Red Storm Rising and The Hunt For Red October Clancy, 2 volume, boxed set

by Tom Clancy

CARDINAL OF THE KREMLIN

Mikhail Filitov is a war hero and Red Army Colonel, but his CIA code name is "Cardinal." The U.S. and U.S.S.R. are negotiating a treaty while their espionage armies are locked in the ultimate struggle. What the Cardinal knows could change the course of history. what a maverick CIA man named Ryan must do is out-duel the KGB — and bring the Cardinal out alive!

CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER

The U.S. ambassador to Colombia has been murdered by druglords. Enemy covert agents filter into the jungles of Central America, which ready to explode. CIA man Jack Ryan is the eye of a storm — and for the U.S., the stakes have never been higher.

THE SUM OF ALL FEARS

Peace may finally be at hand in the Middle East — as Jack Ryan lays the groundwork for a plan that could end centuries of conflict. But ruthless terrorists have a final, desperate card to play; with one terrible act, distrust mounts, forces collide, and the floundering U.S. president seems unable to cope with the crisis.

Genres: Fiction

Paperback

First published November 1, 1987

About the author

Thomas Leo Clancy Jr. was an American novelist and military-political thriller pioneer. Raised in a middle-class Irish-American family, he developed an early fascination with military history. Despite initially studying physics at Loyola College, he switched to English literature, graduating in 1969 with a modest GPA. His aspirations of serving in the military were dashed due to severe myopia, leading him instead to a career in the insurance business.
While working at a small insurance agency, Clancy spent his spare time writing what would become The Hunt for Red October (1984). Published by the Naval Institute Press for an advance of $5,000, the book received an unexpected boost when President Ronald Reagan praised it as “the best yarn.” This propelled Clancy to national fame, selling millions of copies and establishing his reputation for technical accuracy in military and intelligence matters. His meticulous research and storytelling ability granted him access to high-ranking U.S. military officials, further enriching his novels.
Clancy’s works often featured heroic protagonists such as Jack Ryan and John Clark, emphasizing themes of patriotism, military expertise, and political intrigue. Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, he became one of the best-selling authors in America, with titles like Red Storm Rising (1986), Patriot Games (1987), Clear and Present Danger (1989), and The Sum of All Fears (1991) dominating bestseller lists. Several of these were adapted into commercially successful films.
In addition to novels, Clancy co-authored nonfiction works on military topics and lent his name to numerous book series and video game franchises, including Rainbow Six, Ghost Recon, and Splinter Cell. His influence extended beyond literature, as he became a part-owner of the Baltimore Orioles baseball team and was involved in various business ventures, including a failed attempt to purchase the Minnesota Vikings.
Politically, Clancy was a staunch conservative, often weaving his views into his books and publicly criticizing left-leaning policies. He gained further attention after the September 11 attacks, discussing intelligence failures and counterterrorism strategies on news platforms.
Clancy’s financial success was immense. By the late 1990s, his publishing deals were worth tens of millions of dollars. He lived on an expansive Maryland estate featuring a World War II Sherman tank and later purchased a luxury penthouse in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.
He was married twice, first to Wanda Thomas King, with whom he had four children, and later to journalist Alexandra Marie Llewellyn, with whom he had one daughter.
Tom Clancy passed away on October 1, 2013, at the age of 66 due to heart failure. His legacy endures through his novels, their adaptations, and the continuation of the Jack Ryan series by other writers.

Reviews

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've enjoyed most of Clancy's novels. Though I'm usually more interested in fiction that takes place at the individual level, rather than about nations and strategies, this one was quite good. Envisioning a plausible scenario in which a third world war might take place, Clancy brings us a believable, well-researched, and exciting tale. It has a vast scope, ranging effortlessly from one geopolitical region to another, and from one war theatre to another. All the while, Clancy never forgets that such affairs are carried out by individual human beings, and he brings his characters to life.

I have not read The Hunt for Red October, and so cannot comment on it, though I've heard from others that it is also a compelling read.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mock me is you will for liking this particular Tom Clancy offering, but God help me, I consider it my favorite book.

The scope and depth of all aspects of a world war, albeit an imaginary one, are breathtakingly explored in this epic novel.

I've probably read it over 15 times now, and each time I feel a sense of deep satisfaction when I turn that final page.

Well done, Mr. Clancy. Well done.

I'm no Clancy fanboi. This review is in reference to Red Storm Rising only. The Hunt for Red October was a bland and ponderous read.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book sucks you into a complex scenario of what a Cold-war era conventional war might be like. But it has some compelling characters and even love interests. It was too complex to ever be a Tom Clancy movie, but it's really an awesome book. The Hunt was his first big break through movie/book - loved both.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book so compelling that I was reading it until the wee small hours on a "school night". When he so chooses, Tom Clancy can make geo-political maneuvering intriguing and engrossing reading. I've read this book a couple of times, in fact. It's that good.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tom Clancy is a spellbinding storyteller who has become famous from movies made from some of his books. I've read a bunch of them, but this hugely adventurous book is one of the two best he has written to date. And it's rather unique in its setting in Iceland.

[Jmswtsn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two of the best books Clancy has written. I remember reading my first reading Red Storm Rising as a freshman in high school. From then on I had to read every Clancy book, until they started declining at the end of the Jack Ryan series.

[Julie H. Ernstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the book that launched the technothriller industry known as Clancy, Inc. It's a good one, and well worth reading. After a while the guy became a hack and, while they don't all merit reading, this one does.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic, a definite 5/5. Probably Tom Clancy's greatest creation ever. An action packed Jack Ryan novel (the first to be exact) about a Soviet Submarine Crew that attempts to defect to the U.S. with a brand new nuclear missile submarine! (Just finished Red Storm Rising though)

[Marjorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

a good read after schlogging thru the first 100 pages! I've read a couple others of his books and found the same think....my family (husband and sons) were insisting it was a good story, and urged me not to give up!!

[Trainreq · Rating 3 out of 5]

This appealed to the wargearhead in me, but coincidence is Clancy's middle name, and first. Jane's defense meets Kinkade.

[Liquid Frost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clancy at his best - in my humble opinion - RSR holds a special place as I was stationed in Iceland for 2 years. That made it quite easy to lose myself in the ol' "mind movie" while reading along.

[donnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Red Storm Rising one of the best from Tom Clancy, Love the switching between different battlefield,Detail extraordinary .

[Kevyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read Red Storm Rising 2 times my senior year in high school. During classes thank you very much! I learned that the USA rocks.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good one. Detailed and interesting.

[Zulfilee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good wartime book

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure why these two are combined. Red Storm Rising was good. Maybe not as great as some of Clancy's other works, but definitely worth a read.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this book back in the mid 80's. I recently re-read it and found the senior written about over 20 years ago is applicable today.

[Walter Herrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love everything Tom Clancy