Back again after a break for a long awaited holiday, Christmas and New Year!
Yup, the author is, truly, anonymous but I venture that he or she is either someone who worked at the House House or was so close to it that any distance is unimportant. The US 'president' of the title is called simply 'O' and the cover picture is a back shot of a tall, slender man with a slight stoop and slightly sticky out ears. Get the picture?
Anyway, the president in this story is building up his campaign for re-election and the story centres on the key players, and their actions, in that campaign - Chief of Staff, Communications Chief, Campaign Manager, rising journalist star, wealthy financial backers etc. The president began his first term in a blaze of optimism only for his good intentions to become the victim of the Washington machine; a dangerous place for a president when he is in the opposing party from that of Congress and the House of Representatives. Now, somehow, he has to revive that early optimism in the voters again. But his opponent is a popular soldier, a general with a squeaky clean record of bravery, commercial and public service success. A formidable opponent indeed, and also familiar from the real thing.
The president's aids must decide whether they will campaign on the president's own merits, or find some way of discrediting their opponent. Dirty politics, as usual; just what the president promised he would change.
This book is strap-lined as for those readers who miss "The West Wing" television show. Well, I found it illuminating, compelling and (as far as I can tell and fiction will allow) a reasonably accurate portrayal of US political machinations. It isn't about politics, however, but about the human beings behind the politics, and their frailties. Worth a read. Recommended for those who like their politics mixed with a little sex, partying and over inflated egos!
Published by Simon and Shuster, ISBN 978-0-85720-497-4
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