By the most amazing of coincidences, I was in the middle of this book on September 11, 2001.  After so far reading that a plane had crashed into the Pentagon, and that there was a Middle Eastern conspiracy to spread disease througout America, was I reading the most timely book in the world, or what?
I liked this book very much.  I just gave Stephen King's "Black House" a negative review because it was a long novel that didn't go very far very fast.  This is a very long novel, and it held me the whole way.
Primarily, there's the basic story of the plot to attack America.  As we all know, crashing a plane into a public building is not as far-fetched as one would have thought.  And neither is the idea of spreading disease as a terrorist act.  Yes, the good guys eventually win, at a price, and how our country goes about it is riveting.
Then there's the issue of handling the Muslim religion.  Yes, the rules of the religion are in total contrast to how many of their followers interpret it.  Yes, many of the faith "officially" decree that these tactics are terrible.  But is there any other religion in the world that has so many leaders sanction the violence that is happening in the world?  A recent poll indicates that a large part of the Muslim world approves of the way things are being done.  This book explores this world very well.
Finally, there is a more human part of the story that's interesting.  What would you do if you were suddenly, and totally unexpectedly made President of the United States?  This is the role laid on Jack Ryan, and the everyday life changes he has to undergo while handling the crisis really flesh out the book.  It's very revealing that the most powerful man in the world has many of his freedoms taken away, and is very possibly spied upon twenty-four hours a day by the people in charge of keeping our country secure.
I've yet to read a bad Tom Clancy novel.
By the most amazing of coincidences, I was in the middle of this book on September 11, 2001. After so far reading that a plane had crashed into the Pentagon, and that there was a Middle Eastern conspiracy to spread disease througout America, was I reading the most timely book in the world, or what? I liked this book very much. I just gave Stephen King's "Black House" a negative review because it was a long novel that didn't go very far very fast. This is a very long novel, and it held me the whole way. Primarily, there's the basic story of the plot to attack America. As we all know, crashing a plane into a public building is not as far-fetched as one would have thought. And neither is the idea of spreading disease as a terrorist act. Yes, the good guys eventually win, at a price, and how our country goes about it is riveting. Then there's the issue of handling the Muslim religion. Yes, the rules of the religion are in total contrast to how many of their followers interpret it. Yes, many of the faith "officially" decree that these tactics are terrible. But is there any other religion in the world that has so many leaders sanction the violence that is happening in the world? A recent poll indicates that a large part of the Muslim world approves of the way things are being done. This book explores this world very well. Finally, there is a more human part of the story that's interesting. What would you do if you were suddenly, and totally unexpectedly made President of the United States? This is the role laid on Jack Ryan, and the everyday life changes he has to undergo while handling the crisis really flesh out the book. It's very revealing that the most powerful man in the world has many of his freedoms taken away, and is very possibly spied upon twenty-four hours a day by the people in charge of keeping our country secure. I've yet to read a bad Tom Clancy novel.