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This is going to be my first Tom Clancy novel I have read. From the reviews I see that the book isn't too good. Should I start Tom Clancy novels with another book?
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The Bear and the Dragon,
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Jonathan
Nearly all the characters are recycled from previous books. He tries to cram 25 different featured characters together with virtually no character development. If you read it first you'll get the impression that Clancy is just a shallow writer who leans on lazy stereotypes and political tropes.
I'd definitely recommend "Hunt for Red October" as a first read, or "Red Storm Rising" if you prefer the large-scale war story. If you read Clancy's good books first then at least you'll have a more nuanced view of him as a writer before you get to the poorly written stuff.
I'd definitely recommend "Hunt for Red October" as a first read, or "Red Storm Rising" if you prefer the large-scale war story. If you read Clancy's good books first then at least you'll have a more nuanced view of him as a writer before you get to the poorly written stuff.
Alex Shrugged
I found the book to be excellent, but it is the culmination of many story lines begun years before. For this particular thread (the one leading up to "The Bear and the Dragon") I would read "Debt of Honor", Executive Orders", "Rainbow Six" (optional) , and then "The Bear and the Dragon".
Janagan
It is my favorite one, but it is the last of the original series. If you want to read both Jack Ryan/John Clark Universe's books, it goes Without Remorse, Patriot Games, Red Rabbit, The Hunt for Red October, The Cardinal of the Kremlin, Clear and Present Danger, The Sum of All Fears, Debt of Honor, Executive Orders, Rainbow Six, and the Bear and the Dragon.
Adam
Probably way too late to respond, but start with Patriot Games and work from there. Don't miss Red October, skip Red Rabbit. And don't waste your time with this book.
Katherine Leduc
This is part of the Jack Ryan series. It will stand alone but you may want to start closer to the to the beginning of the series with Patriot Games or Red Rabbit. The remainder of the series in internal time order; Hunt for Red October, Cardinal of the Kremlin, Clear and Present Danger, Sum of All Fears, Debt of Honor, Executive Orders. there are two that follow the Bear and the Dragon that I have not yet read. These are Command Authority and Full Force and Effect.
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