"Patriot Games"

[Detritus]

a comment on Coonts

so far of all of coonts books the "intruder" books are the only one's i could get through. of course i'm also a big fan of Dale Brown (skipped "TinMan" though, when you start out writing aviation techno thrillers, STAY AWAY from "revenge of the cop's brother" type stories) the reason Coonts struck so close to home for many with the intruder books is he LIVED parts of them.

 

[benEzra]

All you guys who liked Red Storm Rising should read Larry Bond's stuff. He collaborated with Clancy on RSR. Vortex and Red Phoenix were incredible.

I read Red Phoenix for the first time a few months ago (picked it up for 50 cents at a yard sale). I'll never look at a map of the Koreas the same again. VERY convincing.

bE

 

[Dannyboy]

I'll never look at a map of the Koreas the same again. VERY convincing.

I know what you mean. I read Red Phoenix for the 1st time years ago but made the mistake of reading it again for the 4th or 5th time while I was stationed in Korea. It wasn't until after I finished it that it kind of hit me. It was a weird feeling.

 

[Cougar]

Clancy's 'Jack Ryan' series

I've read all of the books in the Clancy 'Jack Ryan' series. The whole reason I like this series is that much of the character development is carried from one book to the next in a chronological order. The Kelly/Clark character...Oso...Chaves...Mancuso...Robbie...Ryan himself... The books follow these guys as they go on through life and how they continually bump into one another. I try to read the whole series - in order - every winter, rather than gluing myself to the Tube.

The hatchet job that Hollyweird has done to the books it has already turned into films is really some of Clancy's doing. From what I have heard, he had signed away the movie rights to any existing and all future books in the series years ago, and now regrets ever doing so. Hollywood has butchered the books, changing the entire story in the one screenplay (like the major plot change as in Sum of All Fears) and killed off one of the main storyline characters (Dan Murray is killed off in the movie version of Clear and Present Danger) that will play a very important part in a later book (as FBI Director in Patriot Games especially). I really don't expect Clancy to continue writing any more books in this series for this reason. The movies are OK, I guess, for pure entertainment value when viewed individually, but lack the continuity from one to the next if taken as a whole. If I hadn't already read all of the books I would say that all of the movies were good. But after reading the books first, they're just o.k.. I suppose there is only so much development you can make in a two hour movie that is better explained in a 700 page book.

 

[goalie35]

I can't believe no one has mentioned Clear and Present Danger . I loved that book, and was outraged (but not surprised) to see the in-country soldiers get cut off just to save some politico a$$. Without Remorse had me all the way--who couldn't understand Kelly/Clark's reaction to losing a love to the narcotraffickers? Given his, uh, skills, the method makes sense.

That said, the one that scared me the most was The Sum of All Fears. I can easily believe some well-funded terror organization (Al-Queda is supposed to have megabucks) could lay hold of loose nukes, get one into the country, and trigger a full-scale nuclear exchange. Maybe I have too vivid an imagination, but it seems possible (however unlikely).

 

[sasnofear]

it was good, but unlikly that the IRA would go after a 'hard' instead of a 'soft' target. but it made 4 good movie watching so why not!

 

[12.7x99mm]

Ive been thinking about this lately

Lets say Clansy makes a movie of "With out Remorse"

Who would play Mr. Clark?

I like whats is face in Clear and present Danger in other rolls. (William DeFoe)

But he is not Mr. Clark in anyway.

And the guy in last one was ok. There has to be someone better.

 

[Dave R]

I'm surprised _Debt of Honor_ is not on more favorites lists. I agree that Red Storm Rising is the best of the bunch, but Debt of Honor is my choice as a strong 2nd. Excellent description of how a next-generation, limited war could be fought.

I hope those in charge of the upcoming Iraq engagement borrow some of those ideas...