Clear and Present Danger

by Tom Clancy

'Absorbing . . . You won't stop until you hit the last pages!' Wall Street Journal

When Colombian drug lords assassinate both the U.S. ambassador and the visiting head of the FBI, their actions trigger a covert response from the American government - a response that goes horribly wrong . . .

As the newly named Deputy Director of Intelligence for the CIA, Jack Ryan should be privy to operations like the one in Colombia, but he's been left completely in the dark. With the help of field officer John Clark, Ryan intends to find out what's really going on. But while they expect danger from without, the greatest threat of all may come from within.

Genres: Mystery

975 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 20, 2023

About the author

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.

Reviews

[هادی امینی · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear and Present Danger

What started like a boring political struggle, in white house halls and between some blue collars, suddenly turned into a full action thriller, including treason and sacrifices; and sacrifices which were able to make your eyes cloudy with tears.
Younger loyal soldiers who didn’t know a shit about politics and even care less about; acted based on their orders and loyalty to the country and flag, sacrificing their utmost values while some dickhead general handshake with devil to his goals.

bottom line; it was awesome and I literally enjoyed it.

[Jeroen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been a while since I first read this book (over 25 years ago), and it was interesting to read it again. At times it feels dated, but that is due to the fact that a lot has changed in the 36 since the book was first published (in 1989). At the time drugs were a big issue in the US and other regions across the globe, making the book timely. The idea behind the book is interesting, to see what the US intelligence and military could do if they truly wanted to take the fight to the Drug cartels of the time. As is usual with Tom Clancy's writing multiple people are being followed throughout the book and their story lines connect and interweave. It is interesting to see characters returning from previous books and to see some other characters for the first time knowing they'll be back in later books. Without Remorse, which was published 4 years after (in 1993), is a great companion to this book as it also deals with drug problems and both Clark and Portagee Oresa are in both books (though through circumstances they don't meet). I thought it was interesting to see how limited Jack Ryan's role in the book is, as a lot of the story follows other characters (e.g. Clark & Chavez). Though Jack Ryan has some moments of action his role is less action than the movie version of the book. The book has a lot more depth though, and ultimately is better than the movie. Ritter's role is also better and more interesting in this book than in the movie.
Ultimately a great book to (re)read. And likely it is even better if you remember the times in which the book takes place but that is not a requirement; though technological improvements might make some people wonder how or why certain things were possible (as even mobile phones would have had a huge impact on the story, if they'd existed in their current abundance).

[Robert Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack Ryan

I’m not the biggest fan, this and the previous Jack Ryan books started off really slow, but once they pick up speed, you cannot put the book down. I will most certainly read the rest of the Jack Ryan series.

[Ryan O'Hare · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a foundational brick of the Jack Ryan series. We meet "Ding Chavez" and learn more about "Mr. Clark.

[Randy Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give it 5 but too much language for my liking

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

listened

[John A. Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favourite Clancy book – good to see it on Kindle as my paperback fell apart.
With Ryan’s boss and mentor gravely ill, Jack is thrust into the role of Deputy Director (Intelligence), but there are those who think he is moving too fast. In the Gulf of Mexico, a cartel hit-squad are sent after a money-launderer caught skimming. The head of a powerful cartel learns about the upcoming visit of the FBI director and takes dramatic action with unexpected consequences. Despite his new role, Ryan knows little of the events in Colombia, but when he finds out, he has to act.
I really do like this – the plot reminds me a little of The Cobra by Frederick Forsyth but predates that book by more than a decade. I am sure it is an idea some would support but Clancy does a good job of showing it is not as easy as it sounds. A somewhat different ending to the film, but then the film did not capture the depth of the 1000-page book.