ryan, jack (fictional character)

Newly elected President Jack Ryan is disturbed by the attempted assassination of Russia's intelligence agency chairman, and as antiterrorism specialist John Clark and others go to Moscow to investigate, danger to the entire world takes shape in China.

A dangerous race is on when the crew of the Soviet Union's new ballistic-missile submarine "Red October" attempts to defect to the United States, while being pursued by the Soviet Atlantic fleet which has been ordered to find and destroy the submarine at all costs.

With the world poised on the brink of nuclear war, Ryan and his FBI counterpart, Dan Murray, seek a solution before the chiefs of state lose control of themselves and the world.

When a Japanese airliner plows into the Capitol building killing the President and most of the members of his Cabinet and Congress, Jack Ryan reluctantly assumes the role of Commander in Chief and must simultaneously calm the nation, conduct an investigation, reassemble the government, and face off with the country's enemies.

Jack Ryan must prepare the President to meet the challenge of new enemies striking not only U.S. territory but, also the heart of the U.S. economy.