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Full name Thomas L. Clancy Jr. (1947- ). American author of political thrillers heavily based on intelligence and military science concepts.

Whilst the literary merit of his books is disputed by many professional authors and reviewers (who regard Clancy's prose as pedestrian), most have been bestsellers. Fans of his work appreciate the well-thought-out plots and the attention to technical detail (helped by seemingly extensive contacts in the US military, perhaps encouraged by the uniformly favourable view of the American law enforcement and military communities portrayed in his work). The Hunt For Red October, Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger have been turned into commercially successful films.

In recent years, his novels have become more political, showcasing many of his conservative, pro-military and law-enforcement beliefs. In Executive Orders, his signature character Jack Ryan becomes President of the United States. Some Clancy fans have objected to this focus on politics rather than on the military subjects that his novels are famous for. Nevertheless, his books have continued to sell briskly.

Clancy has also written several nonfiction books about various branches of the US armed forces (see nonfiction, below.)

Books (fiction):

All but one of his 11 novels feature Jack Ryan and/or John Clark

• The Hunt For Red October -- Clancy's first novel. Jack Ryan helps Soviet missile sub captain defect -- with his sub!
• Red Storm Rising -- war between US and USSR (no Ryan or Clark)
• Patriot Games -- chronologically first apperance of Ryan -- who saves the Prince of Wales from terrorists
• The Cardinal of the Kremlin -- first appearance of John Clark -- secret anti-satellite lasers
• Clear and Present Danger -- drug war in Columbia -- Ryan and Clark finally meet; first appearance of Ding
• The Sum of All Fears -- Israel loses a nuke, which terrorists use to foment war between US and Soviets -- averted by Ryan in cliffhanger
• Without Remorse -- chronlogically first appearance of John Clark -- Vietnam flashbacks, how he became a CIA agent (no Ryan to speak of)
• Debt of Honor -- Clark and Ding help Ryan avert (win?) a war with Japan
• Executive Orders -- considered by many to be Clancy's masterpiece -- sequel to Debt of Honor in which a Japaneses pilot avenges his son's death by crashing a jetliner into the US Capitol, killing the entire Congress, Supreme Court, and all but two White House officials -- Ryan propelled into presidency -- survives press hazing, assassination attempts and biological warfare -- Clark and Ding trace the virus to a Middle Eastern madman -- did bin Laden read this book?
• Rainbow Six -- John Clark leads elite anti-terrorist unit and averts worldwide genocide attempt by environmental fanatics (no Jack Ryan)
• The Bear and The Dragon -- war between Russia and China

Books (non-fiction):

• Special Forces
• Submarine
• Armored Cav
• Airborne
• Marine
• Fighter Wing
• Into the Storm