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from www.nydailynews.com – Tom Clancy, the best-selling author whose espionage thrillers set the bar for military accuracy, died Tuesday night, the New York Times reported.

He was 66.

The writer’s publisher told the newspaper that Clancy passed away in a Baltimore hospital near his Maryland home.

Clancy published his first book, “The Hunt for Red October,” in 1984. The novel sold more than five million copies, and became the basis for a hit 1990 film starring Alec Baldwin and Sean COnnery. By 1988, Clancy had netted a $3 million contract with Putnam Penguin Publishing for his next three books. Clancy was the author of twenty books, including multiple bestsellers. His most recent thriller, “Threat Vector,” was published in 2012.

Clancy’s next book, “Command Authority,” was scheduled to be published on December 3.

Though best known for his novels, Clancy began his career working in an independent insurance agency. In 1993, the novelist joined a team of investors to buy the Baltimore Orioles from Eli Jacobs. He remained a part-time owner of the team until his death.