Thomas 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.
El mejor de Clancy que he leído nunca. Al menos, el que más me impactó. Pocos meses antes del 11-S leí cómo en las primeras páginas de la novela se nos recordaba que un piloto había estampado un 747 contra el Congreso de los EE.UU. y había matado a todo el gobierno menos a Jack Ryan, que acababa de ser nombrado vicepreseidente casi por accidente y que llegaba tarde, librándose así de morir como todo el Congreso, el Senado y el tribunal Supremo. Y además del atraque con avión, un ataque de ébola por correo. Cuando pocos meses después sucedió el 11-S y lo que siguió, llamaron a Clancy de la Casa Blanca para ayudar con los posibles escenarios. El cabrón lo había clavado. La novela tiene 2 tomos en español porque ya en inglés son más de 1300 páginas. A pesar de contener la habitual dosis de gafas de sol Rayban, sombrero tejano, mano al pecho e himno estadounidense, la novela se deja leer muy bien, el ritmo decae un poco a la mitad pero es frenético durante más de 700 páginas, y hay multitud de hilos abiertos que se enredan y retuercen. Me encantó.
Llibre genial, totalment recomanable. No em cansaré de reivindicar que la extensió que li dona l’autor és exagerada. Amb la meitat del llibre n’hi hauria prou.