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I have no idea of the criteria that authors and publishers use to select
the photos they use to tell us what our storyteller looks like. But
it might be fun to see what Tom Clancy and G. P. Putnam have done for (with)
Clancy's image.
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This studious picture of a young
Tom Clancy appeared on the inside flap of the jacket cover for "The Hunt
for Red October." Check out those glasses. They are almost
the military issue style of 1984 when the book appeared. Maybe they
really are GI specs.
The pose, the bookshelves, the sweater all contribute to the "author"
image. A good shot for our budding novelist.
I'd really like to know what book has him so engrossed. We can
be somewhat sure it isn't a Clancy novel. This is his first book.
There weren't any to use. I'd really like to know. |
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The Tom Clancy photo for "Patriot Games" moved
outdoors with cool weather attire. The glasses are more like aviator
shades and the author has definitely matured.
I'm not sure the photo selection can be interpreted to be sending any
message about the content of "Patriot Games", or of "The Cardinal in the
Kremlin" and "Clear and Present Danger" both of which shared this photo.
Suppose the publishers still hadn't caught on to what they had and wouldn't
spring for a new picture. Maybe they just liked it a lot.
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With the "Sum of All Fears", Clancy's mug shot
was promoted from the inside flap of the jacket cover to the full page
treatment on the back of the book.
This full-face shot continues the studious look and the shades still
remind us of a naval aviator.
Was there a message in the prominent positioning of his ring finger?
Inquiring minds want to know.
The bar code kind of detracts from the full effect of the photo.
But this is a commercial endeavor so just deal with it. |
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Now we're getting somewhere. The great
outdoors, but still in Black & White? The full-face pose only
lasted for one book and the publisher switched to this scene for "Without
Remorse". The "Iowa" cap makes its first appearenct here and will
become some kind of a trademark.
It looks like the rugged approach hinted at in the second picture received
full attention in this one.
Can't you imagine all the PR theories that came up as the editors, or
whoever, plowed through stacks of Clancy photos to select just the right
one to convey that perfect image to maximize sales?
Or did someone take just him out and snap a shot one afternoon? |
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Wow! Color. Binoculars? And
just a hint of a smile. Or is it a smile? Wow! This high
class picture graces the jacket cover of "Debt of Honor"
What the heck is with the binoculars? Our favorite author is leaning
on a railing viewing some sort of spectacular vista. Don't you think?
I wonder what he is looking at. If anyone recognizes that railing,
please let me know and I'll pass along that information to a waiting public.
The windbreaker and that red Iowa cap would look good at the railing
of his boat, or more likely, on the bridge of a guided missile cruiser.
Can't you see that? |
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"Executive Orders" first hosted this pensive
pose. We've kept the shades and the Iowa cap and have the jacket
- almost a flight jacket.
This looks like the same outfit that was used in the fourth picture
above, the one from "Without Remorse". Do you suppose it's from the
same shoot? The photographer shot some color and some Black &
White that day and the cheap ______ pulled this out of the drawer three
years later.
Not only that, but they recylced the very same picture two books later
in "The Bear and the Dragon". Yup, this shot is on the latest book
too. It must be good. |
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Look! A flight suit! A real, honest-to-goodness
flight suit. And we have an upgraded jacket here, complete with a
fur collar.
Sandwiched between two books offering that last picture is this shot
of Clancy used in "Rainbow Six". That is quite a jaunty pose, isn't
it? It simply projects confidence, authority, the look of a take-charge
kind of guy. Or do you think he is just waiting for the bus?
Now take a moment to review this selection of photos used to show us
our favorite author. Are there any other messages hidden in these
pictures? Like, exactly when did he let his insurance salesman's
license lapse? When did he become a part owner of the Baltimore Orioles?
When did he give his first serious interview on the state of the national
political scene in American? And is a picture really worth 10,000
words? |
My Tom Clancy site recognizes my enjoyment of the man's work and is
offered with great respect for his efforts. This page howver may
lean a bit towards to notion that internet sites often use storage space
and bandwidth to convey the silliest gol-durn stuff imaginable. |
