Rainbow Six

by Tom Clancy

Review by Jim Cook

For the inveterate Tom Clancy fan, it was welcome news to find his latest novel, "Rainbow Six" on the newsstands and the Internet (isn't this an intriguing way to buy books? They make it so easy). For those readers who have not read any of his previous nine novels, beginning with, "The Hunt for Red October", and are not acquainted with this gifted storyteller's very readable style, be prepared for action. He has, over the years, continued to enhance his perceptive insights into the specific inner workings of the military leadership psyche, which may differ significantly from the average person's. Sometimes in this novel Clancy portrays the Pentagon leadership and specifically its intelligence arms, in a less than an admirable light, but probably in a more realistic one, based upon the close relationships he has developed over the years with veteran practitioners of the military arts.
Many of Clancy's previous novels have involved the challenging exploits of several protagonists led by John Clark and they continue on in "Rainbow Six. They struggle valiantly to perceive and overcome those people and forces which seek to use state-of-the-art means to do great harm to the USA. In "Rainbow Six", as expert members of a newly formed international anti-terrorist unit lead by Clark, Clancy vividly brings to life the realistic possibility of a world-wide proliferation of deadly terrorist threats and actions in a world not officially at war, but filled with many bloody little battles.

All 732 pages of this novel will provide an intriguing read for those who enjoy the "action with insight" novel, told very well.

Jim Cook is retired and lives with his wife Florence in New Mexico. You will often find him relaxing on his sun porch with a good book.

Have you read a book or seen a movie that you'd like to review? We'd love to hear from you too. Send your review to features@zialink.com.