…fiction is most times more exciting than real life. Then, again, sometimes truth can be more stranger than fiction, many times hidden away from the public eye. And that truly is a case-in-point when it comes to the CIA.
But all those Tom Clancy novels were very exciting and well written, following the adventures of Jack Ryan, a CIA analyst who oft times ends up not behind the desk but out in the field as an operative. I’ve read all of Clancy’s early works and have but only three left to complete the series. But what got me in mind of Tom Clancy was the movies I’ve been watching as of late.
Last month I took advantage of Netflix’s offer of a free month and was I ever surprised. Not only are there so many great movies but there are also documentaries and TV series, and even series they created themselves, such as Daredevil, based on the Marvel Comics superhero. Another series I began watching was Ken Burns’ The War, a seven-parter telling the story of WWII and how it affected four cities in the U.S. and the men from these cities that served. I was especially surprised that part of one episode focused on Eugene B. Sledge, from Mobile, AL, whom I included in my previous post telling of the great memoir he wrote about his experiences as a Marine in the Central Pacific.
But the most enjoyment I’ve had is watching the great movies based on Clancy’s books: The Hunt for Red October; Patriot Games; Clear and Present Danger; and The Sum of All Fears. There was also another movie, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, featuring a young Jack Ryan. Though not based on an actual Clancy book, it depicted his beginnings in the CIA and was a great story.
Funny thing about these movies, Jack Ryan has been portrayed by three different actors. Alec Baldwin had the part in The Hunt for Red October followed by Harrison Ford taking on the role in Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger. Alec Baldwin played Ryan in The Sum of All Fears and Chris Pine took on the part in Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit. Just as I reread many of my books, I could watch these movies over and over because they’re that good. To me, Harrison Ford captured the essence of the character best of all based upon Clancy’s portrayal of him in the books, though all of the movies are good.
When it comes to real life, however, all CIA operations don’t always follow a script and have a happy ending, taking me back to the opening of this post. The CIA has a storied history, and all the stories don’t paint a pretty picture. Another great book I’ve read is Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA, by Tim Weiner. In its own way it was controversial, and the CIA even came out with a rebuttal to the conclusions of the book. But a telling thing about the book is the genesis of the title. The author got the title from President Eisenhower and a conversation he had with Allan Dulles, the then director of the CIA, right before Eisenhower left office. He told Dulles, “You have handed me an eight-year defeat, and I will hand on to my successor, John F. Kennedy, a legacy of ashes.” And within four months of Kennedy taking office, came the Bay of Pigs, a CIA operation that certainly didn’t play out well.
Obviously, Eisenhower had not had a good relationship with the CIA during his administration. And Eisenhower was a man who had no problem in telling it like it was, as evidenced in his parting speech to the nation three days before he left office when he warned of the dangers of the military-industrial complex, something we still live with to this day.
There are many more stories that go hand-in-hand with the Bay of Pigs scenario but I’ll not attempt to relate them here. Best just read the book for it will certainly open your eyes and give you much to think about.
There’s certainly need for such an organization as the CIA, especially in this day and age. We could only hope that it would be as efficient as shown in these Clancy books and the movies that followed, led by men such as Jack Ryan. Maybe that’s just wishful thinking on my part, but I am an optimist. Maybe we could just get Harrison Ford to join the CIA and forevermore have happy endings. That truly is wishful thinking, huh? Oh well, dream on!
I need a good book to read, I have not read a goo action book in a long time. Sounds like you liked this one over all. I will check out this book.
My husband loves all things Ton Clancy – movies and books. He prefers the books, but will sit down and watch Hunt for Red October anytime.
Ive never read a Tom Clancy book! I think it was the fact that video games were based off the books that turned me off. LOL, I can be narrow minded! But maybe I should give them a shot now!
I love crime/police type novels and this sounds like it would be great! I think I will be adding this to my reading list!
I love Tom Clancy books. And all of the movies you listed I have seen and liked. But I would love to read A Legacy of Ashes book…it sounds like a great read.
My DH is not a reader, but he does love Tom Clancy. I think it is the only book he has read from start to finish that wasn’t a childs book! lol!
My husband is a huge fan of Tom Clancy. He also loves reading the books and he also loved all the Jack Ryan movies. I have also read some of his books and I like his style of writing.
A novel is always an amazing experience because it so personal. I especially love reading while traveling and just before bedtime.
This is right up mine and my husband’s alley! We both love crime and suspense novels and Tom Clancy is one of the authors we really like. My husband’s kindle is full of crime and suspense novels. I will check out this Dead or Alive and see if we can get it from Amazon or Good Reads.
I tried the FREE NETFLIX trial and got addicted! Love the shows and paying $9.99 per month isn’t bad . I have to add this book to my reading list
I’m an avid reader however, I have never read one of his books! My dad has a few of them…he’s a fan!
My husband is a big Clancy fan. I’ve never checked out any of the books, but maybe I should!
Thisis my kind of book to read I love mysteries-related story, detective kind of plots.
My husband enjoys these novels but also reads Tim Dorsey! I will have to ask him if he watched the movies on Netflix.
Ah one of your characters sounds a bit like my grandfather. 😉 I’ve never read Clancy’s work but I know he has a HUGE following!
First, thank you for connecting those movies to the books, I knew that there were a few different Jack Ryan’s but never knew that many and which movies they were. I learned a fun fact about my boyfriend’s grandfather, he was in the CIA!
I have never read any of his books, but they sound intriguing! I’m always up for a good mystery.
I’ve seen the movies but haven’t read the books. I’ll have to check out the novels.
I have seen plenty of Tom Clancy books on the shelves in bookstores and never realized he wrote CIA Novels. I love CIA stories, I will have to take a look next time I am in Barnes and Noble.
Huge fan of Tom Clancy! I can’t wait to read this one. I love a good mystery novel!
Great review. I need to read a Tom Clancy book. I’m always looking for a suspenseful, action novel.