Summary
Red Storm Rising, published in 1986, is a fast-paced and chilling work of military fiction by acclaimed author Tom Clancy. Set in the mid-1980s, the novel depicts a hypothetical World War III between NATO and Warsaw Pact forces. Notably, Clancy portrays the conflict as being fought exclusively with conventional weapons, eschewing the use of nuclear arms. Co-authored with wargame designer Larry Bond, the novel won praise for its meticulous attention to military detail and geopolitical strategy from critics and readers alike.
Red Storm Rising has inspired several popular game versions. These include a 1988 submarine warfare computer game by MicroProse and a 1989 board game by TSR, Inc., which won multiple Origins Awards. The novel's legacy continues to resonate in military and political circles, cementing its place as a classic in the techno-thriller genre.
Plot
In Tom Clancy's Red Storm Rising, a group of Muslim terrorists destroy a crucial Soviet oil complex, triggering a severe oil shortage that threatens the USSR's stability. To address this crisis, Soviet leaders devise a bold plan to seize control of the Persian Gulf's oil reserves. However, they recognize that NATO forces pose a significant obstacle to their ambitions.
The Soviets implement a strategy of diplomatic deception to mask their military buildup. They launch a false flag operation, framing West Germany for an attack on the Kremlin. This provides a pretext for their subsequent invasion of West Germany. As Soviet forces push into NATO territory, they encounter fierce resistance, with both sides suffering heavy losses in air and ground battles.
A key element of the Soviet strategy involves capturing Iceland to control the strategic GIUK gap. They successfully seize the NATO base at Keflavík and repel an American-French naval task force sent to reclaim the island. Meanwhile, the ground war in Germany intensifies, with Soviet forces achieving a breakthrough at Alfeld. However, NATO manages to strike back, destroying Soviet fuel supplies and retaking Iceland, which allows for the resupply of NATO forces in Europe.
As the tide of war turns against them, Soviet leaders contemplate using nuclear weapons. This prompts a coup within the Soviet government, led by military officers opposed to nuclear escalation. The new leadership negotiates a ceasefire with NATO, bringing the conflict to an end and restoring the pre-war status quo. Throughout the novel, Clancy weaves together multiple storylines, following characters on both sides of the conflict as they navigate the complexities of this World War III scenario.
Themes
Global conflict and geopolitical tensions
Military strategy and tactics
Technological warfare and advanced weapons
International diplomacy and espionage
Leadership under pressure
Sacrifices and human cost of war
Unintended consequences of political decisions
Setting
Red Storm Rising is set in the mid-1980s during the latter stages of the Cold War. The story unfolds against the backdrop of heightened tensions between NATO and the Warsaw Pact, with the ever-present threat of global conflict looming large. This era was characterized by an arms race, proxy wars, and ideological battles between the capitalist West and communist East.
The action spans a vast geographical area, encompassing much of Europe, the North Atlantic, and parts of the Middle East. Key locations include West Germany, where intense ground battles take place; Iceland, which becomes a strategic focal point; and the Persian Gulf, where control of oil resources drives much of the conflict. The story also touches on events in Moscow, Washington D.C., and various naval theaters.
Specific places featured include the Soviet oil complex in Nizhnevartovsk, where the inciting incident occurs; Keflavík, Iceland, site of a crucial NATO airbase; and Alfeld, Germany, where a pivotal tank battle unfolds. The novel's diverse settings, from bustling command centers to remote submarine patrols, vividly illustrate the global scale of the imagined conflict.
Characters
Pavel Leonidovich Alekseyev: Soviet military commander who rises to become Commander-in-Chief of the Western Theater. He is a skilled tactician who leads from the front, even personally commanding a tank division at a key battle. Alekseyev becomes disillusioned with Soviet leadership and helps orchestrate a coup to end the war. He is ultimately made Deputy Minister of Defense and Chief of the General Staff.
Edward Morris: US Navy officer who commands the frigates USS Pharris and USS Reuben James during the conflict. Morris plays a key role in several naval engagements against Soviet forces in the Atlantic.
Robert A. Toland III: NSA analyst and naval reservist who provides crucial intelligence insights during the war. Toland is promoted to commander in the US Naval Reserve for his contributions.
Mikhail Eduardovich Sergetov: Soviet Energy Minister and non-voting Politburo member who becomes acting General Secretary after the coup. Sergetov is a voice of reason within the Soviet leadership throughout the crisis.
Michael D. Edwards, Jr.: US Air Force meteorological officer stationed in Iceland. Edwards leads covert intelligence gathering during the Soviet occupation, using the codename “Beagle." He receives a Navy Cross for his bravery.
Vigdis Agustdottir: An Icelandic civilian rescued from Soviet soldiers by Edwards, whom she later marries.
Daniel X. McCafferty: Commander of the US submarine USS Chicago. McCafferty leads several important submarine missions during the conflict.
Jerry “The Hammer” O'Malley: US Navy helicopter pilot serving aboard the USS Reuben James. He receives a Distinguished Flying Cross for his antisubmarine warfare efforts.
Amelia “Buns” Nakamura: US Air Force F-15 pilot who becomes the first American female fighter ace. She also becomes the first “Space Ace” by shooting down Soviet satellites.
Quick facts
Red Storm Rising was co-written by Tom Clancy and wargame designer Larry Bond, though Bond only wrote about one percent of the actual text.
Clancy and Bond used wargame simulations to test key battle sequences in the novel for accuracy.
Red Storm Rising is one of only two Clancy novels not set in his “Ryanverse” fictional universe.
The book debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list in 1986.
US President Ronald Reagan recommended the book to UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to help her understand Soviet intentions and strategy.
Some of the advanced weapons systems described in the novel were deployed four years later in the Gulf War.
Red Storm Rising was adapted into a popular computer game by MicroProse in 1988.
A board game version won two Origins Awards in 1989.
The novel depicts a hypothetical World War III fought entirely with conventional weapons, not nuclear.
Clancy interviewed a Soviet defector, Arkady Shevchenko, to research the Politburo scenes in the book.
About the Author
Tom Clancy (1947-2013) was an American author best known for his works of espionage and military fiction set during the Cold War. He worked as an insurance agent before publishing his first novel, The Hunt for Red October, in 1984. The book's success launched his career as a bestselling author, with subsequent novels like Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger cementing his status as a master of the techno-thriller genre.
Clancy's meticulous research and attention to technical details earned him praise from military experts and even a meeting with President Ronald Reagan. His novels often featured recurring characters like Jack Ryan and John Clark, both Irish Catholics with roots in Baltimore like Clancy himself. Many of his books were adapted into successful films as well as inspired popular video game franchises such as Rainbow Six and Splinter Cell.
Beyond his novels, Clancy co-authored nonfiction books about various branches of the US military and became a part-owner of the Baltimore Orioles baseball team. He was known for his conservative political views, which often influenced the themes in his work. Clancy's books consistently topped bestseller lists, with 17 of his novels reaching #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and over 100 million copies of his books sold worldwide.
Tom Clancy passed away at the age of 66, leaving behind a legacy that redefined the thriller genre. His ability to blend cutting-edge technology, geopolitics, and high-stakes action created a devoted readership and influenced a generation of authors in the espionage and military fiction genres. The Tom Clancy brand lives on through ghostwritten novels and adaptations, including the Amazon Prime series Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan.
