Timely political tale
587339
In this day of career politicians who have lost touch with their constituents back home, along comes this history teacher who makes a bet with his class and loses. Now he has to run for Congress against an incumbent who is a piece of the furniture in Washington. This story could really happen in this age of computers and smart phones. A great read for those who like politics.
3027729
Fast paced story on point with the current political climate. O'Sullivan foreshadowed several events that took place this summer! Quick and enticing read!
727169
Greenland is a terrific writer, and I enjoyed this book very much, although maybe not quite as much as his previous novel, The Shining City. Here he tells the story of political shenanigans on the run up to an election for Congress. The story focuses on the Duke brothers -- Randall, the Congressman, Jimmy, an ex-cop who got kicked off the force and is now working for the DA's office, and Dale, the youngest brother an ex-con just out of jail whose career as a criminal got its start when he took the rap a crime his oldest brother committed so that Randall's promising career wouldn't be derailed. Added to that mix are Randall's wife, Kendra, who had a weekend affair with a young woman, and Hard Marvin, the chief of police who fired Jimmy, and who strikes up an extra-marital affair with the young woman who had the brief fling with Kendra.

Greenland does satire with just the right mix of humanity and humor. He gets to skewer American politicals by showing the cynical, and often criminal maneuverings Randall and his chief aide committ in order to hold on to power. And he makes the political shenanigans going on in this southern Californian races see very topical because Jimmy's opponent is a Sarah Palin-character, a demagogue whose chief drawing card is her beauty.

Jimmy is the moral compass here, and everyone around him is rather despicable.

Things take a very violent turn in the middle of the novel, as Nadine, the lover of Kendra and Hard Marvin tries to blackmail them both and then pays a heavy price for it.

Watching how the characters deal with it, is enough to make you depressed about how rotten American politics is.

Throughout the novel, we get updates from an anonymous blogger who skewers all the parties, revealing how shallow and manipulative they are. It's nice to see that for all their hypocrisy, one party is pulling the curtain aside to show the public just how tainted the entire process is.

It's not a novel that wraps everything in a neat bow, but it's a brutally honest look at how corrupt our political system has become.
4678285
This timely story is full of action and intrigue. There are not many books out yet that give a human side of the wars in Iraq. This one does.
4535228
The summer of 1948 was an exciting one as far as presidential campaigns go. Thomas E. Dewey was highly favored to win against Harry Truman. The Democrats were so badly split they didn't think Truman had a chance against Dewey. Although there was little money available, Truman's whistle stop campaigns drew crowds of farmers and small town folks shouting the now famous, "Give 'em Hell, Harry." But Dewey was the front runner all the way to the polls in November.
For the people of Owosso, Michigan, Dewey's hometown, it is one of the most extraordinary moments in the town's history - their native son is most likely going to become President of the United States. They discuss the prospects for newfound fame as well as political issues throughout the book. Although Dewey drops into the story a time or two, this is not a novel about the elections or the candidates. The hullabaloo does provide a wonderful backdrop for this humorous, nostalgic novel about the citizens of Owosso and a love triangle, in particular. The local love story mirrors the national election contest and, almost wistfully, captures a period in American history and culture that is gone forever. Author Thomas Mallon also weaves strands of Shakespeare's "Midsummer Night's Dream," with a Midwestern accent, into his tale.
Anne MacMurray, a recent college graduate, book store clerk and aspiring writer is being courted by Jack Riley, a passionate UAW organizer and Peter Cox, an up-and-coming Republican politician with an enormous ego. As election day draws near and voters must make their choice at the polls, Anne too must make a decision about her future.
Mallons gentle comedic narrative and eye for detail make this such a worthwhile read. He captures the period effortlessly and accurately and imbues his characters with a humanity that makes it difficult not to care about them.
JANA
4211224
Richard North Patterson's The Race is a sad commentary on our current state of  political campaigning.  An excellent story of political ethics and how today's politicians must "sell" themselves to the people anyway they can.  Mr. Patterson examines the American political process through the campaigns of 3 Republican presidential candidates.  Each is flawed in their own particular way as they seek the presidential prize.  How they each morally and ethically handle the rigors and challenges of political campaigning is analyzed through their individual actions and words.  Added to the mix are campaign managers that view winning as the only goal to the exclusion of everything else.  Together, Mr. Patterson weaves a very interesting and highly entertaining story.  He presents dilemma after conundrum as his hero, Senator Corey Grace, is forced to deal with his own demons as he tackles the impossible problems of today while dealing with the unethical actions of his fellow candidates.  Mr. Patterson mixes race, ethics, religion, homosexuality, love, family, friendship, politics and much more in a bubbling stew of political drama as each candidate, and particularly Corey Grace, must make ethical and moral decisions.  It is not easy or pretty and all fail to a lesser or greater extent, but hey, that's American politics today where there are NO real winners just compromises.
Average character development but good examination of moral and ethical priciples and political decision making.  Although a superficial review of today's campaign machinery, a good job at big-picture overall political strategy and tactics.
Strong language, some sex, no violence.
Overall a good, quick political read although can be depressing.  Interesting ending although unrealistic.  Recommended.
3377863
This book is more timely than ever, as we face the ultimate result of Al Franken's revelations in our current political climate.  Worthy reading.
1089327
This is a fast moving story of powerful and "beautiful"people and corruption in the state and national political spectrum.  The author keeps it interesting as we follow the Missouri Senate race and onto the race for President of the U.S..
2556555
Never read this author before, but now I want more about these interesting people.  I liked the Senator who was on the "wrong side" of the issue best, and frankly, so did most of the other characters in the book.  Even the "good guy" president has plenty of personal regrets that should keep him up at night, and it would be interesting to see which of them come back to haunt him in future novels.  At first I was skeptical that one of the key attorneys would allow himself to be adverse to his own daughter in a higly publicized trial.  But this device revealed a tenderness and complexity not always seen in such committed people, and also moved the plot along rather nicely, so Patterson can easily be forgiven.  How refreshing to close a book with conflicting and changing reactions to the people in it!
While I really enjoyed the people in this book, the reason I picked it up in the first place was to see how someone could write a cogent novel about such a politically charged issue as abortion.  Patterson succeeded pretty well, no, very well.  While his pro-choice bias is evident, he really does present the pro-life views with some understanding and sympathy.
So, while the incidence of abortion as a core issue in the lives of the characters is quite a bit higher than in the general public, this book is a pretty credible summary of the diversity of opinion on abortion in this country.  It is also a great insight into the complexities of Washington politics and the labrynth of judicial appointments.  Most of all, it's a great yarn, and filled with people you would not mind knowing better.
4195397
Crisis, by new author Erik Qualman, is an excellent modern political thriller. Qualman is adept at developing his characters and intricately meshes several parallel story lines throughout the novel. The result is a superior tale that tackles issues of modern politics, social consciousness, romance, revenge and youthful reflection on lost opportunity. Looking forward to the author's next endeavor!
100036
This book was a good read. Very timely to the present world that we live in. The characters were well developed for a novel of 240 pages.  It told how far some politicians would go to get what they wanted and how they could be tamed if there perception was anti future.
I liked it very much.
2029460
The story of uncle versus nephew, passionate political beliefs and the common man is a compelling read.  You care about the characters and their outcome that fate has decided.  I found it hard to put down.  It was an engrossing fast read.
4229240
The Crain Strategy is a timely political thriller that invites the reader to question whether our constitutional form of government can survive the ambitions of an incredibly wealthy and amoral individual seeking, by what ever means, to control the national media, elected officials, and appointed judges. In this fast paced account, Mr. Wood convincingly suggests the answer is up for grabs.
3342353
Madame President is a great story with appropriate levels of realism, good  descriptions, lively characters, and some new and creative situations  centered around the challenges of third party politics and the first female  President.
Among the most memorable of the lively characters is  Hawkins, the anecdotal southern Senator who starts as one of the  President's sexist opponents but eventually crosses both political and  gender boarders to ally himself with the woman he comes to respect.  Then  of course you have the President herself, a Jacquelyn-of-all-trades if you  will, who is a strong leader, an honest politician, a gardener and a  musician all rolled into one.
The creative and complicated plot centers  around a Chinese political power play fueled by some American entrepreneurs  hungering for pacific oil.  While the international events in Asia are  described in a way that suggests first-hand experience, the boardroom  discussions within the White House and Department of Defense are just as  riveting, exciting, and educational.  The political events described by Mr.  McCreary were so realistic that I sometimes found myself confused: when I  would hear the news on NPR on the way home, I half expected to hear some  press release about the events of the Freedom Party, the showdown in the  Pacific, or the struggles of the Gray administration.  The action scenes  are exciting without being contrived, and the technical veracity of the  military conflicts is interesting without boring the reader with  engineering details as Clancy does.
I highly recommend this book to  anyone who enjoys historical novels or political dramas, and who  appreciates a story that is both credible and exciting.
2391579
This geopolitical thriller is a timely tale about terrorism, technology, and rival intelligence organizations.  It depicts a clash of cultures and includes vivid descriptions of exotic foreign locales.  The story builds to a climax as one group of formidable individuals seeks to destroy and another group of equally committed individuals works to protect.  It is a struggle to determine which group will prevail, based on their skills, resources and determination.  Each of the competing groups has individuals willing to die to achieve its goals.

The characters in this novel have different personalities and motivations.  My favorite character was Irina Belakova, a beautiful spy who trades sex for secrets.  Some of the powerful men she entertains know she is a spy, but they meet with her anyway.  They seek to use her sexually and to provide false or imprecise facts as part of a counter-intelligence effort.  She has enough charm and vulnerability to be an intriguing character.

This is a fast, easy read that is perfect for holiday travel, lounging by the pool or laying on the beach.  I look forward to reading the next novel written by this author.
998313
Curious about what will happen when Americans finally and freely give up on our nation's founding propositions, institutions, values, and political leaders? Read this most timely work of fiction about how our grandkids will cope with a nation broken by the yoke of baby boomers' debt and greed, political correctness, hedonism, and perennial war. This book is about Americans 25 years from now voting themselves a popular, seemingly secular, smooth, urbane, conservative Muslim as president who in short order fundamentally changes the direction and nature (really this time) of America's political and social order--not to mention the Constitution itself. The easy to read narrative centers on the efforts of a handful of average Joes and Janes to organize a resistance movement in an era of extreme political oppression and religious triumphalism. Unlike stories such as Red Dawn, Dennis Stephan's tale shows the progression of despotism from weakness within and exploited by one if own for worldly and religious power. Then there is the people's suspension of belief about the intentions of a leader who seemed too good to be true and yet openly in accord, if not the very author of, unprecedented restrictions on a host of civil liberties that are bones of contention today. Whether the acts of the characters in this book are seditious or not is for the reader to decide. Yet, what is most disturbing about the story is Mr. Stephan's very believable trajectory for many of today's most challenging and unsettled social and political topics. The author pulls no punches and plays no favorites as the Americans in his story occupy both sides of the political divide of the day trying to fix a nation adrift. Mr. Stephan writes in a concise prose and let's his characters speak in conversational ways that leave the reader no doubt as to their provenance. This book projects the ultimate outcome of that genetic weaknesses in America's body politic. That is the belief that every problem needs a government solution. Sooner or later we're going to get solutions if we continue to keep the issues before our magistrates rather than our elected representatives. This novel suggests America allowed its festering problems to get settled under Sharia law and how the protagonist's efforts to unwind the mess. A great post-election reading selection regardless of the outcome. Clearly the less we ask the winner to do on our behalf the less probable Acts of Sedition will prove prophetic. My fear is Mr. Stephan might be onto something here.
185128
The last legs of the 1999 Presidential election wore me out on politics, so I have been putting off reading this novel.  I now realize that I could have overcome my boredom with the political process sooner by reading The Election:  A Novel.
As opposed to the usual manipulative politics for personal gain and campaign funds, The Election proposes a stark alternative:  A principle-based candidate, Michael Edwards, who walks his talk.  Needless to say, there are plenty of manipulative politicians and donors in this book, so you get the classic contrast of right versus wrong as the main story line.
Edwards is a network news talking-head, so he knows how public opinion is formed.  That experience causes him to be disgusted with presidential politics.  With a successful business background, he also has ideas for improving the country that deserve the attention only a presidential campaign can provide.
Another main theme of the novel is how the United States might be improved by stopping the prohibition on illegal drugs, and by focusing on renewable forms of energy and other raw materials.  If you have never thought much about these issues, you will get plenty on both sides here to help you form your own opinion.
Every compelling novel shares information that everyone wishes they had known before.  What will probably intrigue you most about this novel is its considerable depth on little-known implications of the electoral college.  That sounds dull, doesn't it?  The strength of this novel is that these details are presented through fast-paced action.  Between having gone to law school and viewing the recent presidential election, I thought I had the process all down pat.  Mr. Field introduced me to several interesting twists and turns that I enjoyed.  If you are like me, you will too.
The novel's length in setting the stage is its main drawback.  Like many novels, it begins slowly.  You will, however, find yourself turning the pages rapidly after the first half.  The action is rapid and compelling at that stage.
The book's main value is in proposing a scenario for rising above party- and interest-based politics.  I hope that idealistic people who would like to run for the presidency of the United States will examine this novel with care.  They will get several good ideas for how to run a third-party candidacy that works.  Many despair that there is no candidate flawless enough to survive that route.  The novel makes an interesting case for dealing with that issue, as well.
If you had to choose between following the last election and reading this novel, you would have done better to have ignored the last election and read The Election.  The fact that we had so many disputes and they dragged on so long points out that politics-as-usual is breaking down.  Why don't we replace our party-based sytem with something better that serves our needs?
After reading this book, I hope you will reconsider your involvement in the political process.  If you could advance a valuable idea, shouldn't you do so?  Few people ever run for president of the United States, but most can run for school board, library board, or city council.  Check into what needs doing better in your community.  See if you can find a candidate who stands for making that improvement.  If not, consider running yourself.
May open debate about important ideas and the revealed truth from that debate set us all free!