MILITARY - FICTION
"The Dragon and the Bear" by Tom Clancy 
The Russians discover vast deposits of gold and oil in Siberia. The Chinese are broke and need fuel and hard currency. The Russians are weak and the Chinese are strong in conventional forces. The Chinese decide to take what they need and a fur-ball ensues.
Jack Ryan is the President of the United States and he has a real challenge dealing with the Chinese and the Russians and averting a global catastrophe. But, he has help from an inside source getting informal information from the Chinese Politburo. Some of the major players are his pals the Foleys that run the CIA and former Naval fighter jock and VP Jackson. John Clark and Dink Chavez from Rainbow are also involved.
This book is a little long-winded but, as with all Clancy novels, a good read.
Reviewed by Kenneth S. Smith 10 December 2000
G. Putnam & Sons
375 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
