How to Find a Techno-Thriller You Can't Put Down

Techno-thrillers began their assault on best-seller lists when Tom Clancy's "The Hunt for Red October" was found on Ronald Reagan's bookshelf. Clancy now is an industry, and his literary descendants are churning out exciting action-adventure novels.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Bookstore Gift Certificates
• Book Bags
• Book Lights
• Bookcases
• Reading Chairs
• Reading Lamps
• Library Cards

The Writers and the Heroes

1. Begin with the books of the master, Tom Clancy, and follow the saga of John Patrick Ryan from college professor to CIA analyst and beyond.
2. Fly through the adventures of naval aviator Jake Grafton as told by Stephen Coonts.
3. Learn new tricks as Dale Brown sends the Old Dog on missions deep into the Evil Empire, and then follow Patrick McLanahan into danger again.
4. Delve into the strategic conflagrations that flow from the pen of Larry Bond, and follow Colonel Peter Thorn and Special Agent Helen Gray as they confront terrorist threats.
5. Check out Richard Herman, whose action-adventures have been called "the thinking man's Clancy."
6. Chart the army, marine and police adventure series written by W.E.B. Griffin.
7. Look into the works of Joe Weber, Pat O'Connell, Robert Payton Moore and Harry Coyle.

The Books and the Readers

8. Understand that techno-thrillers, by nature, are action-adventure tales centered on the military and national security.
9. Remember, techno-thrillers are generally long, and the authors - Tom Clancy, particularly - are renowned for complex plotting.
10. Be aware that some techno-thrillers verge on science fiction, but only a few books blur the line between the genres.
11. Join an e-mail list or visit one of the numerous fan sites on the Web to learn more about your favorite author.

Revisit Old Favorites

12. Look for a copy of "Fail Safe" by Eugene Burdick.
13. Think about what might have been and read "Seven Days in May" by Fletcher Knebel.
14. Face speculations about The Bomb with Neville Shute's "On the Beach."
15. Watch action-adventure turn literary in the novels of John Le Carre.

Tips & Warnings

• Follow Clancy's saga of John Patrick Ryan by beginning with "Without Remorse" and then continue with "Patriot Games," "The Hunt for Red October," "The Cardinal of the Kremlin," "Clear and Present Danger," "The Sum of All Fears," "Debt of Honour," "Executive Orders" and "Rainbow Six." The books were published out of order.