Tom Clancy

I've been re-reading the Hunt for Red October and Patriot Games by Tom Clancy, which were the first two Clancy novels.  I stopped reading Clancy after Executive Orders because his books were getting longer and longer, and more and more boring.  Re-reading the Hunt for Red October and Patriot Games reminds me of how good he was in the beginning.  These first two novels are chock full of details, but they move at a great pace.  Plus the characters were more engaging and I actually end up caring about what happens to them.  I feel like his later novels were more him showing off all his research and knowledge, and moving from one action piece to another.

If you've never read Tom Clancy, it's worth reading the Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games, Red Storm Rising, and the Cardinal of the Kremlin.  But stop there if you don't want to get frustrated.