It is unfortunate that the topic of Patriot Games is as contemporary now as it was when the novel was written. A discussion of its ideas and themes could become quite heated, especially when focused on Clancy's examination of the rationales behind terrorists' actions and behind the support they receive from others. Do Irish terrorists have the right to kill people? If theirs is a military struggle, why are their targets civilians unconnected with the military?

Another way of discussing Patriot Games would be to approach it not from the direction of its topic but from the direction of its art. It represents a new level of sophistication for Clancy. The characterizations for even secondary characters are deeper, richer than in The Hunt for Red October and Red Storm Rising.

Further, the themes are more complex and more thoroughly worked out. In particular, Clancy presents the...