Executive Orders by Tom Clancy is a techno-thriller novel that picks up immediately after the events of Debt of Honor, featuring Jack Ryan as the newly appointed President of the United States. The book explores Ryan's challenges in dealing with foreign and domestic threats, including political rivals, state-sponsored terrorist attacks, and a nation-state attempting to expand its territories. Clancy's writing style is immersive, delving into the intricate inner workings of the White House while maintaining a fast-paced plot filled with twists and turns.

The plot of Executive Orders revolves around Jack Ryan's sudden ascension to the presidency following a catastrophic terrorist attack that decimates the top levels of the US government. As Ryan navigates the complexities of rebuilding the executive branches, he faces a myriad of challenges, including bioterrorism, attempted assassinations, and international conflicts. Clancy weaves together multiple storylines, blending political intrigue with high-stakes military operations, creating a heart-pumping political thriller that showcases Ryan's leadership in the face of adversity.

Characters:

Characters, particularly Jack Ryan, are portrayed with limited emotional depth, and many supporting characters lack significant development.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style features detailed, technical descriptions that can be engaging for some but is often criticized for its excessive length and lack of emotional resonance.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers around Jack Ryan, unexpectedly thrust into the presidency following a catastrophic attack that decimates the U.S. government, leading to a series of improbable political and military crises.

Setting:

The setting is primarily Washington, D.C., during a politically volatile period marked by terrorism and the inner workings of government.

Pacing:

The pacing is described as uneven, with extended slow sections that ultimately lead to a gripping climax.

IT HAD TO BE THE SHOCK of the moment, Ryan thought. He seemed to be two people at the same time. One part of him looked out the window of the lunchroom of CNN’s Washington bureau and saw the fires tha...

Notes:

Tom Clancy's 'Executive Orders' is a long novel, over 900 pages, that follows Jack Ryan after he unexpectedly becomes President.

The story begins with a terrorist attack where a plane crashes into Congress, killing much of the government.

The plot explores Ryan's struggles with various crises, including bioweapons and international conflicts.

Several reviewers found the writing style to be overly detailed and at times, boring.

Many characters lack depth, with female characters often reduced to their reproductive roles.

Clancy's knowledge of military hardware is noted as impressive, but some criticize the lack of engaging action scenes.

The book depicts a fantastical scenario where several countries collaborate against the U.S., which some readers found unrealistic.

Themes of American patriotism and politics are prominent, which appealed to some readers while alienating others.

Reviewers mentioned a decline in Clancy's storytelling as they felt the later books became more ideological.

The book's political views and depiction of characters have been criticized for being outdated and simplistic.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book contains themes of violence, bioterrorism, political repression, and misogyny.

From The Publisher:

Don't Miss the Original Series Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan Starring John Krasinski!

The President is dead. Now, the weight of the world falls on Jack Ryan's shoulders in this extraordinary #1 New York Times bestseller from Tom Clancy.

At the climax of Debt of Honor, the most devastating terrorist act in the history of the world left the President, the Joint Chiefs, the Supreme Court, and nearly all of Congress dead. Only Jack Ryan, confirmed Vice President mere minutes before, survived to take the reins of a shaken and leaderless country. Now he must rebuild a government, comfort a grieving nation, and become a true leader. Meanwhile, he is surrounded by enemies-both inside the White House and around the world-all of them plotting to destroy an untested President. And bring an already wounded country to its knees….

Ratings (8)

Incredible (3)
Loved It (5)

Reader Stats (12):

Read It (9)
Want To Read (3)

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About the Author:

A little more than thirty years ago Tom Clancy was a Maryland insurance broker with a passion for naval history. Years before, he had been an English major at Baltimore's Loyola College and had always dreamed of writing a novel….

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Executive Orders

Tom Clancy

Book 8 in the series:Jack Ryan Universe