What do you think?
Rate this book
Patriot Games: An outstanding Jack Ryan thriller, now available in eBook for the very first time
Pre-order the pulse-racing new Jack Ryan thriller, TOM CLANCY ACT OF DEFIANCE, now!
________________
'A novel that crackles!' New York Times
As an American in London on vacation with his family, Jack Ryan never imagined his quick thinking would prevent an assassination attempt on Britain's royal family and earn him the gratitude of an entire nation - and the scorn of an ultra-left-wing faction of the IRA. Irish terrorist Sean Miller and his followers in the Ulster Liberation Army intend to make sure Ryan pays for his interference in blood. But he's not the only one they're after . . .
With the lives of his pregnant wife and young daughter in mortal danger, Ryan accepts a role as a CIA analyst in order to find Miller and shut down the ULA. Going head to head with a ruthless terrorist is a fool's errand, but Jack Ryan is the kind of man who will do whatever it takes to protect his family.
________________
Reader reviews for PATRIOT GAMES
'A rollicking good read' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'Patriot Games will never be beaten by any other writer. A book of suspense, love and danger' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'One of the most exciting showdown I've ever read! I was stunned, emotionally drained and awestruck by the explosive conclusion!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'Intense. Captivating. Clever details' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'Hammered through this rip-oaring yarn' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
________________
'A novel that crackles!' New York Times
As an American in London on vacation with his family, Jack Ryan never imagined his quick thinking would prevent an assassination attempt on Britain's royal family and earn him the gratitude of an entire nation - and the scorn of an ultra-left-wing faction of the IRA. Irish terrorist Sean Miller and his followers in the Ulster Liberation Army intend to make sure Ryan pays for his interference in blood. But he's not the only one they're after . . .
With the lives of his pregnant wife and young daughter in mortal danger, Ryan accepts a role as a CIA analyst in order to find Miller and shut down the ULA. Going head to head with a ruthless terrorist is a fool's errand, but Jack Ryan is the kind of man who will do whatever it takes to protect his family.
________________
Reader reviews for PATRIOT GAMES
'A rollicking good read' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'Patriot Games will never be beaten by any other writer. A book of suspense, love and danger' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'One of the most exciting showdown I've ever read! I was stunned, emotionally drained and awestruck by the explosive conclusion!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'Intense. Captivating. Clever details' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'Hammered through this rip-oaring yarn' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
- GenresThriller
794 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 20, 2023
198 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
About the author
Tom Clancy
985 books9,145 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 16, 2024
Hasn't shed well.
First off, I'm a fan of Clancy's novels.
I'm re-reading them for the first time in over a quarter of a century and I have to say this one has aged worse than the rest.
Whilst the others are classic cold war thrillers, Patriot Games is an average action thriller, poorly served by the now monarch of the UK in an action role as a devoted husband and father.
The grasp of Anglo-Irish politics is typical of American perspective at the time and is beneath Mr Clancy's usual high standard.
First off, I'm a fan of Clancy's novels.
I'm re-reading them for the first time in over a quarter of a century and I have to say this one has aged worse than the rest.
Whilst the others are classic cold war thrillers, Patriot Games is an average action thriller, poorly served by the now monarch of the UK in an action role as a devoted husband and father.
The grasp of Anglo-Irish politics is typical of American perspective at the time and is beneath Mr Clancy's usual high standard.
August 2, 2023
better (and different from) than the movie.
September 14, 2023
Better than the movies and series
I have watched all the Ryan movies and series, as always, the books is better. I am looking forward reading the rest of them.
I have watched all the Ryan movies and series, as always, the books is better. I am looking forward reading the rest of them.
November 18, 2025
This book stinks. If you're coming from The Hunt From Red October like I did, don't bother. It is written in a completely different style and has none of the things that made October a good yarn.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews