Book Review of Red Storm Rising by Tom Clancy

This book review of Red Storm Rising by Tom Clancy is part of my Tom Clancy Reading Quest.

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Though I’ve only read a couple of his books, I’m a huge fan of Tom Clancy. I knew that going into this book. First, beside his books, I’ve always been a huge fan of his Jack Ryan movies and shows. Second, he was a fellow Baltimorean, and owned a portion of my treasured Baltimore Orioles. Being a local guy alone will always give Tom Clancy a soft spot in my heart. And finally, we’re both Loyola College grads – so, yeah, lots of connection there.
Obviously, that means I’m pretty excited every time a Clancy book comes in rotation in my TBR. Especially when it’s one I have not read before, and know very little about, like Red Storm Rising.
I’ve always been a fan of Cold War military thrillers, and Clancy’s reputation for weaving in insider knowledge about the military and government is part of the reason I’ve enjoyed his work so much. After finishing this book, though, I’m not entirely sure what to make of it. It’s definitely entertaining, but it reads more like a military wargame than a full-fledged novel. I’ll get into why I think that’s the case, but for now, let’s dive into the plot and the things I liked (and didn’t like) about it.

Plot Summary

Red Storm Rising is a complex, high-stakes military thriller about a World War III scenario between NATO and the Soviet Union. The book kicks off when the Soviets, facing a severe oil shortage and economic collapse, decide to initiate an all-out war with the West in an attempt to seize control of the Persian Gulf’s oil supplies. What follows is a series of tense, large-scale naval and air battles, with plenty of strategic maneuvering on both sides. The narrative jumps between different characters and viewpoints, covering a range of military operations from the ground to the sea, with a heavy focus on naval warfare.

The plot itself is packed with detailed descriptions of military tactics and technology, which Clancy is well-known for. The story feels like it’s building up to a massive confrontation, with lots of moving pieces, from intelligence operatives to fighter pilots to admirals managing the war from the command center.

Historical Context

Written in 1986, Red Storm Rising reflects the tense geopolitical situation of the Cold War. At the time, the Soviet Union was a major threat to NATO, and tensions were high, especially when it came to control of oil reserves in the Middle East. The book captures that sense of brinksmanship really well, with the Soviets acting out of desperation to secure oil supplies, which is something that resonates even today given how energy resources continue to drive global politics.
In some ways, the book feels like a “what-if” scenario: What if the Cold War had escalated into direct conflict between NATO and the Soviet Union? The military strategies and technologies Clancy describes are grounded in reality, making the novel feel like a plausible, albeit extreme, scenario. Reading this in 2024, it’s hard not to draw parallels between Clancy’s fictionalized Soviet aggression and some of the more recent geopolitical tensions, particularly with Russia. It gives the book a layer of eerie relevance despite it being nearly 40 years old.

My Review

Strengths

Military Accuracy and Detail

Clancy is a master of military detail. His descriptions of naval tactics, the inner workings of NATO and Soviet command structures, and the technological aspects of warfare feel incredibly authentic. As someone who’s worked around the U.S. government, I really appreciate how Clancy weaves in terms and processes that feel true to life. He clearly did a lot of research be’fore writing this book, and that research pays off in creating a believable military environment.

Action and Suspense

Despite the heavy focus on military strategy and technical jargon, Clancy knows how to keep things exciting. The naval battles are intense, and there’s a real sense of urgency that drives the plot forward. The scale of the conflict is enormous, and there’s always something going on to keep you turning the pages.

Broad Scope

One thing that’s impressive about Red Storm Rising is the scope of the story. It’s not just about one battle or one character. Clancy covers a huge range of military operations, shifting between different fronts and different levels of command. This gives the book a feeling of epic scale, where you can see the conflict from many different angles. For fans of Cold War-era military stories, it’s a fascinating look at how an all-out war might have played out.

Weaknesses

Character Development

The biggest issue I had with Red Storm Rising is the lack of character development. The characters are more like chess pieces being moved around the board than fully realized people with personalities and motivations. It’s hard to connect with anyone in the story, and I found myself not really caring what happened to any of them. The book focuses so much on military strategy and operations that it forgets to give its characters depth.

Feels Like a Wargame

This book often reads like Clancy is describing a military wargame rather than telling a gripping story. The chapters are packed with detailed, almost play-by-play accounts of battles, which, while impressive in terms of research, sometimes feel more like a tabletop game than a narrative. The pacing can be slow, and the numerous technical details occasionally take over the story, making it feel more like an instruction manual than a novel.

Lack of Emotional Depth

Clancy excels at the tactical side of things, but the emotional stakes are minimal. There’s not much of an emotional pull in the story. I wasn’t invested in the characters’ struggles or triumphs. When people died or faced danger, I didn’t feel a lot of tension because the book didn’t do enough to make me care about their fates.

Who Should Read This Book?

If you’re a fan of Cold War military thrillers or have a deep interest in naval and air combat, you’ll likely enjoy Red Storm Rising. Clancy’s expertise in military tactics and the research he puts into the book shines through, making it a great read for anyone interested in that world. Fans of wargames or people who enjoy tactical simulations will also find something to like here. The action and suspense, while a bit overshadowed by the technical detail, are still enough to make it a fun read for fans of military fiction.

However, if you’re someone who values character-driven stories or is looking for a more traditional novel with deep emotional engagement, this book may leave you cold. The lack of character depth and the overly technical nature of the story can make it tough to get emotionally invested.

Parting Thoughts

Red Storm Rising is a fascinating exploration of military strategy, but it’s not without its flaws. As a fan of Clancy’s work and Cold War military thrillers, I enjoyed the book for the most part, but I couldn’t help but feel like it was more of a military exercise than a gripping narrative. The technical detail and action sequences are great, but the thin character development and lack of emotional depth really hold the book back from being something more.

Ultimately, Red Storm Rising is a fun read for fans of military fiction who appreciate the nuts and bolts of warfare, but it’s not going to be a book that you remember for its characters or its emotional impact. It’s more about the strategy, the tactics, and the sheer scope of the war—perfect for someone who loves wargames and military operations, but not necessarily for someone looking for a rich, character-driven story.

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• Book review of The Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy
• Book review of The Talisman by Stephen King & Peter Straub

About the Author

Tom Clancy was an American author best known for his military thrillers, particularly those set during the Cold War. He became famous with his first novel, The Hunt for Red October, published in 1984, which was turned into a successful movie. Clancy’s books often focused on military tactics, technology, and international politics, showing a deep knowledge of the military. He created the character Jack Ryan, a CIA analyst who appeared in many of his novels. Clancy won numerous awards for his writing, including the Catherine MacDonald Award for best first novel. His work also earned him a reputation as a “technological visionary,” with many of his predictions about military technology and politics proving accurate. Besides writing, Clancy was a successful businessman and even co-owned the Baltimore Orioles baseball team.