What do you think?
Rate this book
Capital #1
Thunder in the Capital
When Anthony Schumacher decided to run for the congressional seat of the retiring Representative Theodore Milhous Johnson, his meteoric rise through the conservative ranks was all but assured - he was a young, articulate lawyer with a beautiful wife and family. Nothing could stop him from one day becoming President. But instead of budget battles and health-care debates, his life as a promising politician led him to uncover secrets - dark secrets that some people in power would want to keep hidden forever. But who were they? Democrats? Terrorists? His fellow Republicans? And how far were they willing to go to knock young Schumacher off his pedestal? Sex scandals? Murder?
The next political firestorm engulfing Washington, D.C. or gripping the nation could prove to be Anthony's undoing. Or his ascendance to power could shake the very foundation of the United States Government and result in the tumultuous Thunder in the Capital.
The next political firestorm engulfing Washington, D.C. or gripping the nation could prove to be Anthony's undoing. Or his ascendance to power could shake the very foundation of the United States Government and result in the tumultuous Thunder in the Capital.
- GenresThriller
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 18, 2010
987 people are currently reading
229 people want to read
About the author
Rob Shumaker
28 books23 followersRob Shumaker is an attorney living in Illinois. He received his J.D. from Southern Illinois University School of Law and his B.S. in political science from Illinois State University.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
July 12, 2024
Seeking to find a great political thriller series, I discovered this collection by Rob Shumaker. A great rise to power by a man who chooses to run for Congress on a whim, the series debut rushes through events and leaves the reader to feel as though they are part of a whirlwind political adventure. Spanning a dozen years in short order, Shumaker checks all the boxes to keep the action high while never entirely letting the reader know the need for such a rush. I am eager to see who this series will progress and what it will all mean for those characters who have graced the pages of this book. The first book is a definite winner and one can hope the rest of the series follows suit.
After the death of long-time Congressman Theodore Milhous Johnson, there is an open in the Indiana seat for the US House of Representatives. Lawyer Anthony Schumacher thinks that he might be a great Republican candidate and chooses to run with hopes of making a difference. This begins his meteoric rise that no one could have expected. After winning the congressional seat and arriving in Washington, Schumacher begins getting his feet wet and learning how to be an effective representative. However, his arrival only creates a new enemy for the current House Speaker, who spent much of her time in power clashing with Johnson. Now, she will have to target her anger towards Schumacher and all he wants to accomplish.
After Johnson’s death, Representative Schumacher discovers a file of damning evidence on the Speaker and seeks to use it as leverage. However, he could not know that this would put a literal target on his back. Trying to stay one step ahead of the ruthless Speaker could be a life or death job for Representative Schumacher. He is ready and eager to bring down the opposition, all in an effort to serve his district.
The longer he spends time in Washington, the more Representative Schumacher finds himself making strong connections. He is soon eyeing more challenges and is able to make connections that could see him serving in the White House. The current president, a ‘Republican in name only’ whose philandering is notorious and leadership is flaccid at best. Schumacher will have to make a move, but timing is essential when it comes to politics. His enemies have power, though Schumacher is nothing if not dedicated to serve the people well. Tensions run high in this political thriller and there is nothing that is not addressed in this series debut. Rob Shumaker dazzles and keeps the reader on edge.
I love a great political thriller and was excited to find this collection by Rob Shumaker. There is so much going on in this book and I could not get enough as I dove deeply into this thriller. The narrative is strong and propels things forward from the outset. Shumaker develops a story that needs the momentum offered, never allowing the reader to take a breath. Strong characters emerge on every page and keep the reader eager to learn a little more. I have to wonder how many will accompany the reader in the next novel, but am excited to find out.
The political landscape is presented effectively throughout and allows for strong plot development until the last pages. That said, I feel as though Shumaker crammed too much into one book, as the reader will see when they read it. Sending Anthony Schumacher on a journey that saw him begin as a small-town lawyer and make it to vice-president in one books seems a bit much and I could see a few of the issues being expanded into full novels. However, I will reserve judgment, as I am not sure how Shumaker is seeking to craft this series and if Schumacher is central in all of them.
I suppose I will have a better idea in a few novels. This is a series I cannot pass up and am reaching for the next one right away.
Kudos Mr. Shumaker, for a political thriller debut that has left me needing more!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
After the death of long-time Congressman Theodore Milhous Johnson, there is an open in the Indiana seat for the US House of Representatives. Lawyer Anthony Schumacher thinks that he might be a great Republican candidate and chooses to run with hopes of making a difference. This begins his meteoric rise that no one could have expected. After winning the congressional seat and arriving in Washington, Schumacher begins getting his feet wet and learning how to be an effective representative. However, his arrival only creates a new enemy for the current House Speaker, who spent much of her time in power clashing with Johnson. Now, she will have to target her anger towards Schumacher and all he wants to accomplish.
After Johnson’s death, Representative Schumacher discovers a file of damning evidence on the Speaker and seeks to use it as leverage. However, he could not know that this would put a literal target on his back. Trying to stay one step ahead of the ruthless Speaker could be a life or death job for Representative Schumacher. He is ready and eager to bring down the opposition, all in an effort to serve his district.
The longer he spends time in Washington, the more Representative Schumacher finds himself making strong connections. He is soon eyeing more challenges and is able to make connections that could see him serving in the White House. The current president, a ‘Republican in name only’ whose philandering is notorious and leadership is flaccid at best. Schumacher will have to make a move, but timing is essential when it comes to politics. His enemies have power, though Schumacher is nothing if not dedicated to serve the people well. Tensions run high in this political thriller and there is nothing that is not addressed in this series debut. Rob Shumaker dazzles and keeps the reader on edge.
I love a great political thriller and was excited to find this collection by Rob Shumaker. There is so much going on in this book and I could not get enough as I dove deeply into this thriller. The narrative is strong and propels things forward from the outset. Shumaker develops a story that needs the momentum offered, never allowing the reader to take a breath. Strong characters emerge on every page and keep the reader eager to learn a little more. I have to wonder how many will accompany the reader in the next novel, but am excited to find out.
The political landscape is presented effectively throughout and allows for strong plot development until the last pages. That said, I feel as though Shumaker crammed too much into one book, as the reader will see when they read it. Sending Anthony Schumacher on a journey that saw him begin as a small-town lawyer and make it to vice-president in one books seems a bit much and I could see a few of the issues being expanded into full novels. However, I will reserve judgment, as I am not sure how Shumaker is seeking to craft this series and if Schumacher is central in all of them.
I suppose I will have a better idea in a few novels. This is a series I cannot pass up and am reaching for the next one right away.
Kudos Mr. Shumaker, for a political thriller debut that has left me needing more!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
July 8, 2014
While I like the set up for the rest of the series, there are a few things I was disappointed with. First, things happened very fast. I felt like events were being rushed and glossed over just to get us to the last few pages that set up the rest of the series. Second, the editing was a little lacking. I hope those things improve as the series goes on...yes, I'll keep reading.
July 3, 2022
Who Loves This??
The book is a fantasy where no Democrat is good and a bad Republican can’t be found. The plot is a farce, the writing is not bad, however the overall concept of the book is a riot. All these great reviews? Who loves this book? People who believe government is bad, and the lone old school conservative: (low taxes, small government, big war machine) with a hot wife (who loves sex) one daughter (who is beautiful) one son (a budding athletic star), can take on the beast and win! Every bad cliche about politicians is built into the Democrats. It’s a comically bad plot. I gave it a second star because his writing style is not bad.
The book is a fantasy where no Democrat is good and a bad Republican can’t be found. The plot is a farce, the writing is not bad, however the overall concept of the book is a riot. All these great reviews? Who loves this book? People who believe government is bad, and the lone old school conservative: (low taxes, small government, big war machine) with a hot wife (who loves sex) one daughter (who is beautiful) one son (a budding athletic star), can take on the beast and win! Every bad cliche about politicians is built into the Democrats. It’s a comically bad plot. I gave it a second star because his writing style is not bad.
January 6, 2024
The main character in this book is Anthony Schumacher, a good guy who loves God, his family, and the good ole USA. When the book opens, Anthony has been a partner in a law firm in Indiana for ten years. He had been an FBI agent earlier and also the Attorney General of the state. Friends and colleagues have been urging him to run for the US Congress and he was getting excited about the possibility of doing so. That's just the first chapter. This book is very interesting! And - it's almost non-stop "something happening." I don't want to use the word "action," because it's not so much like that, although there is some action, but rather one situation and event after another. There is no repetition in this book (which I loved). I don't want to give away anything else because I don't want to spoil it. This is a very good book and I recommend it!
November 27, 2020
Excellent Read
I have been reading fiction involving the capital and found the writing well done great research. Learn something about the Washington politics with every read
Thanks
I have been reading fiction involving the capital and found the writing well done great research. Learn something about the Washington politics with every read
Thanks
July 19, 2015
Enjoyed the book will be getting the next one in the series
January 19, 2023
If you like simplistic, formulaic right wing drivel, this book's for you!
Read
October 30, 2025I absolutely loved Thunder in the Capital! From page one, it hooked me with its mix of political intrigue, moral conflict, and nonstop tension. Anthony Schumacher is such a compelling character — ambitious yet vulnerable — and watching him go up against the ruthless power players of D.C. had me glued to the pages. The twists are sharp, the pacing never drags, and the story feels real.
If you enjoy fast-moving political thrillers with depth and heart, this book is a must-read. I’m already counting down to whatever Rob Shumaker writes next!
If you enjoy fast-moving political thrillers with depth and heart, this book is a must-read. I’m already counting down to whatever Rob Shumaker writes next!
January 26, 2023
Excellent!!!
My first read in the series and I'm hooked. Resoundingly believable. Well written, even reflecting the age old philosophy: Never let the Voters know the truth in American politics. "Ripped from today's headlines...a tale of corruption too often found in the Oval Office aka The Swamp!"
My first read in the series and I'm hooked. Resoundingly believable. Well written, even reflecting the age old philosophy: Never let the Voters know the truth in American politics. "Ripped from today's headlines...a tale of corruption too often found in the Oval Office aka The Swamp!"
July 14, 2024
Thunder in the Capital
This was one of the best books I've ever read. It kept my mind in a tizzy trying to guess from page one to the ending. I really, really loved it BUT I believe it could have been just as good without the "f" word. Sorry, I'm an old fuddy duddy when it comes to that 😐 I do hope to have the pleasure of reading more books by Rob Shumaker.
This was one of the best books I've ever read. It kept my mind in a tizzy trying to guess from page one to the ending. I really, really loved it BUT I believe it could have been just as good without the "f" word. Sorry, I'm an old fuddy duddy when it comes to that 😐 I do hope to have the pleasure of reading more books by Rob Shumaker.
September 22, 2024
A fast-moving, good read.
I'm a bit of a political junkie, but you don't have to be one in order to enjoy this book.
Rob Shumaker does a great job creating characters that you really get to "know," and combined with a great story, it was fun reading.
I'm looking forward to reading the next in this series.
I'm a bit of a political junkie, but you don't have to be one in order to enjoy this book.
Rob Shumaker does a great job creating characters that you really get to "know," and combined with a great story, it was fun reading.
I'm looking forward to reading the next in this series.
March 31, 2025
I was so looking forward to this series of 12 books but cannot get past the first one.
Maybe if I never served in Congress myself I could read it for the fiction it is but the author makes too many awful references to REAL people and includes way too many lies.
Working on eliminating anxiety- not adding to it
Maybe if I never served in Congress myself I could read it for the fiction it is but the author makes too many awful references to REAL people and includes way too many lies.
Working on eliminating anxiety- not adding to it
June 17, 2020
This a well written novel about a young Republican count attorney from a small Indiana town meteroic rise to President of the United State in 300+ pages. The plot is a bit fanciful; however the authordoes an exellent job in making the situation believable. I highly recommend this book.
June 27, 2020
WOW
This book was the best fictional account I have ever read about what might happen in the highest realms of government. Exciting and captivating throughout the whole book with an unusual end.
This book was the best fictional account I have ever read about what might happen in the highest realms of government. Exciting and captivating throughout the whole book with an unusual end.
August 15, 2020
Wow
Have to say it was a wild ride. Rob Schumaker is a new author to my library. The story was full of excitement and a touch of romance. Will be following him for new books. Thanks for a fun read.
Have to say it was a wild ride. Rob Schumaker is a new author to my library. The story was full of excitement and a touch of romance. Will be following him for new books. Thanks for a fun read.
October 1, 2020
Wow
I just discovered a top of the line story-teller. Filled with facts, mixed with realistic intrigue and chock-full if adventure, Thunder in the Capital is an engrossing page turner. WOW
I just discovered a top of the line story-teller. Filled with facts, mixed with realistic intrigue and chock-full if adventure, Thunder in the Capital is an engrossing page turner. WOW
December 19, 2020
Could easily be a true account iPod power hungry dems
This fiction could easily be how some would obtain or hold on to power in DC.
Good pace and both likable and loathe worthy characters.
This fiction could easily be how some would obtain or hold on to power in DC.
Good pace and both likable and loathe worthy characters.
August 29, 2021
Thunder in the Capitol.
Enjoyed the book. Makes me sad to think it is.possible to ha
Pen. Our country is in real trouble and this
President in2021 is a real sick joke. Yes in way in over his head.
Enjoyed the book. Makes me sad to think it is.possible to ha
Pen. Our country is in real trouble and this
President in2021 is a real sick joke. Yes in way in over his head.
September 24, 2021
Worst book I read this year
All predictable. I finished because I always do. Poorly written, no suspense, always knew what would happen next. Save some time and read the back of a cereal box. It will be more interesting.
All predictable. I finished because I always do. Poorly written, no suspense, always knew what would happen next. Save some time and read the back of a cereal box. It will be more interesting.
August 8, 2022
okay
The Plot was fairly good but the writing was too simple. I would prefer a more sophisticated writing style. I got tired of reading how beautiful the wife is and much Anthony loves her. The author made the point early on, repeatedly, ad nauseum. They were just way too perfect.
The Plot was fairly good but the writing was too simple. I would prefer a more sophisticated writing style. I got tired of reading how beautiful the wife is and much Anthony loves her. The author made the point early on, repeatedly, ad nauseum. They were just way too perfect.
October 21, 2022
Interesting story from a conservative view
This story takes quite a few turns you dont expect. There are many things that dont surprise but the main character leaves you hoping there are people out there that think and act like him.
This story takes quite a few turns you dont expect. There are many things that dont surprise but the main character leaves you hoping there are people out there that think and act like him.
November 17, 2022
Political action page turner
Well written with strong background and characters. The author has done a great job of keeping you hooked while turning pages to read what unfolds. Looking forward to more.
Well written with strong background and characters. The author has done a great job of keeping you hooked while turning pages to read what unfolds. Looking forward to more.
March 15, 2023
It kept me engaged. This is one of those books that I kept reading to figure out if they would ever learn who tried to kill the Vice President. I guessed who was behind it, but how would anyone else figure it out. Surprise. Surprise.
April 7, 2023
WOW!! What a Book!!!!
I couldn't stop reading. The ups
and downs kept me on edge. The plot was easy to follow,and I was surprised at some of the events. Overall I'm looking forward to the next book.
I couldn't stop reading. The ups
and downs kept me on edge. The plot was easy to follow,and I was surprised at some of the events. Overall I'm looking forward to the next book.
August 1, 2023
Good story line
The rise of a conservative from governor to Vice President is the basis for this political drama. The strive for political power make some plan the unthinkable. What happens next?
The rise of a conservative from governor to Vice President is the basis for this political drama. The strive for political power make some plan the unthinkable. What happens next?
February 25, 2024
I do not believe I ever read a novel with such naked bias. I am not an American but I follow the politics and right now I would have thought a novel encouraging bipartsan cooperation would help nation building.
May 18, 2024
Hang on ... Tomorrow will produce a different result!
Shoemaker created a winner story here. Fast moving and ever changing. This book seems to give an accurate, yet realistic version of the belt way swamp!
Shoemaker created a winner story here. Fast moving and ever changing. This book seems to give an accurate, yet realistic version of the belt way swamp!
May 28, 2024
Politics and murder
Anthony Schumaker is an attorney in Indiana, living with the love of his life, and their three children. His career turns to politics and Washington, DC. The schemes and dirty politics is frightening and horrible, and one hopes the story isn’t based on truth.
Anthony Schumaker is an attorney in Indiana, living with the love of his life, and their three children. His career turns to politics and Washington, DC. The schemes and dirty politics is frightening and horrible, and one hopes the story isn’t based on truth.
June 25, 2025
One of the best books I've read lately.
Nothing is boring in Thunder in
the Capitol. So many twists and turns but it's easy to follow. I would never had expected how it ended. I'm going to Amazon right now and order his next novel.
Nothing is boring in Thunder in
the Capitol. So many twists and turns but it's easy to follow. I would never had expected how it ended. I'm going to Amazon right now and order his next novel.
June 13, 2020
Thunder in the Capital by Rob Shumaker
Fabulous book. I couldn't put it down. Certainly worth losing sleep. Rob Shumamer definately goes on my list of favourite authors.
Fabulous book. I couldn't put it down. Certainly worth losing sleep. Rob Shumamer definately goes on my list of favourite authors.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews