Larry Bond

I first read Red Storm Rising 35 years ago, after being blown away by Hunt for Red October. I eagerly consumed each subsequent Tom Clancy novel until he pretty much ran out of things to write about, though, like Larry McMurtry, it didn’t stop him from churning out substandard offerings.

Having pretty much run through my reading list, I elected to go back and reread the early Clancy novels, to see if they were as good as I remembered. I skipped Hunt for Red October, because I’ve seen the movie a dozen times and began with Red Storm Rising.

Set in the 1980s Cold War, a domestic terrorist has destroyed the Soviet’s largest refinery and put its largest oil field out of production for many months, with potentially disastrous effects for the Soviet economy. Faced with this existential crisis, the Politburo elects to seize Middle Eastern oil fields, but first must destabilize NATO.

The novel follows the military and political machinations that follow. As everyone concedes, Clancy is extremely well educated and conversant on military systems and equipment. His scenarios are well presented and believable. If anything, Clancy becomes so technical and verbose in his explanation of military engagements, that the action itself tends to take a back seat.

I think that I originally gave this novel 5 stars. Upon reflection I would downgrade to 4 1/2 stars. A very good piece of work, but not the equal of a few of his others, in my opinion.… (lisätietoja)