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Tom Clancy's Patriot Games True First Edition First Printing
Clear and Present Danger First Edition First Printing. "The Great Clancy Thriller Machine rumbles on, engines on full. This time out, the best-selling ace swivels his big guns away from his usual Russian targets (glasnost fallout?) and toward a nearly homegrown the cocaine lords of Colombia and their deadly white powder. So complex, so intricately researched and detailed is Clancy's newest battle plan that his main hero—CIA-agent Jack Ryan, veteran of three past Clancy novels—doesn't appear until about 100 pages of this 500-page juggernaut have rolled by. That's no problem, the front of the novel, like the rest, is built of geared subplots, each of which has teeth enough to snag the reader. The stirring action begins in the White House, in a typical Clancy scene that not only sets up the premise—a radical American initiative against Colombian drug traffic—but also offers nifty that the Oval Office's windows are made of light-distorting, bullet-resistant polycarbonate; that the President's chair is backed with bullet-proof DuPont Kevlar. Neither the detailing nor the action lets up as Clancy moves his focus to the high seas—where a Coast Guard skipper captures, tries, and mock-executes a pair of drug-smuggling pirates; to the Rockies—where an ace Ranger trains for a secret mission with other Hispanics under the gaze of dark-souled CIA-agent "Mr. Clark"; to Medellin—where a vile drug lord and his ex-KGB advisor counterplot against the Yanks; to Langley—where a newly promoted Ryan gets wind of the White House plan and its murderous excesses by the hand of a cruelly ambitious presidential advisor. Before the dust Clears, America will secretly invade Colombia; drug lords will assassinate the US attorney general; America will bomb Medellin; and many more will die as Ryan and Clark kill lots of drug lords and serfs to save American boys and honor. Dazzling macho-entertainment, and a rousing farewell present to his fans" - Kirkus Reviews
Hardcover
Published January 1, 1987
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About the author
Tom Clancy
977 books9,057 followersThomas Leo Clancy Jr. was an American novelist and military-political thriller pioneer. Raised in a middle-class Irish-American family, he developed an early fascination with military history. Despite initially studying physics at Loyola College, he switched to English literature, graduating in 1969 with a modest GPA. His aspirations of serving in the military were dashed due to severe myopia, leading him instead to a career in the insurance business.
While working at a small insurance agency, Clancy spent his spare time writing what would become The Hunt for Red October (1984). Published by the Naval Institute Press for an advance of $5,000, the book received an unexpected boost when President Ronald Reagan praised it as “the best yarn.” This propelled Clancy to national fame, selling millions of copies and establishing his reputation for technical accuracy in military and intelligence matters. His meticulous research and storytelling ability granted him access to high-ranking U.S. military officials, further enriching his novels.
Clancy’s works often featured heroic protagonists such as Jack Ryan and John Clark, emphasizing themes of patriotism, military expertise, and political intrigue. Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, he became one of the best-selling authors in America, with titles like Red Storm Rising (1986), Patriot Games (1987), Clear and Present Danger (1989), and The Sum of All Fears (1991) dominating bestseller lists. Several of these were adapted into commercially successful films.
In addition to novels, Clancy co-authored nonfiction works on military topics and lent his name to numerous book series and video game franchises, including Rainbow Six, Ghost Recon, and Splinter Cell. His influence extended beyond literature, as he became a part-owner of the Baltimore Orioles baseball team and was involved in various business ventures, including a failed attempt to purchase the Minnesota Vikings.
Politically, Clancy was a staunch conservative, often weaving his views into his books and publicly criticizing left-leaning policies. He gained further attention after the September 11 attacks, discussing intelligence failures and counterterrorism strategies on news platforms.
Clancy’s financial success was immense. By the late 1990s, his publishing deals were worth tens of millions of dollars. He lived on an expansive Maryland estate featuring a World War II Sherman tank and later purchased a luxury penthouse in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.
He was married twice, first to Wanda Thomas King, with whom he had four children, and later to journalist Alexandra Marie Llewellyn, with whom he had one daughter.
Tom Clancy passed away on October 1, 2013, at the age of 66 due to heart failure. His legacy endures through his novels, their adaptations, and the continuation of the Jack Ryan series by other writers.
While working at a small insurance agency, Clancy spent his spare time writing what would become The Hunt for Red October (1984). Published by the Naval Institute Press for an advance of $5,000, the book received an unexpected boost when President Ronald Reagan praised it as “the best yarn.” This propelled Clancy to national fame, selling millions of copies and establishing his reputation for technical accuracy in military and intelligence matters. His meticulous research and storytelling ability granted him access to high-ranking U.S. military officials, further enriching his novels.
Clancy’s works often featured heroic protagonists such as Jack Ryan and John Clark, emphasizing themes of patriotism, military expertise, and political intrigue. Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, he became one of the best-selling authors in America, with titles like Red Storm Rising (1986), Patriot Games (1987), Clear and Present Danger (1989), and The Sum of All Fears (1991) dominating bestseller lists. Several of these were adapted into commercially successful films.
In addition to novels, Clancy co-authored nonfiction works on military topics and lent his name to numerous book series and video game franchises, including Rainbow Six, Ghost Recon, and Splinter Cell. His influence extended beyond literature, as he became a part-owner of the Baltimore Orioles baseball team and was involved in various business ventures, including a failed attempt to purchase the Minnesota Vikings.
Politically, Clancy was a staunch conservative, often weaving his views into his books and publicly criticizing left-leaning policies. He gained further attention after the September 11 attacks, discussing intelligence failures and counterterrorism strategies on news platforms.
Clancy’s financial success was immense. By the late 1990s, his publishing deals were worth tens of millions of dollars. He lived on an expansive Maryland estate featuring a World War II Sherman tank and later purchased a luxury penthouse in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.
He was married twice, first to Wanda Thomas King, with whom he had four children, and later to journalist Alexandra Marie Llewellyn, with whom he had one daughter.
Tom Clancy passed away on October 1, 2013, at the age of 66 due to heart failure. His legacy endures through his novels, their adaptations, and the continuation of the Jack Ryan series by other writers.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 20, 2025
Not as good as his classic "The Hunt for Red October," (THRO) but still solid if you can put up with some of the "over the top"moments. This novel was more over the top, not as believable or realistic as you become accustomed to with THRO.
I think after the success with THRO Clancy became more embolden in his writing, that departs from what I liked about THRO. that being said, I am off on his next novel, "Red Rabbit," to see if it will remind me more of what I liked about THRO. Nonetheless, Patriot Games is a classic, and if you are a fan of the evolution of Jack Ryan, it is a must read. I give it three stars and look forward to more adventures with the Ryan character.
I think after the success with THRO Clancy became more embolden in his writing, that departs from what I liked about THRO. that being said, I am off on his next novel, "Red Rabbit," to see if it will remind me more of what I liked about THRO. Nonetheless, Patriot Games is a classic, and if you are a fan of the evolution of Jack Ryan, it is a must read. I give it three stars and look forward to more adventures with the Ryan character.
September 3, 2024
Patriot Games was a very exciting and interesting thriller! I’ve seen the movie and the book is way better and Tom Clancy delivers in this action packed novel that had me on the edge of my seat and literally staying up late some nights to know what will happen next. Tom Clancy is now one of my top favorite authors and wish I could’ve seen or met him before his passing in 2013. 5 ⭐️ and 2 👍🏼👍🏼 up for this book and now can’t wait to read his other books I have in my collection.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews