Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard of Tom Clancy or Jack Ryan. You’re here looking for a list of Tom Clancy books in order, right?
Well I’m happy to say that we’re here to help.
With a dozen different series and franchises bearing his name, it can be difficult to wade through all the Tom Clancy books in order. But before we get to that, let’s learn about Tom Clancy himself.
Who is Tom Clancy?
Thomas Leo Clancy Jr. (Baltimore, April 12, 1947 – October 1, 2013), better known as Tom Clancy, was an American writer best known for his espionage and military intelligence novels set in the Cold War and later armed conflicts. His work has been adapted into numerous successful films and video games. At the time of his death, Tom Clancy had sold more than 50 million books worldwide.
In this article we’ll go through all of his work, including the reading order of his series: Jack Ryan, Net Force, Net Force Explorers, EndWar, Ghost Recon, H.A.W.X., Op-Center, Power Plays, Splinter Cell, and The Division.
You’ll notice that some books listed here are written by different authors than Tom Clancy, though they carry Tom Clancy’s signature. These books were approved by Tom Clancy’s family estate to be written with his characteristic detailed, accurate, and realistic style, and most of them are stories outlined by Tom Clancy before his death.
Tom Clancy Books in Order
Jack Ryan Universe Books in Order
Often referred to as the Ryanverse, the Jack Ryan series is one of the most successful political drama franchises in the United States and the world. The saga was first created in 1984 by highly-awarded author Tom Clancy when he published The Hunt for Red October. Due to its success, Tom Clancy kept writing Jack Ryan books until his death in 2013, although the series has continued by other authors approved by Clancy’s family state.
Jack Ryan is a former U.S. Marine and stockbroker who becomes a history teacher at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He is also the son of a Baltimore police detective and a nurse.
Ryan later works for the CIA as an analyst and field officer, eventually rising to the position of Deputy Director. He served as National Security Advisor and Vice President until a terrorist attack hit the White House and forced him into the US President Position.
In this list, we put together all Jack Ryan and Jack Ryan Jr. books. We also included Without Remorse (1993) and Rainbow Six (1998), which belong to the same universe.
For a more in-depth look at this series, check out my list of Jack Ryan books in order.
- The Hunt for Red October (1984)
- Patriot Games (1987)
- The Cardinal of the Kremlin (1988)
- Clear and Present Danger (1989)
- The Sum of All Fears (1991)
- Without Remorse (1993)
- Debt of Honor (1994)
- Executive Orders (1996)
- Rainbow Six (1998)
- The Bear and the Dragon (2000)
- Red Rabbit (2002)
- The Teeth of the Tiger (2003) (Jack Ryan Jr)
- Dead or Alive (2010) (Jack Ryan Jr)
- Locked On (2011) (Jack Ryan Jr)
- Threat Vector (2012) (Jack Ryan Jr)
- Command Authority (2013) (Jack Ryan Jr)
- Support and Defend (2014) (Jack Ryan Jr)
- Full Force and Effect (2014) (Jack Ryan Jr)
- Under Fire (2015) (Jack Ryan Jr)
- Commander-in-Chief (2015)
- Duty and Honor (2016) (Jack Ryan Jr)
- True Faith and Allegiance (2016)
- Point of Contact (2017) (Jack Ryan Jr)
- Power and Empire (2017)
- Line of Sight (2018) (Jack Ryan Jr)
- Oath of Office (2018)
- Enemy Contact (2019) (Jack Ryan Jr)
- Code of Honor (2019)
- Firing Point (2020) (Jack Ryan Jr)
- Shadow of the Dragon (2020)
- Target Acquired (2021) (Jack Ryan Jr)
- Chain of Command (2021)
- Zero Hour (2022) (Jack Ryan Jr)
- Red Winter (2022)
- Flash Point (2023) (Jack Ryan Jr)
- Weapons Grade (2023) (Jack Ryan Jr)
- Command and Control (2023)
- Act of Defiance (Expected: May 21, 2024)
- Shadow State (Expected: August 13, 2024) (Jack Ryan Jr)
- Defense Protocol (Expected: December 3, 2024)
Net Force Books in Order
In the year 2010, computers are the new superpowers. Whoever controls them will dominate the world. So, to enforce the laws of the network, Congress creates the ultimate internet security department as a sub-branch of the FBI: Net Force.
Someone with access to secret information disseminates a list of all US spies operating in the Eurasian arena via the Internet, as well as data on the movements of rival drug trafficking organizations. Net Force Commander Alex Michaels must appear before a hostile Senate committee to justify the very existence of the Net Force.
Meanwhile, a virus wreaks havoc on the American financial system, and the Net Force agents must try to track the hacker through the maze of cyberspace until they find a clue that leads them closer to their own organization.
Net Force takes an in-depth look at future U.S. defense and intelligence systems. Once again, Tom Clancy is ahead of his time in this fascinating and well-researched series about the highest threads of power and the risks to which we are all subject.
The original Net Force idea was alluded to in the third Op-Center novel, Games of State; considering that Net Force was founded by the same two individuals who invented the Op-Center series, it’s safe to conclude that the two universes are linked. However, no clear link has been shown between the two.
- Net Force (1998)
- Hidden Agendas (1998)
- Night Moves (1999)
- Breaking Point (2000)
- Point of Impact (2001)
- CyberNation (2001)
- State of War (2003)
- Changing of the Guard (2003)
- Springboard (2005)
- The Archimedes Effect (2006)
- Net Force: Dark Web (2019)
- Eye of the Drone (2020) (Novella)
- Net Force: Attack Protocol (2020)
- Net Force: Threat Point (2021)
- Net Force: Moving Target (2023)
Net Force Explorers Books in Order
Net Force Explorers is a spin-off series of Net Force, but aimed at younger audiences by Tom Clancy and Steve Pieczenik.
To prevent cyber-terrorists from damaging the Internet and its virtual reality network in 2025, the Net Force will be responsible for securing it. The Net Force Explorers, a junior auxiliary for computer professionals who have finished a rigorous training program, help in this task.
Maj (Madeline) Green, David Gray, Matt Hunter, Mark Gridley, Leif Anderson, Andy Moore, Megan O’Malley, Catie, and Charlie Davis are among the explorers, who are headed by Captain James Winters, a former Marine commander. While building virtual worlds and playing high-tech computer games, these young folks investigate cybercrime and combat international terrorism.
However, unfortunately, these books are all out of print. We’ve linked to them below, but they may or may not be available for purchase.
- Virtual Vandals (By Diane Duane, 1998)
- The Deadliest Game (By Bill McCay, 1998)
- One is the Loneliest Number (By Diane Duane, 1999)
- The Ultimate Escape (By Marc Cerashi, 1999)
- End Game (By Diane Duane, 1999)
- Cyberspy (By Bill McCay, 1999)
- The Great Race (By Bill McCay, 1999)
- Shadow of Honor (By Mel Odom, 2000)
- Private Lives (By Bill McCay, 2000)
- Safe House (By Diane Duane, 2000)
- Gameprey (By Mel Odom, 2000)
- Duel Identity (By Bill McCay, 2000)
- Deathworld (By Diane Duane, 2000)
- High Wire (By Mel Odom, 2001)
- Cold Case (By Bill McCay, 2001)
- Runaways (By Diane Duane, 2001)
- Cloak and Dagger (By John Helfers, Russell Davis, 2002)
- Own Goal (By Diane Duane, 2002)
- Death Match (By Diane Duane, 2003)
EndWar Books in Order
This series, based on the blockbuster Tom Clancy video game, will transport readers to the dystopic battlefields of World War III, packed with the technological sophistication and explosive action that Tom Clancy fans have come to expect.
Following a deadly nuclear exchange in the Middle East, America and Russia find themselves on opposing sides in the global resource race.
Major Stephanie Halverson of the Joint Strike Force examines a breakthrough new radar technology while on a recon mission over Russia — until she is shot down. Captain Mikhail “Lex” Alexandrov, a tenacious Marine Raider, is pursuing a wanted terrorist in Ecuador’s jungles when he stumbles onto an international plot that will set him and his unit against each other. Meanwhile, a former Russian spy is being pursued by her compatriots on an island off the coast of Japan, and her only way out may be to defect to the West.
Each of their stories is intertwined with the fate of a dangerous cabal that was assumed to be eliminated but was just wounded.
- EndWar (By David Michaels, 2008)
- The Hunted (By David Michaels, 2011)
- The Missing (By Peter Telep, 2013)
Ghost Recon Books in Order
The Special Forces of the United States Army are famed for their highly specialized training and bravery behind enemy lines. However, there is a team that is even more cunning and lethal. The Ghost Recon warriors are made up of some of the most feared operators on the planet.
- Ghost Recon (By David Michaels, 2008)
- Combat Ops (By David Michaels, 2011)
- Choke Point (By Peter Telep, 2012)
- Wildlands: Dark Waters (By Richard Dansky, 2017)
H.A.W.X. Books in Order
A private military contractor named Firehawk takes over just as Troy Loensch is establishing himself as a pilot with the United States Air Force. But Troy, like the CIA, isn’t pleased with the agreement. And when they urge Troy to assist them in their investigation into Firehawk, he agrees — with disastrous results.
- H.A.W.X. (2009)
Op-Center Books in Order
The “National Crisis Management Center” is the official name of the mainly independent institution, which is commonly referred to as “Op-Center.” The NCMC, has a license unlike any other in American history. They are capable of dealing with both internal and international emergencies.
Director Paul Hood reports directly to the President, and what began as “an information clearinghouse with SWAT capabilities” has since evolved into the unique capability of monitoring, initiating, and managing operations all around the world. The Striker squad, named after a member of the Op-Center who was a soccer aficionado, is a paramilitary reaction team made up of members of the US military special operations community.
- Call of Duty (With Steve Pieczenik, 1995)
- Mirror Image (By Jeff Rovin, 1995)
- Games of State (By Jeff Rovin, 1996)
- Acts of War (By Jeff Rovin, 1996)
- Balance of Power (By Jeff Rovin, 1998)
- State of Siege (By Jeff Rovin, 1999)
- Divide and Conquer (By Jeff Rovin, 2000)
- Line of Control (By Jeff Rovin, 2001)
- Mission of Honor (By Jeff Rovin, 2002)
- Sea of Fire (By Jeff Rovin, 2003)
- Call to Treason (By Jeff Rovin, 2004)
- War of Eagles (By Jeff Rovin, 2005)
- Out of the Ashes (By George Galdorisi, 2014)
- Into the Fire (By Dick Couch, George Galdorisi, 2015)
- Scorched Earth (By George Galdorisi, 2016)
- Dark Zone (By George Galdorisi, 2017)
- For Honor (By Jeff Rovin, 2018)
- Sting of the Wasp (By Jeff Rovin, 2019)
- God of War (By Jeff Rovin, 2020)
- The Black Order (By Jeff Rovin, 2021)
- Fallout (By Jeff Rovin, 2023)
Power Plays Books in Order
In 1999, the United States is stunned by a horrific terrorist assault, and all evidence points to a member of Russia’s recently created interim government. Then, Roger Gordian, an American businessman, discovers that his worldwide organization and its employees are at risk.
He enlists the help of his crisis management team to track out criminals responsible for the attack. Gordian, on the other hand, has no idea how far the terrorists will go — or how much he stands to lose.
- Politika (With Martin H. Greenberg, Jerome Preisler, 1997)
- Ruthless.com (With Martin H. Greenberg, Jerome Preisler, 1998)
- Shadow Watch (With Martin H. Greenberg, Jerome Preisler, 1999)
- Bio-Strike (With Martin H. Greenberg, Jerome Preisler, 2000)
- Cold War (With Martin H. Greenberg, Jerome Preisler, 2001)
- Cutting Edge (With Martin H. Greenberg, Jerome Preisler, 2002)
- Zero Hour (With Martin H. Greenberg, Jerome Preisler, 2003)
- Wild Card (With Martin H. Greenberg, Jerome Preisler, 2004)
Splinter Cell Books in Order
Splinter Cell is a series of books based off of the video game’s published by Ubisoft. Yes, you read that right. The books were based off of the game instead of the other way around.
Ubisoft was looking for a new franchise to show off its (at the time) state of the art technology and Tom Clancy fit the bill. Though he had little to no involvement, he did give the greenlight to the project.
The books are mostly written by David Michaels with one book authored by Peter Telep.
- Splinter Cell (By David Michaels, 2004)
- Operation Barracuda (By David Michaels, 2005)
- Checkmate (By David Michaels, 2006)
- Fallout (By David Michaels, 2007)
- Conviction (By David Michaels, 2009)
- Endgame (By David Michaels, 2009)
- Aftermath (By Peter Telep, 2013)
- Dragonfire (By James Swallow, 2023)
The Division Books in Order
New York Collapse is a dramatized in-world companion to Ubisoft’s Tom Clancy’s The Division, one of the 2016 most anticipated video games. A mystery lurks within this discarded survivalist field guide written before the collapse: A handwritten story of a lady trying to figure out why New York City collapsed.
- New York Collapse (By Alex Irvine, 2016)
- Broken Dawn (By Alex Irvine, 2019)
- Compromised (By Thomas Parrott, 2022)
Tom Clancy Standalone Books in Order
- Red Storm Rising (1986)
- SSN: Strategies for Submarine Warfare (With Martin H. Greenberg, 1996)
- Against All Enemies (With Peter Telep, 2011)
- Act of Valor (With Dick Couch, George Galdorisi, 2012)
Tom Clancy Non-Fiction Books in Order
Submarine is the first book in Tom Clancy’s Guided Tour series of nonfiction books, which explores many aspects of the US military. It was released on November 1, 1993. Submarine delves into the inner workings of two nuclear submarines in particular, the USS Miami and the HMS Triumph.
A picture section is included in certain editions of the book, and some feature a special chapter on the Seawolf and Virginia-class submarines. The history and further information on other countries’ submarines may be found in the chapter ‘Other People’s Submarines.’
Tom Clancy gives precise details of tanks, helicopters, artillery, and more — the technology underlying the United States Army — with the same riveting immediacy as his bestselling fiction. He accurately conveys military life, from the drama of war to the everyday grind, and also shows the responsibilities and duties that have differentiated our fighting forces in recent years.
- Submarine: A Guided Tour Inside a Nuclear Warship (1993)
- Armored Cav: A Guided Tour of an Armored Cavalry Regiment (1994)
- Fighter Wing: A Guided Tour of an Air Force Combat Wing (1995)
- Marine: A Guided Tour of a Marine Expeditionary Unit (1996)
- Airborne: A Guided Tour Of An Airborne Task Force (1997)
- Into the Storm: On the Ground in Iraq (1997)
- Carrier: A Guided Tour of an Aircraft Carrier (1999)
- Every Man a Tiger: The Gulf War Air Campaign (1999)
- Special Forces: A Guided Tour of U.S. Army Special Forces (2000)
- Shadow Warriors: Inside the Special Forces (2001)
- Battle Ready (2004)
Tom Clancy Splinter Cell Books
1. Splinter Cell
The National Security Agency has ushered in a new era of intelligence-gathering tactics in response to the rising use of sophisticated digital encryption to conceal possible threats to the United States. Third Echelon is the codename for the top-secret program.
Third Echelon sends out Sam Fisher, a field operator, despite the US government’s denial of its existence. He’s razor-sharp, almost imperceptible, and lethal. Furthermore, to defend American liberties, he has the authority to spy, steal, destroy, and assassinate.
2. Operation Barracuda
Sam effectively crushed the arms-dealing terrorist group known as the Shop in the last novel, but he did not eliminate it. They return in this story with revenge on their minds. They plan to offer the necessary nuclear arms to a renegade Chinese general so he can strike Taiwan.
3. Checkmate
Fisher is called off of a training exercise to intercept a cargo freighter loaded down with radioactive material and heading straight for the U.S. coast. He has minutes to disable the ship — or else die trying. But while he races to beat the clock, another attack has hit its target.
As the residents of a small town in New Mexico start dying of radiation poisoning, Fisher weaves through a tangled web of clues to find the mastermind behind the strikes: One of the greatest enemies of the free world…
4. Fallout
An old friend of Sam Fischer, a former Justice Department investigator, is found dead of radiation poisoning. Trace amounts in the man’s body point Fisher to a poison so lethal that only a few countries produce it.
Following the radiation trail, Fisher winds up in Kyrgystan, where a radical Islamic leader who dreams of the past will do anything in his power to ensure that the future is destroyed — by hitting the world where it hurts: Oil.
5. Conviction
The novel is set two years before the Conviction videogame. It is a semi-prequel covering some of Sam Fisher’s time on the run between Double Agent and Conviction rather than a novelization of the videogame, Splinter Cell: Conviction.
Third Echelon is training new recruits who tasked with a necessary but terrible mission. They must then capture or kill one of their own, a man who’s allegedly gone rogue and sold out his government: Sam Fisher.
6. Endgame
Endgame tells the story of Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Conviction from the perspective of the chasing party.
The first thirteen chapters of Endgame, one-third of the book, takes place around 18 months before the first chapter of the Conviction novel. Endgame moves between the dual timelines of the past and the present. Several elements of the last chapter and epilogue go beyond the events of the novel Conviction.
7. Aftermath
Igor Kasperov, an eccentric millionaire, runs one of the world’s most prominent and profitable anti-virus software firms. However, he must run for his life when the Kremlin orders him to release a devastating computer virus in the United States.
Sam Fisher and Fourth Echelon must track down Kasperov and present him with the US president’s offer of political refuge. Because others are looking for Kasperov, and all they have to give him is a quick death.
Final Thoughts on Tom Clancy Books in Order
Now that we’ve looked at all the Tom Clancy books in order, you likely realize his name is attached to a dozen different series and franchises.
Have you read any of them? Which is your favorite?
Looking for more books in order?
Check out this list of Jack Reacher books in order.