This is one of the best books of Tom Clancy. It’s another Jack Ryan thriller encompassing the world of politics, economy, stock markets, warfare, diplomacy, and espionage, et all.
The plot of story is of gigantic proportions and the whole world is the backdrop.
Jack Ryan the projection of Tom Clancy himself, is as usual the hero literally as well as metaphorically.
Ryan after having quit CIA-analyst job, is on a sabbatical, but is called back by President and is appointed National Security Advisor. Soon the hell starts breaking loose. Everything that could go wrong, does go wrong, everything that can happen, does happen, and the very existence of the United States as the lone Global power is at stake.
In the middle of it all is Jack Ryan, the multi-purpose, multi-skilled, intelligent, resourceful and know-all, Mr.Fix-it who does manage to do a lot of things, and reach a great position! (suspense!).
Japan heading for an economic crisis has an abrupt change of leadership which is anti- American and very ambitious. US has a run on the stock-markets & banks, there is a run on the US dollar, economy is sliding into worst ever crisis.
Russia is bankrupt, is sold-out to Japanese who have secretly sold it out to the Chinese.
India is on an expansionist drive and the Navy is preparing to annex SriLanka with the collusion of Japanese.
Japan invades and takes over an American Island (which once was Japanese)
Cripple a couple of US carriers and subs, and announces deployment of Nuclear Missiles!
American Vice-President is involved in a sex-scandal and refuses to go, wants to corner the President to cut a deal. An accident wipes out half of US leadership. World is on the brink of another great war…..What more excitement can you ask for!
Jack Ryan with help of a few talented and resourceful people manages to defuse the crisis beautifully. The story, narrative, plot, characterisation, technical detailing, back-up logic and the inside knowledge etc. are superb. The book makes an exciting reading and when you finish this 700+ page thriller in a marathon reading session, you feel great! Phew!
Everyone will heave a sigh of relief that no such thing has happened so far