After reading a bunch of dense, complex literary classics, I've been looking for a major change of pace towards something easier and more "fun". I used to be a big Tom Clancy (RIP) fan back in my youth and had devoured most of the early Jack Ryan/John Clark books. He really started to fall off after Rainbow Six but I have fond memories of the late 80s/early 90s stuff.
Red Storm Rising, however, is one of the major works that I had never gotten around to. Mostly because at the time when I was in my Clancy phase, I was really just interested in the Jack Ryan stuff. I recently came across a used copy of it at a thrift store and decided to give it a go.
And man, I've really been sleeping on this one because after devouring it over the course of a week, I think this just might be Clancy's best work, along with Without Remorse. It is the best encapsulation of what Clancy really excels in, which is the rigorous, grounded technical detail of a "what if" military situation. Although on paper it's dated as it takes place in the 80s and deals with a conflict with the USSR, in practice it's still a thrilling read because of a) the aforementioned technical detail and comprehensive research on how such a scenario would play out from a logistical standpoint and b) due to recent events in which Russia is being a bit of a dick to its neighbouring countries.
Although it's a chunky doorstopper, the book is paced really well, with some pretty amazing military action set pieces sprinkled throughout. These have always been Clancy's bread and butter, and they're probably at their best here.
With that being said – Clancy is still Clancy and his well-documented weaknesses are pretty evident here as well. The prose is functional at best and the characters aren't really anything to write home about – they mostly exist to move the plot along. Dialogue is perfunctory and workmanlike, and again, it mostly consists of people commenting on whatever military action is currently taking place or will take place. But really, I don't think anyone is reading Clancy expecting high art and any kind of profound literary merit.
Luckily though this book was before he went full right-wing rah-rah Murica the Best in the late 90s so politically speaking it doesn't feel as gross.
If you take it for what it is though – an extremely well-thought out and exhaustively researched War World III scenario with great action and attention to detail – it's a damn good read.
by keepfighting90
2 Comments
I completely agree with you about *Red Storm Rising*. It was one of those books that I couldn’t put down once I started. I was a little hesitant at first because I’m not usually into military fiction, but this one completely blew me away. The way Clancy builds the tension, not just between nations but also among the characters, is incredible. It’s so detailed and realistic that it almost feels like you’re reading a real-life account of a Cold War scenario. I remember reading it during a long road trip, and every time we stopped, I’d find myself wishing we were still driving just so I could read more.
What I loved most about it was how it didn’t just focus on the action. You get these amazing strategic battles, but there’s so much focus on the human side of things too—what the soldiers, sailors, and pilots are going through mentally. It’s a lot of heart, a lot of mind games, and a ton of tension, making it such a gripping experience. I’ve read some of Clancy’s other works, but this one is definitely one of my all-time favorites. Have you checked out any of his other books? I’d be curious to know if you think they hold up to *Red Storm Rising*.
Red Storm Rising is the one novel that is truly in the middle of Clancy’s wheelhouse.
You see, the thing about Tom is that I think he might be one of the GOATs of military writing – when he describes military operations, tactical movements, it is easy to follow, you understand what is going on, and he gives you enough context that even for people who aren’t very well versed in the military jargon can follow along and understand.
But he’s not exactly a world class, legendary writer because his clunky prose, his one note characters and his pacing often drag him down.
This is why a good rule of thumb is that the more fighting there is in a Tom Clancy novel, the better. The more conspiracy and politics, the worse it is.
A good analogy I would use for Tom Clancy is that he’s kinda like those 80s action stars – Muscle men who can lead a movie because they can do one or more of of: stunts, be very swole, martial arts, or look menacing. But the majority of them flop the moment they move out of their wheelhouse of films where they beat up armies of bad guys and tons of explosions.