Post #3870919

2026-07-16 23:04 UTC

- By far the weakest characters in the book are the Soviets. They're not BAD but they very much fit the "American imagines that Soviets are brain-washed and not very smart". - There's a bit where the Soviets are shocked that one of the American sailors is African-American. Clancy's characters are surprised by this, and America being free and not "caring" about skin colour is a point of pride for them. Fascinating seeing how even for a conservative Republican in the '80s, this was a thing they could believe and take pride in. Right wing Republicans now sure don't seem to... - There's a lot more detail about the submarine ops than even I remembered. In the time since I first read it I learned a LOT about submarine operations, and in the novel there are quite a few instances of fairly technically complex things like sound speed profiles and thermoclines being mentioned without explanation, though I don't think NOT understanding what they are would hinder readers' enjoyment. But it's still interesting WHICH things he decides to explain to the reader and which things he just mentions and passing and moves on from.

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@vampiress@eigenmagic.net 2026-07-16 23:08

- The un-named US President is depicted as Texan (NUMEROUS Texans appear in this, Clancy appears to have a Texas fetish) and a Judge who prosecuted drug traffickers. I wonder if this is the same President depicted as starting an illegal 'war' against the cartels (chronologically) two books from now. It's not stated but he reads to me as Republican in this book, yet I remember Clancy saying he felt Democratic presidents were more likely to break constitution (lol), so I vaguely recall his President character in that is Democrat-coded. Guess I'll find out in two books... - James Greer is a VERY different character in the novel than the current adaptations, and even moderately different from his larger role in the film. His love of coffee and having his own coffee machine is one of the few traits to carry over to the film, and NONE of them carry over to the current TV/movie series.

Open ##3871085