Truly said, I am not good in writing a review for a book. But why not I just give a shot?Frankily speaking, I bought this book few years back after I watched the movie on tv. Suffice to say, I was blinded by the hype of US Navy dominance against the handicapped Soviet naval fleet, and at that time, I was engrossed in reading military magazine and playing computer games (something to do with shooting and killing) as well. What I did was on the spur of the moment. I just thought - why not I just buy the book, and compare what is written between what is filmed?
To begin with, Jack Ryan is a military analyst working for CIA. He was summoned by the Chief Admiral of US Navy to brief all the top gentlemen about a recent intel relayed from US spy in Kremlin, whereby a missile submarine Red October had just sailed and his commander left a mysterious letter to the Chief Admiral of Soviet Navy. Soon after that, a whole fleet - submarines, destroyers, frigates, you-name-it, were dispatched to hunt this submarine and if necessary, sink her. This of course raised alarm in US Navy intel, as why would they like to destroy their own submarine? The US, as a reaction, ordered all the fleet to fully alert and sink her as well if she is detected. Somehow Jack Ryan believes that the commander of this submarine is trying to defect by predicting that the letter is a solid proof stating he is seriously wants to defect. And nobody believes him except one, and he was given a chance to prove his theory. If not, they will hunt Red October down.
For your information, Red October is a Typhoon-class submarine, and the most technologically-advanced in its class. It is equipped by secretly developed ultra-quiet propulsion, chiefly addressed as 'caterpillar' in the book which works on basis of creating a jet of water as a mechanism to drive the submarine forward and in quietest manner possible. In submarines' world, being the most silent is the utmost priority - submarine is detected by 'listening'. In a nutshell, this submarine is really dangerous as it can sneak in any waters without being detected and delivery its nuclear payload in no time.
In the beginning, I was astonished by calmness of Captain Marko Ramius, the skipper of Soviet's most powerful missile boat, and also a legend in Soviet naval fleet especially for underwater warfare pertaining to tactics and doctrines of Soviet submarines. Or should I say - He is the hero. Now why he would like to defect to US by surrendering the whole submarine he is in, which is Red October?
Deep down in his heart, he was on rage of venegeance all the time. Years back, his beloved wife was purposedly put to death, simply due to irresponsible actions done by indisciplined doctor who is the son of one of the Politburo officers. To make it easier to be understood by readers, since that incident he has no faith in fulfilling the dream of Soviet's utopian nation under the helm of Communism. So he'd like to have a new life, by embracing the so-called democracy advocated by US.
Despite his detailed plan, several villains also came out to make sure his 'selfish' ambition is just merely a dream. His political officers happened to smell the rut, and in order to keep the plan in secrecy, Ramius murdered him, and made up an unbelievable incident (if there any chances you'll be dead if you slipped on your tea?) to cover it up. Adding salt to the wound, there was a sabotage. A spy disguised as a cook (much like Casey Ryback I think) sabotaged the ultra-silent propulsion system in attempt to foil Ramius' 'evil' plan. That's one. He also almost incinerated the whole submarine by triggering the nuclear missile's rocket motor. Now its two. Too bad, the hero got shot by Jack Ryan (the hero is this novel) and died in honor, leaving behind Ramius and the officers to continue on as planned.
In comparison with the movie shown on the tv, I noticed several cutbacks. In the movie, Red October was never hit by any torpedo, but in the book, it was hit once. And hey, in the opening credit it says
Based on a book? Yeah right. Actually, there was an incident that took place in late 80s where a Soviet missile submarine sunk in the Atlantic after surfaced for a while. Then Tom Clancy imagined that it could be made up like this - a Soviet missile submarine surfaced, then the captain contacted the US Navy stating that he wants to defect to US, and the submarine plus the officers minus the crew will be given as a 'gift' from him. Wow! That would make a best-selling book!
What I get out of this book:
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Several Russian military jargons like:Politburo - Political party (obviously a Communist party)
Zampolit - Political officer aboard a ship or submarine
and much much more...
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Some American military jargons as well:Birds - missile (eg. Birds away! - Missiles away!)
and much much more...
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Communism from an American's point of viewTom Clancy believes in his country's system. Surely he is proud until now, as the world saw the fall of Communism about a decade ago. Who knows the dream that they have paved for years turned out to be the biggest fiasco of all? Nonetheless, by simply being the winner does not mean you are flawless. In this book, it is potrayed that under Soviet empire, people are oppressed all the time, and the Soviets have dreams about freedom and happiness in America. Maybe that give rise to 'American Dream' phrase. Maybe. Apart from that, I truly appreciate the beauty of Islam more soon after I read this book - Communism bla bla bla do not sit right with me.
Tak kene pada fitrah manusia!.
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Details regarding US Navy strengthBased on his credentials I've looked at and his photo with US Navy cap at the book cover, I reckon he must in the military sometime ago. So he knows his stuff well. That's why I could be military analyst if I continue on reading with passion, as so many information were given in the book. Despite that, sometimes I am getting bored reading the praises made by the author for the US Navy. Too much boasting I suppose. IMHO, all the navymen fight as hard as you were, maybe even more! I just feel uneasy when it is mentioned an American navyman is so intelligent and has sound judgment, as opposed to the Soviet's which more like an inefficient mindless drone with low morale. Nevertheless we cannot deny the waves of technology that already revolutionised the military equipment industry, has to do with the morale of a militaryman.
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I need to read more!Yeah, reading from just one source is basically not enough to get all the ideas out there. Sorry Tom Clancy, I envy your thickness of your wallet so I will not buy any of your books again. Nonetheless, this book is certainly one of my favourite.
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Insights about being a skipper and the machinery of a submarine.I wonder how a skipper could navigate a submarine. They could not see what's ahead and around them. They just rely on the accuracy of underwater chart for not hitting any of the cliffs and mountains. Its more like driving a car with windscreen and window painted on, and use map and stopwatch to guide you and make sure you do not hit anything. That's tough man!
Final say:Go out and buy one! It is really worth the money if you are into military gadgets and stuff like that. If not, that I'd reckon this is not a good book to read. Seriously. And, if you like computer games, get yourself
Fleet Command to feel how it's like to control a naval fleet.
Postscriptum: Hisham of Perth made a review about The Prize - The Epic Quest for Oil, Money & Power by Daniel Yergin. Hmmm... maybe I'll buy if money is not an issue :P. Waaaa... I'm broke!
Oh, I am just flabbergasted upon reading the new article featured in SCIAM May 2004 (I know its kinda old now) on the origin of universe. Entitled "The Time Before Time", it unfolds another hypothesis churned out by physicists concerning Big Bang. For years, they have striven hard to explain the origin of universe. That's how the Big Bang theory was conceived. Now, they're suggesting the Big Bang was not the start of all. It may simply the outcome of a preexisting universe. Now the intellectual pendulum swings again for another change in perspective towards how the Universe actually begins. Phew! I am still yet to understand all these mumbo-jumbo especially regarding String Theory. Any physicist around that can enlighten me up? 
Online bookstores that I think its really worth a visit: