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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.

Things You'll Need

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

  1. 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.

Fiction

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