Tom Clancy :: essays research papers

The Cold War and post Cold War eras have brought with them numerous interesting aspects. New technologies initially meant for mass destruction filter down into the civilian world, making current lives easier. One example of this is the anti-lock braking systems of todays cars. in the first place designed to slow fighter-planes on landing without skidding, these systems make it safer for parents to take their children on vacation. One less noted advancement the eras brought is a considerable amount of elicit and forewarning fiction. While most authors chose to warn of nuclear and post nuclear holocaust, one significant author chose a different approach. Tom Clancy chose to write of courtly warfare and almosttimes unconventional enemies. Between his novel blood-red Storm Rising and Debt of Honor, Tom Clancy makes evident the changing face of Americas enemies and threats, term staying true to issues that keep people interested in his books.Published in 1986, Red Storm Rising is Tom Clancys second novel transaction with the former Soviet Union as a potential enemy. This was a time when Americas finest tank and infantry units went on exercises in Germany in full armed with the expectation that the Russians could attack them at any time. This was also a time when the Soviets did the same exercises with the same amount of live ammunition. Therefore there was motive enough to worry about potential conflicts. Deep within the ocean waters, submarines played similar cat and mouse games with other submarines and surface ships. However some of these submarines were more dangerous then a whole army because they were fully loaded with nuclear missles. These facts were well know to the American public and made Red Storm Rising all the more real when it combined land and ocean warfare in a way that captivated millions of readers. The book begins as the Soviet Unions ability to provide their own oil is cut off by a terrorist attack. Right away it is noted that ii very frightening events have just happened. Terrorism, for one, is a major scare tactic that can and does strike fear into millions. This was demonstrated by two guess attacks in the U.S. recently (Bombing of Flight 800 and the Olympic Park bombing). Secondly, the threat of losing petroleum resources is enough to drive governments to drastic measures. This fact is evident in the worlds participation in the 1991 Gulf War. The leaders of the Soviet Union decided that the only way to prevent the total collapse of their economy and country was to get through the oil rich Middle East.