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Patriot Games / The Hunt for Red October
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784 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 1992
15 people are currently reading
458 people want to read
About the author
Tom Clancy
977 books9,065 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 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 17, 2012
Very good.
October 6, 2017
A wonderful read and insight into technical details, which do not overly distract from the enjoyment of the fiction.
May 6, 2020
Very good book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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February 21, 2023Tom Clancy is a master author of suspense, intrigue and adventure. This is the second time I've read through this book. Just as good as the first time.
April 9, 2024
Tom clancy is an amazing author! I was addicited to this book, and it keept me turning the pages. Great story!
November 11, 2024
A great follow up to Red October. Excellent beach book.
March 14, 2013
this book has it all that i love in a book. Action, comedy and sneaky missions and stuff like that. It was 500 pages long to so it worked out perfectly. I loved this book cover to cover and i would suggest this book to anyone who wants a good read.I am very glad i gave this book a chance for me to read.
December 1, 2016
Riletto a distanza di quasi 10 anni riconfermo le 5 stelle: uno dei migliori nel genere, approfondito e complesso quanto basta senza diventare pesante.
Il film che ne hanno tratto è molto buono, ma come sempre risulta più superficiale. Il romanzo consente di gustarsi maggiormente gli aspetti spionistici.
Il film che ne hanno tratto è molto buono, ma come sempre risulta più superficiale. Il romanzo consente di gustarsi maggiormente gli aspetti spionistici.
April 16, 2008
Read both of these in high school along with Red Storm Rising and the Cardinal of the Kremlin. All very good war/spy thrillers. Got burnt out on Tom Clancy after that though and haven't read anything else of his since then.
July 14, 2008
This is not Tom Clanceys best book but it is still a great book. It is a very technical book, lots of detail which would normally get in the way of a good book but in this case it makes the book mean more. It also makes the book a little harder to read but still a great book
July 11, 2012
I read this book twice. The first time I didn't really get into it. A few years later, I picked it up again to read, I didn't realize I had read it for the first few chapters. I really got into it the second time. The deception on power and government.....
April 11, 2015
Good book, but has a technical issue. There are details of the 688 class submarine in this book that are wrong. . . . but they were 100% correct in Hunt For Red October. Tells me something, but nothing I'm allowed to share.
May 15, 2015
This was my secound Clancy novel afer The Hunt for Red October, and I almost stopped reading Clancy after this one.
I know that most people really enjoyed it, but I just couldn't keep interested in it. Overall Tom Clancy had hit after hit, this one not so much in my opion.
I know that most people really enjoyed it, but I just couldn't keep interested in it. Overall Tom Clancy had hit after hit, this one not so much in my opion.
October 27, 2012
I read this book 15 years ago, and it is simply amazing. Unlike many of his books which followed, "The Hunt for Red October" is not overly complex and is just right. Suspenseful and fun!
January 8, 2013
great! Good action and a thrilling complex plot.
August 2, 2013
Very good not as good as Hunt for Red October.
October 2, 2013
It wold tell the truth but it wold nice how did the guy stayed on the sub. I loved the book. If you history warfare this the book for you
March 10, 2014
Wow, This books was fantastic. I could not put it down through out the entire book. I loved it all the way through.
July 6, 2015
Tom Clancy was the best. RIP. Looking forward to this generation’s international thriller king.
July 24, 2025
Yeah this dude is a clown
December 10, 2010
this book was a sensation when it was published. It's still a gripping read.
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April 13, 2013Top notch Clancy plot. Vgood.
August 17, 2014
Very fun. Not quite as good as Hunt for Red October but a page turner, nonetheless.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews