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Madeline Turner #1
Power Curve
In a tight presidential race, Madeline O'Keith Turner's inclusion on her party's ticket had been a stroke of political genius - handily winning her running mate the White House and herself the distinct honor of becoming the first woman vice-president in America's history. A shrewd, savvy, effective and popular politician, she is more than qualified to chair the Senate and to act as her nation's good-will ambassador.
But now fate has intervened. The sudden death of the sitting President has left Maddy Turner in a position that no one ever truthfully expected: behind the desk in the Oval Office and holding the reins of power. As the new Chief Executive, President Turner faces a slew of challenges and treacheries from her very first day in office. She is confronted by an uncooperative group of "old guard" Washington insiders who would dearly love to see her fail. Even her own Chief of Staff secretly doubts her ability to lead.
And, worst of all, she has precious little time to master the subtleties of governmental gamesmanship - because a crisis is brewing halfway around the world that could have devastating global repercussions. The Chinese are engaging in a massive military build-up and brazenly reaching out into the East China Sea - the first step in an act of naked aggression designed to destroy Japan's position as a Pacific power. A situation that would severely test the abilities of even the most seasoned world leader could be a disaster for Maddy Turner and her nation.
And a single false step could result in the untried President's impeachment...or nuclear war. But President Turner has a staunch ally within her own inner circle: General Robert Bender, her National Security Advisor.An ex-Thunderbird pilot, his loyality to his Commander-in-Chief is unwavering, but the skills that made him an outstanding military leader are rejected in the corridors of power.
As the Chinese and Japanese fleets clash in the biggest naval engagement since World War II, Bender must give his president, a woman he doesn't really like, a crash course in the use of bare-knuckle military force that includes a nuclear option - even if it costs him his career, or possibly his life.
But now fate has intervened. The sudden death of the sitting President has left Maddy Turner in a position that no one ever truthfully expected: behind the desk in the Oval Office and holding the reins of power. As the new Chief Executive, President Turner faces a slew of challenges and treacheries from her very first day in office. She is confronted by an uncooperative group of "old guard" Washington insiders who would dearly love to see her fail. Even her own Chief of Staff secretly doubts her ability to lead.
And, worst of all, she has precious little time to master the subtleties of governmental gamesmanship - because a crisis is brewing halfway around the world that could have devastating global repercussions. The Chinese are engaging in a massive military build-up and brazenly reaching out into the East China Sea - the first step in an act of naked aggression designed to destroy Japan's position as a Pacific power. A situation that would severely test the abilities of even the most seasoned world leader could be a disaster for Maddy Turner and her nation.
And a single false step could result in the untried President's impeachment...or nuclear war. But President Turner has a staunch ally within her own inner circle: General Robert Bender, her National Security Advisor.An ex-Thunderbird pilot, his loyality to his Commander-in-Chief is unwavering, but the skills that made him an outstanding military leader are rejected in the corridors of power.
As the Chinese and Japanese fleets clash in the biggest naval engagement since World War II, Bender must give his president, a woman he doesn't really like, a crash course in the use of bare-knuckle military force that includes a nuclear option - even if it costs him his career, or possibly his life.
496 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 1997
35 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Richard Herman
34 books50 followersAlso publishes as Richard Herman Jr.
Richard Herman was a member of the United States Air Force (Weapons System operator) for twenty-one years, retiring in 1983 with the rank of major. He is the author of ten previous novels, including The Warbirds, Power Curve, Against All Enemies, Edge of Honor, and The Trojan Sea, all published by Avon Books.
(source Harper Collins)
Richard Herman was a member of the United States Air Force (Weapons System operator) for twenty-one years, retiring in 1983 with the rank of major. He is the author of ten previous novels, including The Warbirds, Power Curve, Against All Enemies, Edge of Honor, and The Trojan Sea, all published by Avon Books.
(source Harper Collins)
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 26, 2015
I enjoyed this book. A bad cold/flu gave me reason to read rather than listen to a book. It's been a while since I finished a non-technical e-book.
There are some shallow parts. Some predictable. But not all. I liked the portrayal of the woman president because she never did really compromise, and ultimately her instincts, even if timid seeming at the time, turned out for the best. A person pushed to ignore the deep convictions as a human in herself and act where there is no 'good' answer. Catch 22 style. No matter what she did, there was no perfect out. Which is true almost of all real life.
Oh no... maybe it's not THAT deep. But it's not bad either. I wish I could read the same book, but by a woman author. Just to see where it went.
I recommend it as an enjoyable read.
PS: No I am not going to recap the plot. Why do people do that? Review the book. Don't summarize it as cliff notes!
There are some shallow parts. Some predictable. But not all. I liked the portrayal of the woman president because she never did really compromise, and ultimately her instincts, even if timid seeming at the time, turned out for the best. A person pushed to ignore the deep convictions as a human in herself and act where there is no 'good' answer. Catch 22 style. No matter what she did, there was no perfect out. Which is true almost of all real life.
Oh no... maybe it's not THAT deep. But it's not bad either. I wish I could read the same book, but by a woman author. Just to see where it went.
I recommend it as an enjoyable read.
PS: No I am not going to recap the plot. Why do people do that? Review the book. Don't summarize it as cliff notes!
August 4, 2020
I rated it 8/10. China plot was surprising and very good.
July 6, 2025
I've had a dozen of these books for a long time, decided to give em a try.
Too much politics, too little flyin, action and tech.
Well, on to the next one
Too much politics, too little flyin, action and tech.
Well, on to the next one
May 22, 2015
Another excellent story by this author (Richard Herman).
I gave this book a 4 rather than a 5, because of the poor editing. A previous book, Firebreak, was as bad, possibly worse. All of the misspellings, misuse etc. we're annoying but, fortunately, didn't detract from the story. Before Amazon puts these books out for sale they should give copies to readers for proofing.
I gave this book a 4 rather than a 5, because of the poor editing. A previous book, Firebreak, was as bad, possibly worse. All of the misspellings, misuse etc. we're annoying but, fortunately, didn't detract from the story. Before Amazon puts these books out for sale they should give copies to readers for proofing.
August 19, 2015
Better than many military/political thrillers. Herman's many years in the air force show through in the military portions of this novel. And, as is Herman's style, there are several twists and turns.
October 19, 2023
This is the first book I have read by Richard Herman and really enjoyed it. Very fast paced - kept multiple storylines moving at the same time - brought a good balance to technical information and character development together- look forward to more of his books
August 1, 2011
so so; overdid on trying to dream up scenarios on how a female president might encounter unpleasant situations
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December 6, 2012good, politics, military
March 27, 2019
Simply amazing. One of the few books I have read more than twice!
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December 23, 2015Great
This is a book I couldn't put down until I was finished. Maddy Turner first female President rocks! Great read
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This is a book I couldn't put down until I was finished. Maddy Turner first female President rocks! Great read
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June 25, 2022
Story moved well except for some blocks of action scenes full of techno jargon that slowed me up.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews