Prior to his passing in 2013, author Tom Clancy wrote 19 best-selling books. He co-wrote another dozen or so books with 7 other authors. In the following years 36 more authors have written almost 100 more books. Hundreds of writers have created two dozen video games, several tv shows, and streaming series.
This book, “Between the Lines” is a new kind of genre for the Tom Clancy Historical Fiction. It takes almost all of the books, movies, tv shows, and every mission in every video game, and references the minor characters and missions in the background of real world events. It’s a new story with new characters taking place between the lines of the rest of the Tom Clancy Universe.
Operation Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Somalia, the Rwandan genocide, and so many other real events now tie together between the lines in the books, games, all the missions in the different games, and movies. See how one of being a hostage changed Erwin Osterman’s life (Rainbow 6 novel, and original game). Find out why Nikoladze was more than just a Georgian oil baron (Splinter Cell). Was Colonel Charles Bliss always an egomaniac (The Division)? How did historic floods in Mississippi ripple into characters and events? What was 911 like for some characters? What effect did Hurricane Katrina have on characters and events?
This story is a new stand alone in a world that crosses the Tom Clancy Universe with the real world, and it does so by reading between the lines and referencing hundreds of secondary and tertiary characters and events.
Between the Lines is an incredibly creative and ambitious addition to the Tom Clancy universe. Scott Malensek takes on the huge task of weaving together events from the books, movies, games, and even real-world history, and he pulls it off in a way that feels seamless and engaging. What really stood out to me is how much attention is given to the secondary and background characters that most of us only ever saw in passing. By fleshing out their stories and connecting them to real events like Desert Storm, Somalia, 9/11, and Hurricane Katrina, the book gives an entirely new dimension to the Clancy world. It’s like rediscovering the universe from a fresh perspective. This isn’t just fan service it’s a clever, well-thought-out narrative that ties together decades of Clancy lore. For long-time fans, it’s a rewarding experience to see all the threads linked, and for new readers, it’s an eye-opening introduction to just how vast this world really is. A must-read for anyone who has ever loved Tom Clancy’s work or the many stories inspired by it.
This was a incredible book. The author took various characters from the books and games and put them in the same universe while putting them in real world situations.
We saw the creation of what would be The Campus and Division Organization's, while a larger plot of terrorism from Al Tunb occurred.
Cameo's from fan favorite characters like Jack Ryan, Sam Fisher, Irving Lambert and others flowed perfectly.
There were a few spelling errors here and there but overall this is a great read.
I hope to see a sequel to this someday. After all Al Tunb is in the wind and it's only a matter of time before a black ops unit finds him. Maybe a cameo by Ghost Recon in the future?
What an interesting book, and as only a casual fan of the Clancy collection, (only about a dozen, so far) much of the story line was lost on me. Just by reading the Kindle footnotes, so much of the story was tying together many other Clancy books and a heavy dose of video games - which I never would have noticed, as I'm proudly not a gamer. This story was a very fast mover, which half-way through, left a bunch of seemingly disparate loose ends which Scott masterfully tied together in the end. Lots of moving pieces that required a lot of attention on the readers' part to make the story make sense. Very well done! This makes me want to go back to other works, and in particular, "Rainbow Six" to fill in many of the gaps for this story to make more sense.
Between the Lines is absolutely brilliant! It takes the vast Tom Clancy universe we know and love and breathes new life into it by weaving real history with hidden stories and overlooked characters. The way it connects games, novels, and world events is nothing short of genius. Fans will be thrilled, and new readers will be hooked—this book is a masterpiece that makes you see the Clancy legacy in an entirely new light!
Between the Lines is a fascinating and ambitious take on the Tom Clancy universe. The way it weaves real-world history with the events, characters, and missions from the books, games, and films is incredibly well done. It feels both like a tribute and a fresh expansion perfect for longtime Clancy fans who love the intricate details and “what if” connections. Smart, immersive, and surprisingly emotional in places.
An impressive and creative concept that bridges decades of Tom Clancy stories with real historical events. The level of research and attention to detail is remarkable, and seeing familiar names and missions tied together adds depth to the entire Clancy world. A must-read for fans who enjoy exploring the deeper lore and hidden threads that connect the universe.
A fascinating tribute to Tom Clancy’s enduring legacy. This book captures not just the magnitude of his work, but the ripple effect he left on storytelling itself. From novels to video games and streaming series, it’s a compelling look at how one man’s imagination sparked a whole universe that continues to expand. A must-read for anyone who loves gripping tales and the world behind them.
Not recommended as a read for Tom Clancy fans. The book is a stream-of-consciousness piece of drivel that is off-putting and irritating. I only finished the book because I hate giving up halfway. Not worth the read.