The Jack Ryan series by author Tom Clancy is the story of a high-level CIA analyst and ex-marine. The 10 books featured here were the ones that were written exclusively by Tom Clancy about Jack Ryan.
Other Jack Ryan books were written by different authors after the death of Tom Clancy in 2013 and even some were written in collaboration with him before he passed.
The Teeth of the Tiger is the final Jack Ryan book written by him exclusively with no collaboration.
Although Tom Clancy’s name appears on later books this is about marketing and branding rather than an acknowledgment of authorship.
The original author’s name has more gravitas and therefore is more likely to sell. However, the actual writers’ names do appear on the front of the book.
There are 12 Jack Ryan books in total, the stories continue however with his son Jack Ryan Jr with a total of 36 novels for the whole franchise.
A total of six have been made into movies between 1990 and 2021.
About The Jack Ryan Series
The Jack Ryan series of books from The Hunt for Red October to Zero Hour are based on the character of a former U.S. Marine and CIA analyst.
The books follow his career and eventual election to the office of President of the United States.
Later books feature his son Jack Ryan Jr as well as other characters featured in the earlier novels including John Clark, Domingo Chavez, and Daniel E. Murray.
As well as the movie adaptations there is also an Amazon television series featuring Jack Ryan.
Video games based on the novels have also been made including The Sum of All Fears.
Having saved a member of the Royal family from an Ulster Liberation Army assassination plot Jack Ryan wins the admiration of the country.
But not the men who planned the attack. Now they are targeting him.
As he delves into the dark world of counter-intelligence he uncovers a connection between this terrorist organization and an international underground network.
Ryan now finds himself in the struggle of his life.
Another clash of superpowers in this story of the Star Wars missile defense program.
Despite arms negotiations going well, America discovers that the Soviet Union is secretly building its own massive laser defense system.
To find out more the US needs to speak to their highest agent in the Kremlin, code-named the Cardinal. But his cover is about to be exposed, and now Jack Ryan has to rescue him.
Pros
Detailed information about global and political situations
Elected President of the United States in his own right, Jack Ryan realizes that this level of authority and responsibility doesn’t get any easier with time.
When the chairman of the SVR, former KGB, is targeted by an assassination attempt he has to find out who is responsible.
With antiterrorism specialist John Clark in Moscow as his eyes and ears, Ryan needs to defuse this dangerous situation.
This is the story of Jack Ryan’s early years as a CIA analyst on loan to the British SIS.
One of his first tasks is to debrief a Soviet defector who tells him of a plot by senior Russian officials to assassinate the Pope.
Despite his inexperience, Ryan has to untangle the plot and not just to save the life of the Pope but to stop the potential resulting instability in the Western world.
Pros
Provides background information on Jack Ryan’s early career
The last book written solely by Tom Clancy in the Jack Ryan universe brings his son Jack Ryan Jr. front and center to the story.
He becomes part of the ‘Campus’, an organization set up by his father before stepping down as President.
Faced with a possible alliance of Middle East agents and the Colombian drug network the threat to the stability of the United States is real.
Can Jack Ryan Jr. make a difference?
Pros
Brings Jack Ryan Jr. forward as the new protagonist of the book series
Cons
Last novel written solely by Tom Clancy
Final Thoughts
The work of Tom Clancy in the Jack Ryan series has produced some of the best and most detailed spy novels of a generation.
The background and depth that Clancy goes into making some of his books feel like debriefs from the CIA.
There are those who are detractors of the number of minutiae that he includes in his stories and others that say that the level of detail is what makes the tale believable.
As Clancy was an avid Naval historian this attention to detail is not surprising and works well in the books.
The fact that several of the books have been made into very successful movies is also a testament to the writing skill of the author.
Working their way through the career of this ex-marine as he becomes a CIA analyst, then National Security Adviser, and finally, President of the United States the series spans several decades.
For fans of real-world mystery, political intrigue, and espionage there are no better books to read than the Jack Ryan series by Tom Clancy.
Those who really enjoy the Ryan universe can carry on enjoying the stories through other authors who have maintained the characters after Tom Clancy passed away.
The stories follow Jack Ryan Jr. as the main protagonist of the new era of novels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Jack Ryan Book Is First In The Series?
The Hunt for Red October is the first book in the Jack Ryan series, published in 1984. However, the tale of Jack Ryan begins in Red Rabbit which was published in 2002.
What Order Should You Read The Jack Ryan Books In?
You can read the books in the order of publication. However, if you want to read about The Jack Ryan universe then start with Without Remorse then move on to Patriot Games.
How Many Jack Ryan Books Did Tom Clancy Write?
Tom Clancy wrote twelve Jack Ryan novels by himself but in 2010 he began collaborating with other authors to expand the Ryan universe. In total, he wrote 21 Jack Ryan books.
Noah Burton works as a Librarian full time, and is a blogger in his spare time. His goal is to write compelling recommendations for all of the most popular books he can find, from science fiction to romance.
With a passion for books, a drive to find new reads to get stuck into, and a love for sharing book recommendations with others, Noah can help you find the next novel for your bucket list.
