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Tom Clancy's Op-Center #7
Divide and Conquer
The latest volume in the acclaimed series of high-tech, high-action thrillers.In his position as head of Op-Centre - the National Crisis Management Centre in Washington - Paul Hood has handled emergencies around the world. Now he is facing a potential disaster much closer to home. For the US President - the man with the most demanding job in the world - is cracking up under the pressure.Hood has also received disturbing reports about growing tension between Iran and the former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan over Caspian Sea oil. Alarmingly, it appears that someone with their own agenda within the US State Department is plotting to start a war by sending a secret team of agents to blow up a Caspian oil rig and laying the blame on the Iranians.With the increasingly disoriented President sidelined, Hood must act fast. His only hope is to join forces with his counterpart in Russia's own Op-Centre in a desperate attempt to avert the crisis in the Caspian - and to root out the rogue elements within the US Government who are threatening to bring down the President.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published June 12, 2000
226 people are currently reading
1570 people want to read
About the author
Tom Clancy
977 books9,095 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 - 30 of 60 reviews
February 10, 2019
Conspiracies abound in Washington and Azerbaijan as powerful political figures in the former hope events in the latter will change the nation and the world. Divide and Conquer is the seventh book of the Op-Center series written, and acknowledged, by Jeff Rovin as the newly returned Op-Center Director Paul Hood who is dealing with the aftermath of his daughter’s ordeal and the dissolution of marriage finds himself attempting to stop events political and diplomatic from spiraling out of control.
In Baku, Azerbaijan a CIA operative is knocked unconscious by the terrorist The Harpooner who injects the operative with a virus before joining his team of Iranians to set up and destroy an Iranian oil rig so as to blame the Azerbaijani. The CIA operative goes to the U.S. Embassy and meets the local CIA officer and officer from Moscow when he falls sick resulting in his two colleagues are assassinated by a rogue NSA agent and one of The Harpooner’s contacts. Meanwhile Paul Hood meets with the First Lady about President Lawrence who seems to not be himself, but a clue from the night before results in Op-Center finding something going on with the head of the NSA especially since he was secretly meeting with the Iranian U.N. mission. Hood then learns about The Harpooner in Baku and calls his Russian counterpart to work to capture the terrorist, but the murder of the two CIA agents result in the Russian Op-Center getting an undercover agent to save the sick CIA operative who is recovering. The two agents then track down The Harpooner and kill him. Just then Hood and his team have found evidence that the Vice President and the Chief of Staff along with the NSA head have been giving the President false information so as to use the crisis in Caspian to force him to resign. With the First Lady, Hood forces his way into the Situation Room and confront the conspirators though to a stalemate until the NSA head gets a call from a secure phone in The Harpooner’s possession from the recovering CIA operative. Though the Vice President attempts keep his office, Lawrence forces him to resign along with his two co-conspirators.
Released in 2000, Divide and Conquer was a product of its time with an insider conspiracy against a sitting U.S. President. The background of the Lawrence administration, which is retconned from Op-Center, and events in Washington were the major downfall of this book. First Rovin apparently forgets the 22nd Amendment on term limits, Lawrence has won 3 of the 4 elections he was in, and fails to set up Hood connection with the First Lady in the previous six books. Second, how the conspirators misinform the President is unlikely to happen since in real life they wouldn’t be able to do it and at no time were the Secretaries of State and Defense around especially in the Situation Room. Add on top of this is the poor editing throughout the book especially in regards to the capitalization of titles, i.e. Vice president, and Paul Hood giving The Harpooner’s actual name when no intelligence agency in the world actually knows it. However, I will give Rovin credit for the well written events and characters in and around Baku as well as the Russian Op-Center which are the most believable in the book along with subtle setup for the next book in the series.
Divide and Conquer is a mishmash of good and really bad but unlike previous books there is no intriguing plot for Jeff Rovin to underperform in writing. If anything of the two arcs in the book’s plot, it’s the one that doesn’t include the titular institution and main character that is better written in story and characters. Although this is a different issue than previous books, it keeps up the generally underwhelming quality of this series.
In Baku, Azerbaijan a CIA operative is knocked unconscious by the terrorist The Harpooner who injects the operative with a virus before joining his team of Iranians to set up and destroy an Iranian oil rig so as to blame the Azerbaijani. The CIA operative goes to the U.S. Embassy and meets the local CIA officer and officer from Moscow when he falls sick resulting in his two colleagues are assassinated by a rogue NSA agent and one of The Harpooner’s contacts. Meanwhile Paul Hood meets with the First Lady about President Lawrence who seems to not be himself, but a clue from the night before results in Op-Center finding something going on with the head of the NSA especially since he was secretly meeting with the Iranian U.N. mission. Hood then learns about The Harpooner in Baku and calls his Russian counterpart to work to capture the terrorist, but the murder of the two CIA agents result in the Russian Op-Center getting an undercover agent to save the sick CIA operative who is recovering. The two agents then track down The Harpooner and kill him. Just then Hood and his team have found evidence that the Vice President and the Chief of Staff along with the NSA head have been giving the President false information so as to use the crisis in Caspian to force him to resign. With the First Lady, Hood forces his way into the Situation Room and confront the conspirators though to a stalemate until the NSA head gets a call from a secure phone in The Harpooner’s possession from the recovering CIA operative. Though the Vice President attempts keep his office, Lawrence forces him to resign along with his two co-conspirators.
Released in 2000, Divide and Conquer was a product of its time with an insider conspiracy against a sitting U.S. President. The background of the Lawrence administration, which is retconned from Op-Center, and events in Washington were the major downfall of this book. First Rovin apparently forgets the 22nd Amendment on term limits, Lawrence has won 3 of the 4 elections he was in, and fails to set up Hood connection with the First Lady in the previous six books. Second, how the conspirators misinform the President is unlikely to happen since in real life they wouldn’t be able to do it and at no time were the Secretaries of State and Defense around especially in the Situation Room. Add on top of this is the poor editing throughout the book especially in regards to the capitalization of titles, i.e. Vice president, and Paul Hood giving The Harpooner’s actual name when no intelligence agency in the world actually knows it. However, I will give Rovin credit for the well written events and characters in and around Baku as well as the Russian Op-Center which are the most believable in the book along with subtle setup for the next book in the series.
Divide and Conquer is a mishmash of good and really bad but unlike previous books there is no intriguing plot for Jeff Rovin to underperform in writing. If anything of the two arcs in the book’s plot, it’s the one that doesn’t include the titular institution and main character that is better written in story and characters. Although this is a different issue than previous books, it keeps up the generally underwhelming quality of this series.
December 26, 2020
Great story line and engaging characters. Time to was the next in the series.
January 10, 2023
This was my first Op-Center novel, so I am coming into the middle of a series. It took some time to get up to speed on the characters but once I did it was great. Good characters and a good plot. I enjoyed this one a lot
July 9, 2019
I thought I was getting a Tom Clancy novel--whom I don't think I've ever read--but no. This was so laughably bad. Of course Muslims are the bad guys. Then, the main character references an episode in which his teenage daughter was kidnapped, he rescued her, and his wife resented that he wasn't home caring for her, so she left him. Anybody who'd write such a stupid female character does not get my time.
September 4, 2013
I enjoy books from the Op-Center series. They are a step below technically from Tom Clancy's main books. But for that reason, they are more understandable to me. This book had a very unique plot and kept me turning the pages to find out how it would end.
March 17, 2012
Scariest thing about this story is, with tensions high between the U.S. and Iran, this book could almost serve as a warning. Very intriguing story line, it kept me wanting to know what happens next.
November 23, 2022
Read as an audiobook performed by Michael Kramer about 8 hours. This is my first Op Center read and I understand that this is the 7th in the series. Paul Hood is a main character and much has happened in his life prior to this novel. Lots of political and spy action both U.S. and international as well as a very good overview of White House protocols and set-up. Perhaps, too much information for me to follow as a lot was packed into a relatively short (i.e. 8 hour listen) book. Nonetheless, a good story gets 4 stars from me.
April 11, 2023
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1 star = Did not finish / did not like
2 stars = Had trouble keeping attention to finish
3 stars = Good enjoyable book. A great way to spend my time.
4 stars = Couldn't set the book down. Engaging. Great Book.
Will likely reread when more of the series is released.
5 stars = (4 stars) plus such a good book I will re-read it periodically.
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August 29, 2019
Bit of a shock to discover NOT written by Tom Clancy (the authors name was tiny on my version!) so had low anticipation - turned out to be an enjoyable read, well written, great plot. Would have scored higher if the ending had been more dramatic versus an obvious intro for a sequel. Shame. Won’t read again or keep.
February 18, 2020
CC1
As always another excellent story. Paul proved his determined passion and for his country. Unfortunately because of the UN tragedy his marriage was over. But he already pretty much new that. It was both their fault. Now it was up to him to get right with his kids. Glad to see him and An get together just rewards!! 5 stars plus!!!Thanks, Carl Clause
As always another excellent story. Paul proved his determined passion and for his country. Unfortunately because of the UN tragedy his marriage was over. But he already pretty much new that. It was both their fault. Now it was up to him to get right with his kids. Glad to see him and An get together just rewards!! 5 stars plus!!!Thanks, Carl Clause
September 8, 2021
Ambitious politicians and NSA officials attempt a coup of the Executive Branch by gaslighting the president and bringing the US to the brink of war. Sharon finally files for divorce against Paul Hood. Ann Farris makes her move.
This one is an easy read, entertaining and satisfying, but not as complex as the usual Op Center installment.
This one is an easy read, entertaining and satisfying, but not as complex as the usual Op Center installment.
November 11, 2024
Aquesta sèrie de Tom Clancy ha millorat una mica respecte als primers llibres però no mereixen les 5 *, no estan tant mal escrits com els primers llibres i la tensió està, més o menys, boen portada, però no son gens creibles. Això, al meu entendre, els resta molts punts perquè siguin de 5 estrelles. En resum, si l’hagués de tornar a llegir, no ho faria.
February 25, 2018
I enjoyed this Op-Center Novel. Just the right balance of twists; and it also has left hook for more in the next novel. The new characters were interesting and add just the right amount of back ground detail. I am looking forward to the next novel "Lines of Control Op-Center, #8"
April 2, 2019
I thought this book was amazing. I got a behind the scenes look at what goes on in the government and overseas operations. The characters really come to life in the story, which made me want to read even more!
August 29, 2020
I had read the first 5 in the series years ago, and then went back and read the first one a couple months back, but enjoyed this series and this one also good. The move thing about this series is so many characters on the team that there is usually a few good threads going. On at the same time.
February 9, 2025
The Op Center crew helps go after a most-wanted terrorist and save the US President from a plot to overthrow him. Using their friends in Russia, the terrorist is caught. This help reveal the connection to the NSA, who was key in the plot to overthrow the US government. Great listen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2025
Good addition to the series. MUCH better than Shadow State and Defense Protocol. Not a whole lot of action, but enough. Quick read. Complete plot. A few twists, but a few obvious situations. Looking forward to Line of Control.
August 21, 2017
Awesome
Great book, couldn't put it down, page after page of excitement. Such a great series of books recommend all of them
Great book, couldn't put it down, page after page of excitement. Such a great series of books recommend all of them
May 24, 2018
More politics and hunting down assassins as well as preventing a coup than the other technothriller genre that Clancy and his associates like.
June 12, 2018
This was by far the best Op Center book in the series so far. I enjoyed all the story lines and I like the teasers for the next book.
November 25, 2018
This book can't be put down once the plot thickens. A really fast paced political/espionage thriller.
August 12, 2019
This book is actually fabulous
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
August 3, 2020
Good action
Good narrative keeps you engaged. Hard to put down. Recommended to fans of spy mystery thrillers. Continues in the tradition of OpCenter reads.
Good narrative keeps you engaged. Hard to put down. Recommended to fans of spy mystery thrillers. Continues in the tradition of OpCenter reads.
February 6, 2021
Op Center books are ok just all seemed rushed compared to the Jack Ryan series.
March 20, 2021
It’s boring. Waste of time. May be I won't read any other Op-Center.
May 30, 2022
Booring
The story line drug on at times and I did not feel Tom Clancy in it, but it was interesting
The story line drug on at times and I did not feel Tom Clancy in it, but it was interesting
January 4, 2023
I enjoy the Tom Clancy series.
This one travels to Azerbaijan and Russia. Since I was stationed nearby, I enjoyed what the book included as facts strung together in the story.
Enjoy!
This one travels to Azerbaijan and Russia. Since I was stationed nearby, I enjoyed what the book included as facts strung together in the story.
Enjoy!
Read
October 14, 2024Entertaining Throughout
Nice flow and continuity. Author kept several fronts going at once without losing the audience. 👍 Definately worth the read.
Nice flow and continuity. Author kept several fronts going at once without losing the audience. 👍 Definately worth the read.
November 24, 2024
Another fun read, this time it’s an attempted coup. Rinse repeat. Still fun stories with good characters, I’ll stick with the series until that changes and so far it hasn’t.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews