I've recently read both The Hunt for Red October and Patriot Games, and I'm currently planning on going through the "Ryanverse" as I guess all of the Jack Ryan books by Tom Clancy are called (or at least, the books that take place in the universe of Jack Ryan, whether he is featured or not. We'll see how far I'll make it.

Awhile ago I read Clancy's Red Storm Rising, which is his take on what World War III would look like (circa 1988). It's a really great read.

Red October was similarly good, but I found Patriot Games rather slow at times. There was detailed accounts on things that just did not need detail. Pages were dedicated to flying on a Concord between London and DC. And then there was the … fakeness is the best word I have for it. Ryan lecturing the Prince of Wales, etc etc.

On the other hand, it ends well, so it's got that going for it. And Ryan's conscience (I'm guessing it's also Clancy's conscience here) struggles with terrorism and how to deal with it in a realistic and compelling way that still holds up pretty well after 9/11.

So far, if I had to recommend a Clancy book it would definitely be Red Storm Rising, which does not feature Jack Ryan, but is still a pretty great read.