Another Riveting Jack Ryan Novel

Tom Clancy puts you on the edge of your seat as you plough through each paragraph of this fast-paced page-turner of a novel. As always, this writer makes the reader think, and in regards to this particular topic, the fears are all too real. This well-written novel plays out a terrifying scenario of what may happen to the world if people begin to push buttons that should be left alone.

America Was Attacked. Who Did It?

A terrorist attack on the United States is a sensitive topic, especially after 9/11, and this is exactly what this book is about. The story takes place in the late 1990s as the world is steadily emerging from the Cold War. Jack Ryan, our hero, is busy negotiating some kind of solution to the conflict between the Israelis and the Arabs as the highly unlikeable president of the United States is busy with abundantly corrupt political scheming. Behind the scenes, a new terrorist group, consisting of Palestinians and radical East Germans, are plotting a way to rekindle animosity between the United States and Russia. The idea is not to pick a fight with either superpower, but instead to get them riled up with each other.

Incidentally, this book was written about a decade before the tragedy of 9/11 happened in 2001. Even now, almost two decades later, fears of something similar or worse taking place continue to plague America and the world.

A Rollercoaster Ride

Although this is one of Tom Clancy’s longer books, every single page is needed to get through the many storylines. It is quite incredible how he manages to get into so much detail without dropping the ball for a minute, and keeping it credible all the way. The Sum of All Fears is entertaining and contains a great mix of politics and technology while also keeping the action alive. Unless you’re the kind of reader who shies away from too much detail, this novel ticks all the boxes of what is typically deemed as a ‘good read.’ What makes it a great read is that it touches on real issues experienced by real countries in current times.

A Nail-Biting Finish

As Clancy keeps readers on their toes wondering what the bad guys are going to get up to and how the good guys are going to stop it (if they can), the anticipation builds until the very end, which is no less than hair-raising. The plot comes together in the last 2 pages and it is all action, as it often is towards the end of a typical Clancy novel. If you’re into political thrillers that are relatively easy to read but don’t skimp on details, this is definitely worth a read. And, if you’re interested in what’s going on politically between Russia and the United States and the roles other countries may play in this dynamic, you can’t miss this one.