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Eighteen Acres Trilogy #2
It's Classified
From the bestselling author of Eighteen Acres comes a novel that reveals the intrigue and drama that go on behind the closed doors of the White House and opens up a world few have access to, the world of Washington’s political elite.Charlotte Kramer, America’s first female president, is beginning her second term and is determined to make her mark on history although events do seem to be conspiring against her. Melanie Kingston, her best friend, just signed on as secretary of defense. Will their relationship survive? Dale Smith is the senior communications advisor to the vice president and knows a secret that could not only ruin her own career but put the credibility of the White House on the line. Tara Meyers is the most popular vice president in recent history, but does her public image match her private life? When a classified terror threat is made public, all the weaknesses of this presidency are laid bare—and with the country’s safety at stake, someone in the White House isn’t taking any chances. From the bestselling author of Eighteen Acres comes a novel with a true insider’s look at the lives of Washington’s political elite. It’s Classified reveals the intrigue and drama that go on behind the closed doors of the White House and opens up a world few have access to.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 20, 2011
259 people are currently reading
1005 people want to read
About the author
Nicolle Wallace
8 books201 followersNicolle Wallace is a bestselling author and political commentator who appears regularly on news programs such as ABC’s Good Morning America, Fox News’ Sean Hannity and Morning Joe on MSNBC.
Wallace, who served as communications chief for George W. Bush’s White House and re-election campaign, was credited with “injecting a tremendous amount of realism” into White House deliberations. According to the Washington Post, she served as “a voice for more openness with reporters” (Washington Post, June 28, 2006). The New York Times story announcing her presidential appointment carried the headline: “New Aide Aims to Defrost the Press Room” (January 10, 2005). Wallace was described by former colleagues as “very persuasive in the halls of the West Wing.”
Wallace also served as senior advisor for the McCain-Palin campaign in 2008. She appeared frequently on network and cable news programs as the campaign’s top spokesman and defender.
Wallace is a California native and graduate of the University of California, Berkeley and Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. She lives in New York City and Connecticut with her husband, Mark, a former Ambassador to the United Nations, and their vizsla, Lilly.
Eighteen Acres is her first novel.
Wallace, who served as communications chief for George W. Bush’s White House and re-election campaign, was credited with “injecting a tremendous amount of realism” into White House deliberations. According to the Washington Post, she served as “a voice for more openness with reporters” (Washington Post, June 28, 2006). The New York Times story announcing her presidential appointment carried the headline: “New Aide Aims to Defrost the Press Room” (January 10, 2005). Wallace was described by former colleagues as “very persuasive in the halls of the West Wing.”
Wallace also served as senior advisor for the McCain-Palin campaign in 2008. She appeared frequently on network and cable news programs as the campaign’s top spokesman and defender.
Wallace is a California native and graduate of the University of California, Berkeley and Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. She lives in New York City and Connecticut with her husband, Mark, a former Ambassador to the United Nations, and their vizsla, Lilly.
Eighteen Acres is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
July 22, 2016
I enjoyed reading the first book by Nicolle Wallace, Eighteen Acres and now the sequel, It's Classified. I think most of us would like to know what really goes on in the White House and inside Washington politics, especially situations involving the press. It was interesting to read about the jobs and events that involve the vice presidency and how frustrating to be in the public eye and under scrutiny all the time. The pressure and stress that everyone in this environment is under is mind boggling. What fun to read a book where the President, Vice President and Secretary of Defense are all women! I thought this was a fun and enjoyable read. Ms Wallace does a great job in letting us see inside the White House.
August 13, 2011
Nicolle Wallace's burgeoning empire of presidential fiction continues with this sequel to "Eighteen Acres" that examines Tara Meyers, the new vice president to President Charlotte Kramer, now in her second term, and the pressures put on her in this new position compared to her time as New York Attorney General. But the pressure doesn't only come from being the Vice President, but rather from within, as secrets are soon revealed that cause the denizens of Washington D.C. to question her fitness in the position, and puts President Kramer's administration into turmoil. Characters from "Eighteen Acres" besides Kramer also return, including Dale, the former network correspondent now working for Vice President Meyers, Peter, Kramer's ex-husband, and Melanie Kingston, Kramer's former Chief of Staff who now serves as her Secretary of Defense. Wallace's talent is in the vivid descriptions of her characters and their motivations through understated language. Her experience in the political world in many important positions has served her well in bringing forth a new career for her. It's hard to finish the last few pages of "It's Classified" and not hunger for yet another sequel, which is made possible in those pages. Hopefully Wallace is working on it because she has created momentum that is only building faster.
October 26, 2011
I saw Rachel Maddow interview Nicolle Wallace a few days ago. They talked about It’s Classified, Wallace’s latest book which was, according to her, partially inspired by the events of the last presidential campaign. “Hey,” I thought. “I watched that campaign.” And so I picked up the book, expecting, I think, that I would see a thinly-veiled rehash of the campaign with a twist–McCain/Palin won.
I got more than I was bargaining for. Wallace’s book may have been inspired by the spectre of a Palin vice-presidency, but if so inspiration quickly gave way to invention. Vice-President Tara Meyers is a tragic figure, a woman who has survived not by brilliance but by outworking everyone else–and by allowing her husband to build a world around her that both conceals and compensates for her debilitating mental/emotional condition. Exactly what this is readers are left to guess, but what is crystal clear is that it’s triggered by stress–and that the stresses of Tara’s new role as Vice-President have triggered it, big time.
It’s Classified posits–somewhat improbably–a Washington in which a woman occupies the Oval Office, another is Secretary of Defense, a third–from the rival party–is Vice-President, and the President’s estranged husband’s mistress is the Vice-President’s communications director. In this story, men tend to be domineering brutes, absent, or gay. With such an overtly female leadership team I expected at least a little sexism among the “silver-back” congressmen, maybe a little bitterness, and certainly some gender-based spin contributing to Tara’s downfall–and it would have been so easy, given that her condition seems to turn her into a caricature of a Welfare Queen–lolling around eating junk food, reading romances, watching daytime TV, and throwing tantrums.
But the end, when it comes, is ironically triggered by a failed interview Tara gives, followed by what would seem to be an entirely appropriate response to a national threat she must give in the President’s absence. While the pretext for the investigation that seeks to determine if the national threat level was raised to deflect attention from the disastrous interview seems a bit thin, particularly in light of the fact that Tara seems to perform well under stress this time, things quickly spiral out of control.
Wallace’s book is clearly written by someone who has spent a lot of time in Washington. And, while the plot is intriguing, it rather steps on its own lines. Tara Meyers is given a free pass for behavior that arises from her mental condition, and is put under investigation for the one time she actually performs admirably in a non-media-related capacity. I have to bow to Wallace’s expertise in this area, but I would have found it more credible had she been given accolades for her performance, particularly in today’s “better-safe-than-sorry” environment.
All in all I found the characters a bit flat, when it would have taken very little to create a bit more complexity. For example, the President is an idealized figure of the “dress for success” woman, wise, strong, analytical, able to put aside all personal emotions for the good of the country, generous enough to wish her husband and his mistress well. Meyers, on the other hand, is a caricature of a “womanly” woman–driven by her emotions, not terribly bright, and dependent on her man to keep the big bad world at bay. In contrast to the President’s tall, lean body she is short, curvy, and prone to fat. Indeed, at more than one point Wallace has her characters refer to the President as the “head” of the administration, and Meyers as its “heart.” The third central figure, Dale, seems curiously ambiguous. Her inner landscape is virtually non-existent. She seems to feel no shame or guilt or even unease for having had an affair with the President’s husband, and indeed seems to take it for granted that the President will harbor no ill will against her for it. Wallace does a nice job of contrasting her inner view of herself with Meyers’ view of her–Dale sees herself as somewhat plain, and notes at one point that she needs to have her hair attended to, while Meyers sees her as everything she herself is not–tall, elegant, and perfectly groomed.
For a Washington insider, Dale seems curiously willing to accept people at face value–she becomes friends with a man she hardly knows, and immediately begins to spill the beans about her work worries. Likewise, while she says that she doesn’t trust Ralph, the President’s chief of staff, she meekly follows his directives without taking any real steps to protect herself. One of the most telling scenes in the book occurs when she is complaining to her new friend about the circumstances of her life. He notes that she refuses to accept responsibility for the results of her own actions, and tells her that though she portrays herself as a victim, in reality many of her problems arise as a natural result of her own actions. The scene is powerful, and it seems to hold an important key to understanding Dale’s character. Regrettably, Wallace doesn’t follow it up with any indication of growth. Dale cuts off contact with her friend, who later apologizes for having spoken out of line to her.
It’s Classified is an interesting book, partially because of its context, partially because it was written by a woman who, like the best writers do, writes what she knows. But I find myself wishing that there had been just a little growth, that the events of the book hadn’t fallen on such very barren soil.
I got more than I was bargaining for. Wallace’s book may have been inspired by the spectre of a Palin vice-presidency, but if so inspiration quickly gave way to invention. Vice-President Tara Meyers is a tragic figure, a woman who has survived not by brilliance but by outworking everyone else–and by allowing her husband to build a world around her that both conceals and compensates for her debilitating mental/emotional condition. Exactly what this is readers are left to guess, but what is crystal clear is that it’s triggered by stress–and that the stresses of Tara’s new role as Vice-President have triggered it, big time.
It’s Classified posits–somewhat improbably–a Washington in which a woman occupies the Oval Office, another is Secretary of Defense, a third–from the rival party–is Vice-President, and the President’s estranged husband’s mistress is the Vice-President’s communications director. In this story, men tend to be domineering brutes, absent, or gay. With such an overtly female leadership team I expected at least a little sexism among the “silver-back” congressmen, maybe a little bitterness, and certainly some gender-based spin contributing to Tara’s downfall–and it would have been so easy, given that her condition seems to turn her into a caricature of a Welfare Queen–lolling around eating junk food, reading romances, watching daytime TV, and throwing tantrums.
But the end, when it comes, is ironically triggered by a failed interview Tara gives, followed by what would seem to be an entirely appropriate response to a national threat she must give in the President’s absence. While the pretext for the investigation that seeks to determine if the national threat level was raised to deflect attention from the disastrous interview seems a bit thin, particularly in light of the fact that Tara seems to perform well under stress this time, things quickly spiral out of control.
Wallace’s book is clearly written by someone who has spent a lot of time in Washington. And, while the plot is intriguing, it rather steps on its own lines. Tara Meyers is given a free pass for behavior that arises from her mental condition, and is put under investigation for the one time she actually performs admirably in a non-media-related capacity. I have to bow to Wallace’s expertise in this area, but I would have found it more credible had she been given accolades for her performance, particularly in today’s “better-safe-than-sorry” environment.
All in all I found the characters a bit flat, when it would have taken very little to create a bit more complexity. For example, the President is an idealized figure of the “dress for success” woman, wise, strong, analytical, able to put aside all personal emotions for the good of the country, generous enough to wish her husband and his mistress well. Meyers, on the other hand, is a caricature of a “womanly” woman–driven by her emotions, not terribly bright, and dependent on her man to keep the big bad world at bay. In contrast to the President’s tall, lean body she is short, curvy, and prone to fat. Indeed, at more than one point Wallace has her characters refer to the President as the “head” of the administration, and Meyers as its “heart.” The third central figure, Dale, seems curiously ambiguous. Her inner landscape is virtually non-existent. She seems to feel no shame or guilt or even unease for having had an affair with the President’s husband, and indeed seems to take it for granted that the President will harbor no ill will against her for it. Wallace does a nice job of contrasting her inner view of herself with Meyers’ view of her–Dale sees herself as somewhat plain, and notes at one point that she needs to have her hair attended to, while Meyers sees her as everything she herself is not–tall, elegant, and perfectly groomed.
For a Washington insider, Dale seems curiously willing to accept people at face value–she becomes friends with a man she hardly knows, and immediately begins to spill the beans about her work worries. Likewise, while she says that she doesn’t trust Ralph, the President’s chief of staff, she meekly follows his directives without taking any real steps to protect herself. One of the most telling scenes in the book occurs when she is complaining to her new friend about the circumstances of her life. He notes that she refuses to accept responsibility for the results of her own actions, and tells her that though she portrays herself as a victim, in reality many of her problems arise as a natural result of her own actions. The scene is powerful, and it seems to hold an important key to understanding Dale’s character. Regrettably, Wallace doesn’t follow it up with any indication of growth. Dale cuts off contact with her friend, who later apologizes for having spoken out of line to her.
It’s Classified is an interesting book, partially because of its context, partially because it was written by a woman who, like the best writers do, writes what she knows. But I find myself wishing that there had been just a little growth, that the events of the book hadn’t fallen on such very barren soil.
December 11, 2011
One of the rare sequels that's better than the original, IMO! This book was really interesting, especially given that it was written by a staffer on the McCain campaign and was inspired by her experience with Sarah Palin. I enjoyed the first book, "Eighteen Acres," but thought Nicolle Wallace's writing improved noticeably in this second book.
I have to admit that given the build-up, I was expecting the climax to be a little more dramatic than it was. I kept waiting for a stunning turn of events that never quite materialized. Also, for books with an almost implausibly large number of women in high positions of power, I found myself a little uneasy with what seemed to be some assumptions about gender roles in this book and "Eighteen Acres." I was especially annoyed by the implication in both books that Charlotte's husband's affair was mostly her own fault for not paying enough attention to him. And the failure of other relationships in the book also seemed to be blamed on the woman putting her high-powered Washington career above doting on her man.
But still, the book is an entertaining read for anyone who likes politics.
I have to admit that given the build-up, I was expecting the climax to be a little more dramatic than it was. I kept waiting for a stunning turn of events that never quite materialized. Also, for books with an almost implausibly large number of women in high positions of power, I found myself a little uneasy with what seemed to be some assumptions about gender roles in this book and "Eighteen Acres." I was especially annoyed by the implication in both books that Charlotte's husband's affair was mostly her own fault for not paying enough attention to him. And the failure of other relationships in the book also seemed to be blamed on the woman putting her high-powered Washington career above doting on her man.
But still, the book is an entertaining read for anyone who likes politics.
May 10, 2023
After Eighteen Acres This book was a let down.
It is a continuation of the story. The Republican president selects the Democratic Attorney General of NY State, as her vice-president, for her second run at the White House. Her current male vice-president stepped down, telling her she needed to shake things up to energize the electorate.
They win (of course), but the VP has a major issue. With the help of her husband she has been able to hide it. But in the world of the White House and on a National stage, it is increasingly harder for them to keep up. I did not think there was enough to explain how she made it all the way to Attorney General of NY, and did well in that position, with her issues.
Long story short, she collapses under the pressure. There is an investigation. The VP makes a deal with the Attorney General of the US. She offers her resignation in exchange for no charges against her or her husband.
It was never explained to me as to why the AG would accept such an offer. She was the main issue, with her husband covering for her. Also of course was the question of how much did the president know, when did she know it, and did she try to cover it up?
I needed something more. It seems like every character in the story had major consequences, except for the VP and her husband.
It did not make sense to me.
It is a continuation of the story. The Republican president selects the Democratic Attorney General of NY State, as her vice-president, for her second run at the White House. Her current male vice-president stepped down, telling her she needed to shake things up to energize the electorate.
They win (of course), but the VP has a major issue. With the help of her husband she has been able to hide it. But in the world of the White House and on a National stage, it is increasingly harder for them to keep up. I did not think there was enough to explain how she made it all the way to Attorney General of NY, and did well in that position, with her issues.
Long story short, she collapses under the pressure. There is an investigation. The VP makes a deal with the Attorney General of the US. She offers her resignation in exchange for no charges against her or her husband.
It was never explained to me as to why the AG would accept such an offer. She was the main issue, with her husband covering for her. Also of course was the question of how much did the president know, when did she know it, and did she try to cover it up?
I needed something more. It seems like every character in the story had major consequences, except for the VP and her husband.
It did not make sense to me.
July 6, 2022
It's Classified by Nicolle Wallace is the second book in her 18 Acres trilogy, about the first female president of the United States. (wouldn't that be nice!) Wallace is currently the anchor of MSNBC's Deadline: White House and previously was White House communications director under George W. Bush and also campaign advisor for John McCain during his run for President. So she brings a solid knowledge of the workings in Washington DC and in the White House specifically.
It's Classified focuses on 3 women President Charlotte Kramer (now in her 2nd term as President), Tara Meyers, her Democratic Vice President and Dale Smith, a reporter who was having an affair with Kramer's husband in the first book, now working as senior communications adviser to the V.P. This may seem strange but in fact Dale was recommended for the job by President Kramer.
In this second book, we watch the difficulties being experienced by Tara as the VP and gradually watch her spiraling out of control due to issues from her past life. We also experience matters that are currently occurring in the US political scene; a Special Counsel investigation, the possibility of impeachment of the President herself by Congress.
It's an interesting story with a bit of everything for everybody; political intrigue, the running of the US administration, personal issues, romance, all of the good things in a political thriller. Nicolle Wallace continues to provide an excellent picture of a White House under stress and how the characters deal with it. I do enjoy the fact that the story also portrays powerful women in powerful positions and also doesn't shy away from showing their personal issues and weaknesses as well. You have a woman Secretary of Defense, women Secretary of State, all competent and skilled at their jobs.
All in all, an enjoyable, fast paced, entertaining story. I look forward to getting the 3rd book in the series and seeing how Ms Wallace resolves everything. (3 stars)
It's Classified focuses on 3 women President Charlotte Kramer (now in her 2nd term as President), Tara Meyers, her Democratic Vice President and Dale Smith, a reporter who was having an affair with Kramer's husband in the first book, now working as senior communications adviser to the V.P. This may seem strange but in fact Dale was recommended for the job by President Kramer.
In this second book, we watch the difficulties being experienced by Tara as the VP and gradually watch her spiraling out of control due to issues from her past life. We also experience matters that are currently occurring in the US political scene; a Special Counsel investigation, the possibility of impeachment of the President herself by Congress.
It's an interesting story with a bit of everything for everybody; political intrigue, the running of the US administration, personal issues, romance, all of the good things in a political thriller. Nicolle Wallace continues to provide an excellent picture of a White House under stress and how the characters deal with it. I do enjoy the fact that the story also portrays powerful women in powerful positions and also doesn't shy away from showing their personal issues and weaknesses as well. You have a woman Secretary of Defense, women Secretary of State, all competent and skilled at their jobs.
All in all, an enjoyable, fast paced, entertaining story. I look forward to getting the 3rd book in the series and seeing how Ms Wallace resolves everything. (3 stars)
April 23, 2012
The premise of Ms. Wallace's books is interesting--the first female president, joined in her 2nd book by a female vice president. But the books don't really tell an interesting story; I enjoyed this book more than her first book, because it was VERY clear the vice president (Tara) was Sarah Palin (whom Ms. Wallace openly despises). This knowledge led to some laugh-out-loud moments for me. But all in all, I think Ms. Wallace should stick to non-fiction (she was George W's Communication Director).
October 13, 2023
3.5 stars rounded down.
This is a sequel to Eighteen Acres. It is written much the same way as the first book, with emphasis on three main characters: Charlotte Kramer, the first female president of the United States, starting her second term; Tara Meyers, her new Vice President, who has personal secrets unknown to the president ; and Dale Smith, Senior Communications Director to the Vice President, and the Charlotte’s ex-husband‘s lover. There is a lot of political intrigue in the plot, but the story sometimes devolved into a soap opera.
Charlotte and Dale are well portrayed, but Tara is a hot mess. There is one extremely dislikable character, and one character who I never trusted from the beginning. There are a lot of characters to keep track of, but once I got them all straight, the story moved at a good pace. There is a hint of a cliffhanger at the end, so I’ll be reading the third book in the series -“Madam President”- soon. This book was a little disappointing as compared to Eighteen Acres, but it’s still a good political read.
This is a sequel to Eighteen Acres. It is written much the same way as the first book, with emphasis on three main characters: Charlotte Kramer, the first female president of the United States, starting her second term; Tara Meyers, her new Vice President, who has personal secrets unknown to the president ; and Dale Smith, Senior Communications Director to the Vice President, and the Charlotte’s ex-husband‘s lover. There is a lot of political intrigue in the plot, but the story sometimes devolved into a soap opera.
Charlotte and Dale are well portrayed, but Tara is a hot mess. There is one extremely dislikable character, and one character who I never trusted from the beginning. There are a lot of characters to keep track of, but once I got them all straight, the story moved at a good pace. There is a hint of a cliffhanger at the end, so I’ll be reading the third book in the series -“Madam President”- soon. This book was a little disappointing as compared to Eighteen Acres, but it’s still a good political read.
August 31, 2019
Very good. Nicolle Wallace's writing style is very fluid, and her insights from her own time in the White House raises the level of the fictional narrative to something with significant political insight for the real world.
Wallace has a unique ability to infer motivation, intent, and personality-driven behavior.
Read Eighteen Acres first, as this is the second book in the trilogy.
Wallace has a unique ability to infer motivation, intent, and personality-driven behavior.
Read Eighteen Acres first, as this is the second book in the trilogy.
October 12, 2020
Great insight as to what goes on inside the government. Author is a Republican, but the politicians in this book are both Dems and Republicans so it's for everyone.
September 26, 2011
http://charlotteswebofbooks.blogspot....
I really liked Eighteen Acres and was thrilled to find out that there was going to be a sequel, but I am still trying to process how I feel about the Vice President's character. Here we are on the brink of a Presidential race where there will be more female candidates than ever and the author, a female herself, writes a book where the VP is not only an unmedicated depressed and possibly bipolar woman, but married to a controlling and overbearing man. I know the book is fictional, but I just think that a lot of old-school male voters out there still feel that the majority of woman are hormonal, emotional messes and this book just perpetuates that myth.
I don't know. I would be really interested in hearing what others think of this book. Like I said, I really enjoyed Eighteen Acres. And if Nicolle Wallace continues this series, I will probably read that book, too. But It's Classified just kind of left a bad taste in my mouth.
I really liked Eighteen Acres and was thrilled to find out that there was going to be a sequel, but I am still trying to process how I feel about the Vice President's character. Here we are on the brink of a Presidential race where there will be more female candidates than ever and the author, a female herself, writes a book where the VP is not only an unmedicated depressed and possibly bipolar woman, but married to a controlling and overbearing man. I know the book is fictional, but I just think that a lot of old-school male voters out there still feel that the majority of woman are hormonal, emotional messes and this book just perpetuates that myth.
I don't know. I would be really interested in hearing what others think of this book. Like I said, I really enjoyed Eighteen Acres. And if Nicolle Wallace continues this series, I will probably read that book, too. But It's Classified just kind of left a bad taste in my mouth.
February 22, 2012
I am just dumbfounded after reading this, conesidering that I did not finish it, it was a travesty! I really enjoyed her first book Eighteen Acres, I loved the characters and how developed they were. The sequel was not only disappointing but I did not follow the story at all. It was making no sense, it went from talking about the past affair between Dale and Peter, to Peter trying to make things up with Charlotte and Melanie trying to juggle her personal life to her career, what was the story about? Even by the synoposis it did not give much detail, I did not follow the story at all and I am surprised that this book was this bad. I was anticipating a great read, but this book left me upset, I threw it across the room. I never thought that it would be this horrible, for those that are considering reading this book, do yourself a favor and read her first novel first!
December 19, 2012
Apparently Nicolle Wallace has previously written a novel set in the White House milieu. Apparently it sold well enough for Atria Books to ask for another. Go figure. "It's Classified" follows the machinations of high-ranking White House staff members as they incompetently deal with an incompetent vice-president. Most of the main players are female and they approach briefings and use of their time pretty much like high school girls. Since the first chapter tells us that this VP resigns under a cloud, there is no suspense to make the story a bit more palatable. I realized toward the end that my main objection to the book was that I'm offended at the portrayal of our elected leaders and, naive or not, the whole thing was distasteful.
December 16, 2018
3.50** In real life, the author was part of the White House inner workings, and that experience adds credibility to this story.
As the book progresses, it seems eerily similar to real White House
events...and, what is real or perceived , hidden or exposed....
The characters are, for the most part, developed to mimic real positions in the WH. That said, some of the dialogue gets inane or repetitious.
The storyline is interesting: determining who is responsible for exposing major flaws at the highest level of the administration. Should they remain secret, by having others cover up inadequacies (or worse)? Or reported to oversight officials to investigate? The good of the nation vs the veneer of a well -run, efficient government?
This book kept my attention to the end.
As the book progresses, it seems eerily similar to real White House
events...and, what is real or perceived , hidden or exposed....
The characters are, for the most part, developed to mimic real positions in the WH. That said, some of the dialogue gets inane or repetitious.
The storyline is interesting: determining who is responsible for exposing major flaws at the highest level of the administration. Should they remain secret, by having others cover up inadequacies (or worse)? Or reported to oversight officials to investigate? The good of the nation vs the veneer of a well -run, efficient government?
This book kept my attention to the end.
March 20, 2012
After seeing Game Change and hearing about this book by Nicole Wallace, one of Sarah Palin's major aides during the 2008 election, I decided to read this book. I am really amazed she got away with writing it, actually- it is a very very thinly veiled picture of palin set up as what might have been if she had been elected. The more intriguing part is that the top 4 officials are women but unfortunately, she does not really explore that at all.
May 11, 2018
Another page turner
Great follow up to Eighteen Acres. Great character development and an interesting premise. Perfect reading for a long plane flight, train ride or on the beach.
NDW is a class act in the world of fiction or the worldwide currently live in that seems like fiction.
Great follow up to Eighteen Acres. Great character development and an interesting premise. Perfect reading for a long plane flight, train ride or on the beach.
NDW is a class act in the world of fiction or the worldwide currently live in that seems like fiction.
December 30, 2016
I just loved this whole series - though I'm kicking myself for accidentally reading book three first. It was fascinating to see what life is really like in the White House, and the characters were all very interesting and likeable.
December 3, 2011
Kept waiting for a significant plot twist that never came. Okay way to pass a few hours, but I probably wouldn't read another Wallace novel.
April 27, 2012
Challenging to settle into the book with all the jumping amongst lots of characters and names. Sometimes a little confusing. Stayed with it, however. It was OK.
August 17, 2012
Eh, it was just eh....there were some good moments and some of the DC-speak felt familiar but I swear, people don't behave this way.
September 22, 2014
interesting story idea, and I finished it. but I didn't care for it. I felt like several leaps and contradictions were made. I wish I could have been the copyeditor!
May 30, 2015
Great sequel! Will not miss the next book. Really enjoying the story. This book was, in my opinion, even better than the first.
October 8, 2015
Read this only to finish it. Did not find it compelling. Didn't feel too invested in the characters. Maybe it was just me - my frame of mind. Was anxious to start my next book...
March 11, 2020
IT's CLASSIFIED is breezy DC reading for anyone whose obsessed with politics and the inner working of the White House. The strength of this series is the details which is undoubtedly due to how much access Wallace had in her previous role, there are so many small details here that many readers (including myself) didn't know about how the White House runs and the day-to-day of a presidential administration. Those details are both fun and fascinating. I'm skeptical about this being a thinly veiled takedown of Sarah Palin. Maybe she's the initial inspiration but I had far more sympathy for Tara than I would ever have for Palin. I also think in the case of Palin it wasn't stress and mental illness that resulted in her being a poor choice for VP, it was her not being very bright. That being said Wallace handles Tara's anxiety and stress convincingly, allowing the reader to feel empathy for both Tara and Charlotte as they hurtle towards a mess of Tara's own making. But the author also treats Tara cruelly, taking great care to describe Tara's fat and portraying her kind heart as a weakness as opposed to praising Tara for being one of the few politicians left in DC whose able to feel things. There's also a very odd (but on brand for a book written by a Republican woman I guess) lack of sexism and discussion surrounding the challenges of being a woman in power when those moments would have fit naturally within the novel and provided a much needed bit of inspiration. Overall this book was ok, I wouldn't read it again and barely remember much from it except that there were too many plot points and all the previously mentioned points about character and narration bothered me immensely. The timing of this was interesting for me personally since I didn't realize Kramer would get impeached and I ended up reading it around the same time as our own impeachment debacle so that was somewhat enlightening.
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September 29, 2023The latest “must for political junkies and fans of political fiction”* from New York Times bestselling author Nicole Wallace. The four most powerful women in Washington are at the top of their political game. . . . What could possibly go wrong? Charlotte Kramer, America’s first female president, is beginning her second term and is determined to make her mark on history though events do seem to be conspiring against her. Melanie Kingston, her best friend, just signed on as secretary of defense. Will their relationship survive? Dale Smith is the senior communications advisor to the vice president and knows a secret that could not only ruin her own career, but put the credibility of the White House on the line. Tara Meyers is the most popular vice president in recent history, but does her public image match her private life? When a classified terror threat is made public, all the weaknesses of this presidency are laid bare—and with the country’s safety at stake, someone in the White House isn’t taking any chances. From the bestselling author of Eighteen Acres comes a novel with a true insider’s look at the lives of Washington’s political elite. It’s Classified reveals the intrigue and drama that go on behind the closed doors of the White House and opens up a world few have access to.
Didn't finish. Couldn't be bothered.
Didn't finish. Couldn't be bothered.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2021
Choosing Tara Meyers for the next VP seemed on the surface to be a good decision. She was a NY Attorney General and would seem to understand being in a high pressure situations. But a year into the 2nd term of Charlotte Kramer's Presidency the cracks are starting to become obvious that Tara is struggling. The picture she now presents is very different than the one she portrayed on the campaign trail. While President Kramer is out of the country a possible terrorist threat comes to the attention of Tara and she is surprisingly knowledgeable about the subject. She will become the point person in Kramer's absence but others will wonder if this the right person for the job due to Tara's difficulties so far.
This is the second in the series of this fictional presidency and the strong women supporting her. In politics there are always leaks and whistleblowers. I suspected the possible culprit when things started to unravel. The friendships in Washington are rarely what they seem with most everyone having an agenda of their own for a power grab. Looking forward to the next book of the series.
This is the second in the series of this fictional presidency and the strong women supporting her. In politics there are always leaks and whistleblowers. I suspected the possible culprit when things started to unravel. The friendships in Washington are rarely what they seem with most everyone having an agenda of their own for a power grab. Looking forward to the next book of the series.
January 15, 2024
Although this inside look into the White House and Washington's political elite was interesting and eye-opening, I really didn't care about most of the characters in the book and in fact would leave them for days before trying again to get into the story. And all of the agency acronyms were confusing and distracting. Perhaps because this was written in 2011 and SO much has happened since then, the story is a little under-whelming at times (impeachment? - been there, done that). When the vice president mis-speaks on a morning news show, this is blown up as catastrophic to the president and referred back to several times. Really? Just unrealistic to me.
On a positive note, I did enjoy the portrayal of Charlotte Kramer as our first female president. Strong but empathetic, yet a little too naive and trusting. And I thought the vice president, Tara Meyers, was unfairly treated by many in the book, especially since it was almost obvious that she needed help from a mental health professional.
On a positive note, I did enjoy the portrayal of Charlotte Kramer as our first female president. Strong but empathetic, yet a little too naive and trusting. And I thought the vice president, Tara Meyers, was unfairly treated by many in the book, especially since it was almost obvious that she needed help from a mental health professional.
March 30, 2018
Charlotte Kramer is the first female President of the United States and a Republican. She's beginning her second term. Her Vice-President is a Democrat who just happens to have a secret. All the White House requirement of meetings and policies is getting to be too much for VP Tara Meyers - she's staying home in bed and missing meetings, cancelling trips, and generally alienating her entire staff. What's up with that? Is Charlotte aware of all that's going on with her Veep? What's she going to do about it? Told from the points of view of the President, her Vice President, and the Veep's Chief of Staff, Nicolle Wallace again keeps us riveted to the page till the very end.
Reading Challenge 2018.
Reading Challenge 2018.
May 22, 2024
Before anchoring her msnbc daily political program, Deadline: White House, Nicolle Wallace was for many years a political operative and Director of Communications for President George H. Bush. That experience and insight, as well as her facility with realistic dialogue, believable characters, and fascinating plot lines, raise her second of three novels featuring strong women characters above the usual output by folks famous for writing other than fiction. Nicolle's intelligence, even brilliance, are evident. It's Classified is not at the level of great American literature, but as a novel of contemporary politics---Wallace's prescience is almost eerie---it is top notch.
January 13, 2025
Great Sequel
Great sequel, just as good as the first book in the series but the pacing was better. Again we are privy to the inner workings of the White House and the staff that really runs the office of the presidency. Has a sad but realistic depiction of the stigma that still surrounds mental health challenges and shows how quickly people get thrown under the bus in the politically cut throat world. I still think the civility of the President towards her husband’s former mistress is admirable but unrealistic but it makes for an interesting plot device. Enjoyed reading this sequel and I plan to go on to the next book in the series.
Great sequel, just as good as the first book in the series but the pacing was better. Again we are privy to the inner workings of the White House and the staff that really runs the office of the presidency. Has a sad but realistic depiction of the stigma that still surrounds mental health challenges and shows how quickly people get thrown under the bus in the politically cut throat world. I still think the civility of the President towards her husband’s former mistress is admirable but unrealistic but it makes for an interesting plot device. Enjoyed reading this sequel and I plan to go on to the next book in the series.
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