The Sum of All FearsThe Sum of All Fears
Score Modern
What it's about
Peace may finally be within reach in the Middle East, thanks to a plan laid by CIA Deputy Director Jack Ryan. But terrorists have one last card to play: a nuclear weapon hidden somewhere in the United States.
Why it's worth reading
It spent 7 weeks at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and was one of the ten best-selling books of 1991.
You'll love it if you liked
The Cardinal of the Kremlin
Clear and Present Danger
The Hunt for Red OctoberGood to know
It's very long and technically detailed.
By the numbers
- Readers34 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller56 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #315 of the 555 mysteries and thrillers we rank
- #1019 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #1879 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Gripping, Adventurous, Epic
More by Tom Clancy
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Quick answers
Is The Sum of All Fears worth reading?
Yes. It spent 7 weeks at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and was one of the ten best-selling books of 1991. It ranks #1,879 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 64.9 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Sum of All Fears about?
Peace may finally be within reach in the Middle East, thanks to a plan laid by CIA Deputy Director Jack Ryan. But terrorists have one last card to play: a nuclear weapon hidden somewhere in the United States.
How long does it take to read The Sum of All Fears?
About 23 hours (932 pages), or about 7 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Sum of All Fears?
If you liked it, try The Cardinal of the Kremlin by Tom Clancy, Clear and Present Danger by Tom Clancy or The Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy.