Red Rabbit

By: Tom Clancy

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 26 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

In the early 1980s, long before he was President or head of the CIA, even before a submarine named Red October crossed the Atlantic, Jack Ryan was an historian, teacher, and recent ex-Marine temporarily living in England. A series of deadly encounters with an IRA splinter group had brought him to the attention of the CIA's Deputy Director, Vice Admiral James Greer - and when Greer asked him to come aboard Jack was quick to accept. The opportunity was irresistible.

Then Jack forgot about the rest of his work, because on his first day, an extraordinary document crossed his desk. The new Pope had just delivered a private ultimatum to Warsaw: If the government persisted in its repression, he would feel compelled to resign the papacy and return to Poland.

That was going to have consequences.

In Moscow, another man was contemplating those very same consequences. Yuri Andropov, the chairman of the KGB, did not like what this meant for him or for his nation. All it took was one man to cause everything he had worked for to crumble...and all it took was one man to stop him. The Pope was very powerful - but he was also mortal.

And so it begins, an almost unthinkable plot - a plan to bring down not just leaders, but nations. Ryan will find himself in the middle of a chain reaction, a high-stakes game meant to shake the world...and in which a novice CIA analyst might just be out of his depth.

©2002 Rubicon Inc. (P)2002 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Smart and likable, Jack Ryan has become one of the best-known characters in contemporary American fiction." (Washington Post)
"The daily games [Clancy's] spies play are fascinating." (USA Today)

Very dull, verrrrryyyyy slllooooooowwwww..

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Not really. Brick is excellent but the book is just very weak. Nothing happens. Clancy rambles on and on interminably about communism. Then another character starts thinking about it and we get to hear the same diatribes all over again. Repeat ad nauseum. Very boring.

What was most disappointing about Tom Clancy’s story?

What story? Nothing really happens. The entire "plot" would be the subject of one chapter in another of his books. This book is really not worthy of Clancy in my opinion. Furthermore, Jack Ryan comes across as more of a loudmouthed jerk in this book compared to his other adventures, where he's more circumspect and not as profane. This entire book just seems incongruous with Clancy's oeuvre (there... I get a nickel for using "oeuvre").

What about Scott Brick’s performance did you like?

He's one of the better narrators and does excellently with all types of accents (at least to my American ear). His Brit could stand some polishing up, but it's not laughable like some narrators' attempts.

Was Red Rabbit worth the listening time?

No... I think I'd not bother with this one if I could choose again.

supet

great book. twists and turns with great action by all characters. a winning read

Loved the story!

Good story even though it was a bit dated. Well worth listening or reading especially if you watch the TV show and want more!

Groovy!

OK, first thing - Scott Brick reads this and you can tell that he digs it. Scott Brick. Need I say more about the narration? This "chronologically 3rd" Jack Ryan novel is spooky in the sense that there are a lot of spooks in it. You got your KGS signals officer, as well as British and American Intelligence agency field and desk employees, and let's throw a couple of Bulgarian and Turkish fiends in the mix. Yeah, spooky! This is one of my favorite Jack Ryan novels despite the fact that while he's so dang smart about government, intelligence analysis and economics Jack shows a rather naïve thinking about theology, religion in general and the Catholic Church in particular. He comes across as being motivated by morality, but his morality is a bit murky. There's a shallow conservatism about him. If he had mentioned Charles Krauthammer just once, I could accept his 'tude, but I shall be generous and cut him some slack, because he is otherwise a very groovy dude and he loves his wife and kids.

Tom Clancy is an engaging writer

Some of the language used was old, (and actually made me sit back and say he used What word!?) meaning 1982 awareness wasn’t where it is currently. I believe intentions are good tho.
The story arc was good. Wished it was longer.
I am totally in love with this Narrator. He is incredibly talented and matches Tom Clancy’s writing abilities.

wow what a clasic.

I honestly can't say enough good things about author or this book as a classic. Performance done by the reader was also phenomenal I highly recommend anybody going to military thrillers pick this one up.

To much unneeded Ryan family drama with no pay off

The ryan family drama is forced and doesn't make any sense. other then that this book is much better then the first book. I wish I could buy these books with Jack's family cut completely out. The information about the Rabbits family makes sense and helps build the characters back story. While the information about Jack's family feels like filler and is annoying to listen to.

Good book in the series

Suggest getting the books in order to understand what's going on also like the comment that the narrator has to have credit for being able to pronounce all the names

This tome needs the help of Readers Digest condensing team

Too much repeating dialog, Clancy must have thought he was paid by counting pages, Good story torn down with “fireside chat” and empty comments. Would be so much better minus fluff and maybe 8 hours long.

Not Clancy's best

Hard to follow storyline. Scott brick is masterful in all the clancy books he's read and I give him praise for his performance of this story. I'd imagine it had to be difficult for him to follow along while reading... It's not a good book or story. Honestly... I've read almost all of Clancy's books, and this is probably his worst