content: I think I've read almost every Clancy book, including those he co-authored and co-created. Obviously I am a big fan of his. Unfortunately, this is one of the absolute worst books. Jack Ryan and the surrounding cast are quite one-dimensional. There is no sublety or complexity to either the "good" or "bad guys." On top of it all, the racial slurs and swearing coming out of every "good guys" mouth in practically every sentence is tiring and insulting. Sure, it captures the reality of US tension with China and some of the plot even seems prescient at times. Too bad it is so simplistically characterized. Come on Clancy, you are better than this. I was so disgusted, I considered foregoing any more Clancy novels if this one is indicative of what he is and will be producing - cranked out depth-less stories with tasteless characters in an effort to capitalize monetarily on his once good name.