The only connection I have ever had with Tom Clancy was playing the Rainbow Six video game.i wasnt a real book worm and usually stuck to John Grisham if I decided to read.now that I am on holiday and had so much free time on my hands the decision to pick up a Tom Clancy just came out of no where.Hunt For Red October caught my eye as it was an unusual title.the next thing that got my attention was what I read behind the book.’’Submarines’’, with an uncle retired from the navy I did have a tiny knowledge of some of the details about the navy.since those video games were great and addictive I decided to give his books a chance and had the same results as that of the video games.
Characters
Jack Ryan-An Information Analyst for the CIA, now currently working in joint operations with Mi-6.
Capt Marko Ramius-Captain of the soviet submarine named the ’’Red October’’
Capt Bart Mancuso-Captain aboard the submarine the ’’USS Dallas’’
Ronald Jones-Sonarman aboard the ’’USS Dallas’’.
(the characters mentioned above are the the main characters who are present in the major part of the story)
An Insight-
the period that we are given a picture of are the years close the end of the cold war.at that time espionage and secret agents were running rampant between the Soviet Union and the United States Of America.The Soviets had just built a new a new submarine, designed to carry nuclear warheads. it was bigger than most missile subs and it had one secret that just could enable it to be almost invincible.Jack Ryan the information analyst for the CIA, through his agents in the Soviet Union has managed to acquire photographs of the new submarine while it was being built.built a little bigger but almost like any other soviet submarine there was something unusual about its hull.
more reasearch into that matter brought out the fact that the Soviets had just created a new drive system for the boat which was so quiet that it could be undetected by any normal submarine sonar.the drive system was nicknamed ’’Caterpillar’’ by its inventors.Captain Marko Ramius son of the famous political personality and war hero Aleksander Ramuis had a new found hate for the Rodina(motherland) and the reasons were personal.Being one of the finest submarine captains with an amazing success record Marko was assigned Command of the Soviet’s new pride ’’The Red October’’.but then things go terribly wrong for the soviets.as soon as the sub set sail captain Ramius and his fellow officers who also had a grudge against the Rodina decide to defect without the crew having any knowledge of this. as soon as the soviets find out, every one of their attack submarines including ships are sent out to hunt the Red October.meanwhile this information has reached the president of the United States and now is interested in capturing the submarine without the Soviets having any clue to them taking it.
The USS Dallas along with the American and the Co-operation of british fleets too hunt for this mysterious submarine.the Soviets have orders to bring her back or sink her so that the sub does not fall into enemy hands and the americans have orders to capture the ship and bring it home.it is a race between the two super powers which could almost push them to the brink of war.
The Book’s Affect-
The Hunt For Red October ws Tom Clancy’s first ever novel to hit the shelves and the same time become a world wide number one best seller. even though technical details are used in the book which might be a little baffling , the story is what keeps you glued to the book.the suspense is brought out very well and will have you clenching your teeth as you read through the book.each chapter is seperated in different scenarios in different locations and it gives you the feeling of a running movie in your head.suspense is the greatest affect that this book can bring out and will have turning pages until someone finally tell you put down that book and do something else.
compared to some books where the scene changes without and brakes can get you a little lost at times.the author of this book has taken the trouble to give you an indentification to notify a change in scene.so if you get lost just turn back a few pages to read that title and your back on track.
My Thoughts-
the books was a good read, but the technical details can be a little difficult to get a hold off in the beginning.it took me two or three reading to picture them and finally understand them before I could proceed with the rest of the story.i loved the plot and suspense kept me glued to the book.plots, lies, conspiracies will have you engrossed until you reach the last page.