The Eighties in America - Salem Press (2009)

Clancy published four more popular and success-
ful novels during the 1980’s, includingRed Storm Ris-
ing(1986),Patriot Games(1987),The Cardinal of the
Kremlin(1988), andClear and Present Danger(1989).
All of Clancy’s novels of the decade were popular
sellers, easily making their way to the top of best
seller lists, andClear and Present Dangerwas the best-
selling book of the 1980’s.
Focusing on the geopolitical issues prevalent in
the 1980’s, Clancy’s novels gained a solid and loyal
following of readers who continued to buy and read
his books over the next two decades. Because
Clancy’s novels had such a large audience and the
appeal of a likable hero in Jack Ryan, several of his
books were made into major motion pictures. These
films includeThe Hunt for Red October(1990),Patriot
Games(1992), andClear and Present Danger(1994).
After the first movie, Harrison Ford took over the
role of Jack Ryan for the next two films. Ford’s por-
trayal of Jack Ryan in particular propelled Clancy’s
novels and the movies to both popular and critical
acclaim.

Impact The success of his novels and the movies

based on them allowed Clancy to publish several

other fiction series, movies, young-adult books, non-

fiction books, and video and board games. Though

Clancy himself claims not to be the originator of the

techno-thriller, his influence is evident in the work

of many writers and filmmakers who have followed

him. Whether he created the genre or not, he is

clearly a master of it.

Further Reading

Baiocco, Richard, ed.Literar y Companion to Contempo-

rar y Authors: Tom Clancy.Westport, Conn.: Green-

haven Press, 2003.

Greenberg, Martin H.The Tom Clancy Companion.

Rev. ed. New York: Berkley Trade, 2005.

Terdoslavich, William.The Jack Ryan Agenda: Policy

and Politics in the Novels of Tom Clancy—An Unau-

thorized Analysis.New York: Forge, 2005.

Kimberley M. Holloway

See also Book publishing; Cold War; Ford, Harri-

son; Literature in the United States.

Classical music

Definition Compositional styles, composers, and

works of art music

The experimental music of earlier decades, combined with

increased competition from popular music genres such as

rock and jazz, had practically eliminated the audience for

new classical compositions. However, during the 1980’s,

several twentieth centur y classical styles, including mini-

malism and postmodernism, reached aesthetic maturity

and helped revitalize the genre.

As a result of diminishing audiences for classical

music during the previous decades, it became im-

portant in the 1980’s to bring listeners back to the

concert halls. While music was becoming more phys-

ically accessible through new technology such as the

compact disc (CD), audiences were demanding more

conceptually accessible music as well. Composers of

challenging new pieces found it difficult to repeat

performances of their new compositions, and fewer

pieces were entering the classical repertoire. Film

sound tracks, such as that of Peter Shaffer’sAmadeus

(1984), reminded audiences of a fondly remem-

bered, simpler style.

216
Classical music The Eighties in America

Tom Clancy.(John Earle)