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Jack Ryan, Jr. #5
Command Authority
Decades ago, when he was a young CIA analyst, President Jack Ryan, Sr. was sent on what was supposed to be a simple support mission to investigate the death of an operative who had been looking into suspicious banking activities at a Swiss bank. Ryan's dogged tenacity uncovered not only financial deceit, but also the existence of a KGB assassin, code-named Zenith. He was never able to find the killer. But in the shadowy world of covert operations, nothing stays hidden forever. In the present, a new strongman has emerged in the ever-chaotic Russian republic -- the enigmatic President Valeri Volodin. His rise to power was meteoric, but shrouded in deception and treachery. The foundations of his personal empire are built on a bloody secret from his past, and he will eliminate anyone who comes close to that truth. For he has set in motion a plot to return Russia to its former glory and might, with the rest of the world once again trembling in fear of the mighty Bear. When an old friend of the Ryans is poisoned by a radioactive agent, the trail leads to Russia. And Jack Ryan, Jr. -- aided by his compatriots John Clark and the covert warriors of the secretive Campus -- must delve into an international conflict thirty years in the making, and finish what his father started.
739 pages, Hardcover
First published August 25, 2015
242 people are currently reading
7,858 people want to read
About the author
Tom Clancy
890Ìýbooks8,756ÌýfollowersThomas Leo Clancy Jr. was an American novelist and military-political thriller pioneer. Raised in a middle-class Irish-American family, he developed an early fascination with military history. Despite initially studying physics at Loyola College, he switched to English literature, graduating in 1969 with a modest GPA. His aspirations of serving in the military were dashed due to severe myopia, leading him instead to a career in the insurance business.
While working at a small insurance agency, Clancy spent his spare time writing what would become The Hunt for Red October (1984). Published by the Naval Institute Press for an advance of $5,000, the book received an unexpected boost when President Ronald Reagan praised it as “the best yarn.� This propelled Clancy to national fame, selling millions of copies and establishing his reputation for technical accuracy in military and intelligence matters. His meticulous research and storytelling ability granted him access to high-ranking U.S. military officials, further enriching his novels.
Clancy’s works often featured heroic protagonists such as Jack Ryan and John Clark, emphasizing themes of patriotism, military expertise, and political intrigue. Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, he became one of the best-selling authors in America, with titles like Red Storm Rising (1986), Patriot Games (1987), Clear and Present Danger (1989), and The Sum of All Fears (1991) dominating bestseller lists. Several of these were adapted into commercially successful films.
In addition to novels, Clancy co-authored nonfiction works on military topics and lent his name to numerous book series and video game franchises, including Rainbow Six, Ghost Recon, and Splinter Cell. His influence extended beyond literature, as he became a part-owner of the Baltimore Orioles baseball team and was involved in various business ventures, including a failed attempt to purchase the Minnesota Vikings.
Politically, Clancy was a staunch conservative, often weaving his views into his books and publicly criticizing left-leaning policies. He gained further attention after the September 11 attacks, discussing intelligence failures and counterterrorism strategies on news platforms.
Clancy’s financial success was immense. By the late 1990s, his publishing deals were worth tens of millions of dollars. He lived on an expansive Maryland estate featuring a World War II Sherman tank and later purchased a luxury penthouse in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.
He was married twice, first to Wanda Thomas King, with whom he had four children, and later to journalist Alexandra Marie Llewellyn, with whom he had one daughter.
Tom Clancy passed away on October 1, 2013, at the age of 66 due to heart failure. His legacy endures through his novels, their adaptations, and the continuation of the Jack Ryan series by other writers.
While working at a small insurance agency, Clancy spent his spare time writing what would become The Hunt for Red October (1984). Published by the Naval Institute Press for an advance of $5,000, the book received an unexpected boost when President Ronald Reagan praised it as “the best yarn.� This propelled Clancy to national fame, selling millions of copies and establishing his reputation for technical accuracy in military and intelligence matters. His meticulous research and storytelling ability granted him access to high-ranking U.S. military officials, further enriching his novels.
Clancy’s works often featured heroic protagonists such as Jack Ryan and John Clark, emphasizing themes of patriotism, military expertise, and political intrigue. Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, he became one of the best-selling authors in America, with titles like Red Storm Rising (1986), Patriot Games (1987), Clear and Present Danger (1989), and The Sum of All Fears (1991) dominating bestseller lists. Several of these were adapted into commercially successful films.
In addition to novels, Clancy co-authored nonfiction works on military topics and lent his name to numerous book series and video game franchises, including Rainbow Six, Ghost Recon, and Splinter Cell. His influence extended beyond literature, as he became a part-owner of the Baltimore Orioles baseball team and was involved in various business ventures, including a failed attempt to purchase the Minnesota Vikings.
Politically, Clancy was a staunch conservative, often weaving his views into his books and publicly criticizing left-leaning policies. He gained further attention after the September 11 attacks, discussing intelligence failures and counterterrorism strategies on news platforms.
Clancy’s financial success was immense. By the late 1990s, his publishing deals were worth tens of millions of dollars. He lived on an expansive Maryland estate featuring a World War II Sherman tank and later purchased a luxury penthouse in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.
He was married twice, first to Wanda Thomas King, with whom he had four children, and later to journalist Alexandra Marie Llewellyn, with whom he had one daughter.
Tom Clancy passed away on October 1, 2013, at the age of 66 due to heart failure. His legacy endures through his novels, their adaptations, and the continuation of the Jack Ryan series by other writers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 815 reviews
December 12, 2020
Actual rating is 3.5 stars.
This is another book in the series and can be read as a stand alone. In this one, the leader of the Soviet Union wants to bring the nation back to its old ways and starts to invade other countries that were once under its rule. Meanwhile, we visit a time thirty years in the past when Jack was investigating funds that were missing from a Swiss bank that might have ties with the KGB.
The first half of this book was amazing as I loved the concept of the Soviet Union invading countries and how the world reacts to it. One thing that amazes me about a Tom Clancy novel is that he makes me care about these events more than I do in actual life. I end up caring about a trade pact between the Soviet Union and China. I have always admired how Clancy writes about fictional events and make them seem so real and once again that is the case in this book. The second half of the book was enjoyable but my interest did wane a little bit. I believe the problem was that this site has this listed as a Jack Ryan book. I would disagree with that as I believe this is more a Jack Ryan Jr. book instead with Jack Ryan as a supporting character. I haven't started the Jack Ryan Jr. books so I was a little lost with his character (I thought he was still a child) and his development. The b story with Jack Ryan wasn't the most exciting until the very end and it does tie in with the events of the main story. I did think this tie-in was a little anticlimactic though.
I have read that this was the last novel written before the author's death and it was finished by a different author. I can see that as I believe the second half did not hold my interest like the first half. I still liked this book but it isn't the best one in this series.
This is another book in the series and can be read as a stand alone. In this one, the leader of the Soviet Union wants to bring the nation back to its old ways and starts to invade other countries that were once under its rule. Meanwhile, we visit a time thirty years in the past when Jack was investigating funds that were missing from a Swiss bank that might have ties with the KGB.
The first half of this book was amazing as I loved the concept of the Soviet Union invading countries and how the world reacts to it. One thing that amazes me about a Tom Clancy novel is that he makes me care about these events more than I do in actual life. I end up caring about a trade pact between the Soviet Union and China. I have always admired how Clancy writes about fictional events and make them seem so real and once again that is the case in this book. The second half of the book was enjoyable but my interest did wane a little bit. I believe the problem was that this site has this listed as a Jack Ryan book. I would disagree with that as I believe this is more a Jack Ryan Jr. book instead with Jack Ryan as a supporting character. I haven't started the Jack Ryan Jr. books so I was a little lost with his character (I thought he was still a child) and his development. The b story with Jack Ryan wasn't the most exciting until the very end and it does tie in with the events of the main story. I did think this tie-in was a little anticlimactic though.
I have read that this was the last novel written before the author's death and it was finished by a different author. I can see that as I believe the second half did not hold my interest like the first half. I still liked this book but it isn't the best one in this series.
December 16, 2013
About two years ago I re-read all of Clancy's work after many years of liking it. After the re-reading a felt a little let down by his writing style as it felt very juvenile. It left me with the same feeling of re-watching an 80s movie I really liked back in the day and realising it was very cheesey.
But hats off to the late Clancy & Mark Greaney this book has a great storyline and is well told. Excellent work.
But hats off to the late Clancy & Mark Greaney this book has a great storyline and is well told. Excellent work.
December 3, 2013
A FAREWELL GIFT FROM THE KING OF TECHNO-THRILLER!
Jack Ryan, a former CIA agent, is now into his second term as the president of United States. His son, Jack Ryan Jr. is in England working as a financial analyst. When Russia seized the oil company of a Scottish billionaire on account of non-payment of taxes, Jack Jr. knew that something fishy was going on. Though advised not to pursue the matter, Jack Jr. decides to investigate and get to the bottom of it.
During a luncheon with President Ryan, a Russian friend and former FSB agent is poisoned by a radioactive agent. Though a clear set up, Russia accused the CIA’s hand in the poisoning and started rolling its war tanks and planes. When NATO forces foiled Russia’s bid to conquer Estonia, Russia turned south to the Ukraine and the autonomous territory of Crimea, with the plan to go as far as Kiev. Valeri Volodin, the Russian president is determined to restore the past glory of the nation, and put Russia in the forefront of the nations of the world. The Russian president wields enormous clout and is bent on upstaging the United States. With the money earned from gas and oil export being funneled into various shady organizations, he is also keen to steer Russia back to the Old Way. Roman Talanov, the head of the Russian secret service FSB, is the right-hand man of President Valeri. They are determined to establish Russian hegemony in the region.
President Ryan knows that the US cannot intervene as Ukraine is not a NATO member. And Russia would face little opposition from the small Ukrainian forces. He must find a way to stop the Russian invasion, and time is running out. In the course of his investigation Jack Jr. stumbles onto a decades old case. It was a case President Ryan investigated thirty years ago when he was a CIA operative in London. It is a startling connection, a case that involves a KGB assassin, code-named Zenith. Jack Jr. is determined to unearth the mystery as it will enable President Ryan to counter President Valeri Volodin, without resorting to violent means avoiding a global conflict.
Command Authority by Tom Clancy with Mark Greaney is a full-throttle all-action political adventure-thriller which is highly entertaining. It commands your attention, and though you have an idea of how it is going to end you keep on holding tight. Clancy, in a way, is brutal with his characters. He is not afraid to toss them out, however important they may be, except Ryan. His creativity is quite a marvel. One of the most important factors that contributed to the success of his books is his painstaking and meticulous research of his subjects. His attention to details, which are without errors, is impeccable. His characters are well defined, the actions thick and fast and the dialogues engaging. Clancy has managed to reach out to all strata of society with his brand of books.
-----------------------------------------
A TRIBUTE TO THOMAS LEO “TOM� CLANCY, JR!
It is hard to imagine that we will no more read from Tom Clancy, who died Tuesday, October 1, 2013 of an undisclosed illness in his hometown of Baltimore. Command Authority, which you are holding in your hands, is his last gift to us his devoted fans worldwide. His untimely demise is an irreparable loss. He will be missed!
His rise to fame was not an easy one. It was a path strewn with obstacles and rejections. Yet, he rose like the proverbial phoenix, shining brightly among the stars to become one among the few to hit #1 with all his 17 books on the New York Times bestseller list.
Yet, when it all began in 1984, Clancy couldn’t find any established publisher. He had to settle for the small and hitherto unknown Naval Institute Press to publish his cold war thriller “The Hunt For Red October,� which was the first fiction they published. He was paid a meager $5000 for the book. Clancy’s gripping plot and mastery of technical details made it a massive bestseller. It was made into a smash hit movie starring Sean Connery and Alec Baldwin. He went on to write 17 others, several of which were also made into blockbuster movies.
Tom Clancy may be no more but he will continue to live on through the characters he created, especially Jack Ryan, and the books he wrote. He gave the world a genre called techno-thriller, of which he was the undisputed king, and his name will live on as long as the genre lives.
It is difficult to say goodbye to someone who gave you so much thrill and entertainment for the past nearly-thirty years. But it must be said! Goodbye, and adieu � Thomas Leo “Tom� Clancy, Jr. (April 12, 1947 � October 1, 2013) R.I.P.
Jack Ryan, a former CIA agent, is now into his second term as the president of United States. His son, Jack Ryan Jr. is in England working as a financial analyst. When Russia seized the oil company of a Scottish billionaire on account of non-payment of taxes, Jack Jr. knew that something fishy was going on. Though advised not to pursue the matter, Jack Jr. decides to investigate and get to the bottom of it.
During a luncheon with President Ryan, a Russian friend and former FSB agent is poisoned by a radioactive agent. Though a clear set up, Russia accused the CIA’s hand in the poisoning and started rolling its war tanks and planes. When NATO forces foiled Russia’s bid to conquer Estonia, Russia turned south to the Ukraine and the autonomous territory of Crimea, with the plan to go as far as Kiev. Valeri Volodin, the Russian president is determined to restore the past glory of the nation, and put Russia in the forefront of the nations of the world. The Russian president wields enormous clout and is bent on upstaging the United States. With the money earned from gas and oil export being funneled into various shady organizations, he is also keen to steer Russia back to the Old Way. Roman Talanov, the head of the Russian secret service FSB, is the right-hand man of President Valeri. They are determined to establish Russian hegemony in the region.
President Ryan knows that the US cannot intervene as Ukraine is not a NATO member. And Russia would face little opposition from the small Ukrainian forces. He must find a way to stop the Russian invasion, and time is running out. In the course of his investigation Jack Jr. stumbles onto a decades old case. It was a case President Ryan investigated thirty years ago when he was a CIA operative in London. It is a startling connection, a case that involves a KGB assassin, code-named Zenith. Jack Jr. is determined to unearth the mystery as it will enable President Ryan to counter President Valeri Volodin, without resorting to violent means avoiding a global conflict.
Command Authority by Tom Clancy with Mark Greaney is a full-throttle all-action political adventure-thriller which is highly entertaining. It commands your attention, and though you have an idea of how it is going to end you keep on holding tight. Clancy, in a way, is brutal with his characters. He is not afraid to toss them out, however important they may be, except Ryan. His creativity is quite a marvel. One of the most important factors that contributed to the success of his books is his painstaking and meticulous research of his subjects. His attention to details, which are without errors, is impeccable. His characters are well defined, the actions thick and fast and the dialogues engaging. Clancy has managed to reach out to all strata of society with his brand of books.
-----------------------------------------
A TRIBUTE TO THOMAS LEO “TOM� CLANCY, JR!
It is hard to imagine that we will no more read from Tom Clancy, who died Tuesday, October 1, 2013 of an undisclosed illness in his hometown of Baltimore. Command Authority, which you are holding in your hands, is his last gift to us his devoted fans worldwide. His untimely demise is an irreparable loss. He will be missed!
His rise to fame was not an easy one. It was a path strewn with obstacles and rejections. Yet, he rose like the proverbial phoenix, shining brightly among the stars to become one among the few to hit #1 with all his 17 books on the New York Times bestseller list.
Yet, when it all began in 1984, Clancy couldn’t find any established publisher. He had to settle for the small and hitherto unknown Naval Institute Press to publish his cold war thriller “The Hunt For Red October,� which was the first fiction they published. He was paid a meager $5000 for the book. Clancy’s gripping plot and mastery of technical details made it a massive bestseller. It was made into a smash hit movie starring Sean Connery and Alec Baldwin. He went on to write 17 others, several of which were also made into blockbuster movies.
Tom Clancy may be no more but he will continue to live on through the characters he created, especially Jack Ryan, and the books he wrote. He gave the world a genre called techno-thriller, of which he was the undisputed king, and his name will live on as long as the genre lives.
It is difficult to say goodbye to someone who gave you so much thrill and entertainment for the past nearly-thirty years. But it must be said! Goodbye, and adieu � Thomas Leo “Tom� Clancy, Jr. (April 12, 1947 � October 1, 2013) R.I.P.
September 16, 2021
Clancy again writes a terrific story starring Jack Ryan. While I read I watched it unfolding in my mind. His telling is graphic, detailed and easy to follow.
Unputdownable.
Unputdownable.
December 6, 2018
As much as I enjoyed Command Authority, it also saddened me to end it because this was the final book written by Tom Clancy, with the book being published posthumously when he passed away unfortunately, which saddened me greatly. Mr. Clancy captured the attention of many readers with his 1980's debut of The Hunt For Red October, and since then he made quite a name for himself. But even though Mr. Clancy has left us, I have a feeling we haven't yet seen the last of Mr. Jack Ryan, because I know since Clancy's passing, the series has continued by many various ghost-writers.
I was first introduced to Tom Clancy by playing the video games that had his name written on them, such as Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell, Rainbow Six, Ghost Recon, et cetera. And my first few books which I thought were originally written by him, such as the Op-Center series, Net Force, and Power Plays, but it turns out he was only the creator. And his work has inspired the video game series. But as I got older I jumped into the Jack Ryan Series, which I've loved since then!
When a longtime family friend of US President Jack Ryan is poisoned by a radioactive agent, the trail leads to Russia. The trail leads to a killer dating 30 years back, during Ryan's younger days as a CIA Analyst, where he was sent to investigate the death of an operative, only where he uncovered the existence of a KGB Assassin codenamed Zenith. But the killer is never found, and the case goes unsolved, until 30 years later.
Now in the present, Jack Ryan Jr. who decides to leave The Campus and the spotlight of the media, now resides in London working for a corporate analysis company. But Jack realizes he can't put the past behind him so easily. With his father fighting against Russia and her new President Valeri Volodin, who wants to return Russia to a new Soviet Union, and sets a plot in motion which took thirty years in the making. Meanwhile Jack Jr. teams back up with his old crew, John Clark, Ding Chavez, and Dominic Caruso to not only face an enemy with a grudge against the US, but find out what happened 30 years ago with his father!
An excellent final entry by Tom Clancy (even though the Ryan Saga continues). Note that the story goes back and fourth between the past and the present throughout, that's where you really have to stick with it. For a while, for me it was very hard to follow when they kept going back, I found myself getting lost, but in the end it all comes together!
RIP Mr. Tom Clancy, you are still missed to this day, but your imagination and creativity lives on in your books!!
I was first introduced to Tom Clancy by playing the video games that had his name written on them, such as Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell, Rainbow Six, Ghost Recon, et cetera. And my first few books which I thought were originally written by him, such as the Op-Center series, Net Force, and Power Plays, but it turns out he was only the creator. And his work has inspired the video game series. But as I got older I jumped into the Jack Ryan Series, which I've loved since then!
When a longtime family friend of US President Jack Ryan is poisoned by a radioactive agent, the trail leads to Russia. The trail leads to a killer dating 30 years back, during Ryan's younger days as a CIA Analyst, where he was sent to investigate the death of an operative, only where he uncovered the existence of a KGB Assassin codenamed Zenith. But the killer is never found, and the case goes unsolved, until 30 years later.
Now in the present, Jack Ryan Jr. who decides to leave The Campus and the spotlight of the media, now resides in London working for a corporate analysis company. But Jack realizes he can't put the past behind him so easily. With his father fighting against Russia and her new President Valeri Volodin, who wants to return Russia to a new Soviet Union, and sets a plot in motion which took thirty years in the making. Meanwhile Jack Jr. teams back up with his old crew, John Clark, Ding Chavez, and Dominic Caruso to not only face an enemy with a grudge against the US, but find out what happened 30 years ago with his father!
An excellent final entry by Tom Clancy (even though the Ryan Saga continues). Note that the story goes back and fourth between the past and the present throughout, that's where you really have to stick with it. For a while, for me it was very hard to follow when they kept going back, I found myself getting lost, but in the end it all comes together!
RIP Mr. Tom Clancy, you are still missed to this day, but your imagination and creativity lives on in your books!!
January 14, 2014
Thank you Tom Clancy for all the enjoyable hours of reading your work since 1984! The last one is among the best ones.It doesn't get better than Command Authority
February 3, 2014
I felt a sense of constant nostalgia as I read this book, Clancy's last (RIP Tom). I enjoyed the chronological device that Clancy used, going back in time to chronicle the young Jack Ryan's relationships with MI-6, MI-5 and the various and sundry Russians bent on destroying the West. I think he showed a little too much leg early on when Jack Ryan Junior was called off of his economic forensics work because of relationships that his boss had with the Russians. I have to admit though that I didn't see all of the plot twists and turns that Clancy treated us to in getting us to that point.
The Russian crime bosses felt real enough to me; I hope their ability to pull off shenanigans in the U.S. and Europe as portrayed in the book is limited, otherwise we're all in deep kimche.
Nice ending. Kept me on the edge of my seat throughout, and as we have come to expect with Mr Clancy's writing, the attention to detail and immersion into germane security/intelligence matters made me realize how much I am going to miss this voice.
The Russian crime bosses felt real enough to me; I hope their ability to pull off shenanigans in the U.S. and Europe as portrayed in the book is limited, otherwise we're all in deep kimche.
Nice ending. Kept me on the edge of my seat throughout, and as we have come to expect with Mr Clancy's writing, the attention to detail and immersion into germane security/intelligence matters made me realize how much I am going to miss this voice.
December 26, 2013
it is a little sad to Know that the man who created Jack Ryan, John Kelly/Clark and some of the best stories i have read is dead, but i must say the book was written just well enough to say good bye and maybe lead to some more for Junior through Mark Greenburg !! lets hope so
August 2, 2014
Greaney Commands Authority on Storytelling
I loved every minute of Greaney's Campus Novel as a fan of the past characters and a lover of reading. The point I make of "reading" is that this is a story teller's book. One can tell that the author did extensive research across global military and intelligence entities, organized crime, geographic setting, business intelligence and banking, and combatives. Any one of these topics would be a handful, but Greaney executes like an artisan crafting these worlds together with an interesting mystery that sews the elements together.
Readers who only want a fast-paced light read with high body count may struggle slightly with the non-linear story line, if they just want a Dick and Jane shoot 'em up. For avid readers wishing to dig in and become immersed in a book with espionage, political intrigue, conspiracy, assassination, and Classic Clancy military firepower, Greaney has delivered it.
I close saying thank you, Mark for spending so much effort on subtleties than many will miss, but that others will recognize as spot-on authenticity. You are a craftsman.
I loved every minute of Greaney's Campus Novel as a fan of the past characters and a lover of reading. The point I make of "reading" is that this is a story teller's book. One can tell that the author did extensive research across global military and intelligence entities, organized crime, geographic setting, business intelligence and banking, and combatives. Any one of these topics would be a handful, but Greaney executes like an artisan crafting these worlds together with an interesting mystery that sews the elements together.
Readers who only want a fast-paced light read with high body count may struggle slightly with the non-linear story line, if they just want a Dick and Jane shoot 'em up. For avid readers wishing to dig in and become immersed in a book with espionage, political intrigue, conspiracy, assassination, and Classic Clancy military firepower, Greaney has delivered it.
I close saying thank you, Mark for spending so much effort on subtleties than many will miss, but that others will recognize as spot-on authenticity. You are a craftsman.
January 6, 2014
As this was the last book written by Tom Clancy, I started it with trepidation. I have been enjoying these books for a couple of decades and the thought that I was about to read the last book was depressing. I took my time reading it, until the familiar characters and fabulous story line sucked me in and propelled me through this wonderful chapter in the Jack Ryan series. Once again, this master storyteller wove a tale of several different and divergent thought threads that he slowly and expertly braided together until the final tumultuous climax.
I don't know what the publisher intends to do with this series, since Mr. Clancy had already been working with co-authors, but if this is the final Jack Ryan book, it has reached a satisfactory conclusion. Of course, I hate to think of these wonderful characters languishing in the ether, so I encourage the publisher to find a way to continue these stories with these remarkable characters, even if only with the next generation.
I don't know what the publisher intends to do with this series, since Mr. Clancy had already been working with co-authors, but if this is the final Jack Ryan book, it has reached a satisfactory conclusion. Of course, I hate to think of these wonderful characters languishing in the ether, so I encourage the publisher to find a way to continue these stories with these remarkable characters, even if only with the next generation.
April 20, 2014
President Jack Ryan & Son vs a Putin-like Russian President in this slow paced, overly detailed thriller. I've always maintained that the late Tom Clancy was badly in need a page slashing editor to trim his otherwise excellent books into more readable prose. Unfortunately, this book is no exception to the existing template even with Mark Geary's assistance.
January 2, 2014
Oh dear, lots of reviews lamenting the loss of Tom Clancy and this, his 'last ever book'. I doubt he had much to do with this at all and stopped writing his books years ago. So the series will continue with his name on it and will be written by other authors as they have been for years.
Although not as good as the last novel he wrote under the Clancy banner, this isn't bad and it is certainly topical. An aggressive Russian leader (Putin in everything but name) is after expansion into it's old States, starting with Ukraine. The story flips between Jack Ryan jr 'following the money' as a financial analyst in London and the current President Jack Ryan as a young man. The two stories will eventually converge of course. The flipping between the two Jacks (both of the same age) was confusing sometimes as was the annoying habit of each time a new chapter started Ryan from the past is described as "CIA Analyst Jack Ryan". It would have been nice to have been credited with the intelligence that, in a book of over 700 pages) we new what he did for a living. There were also a few diagrams in this, perhaps a nod back to Clancy but all of them totally pointless.
But those a minor gripes, author Greaney does well with the pace and certainly the action and he does do Tom Clancy very well. It is no surprise he does the action so well given the quality of his own Gray Man series and I suspect the Clancy Estate will be banging on his door for him to do the next book too. I hope they are successful.
Although not as good as the last novel he wrote under the Clancy banner, this isn't bad and it is certainly topical. An aggressive Russian leader (Putin in everything but name) is after expansion into it's old States, starting with Ukraine. The story flips between Jack Ryan jr 'following the money' as a financial analyst in London and the current President Jack Ryan as a young man. The two stories will eventually converge of course. The flipping between the two Jacks (both of the same age) was confusing sometimes as was the annoying habit of each time a new chapter started Ryan from the past is described as "CIA Analyst Jack Ryan". It would have been nice to have been credited with the intelligence that, in a book of over 700 pages) we new what he did for a living. There were also a few diagrams in this, perhaps a nod back to Clancy but all of them totally pointless.
But those a minor gripes, author Greaney does well with the pace and certainly the action and he does do Tom Clancy very well. It is no surprise he does the action so well given the quality of his own Gray Man series and I suspect the Clancy Estate will be banging on his door for him to do the next book too. I hope they are successful.
November 14, 2019
Starts a little slow but really catches steam at the the 2/3 mark. Greaney does an admirable job of carrying the torch from Clancy's world.
Okay, it's obvious that Tom Clancy didn't write a single word in this novel, but that's okay.
Luckily Greaney doesn't try to copy Clancy's style, opting instead for a much more straightforward storyline, free of the copious winding rabbit trails that bogged down the last couple "authentic" Clancy books.
Is it as magical, engrossing, and wonderfully able to transport the reader as The Cardinal of the Kremlin, Clear and Present Danger, or Without Remorse?
Well, no.
That would be a really tall order.
But those characters continue faithfully and are in good hands with Greaney, though his style is his own.
Okay, it's obvious that Tom Clancy didn't write a single word in this novel, but that's okay.
Luckily Greaney doesn't try to copy Clancy's style, opting instead for a much more straightforward storyline, free of the copious winding rabbit trails that bogged down the last couple "authentic" Clancy books.
Is it as magical, engrossing, and wonderfully able to transport the reader as The Cardinal of the Kremlin, Clear and Present Danger, or Without Remorse?
Well, no.
That would be a really tall order.
But those characters continue faithfully and are in good hands with Greaney, though his style is his own.
May 22, 2019
I listened to this while walking the dogs. It's your typical thrill ride from the Tom Clancy universe. Lot's of military and espionage lingo. Several subplots that coalesce together by the end of the story. This one sort of let me down a little. It was go-go-go for the better part of the book. Going back and forth between Jack Ryan Jr's life and the 30 years ago Jack Ryan's CIA life. The ending and loose ends came together pretty fast over the last 30 minutes of the book and felt rushed and too conveniently wrapped up.
All and all a 4 star story and 5 star narration.
All and all a 4 star story and 5 star narration.
May 2, 2014
Command Authority, written by Tom Clancy was another successful Clancy story. The book opens with a prologue that I had completely forgotten about until after finishing the book. Upon starting to reread the prologue, I remembered my initial state of confusion when I had first read it but then looking back everything made sense and I realized what the point of the prologue and why it was put into the text. In the first few chapters, I had thought that it was going to be a rather linear story about a simple conflict between two countries; however, I was pleasantly surprised when I found that I was in fact incorrect. The story did not follow a linear path but in fact followed an arcing path and involved many points where you go back 30 years into the past. This allowed for an amazing conflict that all tied into many previous actions made by various people both in recent years and in the past. I have read books in the past where the action and dialogue are awkward to the point of being ridiculous but this book does not run into that problem. All of the dialogue is believable and the characters do not do or say anything that contradicts their personalities. I really enjoy that part of the book’s style. Reading previous Clancy books I have always admired the way the plot and communication flowed. Command Authority does not disappoint either. Even during periods of military communication over the radio, the conversations did not seem strained and it always made sense and followed what appeared to be proper communications protocols, but I could be wrong. I could not put the book down and therefore finished the book in only a couple of days; most of my reading took place late at night. I found the book quite enjoyable and would definitely would recommend this book to many of my friends. One of the only reasons that can I imagine somebody disliking the book is not because they legitimately dislike the book but instead because they are not fans of the genre of the book.
March 21, 2014
This book finds Jack Ryan Sr. beginning a second term as the President of the United States, while his son, Jack Jr., has left espionage for a "safer" job in finance in England. AS Jack Jr. is investigating a case for a client, things get a little dicey as he goes much further into the issue than the "bad guys" are comfortable with.
Meanwhile, Jack Sr. is dealing with a very unfriendly Russia, and trying to protect people from the damage of a dangerous leader. All throughout the book, there are flash backs to Jack Sr. in the 80's, which is a fun branch of the story, that helps connect all the dots.
The last book Tom Clancy wrote before he died, and I thought if he was to have a last one, this was the perfect way to end. (Although I am so sad to see it end, as apart from the swearing scattered through them, I love his books.) His books are always very true to life, which is often scary. Nothing made this book more real, than Russia invading the Ukraine in real life, as I was reading about them doing it in the book. He has an amazing gift of being highly accurate in his fiction, when it comes to the military and world climate. I only wish Jack Ryan was actually our president to deal with things, instead of who is really in office.
Meanwhile, Jack Sr. is dealing with a very unfriendly Russia, and trying to protect people from the damage of a dangerous leader. All throughout the book, there are flash backs to Jack Sr. in the 80's, which is a fun branch of the story, that helps connect all the dots.
The last book Tom Clancy wrote before he died, and I thought if he was to have a last one, this was the perfect way to end. (Although I am so sad to see it end, as apart from the swearing scattered through them, I love his books.) His books are always very true to life, which is often scary. Nothing made this book more real, than Russia invading the Ukraine in real life, as I was reading about them doing it in the book. He has an amazing gift of being highly accurate in his fiction, when it comes to the military and world climate. I only wish Jack Ryan was actually our president to deal with things, instead of who is really in office.
August 8, 2014
Great book. Somewhat prescient, though it has the U.S. figuring out what is going on and ending it. Much faster.
Another great book for understanding the importance of information in our world today and what one can do with it.
From a real politic point of view, the book demonstrates the importance of strength and technical advancement in intelligence capabilities, military systems, and the willingness to quietly and judiciously use these capabilities. It also points out that our nation has, and will always have enemies. Some want to wipe us off the face of the earth. Others want to humble or humiliate us so that they can rise to power and exploit those they conquer and those they rule.
The story also reveals the corruption endemic to the Russian government and its financial markets.
Prescient:
- foment unrest in the Ukraine - check
- invade and conquer the Crimea - check
- Invade the Ukraine - check
- Nationalize foreign investment in Russian natural resources - check
- Make agreements with the Chinese regarding a joint Chinese - Russian economic powerhouse - check
- Demonstrate use of intelligent analyst tools for financial markets - check
A page turner. Unable to put it down.
Another great book for understanding the importance of information in our world today and what one can do with it.
From a real politic point of view, the book demonstrates the importance of strength and technical advancement in intelligence capabilities, military systems, and the willingness to quietly and judiciously use these capabilities. It also points out that our nation has, and will always have enemies. Some want to wipe us off the face of the earth. Others want to humble or humiliate us so that they can rise to power and exploit those they conquer and those they rule.
The story also reveals the corruption endemic to the Russian government and its financial markets.
Prescient:
- foment unrest in the Ukraine - check
- invade and conquer the Crimea - check
- Invade the Ukraine - check
- Nationalize foreign investment in Russian natural resources - check
- Make agreements with the Chinese regarding a joint Chinese - Russian economic powerhouse - check
- Demonstrate use of intelligent analyst tools for financial markets - check
A page turner. Unable to put it down.
June 11, 2014
This was the best of The Campus novel books. The story revolves around an off-shoot of the former KGB taking coming to power in Russia. Jack Jr. is in London working for a business intelligence firm while the rest of the Campus operators are training back in the US while trying to find a new operating space after the last novel. Quickly Jack Jr. uncovers some shady business dealings that tie directly to the Soviet government, which eventually leads him to uncovering information that leads to a spy connection that he shares with his father from 30 years prior. All the while, Russia is starting an offensive to retake some of the former Soviet bloc states, including the Ukraine and the other Campus operators have taken up an information gathering mission around organized crime connections to Russia in the Ukraine. As always, the stories all tie together to come to a fast-moving, entertaining, and action-filled story.
May 23, 2023
How prescient about The Ukraine is Tom Clancy and Mark Greaney in this 1st posthumously published novel?...a winning page-turner dealing with the rise of the new Plutocratic Russia...nice "twinning" of the tales of the father's and son's struggles against the forces of bad!!!...fun read!!!I...I'm so glad the Clancy Estate has allowed "legacy" authors to further the saga of Jack Ryan!
February 3, 2014
The late Tom Clancy's books continue to be longer than necessary. It's too bad Mr. Clancy was unable to find a good editor to delete numerous unnecessary words. The ongoing 30 year time jump flash is more annoying than contributing, even at the end. 4 of 10 stars
October 22, 2015
There was little of the time inside the president's head that I thought made Executive Orders. The action was there and was fast-paced, but I never really felt a part of it as a reader.
February 18, 2020
I picked this book up at the book exchange at Picacho Peak State Park. One of the praise blurbs inside the book, from Kirkus Reviews, states, "A pleasing fairy tale for people who like things that blow up." Personally, I think in this book Clancy was a bit long winded and did not blow up enough things!
October 11, 2020
Who doesn't love Jack Ryan? Nothing super noteworthy about this book. If you have read any Jack Ryan novel then you know what this is. I would give this 4 stars but some scenes were kind of rip offs of real life events. I expect a Tom Clancy tale to be a bit more creative. Still, a very enjoyable spy novel.
April 5, 2021
After having read a bunch of spy novels since my last Tom Clancy book, I found myself fairly impressed with the real world scenario, complex but understandable plot, and realistic prosecution of the storyline. Everything doesn’t always work out, just like in the real world, the good guys suffer setbacks and losses, and the bad guys sometimes get away with more than they should...all things which happen in the the real world. It was refreshing to read a book like this and reminded me why I was drawn to Clancy in the beginning.
April 22, 2019
Excellent book—and continuing the Clancy characters in good fashion. Although written years ago, the story and its competition with Russia and China could be new today. Well written with intriguing characters from the Cold War era. Well worth the time spent as it is a long novel..
April 5, 2022
Prescient.
February 17, 2023
A little bit long, but typical Clancy.
December 4, 2024
Fun book through and through! It felt like the ending was a bit rushed to me but I still loved all the new and old characters and action!
September 5, 2018
This is the first book that I have read on my new Kindle Paperwhite. Thank you Cathy for guiding me to Kindle. Mark Greaney has done a marvelous job with this Clancy book. He has synchronously and cohisively tied 5 separate storylines together without missing a beat in the total novel. Storeline: 1-Jack Ryan Senior President today, 2-Jack Ryan Senior flashback 30 years, 3-Jack Ryan Jr, 4-Russians, and 5-The Campus team. Lot's of action. Greaney ties it all back together in the end. I was impressed.
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