It’s hard to believe that earlier this month the book industry and thriller fans were forced to say goodbye to Tom Clancy after his unexpected death at the age of 66. Once an insurance salesman, Clancy shot up as a superstar author after the release of his 1984 book The Hunt for Red October, which was later adapted into a movie.
It’s not often that authors are made with their first novels – the few that come to immediate mind for me are Stephenie Meyer, Stephen King and J.K. Rowling – but Clancy’s ability to capture our imaginations by combining military technology and tactics with visions of espionage and spy games, have made everyone from military officials to the stay-at-home mom down the street a fan.
Since the release of The Hunt for Red October in 1984, Clancy has published 28 books, most of which have ended up on the New York Times best-seller’s list and 6 of those novels have been adapted for film. Even videos games such as Ghost Recon and Splinter Cell have been based on Clancy novels.
Tom Clancy wasn’t showing any signs of slowing down either at the time of his death. A seventh movie, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, is scheduled to be released this Christmas and his last novel written, Command Authority, was already planned for publication early this December.
Personally, I was more of a fan of the movies adapted from Clancy’s novels than the novels themselves. I found the details too meticulous to hold my interest at times, although a big exception to this is Patriot Games, which I completely loved. But even as a non-fan I can see the impact that this will have on the literature of today. Who knows how many more crazy spy ideas Clancy had been keeping in the back of his mind, just waiting for an opportunity to bring them forth on paper.
One thing I know for sure, this unassuming superstar that was once accused of gaining unauthorized access to classified military information because of his ability to fill in the blanks with creative insight, will be forever remembered by the novels that will continue to take up space on the shelves of those who couldn’t get enough of his vivid imagination.
What is your favorite Tom Clancy novel?
