Jack Ryan books in order

The Jack Ryan series follows the core novels about Tom Clancy's iconic CIA analyst turned president, now continued by Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson.

Reading order

# Title Published Author Buy on Amazon
1 The Hunt for Red October 1984 Brian Andrews Buy
2 Patrioter 1987 Brian Andrews N/A
3 Patriot Games 1987 Brian Andrews Buy
4 Caccia a Ottobre Rosso 1984 Brian Andrews N/A
5 The Cardinal of the Kremlin 1988 Brian Andrews Buy
6 Kardynał z Kremla 1988 Brian Andrews N/A
7 Clear and Present Danger 1989 Brian Andrews Buy
8 Påtaglig fara 1989 Brian Andrews N/A
9 The Sum of All Fears 1991 Brian Andrews Buy
10 Paura senza limite 1991 Brian Andrews N/A
11 Debt of Honor 1994 Brian Andrews Buy
12 Ereschuld 1994 Brian Andrews N/A
13 Executive Orders 1996 Brian Andrews Buy
14 Befehl von oben 1996 Brian Andrews N/A
15 The Bear and the Dragon 2000 Brian Andrews Buy
16 Red Rabbit 2002 Brian Andrews Buy
17 Dead or Alive 2010 Brian Andrews Buy
18 Sfida totale 2014 Brian Andrews N/A
19 Locked On 2011 Brian Andrews Buy
20 Opperbevel 2015 Brian Andrews N/A
21 Threat Vector 2012 Brian Andrews Buy
22 Clear Shot: Colpo mortale 2016 Brian Andrews N/A
23 Command Authority 2013 Brian Andrews Buy
24 Full Force and Effect 2014 Brian Andrews Buy
25 Commander-in-Chief 2015 Brian Andrews Buy
26 Tom Clancy Erecode 2019 Brian Andrews N/A
27 Firing Point 1900 Brian Andrews N/A
28 True Faith and Allegiance 2016 Brian Andrews Buy
29 Power and Empire 2017 Brian Andrews Buy
30 Oath of Office 2018 Brian Andrews Buy
31 Code of Honor 2019 Brian Andrews Buy
32 Shadow of the Dragon 2020 Brian Andrews Buy
33 Tom Clancy Shadow State 2024 Brian Andrews N/A
34 Chain of Command 2021 Brian Andrews Buy
35 Red Winter 2022 Brian Andrews Buy
36 Command and Control 2023 Brian Andrews Buy
37 Act of Defiance 2024 Brian Andrews Buy
38 Defense Protocol 2024 Brian Andrews Buy
39 Executive Power 2025 Brian Andrews Buy
40 Rules of Engagement 2026 Brian Andrews Buy

The Jack Ryan series began with Tom Clancy’s The Hunt for Red October in 1984 and became one of the defining thriller franchises of the late 20th century. Jack Ryan starts as a CIA analyst who rises through the ranks to become Director of Central Intelligence and eventually President of the United States. Clancy’s novels were praised for their technical detail and realistic depiction of military and intelligence operations.

After Clancy’s death in 2013, the series has been continued by a succession of co-authors. Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson are the current lead authors, taking over the franchise with Act of Defiance (2024) and continuing with Shadow State, Defense Protocol, and Line of Demarcation. The series has also been adapted into films starring Harrison Ford, Ben Affleck, and Chris Pine, as well as an Amazon television series starring John Krasinski.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the Jack Ryan series?

There are 40 books in the Jack Ryan series, published between 1900 and 2026.

What is the first book in the Jack Ryan series?

The first book in the Jack Ryan series is The Hunt for Red October, published in 1984.

How many Jack Ryan novels are there?

The core Jack Ryan series includes dozens of novels spanning from The Hunt for Red October (1984) to the present. Tom Clancy wrote the original novels through 2013, and the series has been continued by co-authors including Mark Greaney, Marc Cameron, and currently Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson.

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