I just finished the book and I was disappointed. The realism of the plot, technology and the real-life type characters (that were hallmarks of his earlier books) have given way to story that is dumb. Not only are his books getting really fat --Tom: as a helpful hint, let an editor do some trimming-- but it is now populated by characters who are all super men, super dedicated and fighting to save the world on a just in time basis. While that formula may work for Robert Ludlum, it detracts from the believability that have made the earlier Clancy novels so entertaining, engrossing and keeps you eagerly waiting his next book.