DEBT OF HONOR

by Tom CLancy

G.P. Putnams and Sons (1994)

Order the book!! HARDBACK -- -- -- Order the book!! PAPERBACK -- Order the Audio Cassette

This book is a fairly big departure for Clancy; Rather than a story about some secret operation that the public would never hear about, this time Jack Ryan is enmeshed in an operation that would seriously and immediately change the life of just about everyone in the world.

A group of Japanese industrialists (who are also in control of Japan's government) get together with an Admiral of India's Navy and a few other people, to execute a plan to take over the world.

Ryan is called out of "retirement" to become a troubled President's National Security Advisor. The first big thing he must deal with is the economic collapse of the U.S. (and Europe),

Which was engineered by Yamata- the leader of the bad guys.

Next, he must deal with the Japanese military invasion of U.S. territories in the Pacific Ocean, as well as trying to keep the Indian military from invading Sri Lanka. While this would be no big deal for a Reagan era U.S. military, Ryan has to do magic with about 1/5 of the actual useful military resources, because of the downsizing of the military due to the collapse of the Soviet Union and an Anti-military attitude in Washington.

Another problem: Yamata has nukes and the ability to deliver them anywhere.

John Clark and Domingo Chavez are feature characters once again, doing that voodoo that they do so well, along with the heroic aviators, submarine and ship crews.

Like all of Clancy's stuff this is well written, well thought out, and very realistic. There were a couple of minor technical issues that I think he slipped up on, but I am not sure enough of my data to point them out. This is to me his most frightening story, because it has a greater threat to the average American Citizen than all of his other stories put together. I'd say that about 90% of his scenario is quite within the realm of possibility, and there is about a 50% probability that someone, somewhere may attempt something similar.

The ending of this book really surprised me. Even though I "saw it coming" it surprised me. I'm not even going to hint at it- but I still have a hard time accepting what Clancy did. There HAS to be another Jack Ryan book to follow- but he has put himself into a position that will make it difficult for him to do his fans justice. He has successfully made one big jump in plot concept for DEBT OF HONOR, it will require an even bigger jump for the next one.

I have long been preaching that the world's economy and political systems are on the razor's edge, with more and more amoral and power hungry maniacs in control. This book should be read by everyone. Not only is it great entertainment, but it is a good lesson in what could very possibly become real if we don't pay attention to what is really happening in the world
CLICK here to go back to Reviews Main Page.