Tom Clancy: Defense protocol by Andrews & Wilson

Jack Ryan is the President of the USA and he brings his sharp intellect to the role, but it is his daughter Katie (the Military Analyst) who must exercise her skills and military powers to thwart a potentially catastrophic disruption in global peace. China’s leader has replaced his ‘rule for the people’ with a personal agenda to leave a legacy on the world, and it will mean disaster for Taiwan and the world. The implications are weighty for Chinese officials and military leaders and when at least one chooses to defy the direction of the leader there are effects that embroil spies and special forces agents. The naval might of USA and China, with Taiwan’s defence systems, are all in a critical ‘dance’ that could threaten global stability. 

This is an incredibly tense action drama and Tom Clancy’s ghost writers' ability to relate complex military actions in a believable way make this a profoundly compelling story. The spy network, CIA operatives and special forces personnel all play significant roles behind the scenes and there are real life-or-death consequences in the conflict. Having loved the Jack Ryan movies based on Clancy’s books (The Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games etc), this is a book for those, like me, who love the adventure surrounding military conflict and analysis. (And the threats of Chinese might and power are very contemporary in their focus.) This story combines threat and fear, weaponry and technology that defies civilian understanding (and can leave some of us confused with defence terminology and acronyms), and incredible bravery and sacrifice, all wound up in a very believable scenario. Small decisions for all the operatives can have profound consequences. This book is compelling and will be loved by Jack Ryan followers (and Katie Ryan fans) and any readers who have yet to discover them.

Themes: Adventure, Military action, Warfare, China-American relationships, Espionage.

Carolyn Hull