Second Blog: Tom Clancy - Without Remorse (Once read, you certainly won't be full of it)

I could probably write a blog solely on Tom Clancy, a fact that some (or most) may find sad.

While getting to grips with blogging about all sorts of different books, I feel the need to share my experience with one of my favourite authors and express my wish for you to pick up one of his books and judge for yourself.

Without Remorse is a book in the Tom Clancy series that is a prequel of sorts. The other Clancy books, are 'Bourne Supremacy' in nature, while this story has an element of harking back to the 'classics' where the main protagonist John Kelly/Clarke is a tragic hero, full of flaws and while his intentions are good, his methods are questionable.

The Clancy series usually has the main story revolving around the characters Jack Ryan and/or John Clarke however this book has a twist. It is solely about John Kelly (later to become John Clarke) the one-day head of the CIA, and his mysterious dark past . The book unravels the enigma of John and gives the reader an interesting insight into the man's back story.

Without Remorse is set in the era of the Vietnam War with John having to free POW's and also having to suppress Baltimore drug dealers and avenge the wrongs against his loved ones on the home front.

So, your thinking action, action, action, full of cliches and testosterone coming out of your eyes (some image) .... well not entirely. It does obviously contain heart pounding moments of action but Clancy's writing style has introduced tension in droves.  Possibly true Tom Clancy fans who want guns, glamour and a cigar at the end of a story will not like this as much, but Without Remorse is wrought with emotion and Clancy lets the reader into the vulnerability of an intelligent, hurt man who is faced with painful decisions.

Good points: The imagery is fantastic as well as the reader being endeared to the main character. A perfect book to start someone off wishing to find an author who has a rather large series of other good books. You will not need to read any of the other Clancy novels to get a grips with this classic.

Bad points: Slightly violent. May not be for the light hearted but what do you expect with Clancy.

In summary: I would give it a 4/5, it may not be for every ones taste however I believe the majority of people will like this book. If not, I would love to see why not!