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Jack Ryan #3
The Hunt for Red October
Here is the runaway bestseller that launched Tom Clancy's phenomenal career. A military thriller so gripping in its action and so convincing in its accuracy that the author was rumored to have been debriefed by the White House. Its theme: the greatest espionage coup in history. Its story: the chase for a top secret Russian missile sub. Lauded by the Washington Post as "breathlessly exciting." The Hunt for Red October remains a masterpiece of military fiction by one of the world's most popular authors, a man whose shockingly realistic scenarios continue to hold us in thrall.
Somewhere under the Atlantic, a Soviet sub commander has just made a fateful decision. The Red October is heading west. The Americans want her. The Russians want her back. And the most incredible chase in history is on...
432 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 28, 1984
8579 people are currently reading
105545 people want to read
About the author
Tom Clancy
942 books8,937 followersThomas 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 4,576 reviews
June 7, 2012
After reading Fifty Shades of Girl Smut, I think I need a manly book. The Hunt for Red October seems virile enough. Strong sweaty men...at sea...with not a woman in sight. Wait a sec! What am I getting in to? They better not start singing, "In the Navy" or "Y.M.C.A." And if there's even a single fashion tip, I'm tossing this book!
Wow, what a wonderful book. This is number two on my Clancy book list, right behind Red Storm Rising.
Wow, what a wonderful book. This is number two on my Clancy book list, right behind Red Storm Rising.
May 9, 2024
At the tail end of the Cold War, Captain Marko Ramius of the Soviet Navy decides to defect , incredibly planning to bring the most advanced submarine in the world with him. The Red October has a new drive system that is virtually noiseless. The nuclear vessel would be almost undetectable, a great advantage against the U.S. and its Allies, but the charismatic Ramius is a bitter man. The widower, and half Lithuanian blames the Soviet Union for the botched operation that killed his beloved wife. He has recruited unmarried and loyal officers to follow his orders. Telling the rest of the crew that they're going on a friendship visit to Cuba! Leaving from a frozen Arctic port in early December, he needs an icebreaker to get to the open gray sea. The commanding captain looking back at the coast with a touch of melancholy, for the last time. The chilly wind makes everyone outside uncomfortable from northern Russia ,The Red October, heads west to the American dominated Atlantic Ocean. Underwater the giant boat travels slowly with 115 crewmen and 15 officers, they are soon hunted by the Soviets. Ships from above and below the seas and planes from the skies, all want to capture or destroy the renegade sub. The KGB man aboard has to be neutralized, still are there others? Back at the C.I.A. headquarters in the suburbs of Washington, Jack Ryan receives information , clandestine pictures of the new Soviet submarine, the puzzling photos baffle the uneasy experts. A dangerous development in the balance of power, between the two superpowers...And the northern Soviet Fleet is on the high seas, on course to reach the eastern coast of the United States, very soon. A military exercise or War? The President has a mission for the spy agency's analyst, become a secret agent , Ryan is not happy...would you...Exciting cat and mouse scenes among Soviet, American and British airplanes, ships and submarines. The final underwater battle is a particularly great page- turner, no exaggeration, if you get seasick reading Moby Dick, or a little claustrophobic not recommended for you.....Otherwise superb adventures under the sea...Sounds a bit like Jules Verne doesn't it...And what's wrong with that !
August 24, 2018
Wow! I didn't expect to like this book, at all. So out of my comfort zone, I can't tell you! But since I'm trying to read books off The Great American Read list I decided to give this book a try. So happy I did! So thrilling and suspenseful, it really kept me on the edge of my seat! I've got to hand it to The Great American Read! They have books on their list for people to read that they normally wouldn't pick up. So thanks for that because I would have missed out on a really good thrilling and suspenseful book! 😊
May 23, 2008
I read this when I was on the USS Eisenhower. It was so popular with the Squids that I think it replaced the BMR. The thing that really impressed everyone on the ship was how accurate Clancy was with both his research and his story-telling. There was never a "that's not how it happens" moment, so common in media of this type. Engaging story, meticulous research combine for a fantastic read. I recommend this one to everyone.
October 26, 2023
3.5⭐ A bit too technical for me. Great characters and glad to finally read the first published Jack Ryan novel. What a debut!
July 9, 2021
When asked if I would buddy read this Tom Clancy classic, I jumped at the chance. While the book’s title was familiar to me, I have to admit that I have never taken the time to read any of Clancy’s work. This was a sensational Cold War thriller, with all the key elements to keep patient readers on the edge of their seats. When a well-armed Russian nuclear submarine is on its way to the East Coast of the United States, few know that its captain has plans to defect. After the Russians learn this, they hope to stop things quickly and recover their prized maritime weapon. The Americans are privy to this through a leak in the Soviet government, but do not wish to tip their hand. Now, it’s a matter of getting the captain and his crew safely into the hands of the Americans, while capturing the submarine, all before the Russians learn of the plan. It’s sure to be a race, as both sides stare one another down and hope not to push the world to the brink of war on the high seas. A great introduction to Clancy’s world for anyone with time and patience to dedicate to this novel.
In the bleak North Atlantic, the Red October, a Soviet submarine with exceptional firepower, inches closer to the East Coast of the United States. It’s mission is not entirely clear, but the payload aboard could cause havoc in the blink of an eye. The Cold War may be a period of detente, but all that could change quickly.
Captain Mario Ramius is guiding Red October on its mission, stealthily crossing the Atlantic with hopes of making landfall before too long. However, Ramius has a secret, one that he has not shared with many. He wishes to defect and is happy to take his crew with him. While his family has strong ties to Soviet Russia, he cannot stomach the direction in which his government is taking the nation and has high hopes of living freely in America.
While the Russians have been made aware of this, they must act carefully. They need to get Ramius and Red October back before anyone is aware of what is going on. All the while, the Americans have been tipped off to what’s going on and have plans to help Ramius and get their hands on Red October, as well as all it holds. This will allow them a better idea of Soviet technology and submarine advancements.
Trying to play it cool, both sides send ships into the open waters, in hopes of keeping things somewhat light and discreet. This includes a CIA operative, Dr. Jack Ryan, whose background in naval history will help the Americans on their mission. Ryan has not served and is not keen to be pulled into this battle, but knows that he must serve his country as best he can. Armed with an academic’s mind, Ryan will have to attempt to inform the higher-ups as the Soviet ships inch closer.
While both sides are calm on the surface, it’s a panic to locate Red October and bring her in. Ramius is becoming more worried as the days pass, wondering if his plan will work, or whether he will be captured and sent to the gulags. The Americans are keen to get their hands on the technology and will do whatever it takes to get their hands on it, even if that means sacrificing some of their own.
When things come to a head, it’s a political stare down like no other, pitting American freedom against Soviet order. Neither side is keen to open the proverbial can of worms, but possession of the Red October is essential and must be achieved. The hunt for this submarine could push the world to the brink, though no one is blinking quite yet. A chilling Cold War tale that had me turning pages and wondering what was to come. Clancy has me intrigued and I will surely be back to discover more!
While I am aware of Tom Clancy and how Hollywood got their hands on his books to turn them into feature films, there was never a push for me to read the vast collection. I love espionage and Cold War stories, but always shied away, as I have little knowledge of anything marine related. I was told the book was which technical in places and worried that I would be lost as I tried to stay afloat, if you pardon the pun. That, and I always had a massive pile of books around me. But, as luck would have it, when asked to buddy read this with a dear friend, I could not resist.
While the book explores both sides of the Cold War clash, Jack Ryan does prove to be somewhat of the protagonist. An academic who has great knowledge of maritime history, he is tapped to help guide the Americans through this clash with their Soviet counterparts. Clancy develops the Ryan character well, keeping his backstory and some development constant throughout the novel. I was intrigued about how he would fit into the larger narrative and saw that Clancy did not want him to steal the show, using many characters to push the story along.
The large number of characters and settings used in this novel help to make it even better. This is a story told through the eyes of many men, from two countries, pushing clashing ideological beliefs. All this drips from each page, as the reader is immersed in the politic from the very beginning. The battles are numerous, if only on paper, and Clancy heightens them with strong characters throughout the story. Ramius is but one whose struggles come to light throughout the book.
Many of the reviews and comments that I have read regarding this book point to its technical nature. While I agree that Clancy does get ‘into the dirt’ when it comes to marine technology and life on a submarine, it is essential to capture the true essence of the story and struggles. This detailed narrative is not for the impatient (of whom I see there are many who choose only to make one-liner comments as reviews) or those wanting something quick. Like a submarine, this is a slow a deliberate trolling through the narrative to build up a sense of urgency. It is, perhaps, the duelling perspectives that really capture the greatness of this book. Clancy offers accounts on both sides, providing the reader with something in-depth to really see how both sides struggle throughout. The characters were on point and I found myself intrigued by how they saw things developing. Clancy uses detailed chapters to really get to the heart of the matter, which might explain why some have found it overly long winded. However, that is, to me, an essential part of the process, particularly if it is not to be a one-sided affair. I am intrigued to see how Jack Ryan fits into the larger narrative and what will come of him. While I cannot commit to binge-reading the entire series, I will be back to see how Jack Ryan develops as a character and what else Clancy has to offer.
Kudos, Mr. Clancy, for opening my eyes with this stellar piece of fiction. I cannot wait to explore a little more, when time permits. A perfect buddy read for someone who knows so little and will be able to question a new recruit to the US Navy!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
In the bleak North Atlantic, the Red October, a Soviet submarine with exceptional firepower, inches closer to the East Coast of the United States. It’s mission is not entirely clear, but the payload aboard could cause havoc in the blink of an eye. The Cold War may be a period of detente, but all that could change quickly.
Captain Mario Ramius is guiding Red October on its mission, stealthily crossing the Atlantic with hopes of making landfall before too long. However, Ramius has a secret, one that he has not shared with many. He wishes to defect and is happy to take his crew with him. While his family has strong ties to Soviet Russia, he cannot stomach the direction in which his government is taking the nation and has high hopes of living freely in America.
While the Russians have been made aware of this, they must act carefully. They need to get Ramius and Red October back before anyone is aware of what is going on. All the while, the Americans have been tipped off to what’s going on and have plans to help Ramius and get their hands on Red October, as well as all it holds. This will allow them a better idea of Soviet technology and submarine advancements.
Trying to play it cool, both sides send ships into the open waters, in hopes of keeping things somewhat light and discreet. This includes a CIA operative, Dr. Jack Ryan, whose background in naval history will help the Americans on their mission. Ryan has not served and is not keen to be pulled into this battle, but knows that he must serve his country as best he can. Armed with an academic’s mind, Ryan will have to attempt to inform the higher-ups as the Soviet ships inch closer.
While both sides are calm on the surface, it’s a panic to locate Red October and bring her in. Ramius is becoming more worried as the days pass, wondering if his plan will work, or whether he will be captured and sent to the gulags. The Americans are keen to get their hands on the technology and will do whatever it takes to get their hands on it, even if that means sacrificing some of their own.
When things come to a head, it’s a political stare down like no other, pitting American freedom against Soviet order. Neither side is keen to open the proverbial can of worms, but possession of the Red October is essential and must be achieved. The hunt for this submarine could push the world to the brink, though no one is blinking quite yet. A chilling Cold War tale that had me turning pages and wondering what was to come. Clancy has me intrigued and I will surely be back to discover more!
While I am aware of Tom Clancy and how Hollywood got their hands on his books to turn them into feature films, there was never a push for me to read the vast collection. I love espionage and Cold War stories, but always shied away, as I have little knowledge of anything marine related. I was told the book was which technical in places and worried that I would be lost as I tried to stay afloat, if you pardon the pun. That, and I always had a massive pile of books around me. But, as luck would have it, when asked to buddy read this with a dear friend, I could not resist.
While the book explores both sides of the Cold War clash, Jack Ryan does prove to be somewhat of the protagonist. An academic who has great knowledge of maritime history, he is tapped to help guide the Americans through this clash with their Soviet counterparts. Clancy develops the Ryan character well, keeping his backstory and some development constant throughout the novel. I was intrigued about how he would fit into the larger narrative and saw that Clancy did not want him to steal the show, using many characters to push the story along.
The large number of characters and settings used in this novel help to make it even better. This is a story told through the eyes of many men, from two countries, pushing clashing ideological beliefs. All this drips from each page, as the reader is immersed in the politic from the very beginning. The battles are numerous, if only on paper, and Clancy heightens them with strong characters throughout the story. Ramius is but one whose struggles come to light throughout the book.
Many of the reviews and comments that I have read regarding this book point to its technical nature. While I agree that Clancy does get ‘into the dirt’ when it comes to marine technology and life on a submarine, it is essential to capture the true essence of the story and struggles. This detailed narrative is not for the impatient (of whom I see there are many who choose only to make one-liner comments as reviews) or those wanting something quick. Like a submarine, this is a slow a deliberate trolling through the narrative to build up a sense of urgency. It is, perhaps, the duelling perspectives that really capture the greatness of this book. Clancy offers accounts on both sides, providing the reader with something in-depth to really see how both sides struggle throughout. The characters were on point and I found myself intrigued by how they saw things developing. Clancy uses detailed chapters to really get to the heart of the matter, which might explain why some have found it overly long winded. However, that is, to me, an essential part of the process, particularly if it is not to be a one-sided affair. I am intrigued to see how Jack Ryan fits into the larger narrative and what will come of him. While I cannot commit to binge-reading the entire series, I will be back to see how Jack Ryan develops as a character and what else Clancy has to offer.
Kudos, Mr. Clancy, for opening my eyes with this stellar piece of fiction. I cannot wait to explore a little more, when time permits. A perfect buddy read for someone who knows so little and will be able to question a new recruit to the US Navy!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
March 2, 2012
Writer’s style is not engaging or entertaining for me. He’s probably good for military technical buffs.
This guy is a popular best selling author. But not for me. I assume his fans are those who love to think and talk about military technical stuff - with a story to go along with it. The author is regularly welcomed aboard jets, submarines, and destroyers. Admirals and generals give him access, Pentagon officials debrief him, and many of his books are required reading at military colleges. So I assume he is accurate about these things.
MY PROBLEMS:
There were too many characters to keep track of. And for each character, I only knew them through their work. There was no emotional development of characters, no seeing their feelings. I felt like this was “bring your daughter to work day,” and I was going along with my dad (and many other dads) listening and watching as they did their work and attended meetings. I wasn’t excited about anything. Parts were boring. I listened to the sonar guy for a while, then I listened to the captain of a ship for a while, then I listened to the Russian leaders meet and talk about what to do, then I listened to the CIA meet and talk about what to do, then a guy calls another guy talking about what to do. Throughout the book the reader is jumping around among different groups of military and political people.
I want interesting characters to watch, characters that pull me in emotionally. I want witty, interesting, or enlightening dialogue. I want interesting events that move the plot along. There were two interesting major climactic resolutions, but it took way too long to get to them, with nothing else good along the way. It was just watch the guys work. My mind wandered too often, and I wished it would be over.
I saw the movie many years ago and loved it. The movie had a very different feel, and it ended sooner than the book. I think the movie was one of those “inspired by” movies rather than “based on” the book. In the BOOK Jack and other U.S. leaders all believe Marco (the captain of the RO) wants to defect, and they have a plan and prepare for it. In the MOVIE, Jack believes Marco wants to defect but another US commander doesn’t. The commander plans to blow up the RO, and Jack has to convince him not to. At one point Jack lies to the US commander saying I know Marco so well that I know he will turn left at the next something. Jack was bluffing. But when Marco coincidentally turned left, the US commander cancels the order to attack. That scene was so intense that I still remember it all these years later. Nothing like that was in the book.
Anyway I wanted to try Tom Clancy, which is why I read this, but I won’t be reading any more.
STORY BRIEF:
The book is set around 1983, during the days of the “Cold War” between the U.S. and the USSR. It illustrates some of the thinking back then with nuclear threats on both sides. This is one of many books in the Jack Ryan series. Jack is an analyst for the CIA. The Red October is the name of a Russian submarine. The captain of the RO does not follow orders and is on the run from other USSR subs and ships. Jack is the first one to suggest the captain might want to defect. The U.S. navy and the Russian fleet are all trying to find the RO.
NARRATOR:
The narrator J. Charles spoke too quickly. It was jarring to concentrate on his speed of talking. Even between scenes and chapters there were almost no pauses.
DATA:
Unabridged audiobook reading time: 16 hrs and 47 mins. Swearing language: strong, including religious swear words. Sexual content: none. Setting: Around 1983 U.S., USSR (Russia), and the Atlantic Ocean. Book copyright: 1984. Genre: military historical fiction. Ending: happy for the good guys.
This guy is a popular best selling author. But not for me. I assume his fans are those who love to think and talk about military technical stuff - with a story to go along with it. The author is regularly welcomed aboard jets, submarines, and destroyers. Admirals and generals give him access, Pentagon officials debrief him, and many of his books are required reading at military colleges. So I assume he is accurate about these things.
MY PROBLEMS:
There were too many characters to keep track of. And for each character, I only knew them through their work. There was no emotional development of characters, no seeing their feelings. I felt like this was “bring your daughter to work day,” and I was going along with my dad (and many other dads) listening and watching as they did their work and attended meetings. I wasn’t excited about anything. Parts were boring. I listened to the sonar guy for a while, then I listened to the captain of a ship for a while, then I listened to the Russian leaders meet and talk about what to do, then I listened to the CIA meet and talk about what to do, then a guy calls another guy talking about what to do. Throughout the book the reader is jumping around among different groups of military and political people.
I want interesting characters to watch, characters that pull me in emotionally. I want witty, interesting, or enlightening dialogue. I want interesting events that move the plot along. There were two interesting major climactic resolutions, but it took way too long to get to them, with nothing else good along the way. It was just watch the guys work. My mind wandered too often, and I wished it would be over.
I saw the movie many years ago and loved it. The movie had a very different feel, and it ended sooner than the book. I think the movie was one of those “inspired by” movies rather than “based on” the book. In the BOOK Jack and other U.S. leaders all believe Marco (the captain of the RO) wants to defect, and they have a plan and prepare for it. In the MOVIE, Jack believes Marco wants to defect but another US commander doesn’t. The commander plans to blow up the RO, and Jack has to convince him not to. At one point Jack lies to the US commander saying I know Marco so well that I know he will turn left at the next something. Jack was bluffing. But when Marco coincidentally turned left, the US commander cancels the order to attack. That scene was so intense that I still remember it all these years later. Nothing like that was in the book.
Anyway I wanted to try Tom Clancy, which is why I read this, but I won’t be reading any more.
STORY BRIEF:
The book is set around 1983, during the days of the “Cold War” between the U.S. and the USSR. It illustrates some of the thinking back then with nuclear threats on both sides. This is one of many books in the Jack Ryan series. Jack is an analyst for the CIA. The Red October is the name of a Russian submarine. The captain of the RO does not follow orders and is on the run from other USSR subs and ships. Jack is the first one to suggest the captain might want to defect. The U.S. navy and the Russian fleet are all trying to find the RO.
NARRATOR:
The narrator J. Charles spoke too quickly. It was jarring to concentrate on his speed of talking. Even between scenes and chapters there were almost no pauses.
DATA:
Unabridged audiobook reading time: 16 hrs and 47 mins. Swearing language: strong, including religious swear words. Sexual content: none. Setting: Around 1983 U.S., USSR (Russia), and the Atlantic Ocean. Book copyright: 1984. Genre: military historical fiction. Ending: happy for the good guys.
July 14, 2019
For someone that has enjoyed the first four movie adaptations of the Jack Ryan books, it’s slightly surprising that it’s taken this long to finally read one!
Though it might have been the case that bookstores only seem to be stocking them now because of the Amazon TV series...
I’ve now got a couple of these on my pile, I opted to go for the first published rather than the chronological order.
This book was everything I’d hoped it to be, gripping and tense whilst Clancy’s detailed descriptions really transported me to that Cold War setting.
Obviously any book written around that time period will always feel authentic but theirs more of an understanding to the political threat and the terminology of the main players in this novel.
It’s been about 15 years since I’d watched the Baldwin movie and even though their was a familiarity to the premise, I was hooked to find out what would happen next.
I’m sure I’ll be grabbing another off the shelf sooner rather than later...
Though it might have been the case that bookstores only seem to be stocking them now because of the Amazon TV series...
I’ve now got a couple of these on my pile, I opted to go for the first published rather than the chronological order.
This book was everything I’d hoped it to be, gripping and tense whilst Clancy’s detailed descriptions really transported me to that Cold War setting.
Obviously any book written around that time period will always feel authentic but theirs more of an understanding to the political threat and the terminology of the main players in this novel.
It’s been about 15 years since I’d watched the Baldwin movie and even though their was a familiarity to the premise, I was hooked to find out what would happen next.
I’m sure I’ll be grabbing another off the shelf sooner rather than later...
April 6, 2018
Read this one shortly after it came out and loved it, couldn't put it down. Don't know if it would hold up the same today.
June 20, 2011
Everyone always goes on about how meticulous Tom Clancy's background research is, but there was a moment in this book which made me wonder. They're going to run a big program on a military computer, and (being gamblin' military men) they decide to bet on how long it will take to complete. One of them asks how long the program is - number of lines, or punched cards, or whatever. The other one tells him, and then the first guy makes his estimate.
I'm sorry, this no doubt shows what a mean-spirited person I am, but it did cross my mind to wonder if Mr. Clancy knew what a loop was. I'm ashamed of myself. I'm sure there's any number of perfectly reasonable explanations.
I'm sorry, this no doubt shows what a mean-spirited person I am, but it did cross my mind to wonder if Mr. Clancy knew what a loop was. I'm ashamed of myself. I'm sure there's any number of perfectly reasonable explanations.
![Profile Image for s.penkevich [mental health hiatus].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1735525095i%2F6431467._UX200_CR0%2C11%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
April 12, 2025
In 3rd grade we had to read a book and do a presentation on it. I did this book. Forever being a weirdo overachiever.
December 19, 2020
I read this book when I was a kid before or immediately after the film. It was an exciting read and I became addicted to Clancy for a brief period before I realised how propagandistic his writing became for the military-industrial complex. Like the epic thriller with Sean Connery, this book is breathtakingly fast-paced and full of fun characters and the iconic Jack Ryan as a CIA agent. My father actually hunted Russian subs back in the 70s so he could attest to the realism of the scenario to a degree but particularly to the excitement during the cold war of the battle underwater. A great summer beach read.
August 19, 2018
Tom Clancy is not my favourite writer but for mysterious reasons I have always been into reading books on submarine theme so did not miss out on The Hunt for Red October and enjoyed it thoroughly.
April 24, 2025
The movie tie-in mass market paper back version (the one with Sean Connery's stern face on the cover) came out in 1990, and I remember owning it and reading it before the movie came out, but I am fairly certain that I had read the book---which was originally published in 1984---long before the movie. It was one of the many "grown-up" books I read in middle school, and it started me on a path of reading almost every Tom Clancy novel afterward, at least until "Rainbow Six", which pissed me off for reasons that I wouldn't be able articulate until I was old enough to realize that I was a flaming liberal and that I had outgrown Clancy's right-wing politics.
Still, "The Hunt for Red October" holds a special place in my heart (as does it's sequel, "Patriot Games", which I thought was actually a better novel) as one of those Books and Authors That I Loved But Haven't Read in a While and Need to Revisit.
It's been a long time since I read Clancy, and I certainly can't blame him for the falling out. People change, but books don't. The politics of "THFRO" are the same politics they were in 1984. My politics, however, didn't so much as change (I had no politics in 1984. I was twelve years old, for God's sake.) as cohere and mature as I got older.
Clancy represents a kind of jingoistic pro-military mentality that was popular in the Reagan Era. It was the height of the Cold War, and fears of the Soviet Union and nuclear warfare were common fears. One can't necessarily blame people for an attachment to military strength and hard-line politics. Of course, one can blame the politicians on both sides for fomenting those fears. One can even arguably blame writers like Clancy for adding to the jingoistic propaganda spreading those fears.
Although that may be unfair. It's been a long time (almost 40 years) since I read "THFRO", but I do remember that Clancy was unlike other military techno-thriller writers of the '80s in that he had a tendency to "humanize" his enemies. His Russians in "THFRO" weren't reduced to evil stereotypes. In fact, I clearly recall one of my favorite scenes in the book: When a US naval vessel captures a Russian sub, the military police officers don't know what to do to keep the captured Russians occupied, so they throw in a VHS movie of "E.T.", which the Russians have never seen. Within an hour of the film, the Russians are sobbing. It's a funny scene, but it's also moving and heart-felt. These soldiers may be our "enemies", but they are also human.
Still, "The Hunt for Red October" holds a special place in my heart (as does it's sequel, "Patriot Games", which I thought was actually a better novel) as one of those Books and Authors That I Loved But Haven't Read in a While and Need to Revisit.
It's been a long time since I read Clancy, and I certainly can't blame him for the falling out. People change, but books don't. The politics of "THFRO" are the same politics they were in 1984. My politics, however, didn't so much as change (I had no politics in 1984. I was twelve years old, for God's sake.) as cohere and mature as I got older.
Clancy represents a kind of jingoistic pro-military mentality that was popular in the Reagan Era. It was the height of the Cold War, and fears of the Soviet Union and nuclear warfare were common fears. One can't necessarily blame people for an attachment to military strength and hard-line politics. Of course, one can blame the politicians on both sides for fomenting those fears. One can even arguably blame writers like Clancy for adding to the jingoistic propaganda spreading those fears.
Although that may be unfair. It's been a long time (almost 40 years) since I read "THFRO", but I do remember that Clancy was unlike other military techno-thriller writers of the '80s in that he had a tendency to "humanize" his enemies. His Russians in "THFRO" weren't reduced to evil stereotypes. In fact, I clearly recall one of my favorite scenes in the book: When a US naval vessel captures a Russian sub, the military police officers don't know what to do to keep the captured Russians occupied, so they throw in a VHS movie of "E.T.", which the Russians have never seen. Within an hour of the film, the Russians are sobbing. It's a funny scene, but it's also moving and heart-felt. These soldiers may be our "enemies", but they are also human.
April 25, 2020
Very cool book!
May 26, 2016
Could not finish.
This was my second try at reading a Tom Clancy and this was even more disappointing than the first. I suppose if I was an American and this was the height of the cold war, I might think differently but it's not the 80s and I am English, so too bad. This read like a propaganda novel, describing the Soviets as backwards and unreliable, belittling the 'Brits', and always emphasising American superiority. I won't deny it started off well, but then it got dull and i spent a lot of time just waiting for something to happen, and when something did happen, Clancy revealed it two pages before.
If you're considering reading this, just watch the movie.
This was my second try at reading a Tom Clancy and this was even more disappointing than the first. I suppose if I was an American and this was the height of the cold war, I might think differently but it's not the 80s and I am English, so too bad. This read like a propaganda novel, describing the Soviets as backwards and unreliable, belittling the 'Brits', and always emphasising American superiority. I won't deny it started off well, but then it got dull and i spent a lot of time just waiting for something to happen, and when something did happen, Clancy revealed it two pages before.
If you're considering reading this, just watch the movie.
December 29, 2017
In my opinion, this is Clancy's best book, even beyond the Jack Ryan stories. The depth of character coupled with the suspense of an underwater attack submarine chase makes this book so memorable that I read it a second time just to enjoy it again. The plotting is fantastic, but I have to say that it's the way Clancy crawls into the mind of a troubled Soviet sub captain that makes this story so rich for me. We get such a complete picture of the history and psyche of Capt. Ramius that we not only understand the complexity of what he's doing, but feel genuine and complete empathy for him in his plight. All of this is done through the action. Not a moment of suspense is paused while we get Ramius' plight and his desire. The intensity of the onboard and offboard politics is fantastic, and very believable. Great book, and highly recommended.
Read
February 17, 2024Could not finish it. I felt like I was reading a submarine operations manual.
August 21, 2008
4.0 stars. My first Tom Clancy novel and the one that made me an instant fan of his work. Jack Ryan is a terrific character and the plot was very well done. Highly recommended for fans of political thrillers.
January 10, 2025
I really enjoyed this a long time ago. It's also a great film
July 26, 2020
My favorite by Clancy for some reason it just resonated the most when I read it years ago.
January 6, 2025
This is perhaps Tom Clancy's most known book and I first read it in the mid-80s, just out. I had a wonderful memory of it and must say that this rereading confirmed it. Of course, you can feel all the political changes that have taken place in these 35 and more years (the Soviet Union has been gone since 1991 ...) but it is still a beautiful, compelling and plausible thriller. The plot revolves, as the title says, on the escape of the Red October, a Russian nuclear submarine headed for the United States, and on the difficult decisions that the American military leaders must take to understand if the Russian submarine really wants to escape or if it is lying to unleash a third world war. There are two main protagonists, both unforgettable, because they are among the best in action literature. Tom Clancy was very good at describing the atmospheres, both physical and psychological, for example the sense of claustrophobia that exists on board a submarine, but also the moves of the senior officers towards the soldiers of their team. The book is quite long (600 pages) but it can be read in a very short time, because the desire to see how it ends is great. The first of the 2 protagonists is Marko Ramius, an admiral of the Soviet fleet who planned to desert and go to the USA, with the soldiers loyal to him, bringing the Red October, the last jewel of Russian submarines as a dowry to the Americans, equipped with the top secret anti-cavitation system, which makes it invisible to sonar.
During the first outing of the submarine, Ramius, who had long prepared himself, implements his plan and begins a journey to the US coast: some of his men know the plan but most of them don't. Ramius then has to tell them lies to get the submarine headed for America. And he also have to be very careful that no other US submarine intercepts it in the open sea before it arrives in America and can seek asylum. A somewhat complex undertaking, with the further threat of the Soviet Navy's vehicles, which could see his plan and destroy Red October rather than make it fall into the hands of the Americans. And in fact all this happens: on the one hand the Russians try to stop the deserter submarine and on the other the Americans suspect that Ramius is playing a double game to launch a surprise attack. Ramius is therefore between a rock and a hard place and here comes the other protagonist of the book, the CIA analyst, Jack Ryan, who analyzing Ramius' signals is convinced of his intentions and tries to convince the US government that Ramius does not want to blow up the third world war, but rather wants to deliver the jewel of the Soviet navy to the USA. I'll stop here, otherwise I'll spoil the pleasure of reading.
It is certainly a suspense book, with a bit of morale about Freedom, still due to the echoes of the Cold War, and with lots of super-technical details, relating to submarines and detection systems. Clancy's writing is very smooth and engaging, because it is very descriptive, and the characters are represented in an exceptional way. The psychological part is also very thorough and helps a lot to give the thriller atmosphere. A great book.
During the first outing of the submarine, Ramius, who had long prepared himself, implements his plan and begins a journey to the US coast: some of his men know the plan but most of them don't. Ramius then has to tell them lies to get the submarine headed for America. And he also have to be very careful that no other US submarine intercepts it in the open sea before it arrives in America and can seek asylum. A somewhat complex undertaking, with the further threat of the Soviet Navy's vehicles, which could see his plan and destroy Red October rather than make it fall into the hands of the Americans. And in fact all this happens: on the one hand the Russians try to stop the deserter submarine and on the other the Americans suspect that Ramius is playing a double game to launch a surprise attack. Ramius is therefore between a rock and a hard place and here comes the other protagonist of the book, the CIA analyst, Jack Ryan, who analyzing Ramius' signals is convinced of his intentions and tries to convince the US government that Ramius does not want to blow up the third world war, but rather wants to deliver the jewel of the Soviet navy to the USA. I'll stop here, otherwise I'll spoil the pleasure of reading.
It is certainly a suspense book, with a bit of morale about Freedom, still due to the echoes of the Cold War, and with lots of super-technical details, relating to submarines and detection systems. Clancy's writing is very smooth and engaging, because it is very descriptive, and the characters are represented in an exceptional way. The psychological part is also very thorough and helps a lot to give the thriller atmosphere. A great book.
January 7, 2024
Che bel libro!
Mostra un poco il fianco al passare dei decenni, con la patinatura luccicante sull'America che ormai risulta assai datata, ma a parte questo piccolo vizio che dire?
Si respira la Guerra Fredda e il timore che un qualunque pretesto possa scatenare una disastrosa terza guerra mondiale che nessuno vuole.
Abbiamo un gioco mortale in corso tra Russia e America, con in palio il sottomarino Ottobre Rosso e i suoi ufficiali.
Abbiamo Marko Ramius, valente comandante di sottomarini che decide di farla finita con l'Unione e di passare all'Occidente... avvisando della cosa la madrepatria, per arroganza, e scatenando così una sontuosa caccia all'uomo.
Abbiamo Jack Ryan, che qui fa praticamente la spalla: all'inizio fa il suo lavoro di analista, ma poi su navi (toh, oltre agli aerei soffre poco anche le navi!) e soprattutto sui sottomarini è un pesce fuori d'acqua, si dà da fare ma soffre e chiaramente i riflettori sono per gli specialisti. Ramius e Mancuso, Jones e Thompson, i piloti dei caccia e i comandanti delle navi.
Adrenalinico e claustrofobico, non avendo mai visto il film non sapevo neanche cosa potesse accadere (e quindi i due colpi di scena quando pensavo fosse solo la caccia al sottomarino e la necessità di farlo sparire, non me li aspettavo).
Mostra un poco il fianco al passare dei decenni, con la patinatura luccicante sull'America che ormai risulta assai datata, ma a parte questo piccolo vizio che dire?
Si respira la Guerra Fredda e il timore che un qualunque pretesto possa scatenare una disastrosa terza guerra mondiale che nessuno vuole.
Abbiamo un gioco mortale in corso tra Russia e America, con in palio il sottomarino Ottobre Rosso e i suoi ufficiali.
Abbiamo Marko Ramius, valente comandante di sottomarini che decide di farla finita con l'Unione e di passare all'Occidente... avvisando della cosa la madrepatria, per arroganza, e scatenando così una sontuosa caccia all'uomo.
Abbiamo Jack Ryan, che qui fa praticamente la spalla: all'inizio fa il suo lavoro di analista, ma poi su navi (toh, oltre agli aerei soffre poco anche le navi!) e soprattutto sui sottomarini è un pesce fuori d'acqua, si dà da fare ma soffre e chiaramente i riflettori sono per gli specialisti. Ramius e Mancuso, Jones e Thompson, i piloti dei caccia e i comandanti delle navi.
Adrenalinico e claustrofobico, non avendo mai visto il film non sapevo neanche cosa potesse accadere (e quindi i due colpi di scena quando pensavo fosse solo la caccia al sottomarino e la necessità di farlo sparire, non me li aspettavo).
August 10, 2024
▪️ Every sailor needs someone to return to, that every woman needs someone to wait for.
▪️ A wise man knows his limitations. And a bold one seizes opportunities.
▪️ One of the compensations for wearing a uniform and earning less money than an equally talented man can make in the real world is the off chance of being killed.
🔸🔸🔸
বইটা অনেকদিন ফেলে রেখেছিলাম। হাতের কাছে অন্যকিছু না পাওয়ায় শেষমেশ একরকম অনিচ্ছা নিয়েই পড়তে বসি। তাছাড়া টম ক্ল্যান্সি লেখকও আমার কাছে অপরিচিত ছিলেন! কিন্তু পড়া শেষে মনে হলো, না পড়লে এমন দুর্দান্ত থ্রিলার মিস করতাম।
সমুদ্র– নাম শুনলেই কেমন এক শিহরণ লাগে! এই বিস্তীর্ণ জলরাশির গহীনে কীসব কাণ্ড ঘটতে পারে, তা উপরের শান্ত লহরি দেখে আন্দাজ করা মুশকিলেরই কাজ... বিশ্বাস করাই কঠিন, সাবমেরিন কিংবা অন্যান্য প্রযুক্তি নিয়ে কত ইতিহাস ঘটে যাচ্ছে পানির তলায়! সাসপেন্সফুল পুরো কাহিনিই। থ্রিলারপ্রেমীদের পছন্দ না হবার কারণ নেই!
▪️ A wise man knows his limitations. And a bold one seizes opportunities.
▪️ One of the compensations for wearing a uniform and earning less money than an equally talented man can make in the real world is the off chance of being killed.
🔸🔸🔸
বইটা অনেকদিন ফেলে রেখেছিলাম। হাতের কাছে অন্যকিছু না পাওয়ায় শেষমেশ একরকম অনিচ্ছা নিয়েই পড়তে বসি। তাছাড়া টম ক্ল্যান্সি লেখকও আমার কাছে অপরিচিত ছিলেন! কিন্তু পড়া শেষে মনে হলো, না পড়লে এমন দুর্দান্ত থ্রিলার মিস করতাম।
সমুদ্র– নাম শুনলেই কেমন এক শিহরণ লাগে! এই বিস্তীর্ণ জলরাশির গহীনে কীসব কাণ্ড ঘটতে পারে, তা উপরের শান্ত লহরি দেখে আন্দাজ করা মুশকিলেরই কাজ... বিশ্বাস করাই কঠিন, সাবমেরিন কিংবা অন্যান্য প্রযুক্তি নিয়ে কত ইতিহাস ঘটে যাচ্ছে পানির তলায়! সাসপেন্সফুল পুরো কাহিনিই। থ্রিলারপ্রেমীদের পছন্দ না হবার কারণ নেই!
April 28, 2014
Yes, I may be fashionably late to this party, considering the threat of war between Soviet Russia -- which doesn't exist anymore -- and Imperialist America is a major theme of this novel.
But I figured this should be my first experience with Tom Clancy, and I do not regret my decision at all. This is a near-perfect political thriller, juggling a dozen major characters on two continents as well as a myriad number of ships -- both on and under the Atlantic Ocean. While it was a bit tricky keeping track of everything at a few points, the minor confusion was well worth the scope of what Clancy achieved.
I also loved how I was fooled into thinking a later plot event was a rather weak climax, only to not have yet reached the true climax, which does not disappoint at all .
As a side note, when they wanted to make a movie out of this board game:
All they had to do was adapt this book again, instead of doing this:
But I guess that would have been too easy. Sigh.
Update: Okay, maybe I spoke too soon about the theme of this book being outdated. What a difference a year makes.
But I figured this should be my first experience with Tom Clancy, and I do not regret my decision at all. This is a near-perfect political thriller, juggling a dozen major characters on two continents as well as a myriad number of ships -- both on and under the Atlantic Ocean. While it was a bit tricky keeping track of everything at a few points, the minor confusion was well worth the scope of what Clancy achieved.
I also loved how I was fooled into thinking a later plot event was a rather weak climax, only to not have yet reached the true climax, which does not disappoint at all .
As a side note, when they wanted to make a movie out of this board game:
All they had to do was adapt this book again, instead of doing this:
But I guess that would have been too easy. Sigh.
Update: Okay, maybe I spoke too soon about the theme of this book being outdated. What a difference a year makes.
March 21, 2020
This is a long book. It has a lot of military jargon and acronyms. A bit more to my taste on the technical side; however, it is very engaging. The writing keeps the story moving with rising tension, unexpected events and reality based drama. It is a bit like Hollywood in many respects and not the type of book I normally read but it was on a list. Very entertaining if not a bit predictable.
September 14, 2018
Thirty years on, this classic still works. The technology has become dated, but the themes are timeless.
A great read.
October 7, 2016
The very first in a ridiculously successful series of thrillers and not surprising, since it is an incredibly effective suspense story. Or at least I think it is. I haven't read the early Clancy books in many years and frankly, I'm very afraid to. I remember the bloated cheap hardback editions (that still weigh down my bookshelves at home) as almost un-put-downable rollercoaster adventures.
What I'm unsure of is if my taste in reading have shifted fundamentally or if Clancy's books took a horrible nosedive around or with Rainbow Six or so? Since I'm still able to enjoy the odd Alistair MacLean and Robert Ludlum (even if, in all honesty, it's been a while for those too), I'm holding out hope that this and The Cardinal of the Kremlin and others really are as good as I remember). But I'm not sure if I'll ever wage that Schrödinger's Cat-type bet and actually re-read them. I loved the movie based on this btw, but that had Sean Connery, and that's like cheating.
What I'm unsure of is if my taste in reading have shifted fundamentally or if Clancy's books took a horrible nosedive around or with Rainbow Six or so? Since I'm still able to enjoy the odd Alistair MacLean and Robert Ludlum (even if, in all honesty, it's been a while for those too), I'm holding out hope that this and The Cardinal of the Kremlin and others really are as good as I remember). But I'm not sure if I'll ever wage that Schrödinger's Cat-type bet and actually re-read them. I loved the movie based on this btw, but that had Sean Connery, and that's like cheating.
July 4, 2020
And so it is for the third time I can say the movie was better than the book. The novel’s cast is as sprawling as high fantasy, the pace is plodding, the humor sparse. Worse, some of the MC Americans are pompous and dislikable.
The movie is tight, thrilling, funny, well scored, and memorable as hell. Sean Connery, James Earl Jones, and Alec Baldwin delivered better characters than Clancy wrote.
Time for a rewatch...
June 16, 2021
I feel more like a dad having read this. My shorts got a little shorter. My lawn got a little needier. And there’s a chair in my house I won’t let anyone sit in now.
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