom clancy comes up with a theme, plot etc., then contracts the actual writing out to another writer(s).

Furious · « **Reply #8 on:** April 16, 2003, 03:29:19 PM »

I hate Jack Ryan.

Eric L. Harry's books are a much better read.

Arc Light
Invasion
Protect and Defend

funkedup · « **Reply #9 on:** April 16, 2003, 03:32:18 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Sandman_SBM
I wish I was as hip as funked.

Sit on it Sandman!

Saintaw · « **Reply #10 on:** April 16, 2003, 03:33:28 PM »

Stopped reading Clancy after "Bear & Dragon", what are they going to make with Ryan next? Pope ? Seriously...

Anyway, if you liked his previous genre, I can only recommend Larry Bond ()Amazon Link , Some will like "Cauldron" (ASIN: 0446515671 )(Modern US Vs France/Germany conflict).

And of course, there's always Dale Brown, Stephen Coonts, etc...

Reschke · « **Reply #11 on:** April 16, 2003, 04:45:56 PM »

I like Larry Bond and Dale Brown. "Cauldron" reminds me of "Red Storm Rising" in some ways but mainly for the intensity of action. Some of Dale Browns books just went off the deep end. "Hammerheads" just blew all my positive thoughts about Dale Brown out of the water. I still enjoy reading his stuff from time to time but sometimes its just way out there. I enjoyed the one about the kid who was planted in the US by the KGB to get into the Air Force and was later activated and attempted to steal a prototype F-15.I think it was called "Day of the Cheetah".

There is a semi-fictional series about a family whose dad was one of the NCDU guys in WW2 and then went on to help found the UDT's and SEALs. The writer is H. Jay Riker and the series is called "SEALs": The Warrior Breed". It is a fairly good series to read and the books have some action and cover the entire NCDU phase on up to Viet Nam and into the 80's.

Another pure action writer is Keith Douglass who writes the Seal Team Seven series and another series called Carrier. His lulls in action are usually fill in material of training runs or something but they don't last more than a few pages. Then when he hits the ground running in the book usually a couple of guys get hit and one occasionally dies but not without valor. Overall this one is just a pure action series

While I don't "hate" Jack Ryan as a character he is about 3 books past his prime. Clancy should have retired Jack Ryan after "Sum of All Fears" or at least made him into a lesser character. I really was hoping that after "Without Remorse" and "Rainbow Six"; he (Clancy); would expand the roles of Clark and Chavez.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MiniD:

I can not be held accountable for my views on Tom Clancy's latest book. My views are strictly my own and I did say it took me almost three whole months to get through the first 100 or so pages.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wineman:

Interesting thought process on the "ghost writer" theory for Clancy. I know that he has "collaborated" with several other writers in the past few years for his "Net Force" series and I have never read any of those so I can not put that style of writing to any of the Clancy books since "Sum of All Fears".

Saurdaukar · « **Reply #12 on:** April 16, 2003, 04:49:32 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by AKIron

All time favorite Clancy: Red Storm Rising

Ditto.

I stopped reading Clancy after The Bear and the Dragon

JB73 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 16, 2003, 05:33:00 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Sandman_SBM
I wish I was as hip as funked.

Thas sig material

Hangtime · « **Reply #14 on:** April 16, 2003, 05:33:48 PM »

Watched Sum of all Fears on DVD.. was annoyed. Then I watched the 'Authors commentary' dub over also on the DVD.. it was clancy and the director narrating.. first comment clancy made was 'so your the ******* that ruined my book?'

I was hooked.

Watched the movie through a second time while Clancy and the director hob nobbed as THEY watched it. any time they started talking the movie diolouge went into subtitles. was FANTASTICK!

All Clancy movies should be watched this way.

Best Clancy Book.. Red Storm Rising. I read through the night and missed the next day of work. Rivited me to the couch. Spectacular. Hunt for Red October was my second-favorite.. and i admit i kinda enjoyed Rainbow Six. rest were so- so.

Reccomended.. Kilo Class, by Patrick Robinson. His follow on, Nimitz Class was ok, but the thrill was gone. HMS Unseen was ok.

Annother decent pick.. Stephen Hunters 'Master Sniper, and 'Black Light' as well as 'Point of Impact'. Not too shabby.

If you like your novels to make you smile... AND twist your brain a bit try Nelson Demille.. my favorite novel.. "Plum Island". The novel wends it's way through my stomping grounds and captures the essence of 'out east' perfectly. Everything DeMille does is very good. One of the best cold war novels i ever read was 'Charm School'. You'll miss a day of work on that one too. 'Word of Honor' touched me pretty hard. I really identified with that character. He also wrote 'Generals Daughter'.. poor movie, excellent novel.

so much for hangs book picks...