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Eighteen Acres Trilogy #3
Madam President
With Madam President, current cohost of The View and former White House Communications Director Nicolle Wallace returns with an electrifying portrait of three powerful women on a day that will change the country forever.
Charlotte Kramer, the forty-fifth President of the United States, has done the unprecedented in allowing a network news team to document a day in her life—and that of her most senior staff. But while twenty news cameras are embedded with the president, the unthinkable happens: five major attacks are leveled on US soil. Her secretary of defense, Melanie, and her press secretary, Dale, must instantly jump to action in supporting the president and reassuring the country that the safety they treasure is in capable hands.
But secrets have always thrived in President Kramer’s White House. With all eyes on them and America’s stability on the line, all three women are hiding personal and professional secrets that could rock the West Wing to its very foundations…and change the lives of the people they love most.
With an insider’s sharp eye and her trademark winning prose, Nicolle Wallace delivers a timely novel of domestic and political intrigue that is impossible to put down.
Charlotte Kramer, the forty-fifth President of the United States, has done the unprecedented in allowing a network news team to document a day in her life—and that of her most senior staff. But while twenty news cameras are embedded with the president, the unthinkable happens: five major attacks are leveled on US soil. Her secretary of defense, Melanie, and her press secretary, Dale, must instantly jump to action in supporting the president and reassuring the country that the safety they treasure is in capable hands.
But secrets have always thrived in President Kramer’s White House. With all eyes on them and America’s stability on the line, all three women are hiding personal and professional secrets that could rock the West Wing to its very foundations…and change the lives of the people they love most.
With an insider’s sharp eye and her trademark winning prose, Nicolle Wallace delivers a timely novel of domestic and political intrigue that is impossible to put down.
353 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 28, 2015
472 people are currently reading
1621 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 241 reviews
September 6, 2016
For a book about women in power and a mass terrorism event it's incredibly boring.
could-not-finish
November 26, 2016I wanted West Wing, but got the same old story of women obsessed with men...could not finish
April 15, 2015
Madam President was an enthralling fiction read following 3 female White House staff members on one of the most traumatic days of their careers-- the president, the Secretary of Defense, and the press secretary. I found this book to be very refreshing, as it follows female characters in high-power settings rather than their male counterparts.
While the writing was slow at some points in time, this book had me glued to the edge of my seat, waiting to see what would happen next. I want to go back and reread it already in order to catch some of the things I might have missed! 4 stars.
Shoutout to the publisher, Atria Books, for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
While the writing was slow at some points in time, this book had me glued to the edge of my seat, waiting to see what would happen next. I want to go back and reread it already in order to catch some of the things I might have missed! 4 stars.
Shoutout to the publisher, Atria Books, for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 3, 2015
2.5 Stars
Nicolle Wallace is one of the co-hosts on TV’s The View. Ms. Wallace has also been a communications director for George W. Bush and an advisor to Sarah Pallin when she was running for the vice-presidency.
Obviously, Ms. Wallace knows a bit about the kind of people who inhabit Washington D.C. And, she knows how the White House works, or at least, how it did work.
Ms. Wallace has taken her knowledge and experience and created three novels set in the U.S. capital. Her latest book, Madame President, features the first female president, Charlotte Kramer.
There are quite a few other people in the story, but primarily its about the president and two other women: Melanie, a close friend who used to be her chief of staff, but is now the Secretary of Defense, and Dale, a former staffer who had an affair with the President’s husband, but is now the Press Secretary. (Yeah, you read that right.)
The plot revolves around what happened on one particular day. Dale (the Press Secretary) persuaded Charlotte to allow two CBS anchors unfettered access to the White House so they could do a “24 Hour Day in the Life.” Their goal was to show what the occupants and employees of the White House do on an average day.
An average day is not what they get. On this particular day, there are five terrorist attacks in five different American cities. Its similar to what happened on 9/11. The author was working in the White House on 9/11 so she used her experience in this story.
This book is getting a lot of attention, I guess, because of the position of the author. I found the plot idea a plausible one, but the characters didn’t measure up. Seriously, what woman would hire her husband’s former mistress for one of her key jobs? Or what president would appoint a young woman of say late thirties/early forties into as key a role as Secretary of Defense? Or, for that matter, what group of senators would confirm her to that post?
I was hoping for so much more from the premise of this book. I thoroughly enjoy the new CBS drama Madame Secretary. I was hoping for something like that. Every episode of that show has substance to it coming from headlines along with complex characters.
I’ve read reviews that compare this book to the TV series West Wing. I find that comparison wrong and, actually, insulting. I’ve binge-watched that seven-season series so many times that I feel I’m a semi-expert on the show. Trust me, Madame President is nothing like West Wing, except for where it takes place.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Nicolle Wallace is one of the co-hosts on TV’s The View. Ms. Wallace has also been a communications director for George W. Bush and an advisor to Sarah Pallin when she was running for the vice-presidency.
Obviously, Ms. Wallace knows a bit about the kind of people who inhabit Washington D.C. And, she knows how the White House works, or at least, how it did work.
Ms. Wallace has taken her knowledge and experience and created three novels set in the U.S. capital. Her latest book, Madame President, features the first female president, Charlotte Kramer.
There are quite a few other people in the story, but primarily its about the president and two other women: Melanie, a close friend who used to be her chief of staff, but is now the Secretary of Defense, and Dale, a former staffer who had an affair with the President’s husband, but is now the Press Secretary. (Yeah, you read that right.)
The plot revolves around what happened on one particular day. Dale (the Press Secretary) persuaded Charlotte to allow two CBS anchors unfettered access to the White House so they could do a “24 Hour Day in the Life.” Their goal was to show what the occupants and employees of the White House do on an average day.
An average day is not what they get. On this particular day, there are five terrorist attacks in five different American cities. Its similar to what happened on 9/11. The author was working in the White House on 9/11 so she used her experience in this story.
This book is getting a lot of attention, I guess, because of the position of the author. I found the plot idea a plausible one, but the characters didn’t measure up. Seriously, what woman would hire her husband’s former mistress for one of her key jobs? Or what president would appoint a young woman of say late thirties/early forties into as key a role as Secretary of Defense? Or, for that matter, what group of senators would confirm her to that post?
I was hoping for so much more from the premise of this book. I thoroughly enjoy the new CBS drama Madame Secretary. I was hoping for something like that. Every episode of that show has substance to it coming from headlines along with complex characters.
I’ve read reviews that compare this book to the TV series West Wing. I find that comparison wrong and, actually, insulting. I’ve binge-watched that seven-season series so many times that I feel I’m a semi-expert on the show. Trust me, Madame President is nothing like West Wing, except for where it takes place.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
February 6, 2015
3.5 out of 5 stars
(Sidebar: Seriously Goodreads, when are you going to let us have half stars?!)
Think of this as Scandal, Madam Secretary, The West Wing, and State of Affairs all wrapped up into one book. Populated by a cast of strong female characters, Madam President follows Charlotte Kramer, the forty-fifth US President, as she faces a day of terrorist attacks on US soil. Told from the various perspectives of those on her team it explores the women's professional and personal lives. Nicolle Wallace, the book's author, is a DC scence-ster (former White House Communications Director and political analyst for CBS Evening News), which adds a certain air of realism to her writing that makes it feel very believable.
I know this sounds awful, but there is one part of the book I found a little bit implausible: an almost entirely female administration. President, VP, Secretary of Defense, Press Secretary... While I'm not complaining, it just seemed like a little much. (Also, sidebar - it was slightly unclear to me how someone could go from Chief of Staff to Secretary of Defense and still be under 40...) That said, Wallace does a nice job of keeping the book focused on the political/current event situations at hand and does not let Madam President descend into chick-lit territory.
Overall, an enjoyable read for those who miss The West Wing and like their entertainment with a touch of politics.
Disclaimer: I was provided with an ARC of this novel by the publisher for review.
(Sidebar: Seriously Goodreads, when are you going to let us have half stars?!)
Think of this as Scandal, Madam Secretary, The West Wing, and State of Affairs all wrapped up into one book. Populated by a cast of strong female characters, Madam President follows Charlotte Kramer, the forty-fifth US President, as she faces a day of terrorist attacks on US soil. Told from the various perspectives of those on her team it explores the women's professional and personal lives. Nicolle Wallace, the book's author, is a DC scence-ster (former White House Communications Director and political analyst for CBS Evening News), which adds a certain air of realism to her writing that makes it feel very believable.
I know this sounds awful, but there is one part of the book I found a little bit implausible: an almost entirely female administration. President, VP, Secretary of Defense, Press Secretary... While I'm not complaining, it just seemed like a little much. (Also, sidebar - it was slightly unclear to me how someone could go from Chief of Staff to Secretary of Defense and still be under 40...) That said, Wallace does a nice job of keeping the book focused on the political/current event situations at hand and does not let Madam President descend into chick-lit territory.
Overall, an enjoyable read for those who miss The West Wing and like their entertainment with a touch of politics.
Disclaimer: I was provided with an ARC of this novel by the publisher for review.
November 27, 2020
I didn't realize this is the third book in a series, just saw it was about a female President and jumped on it. I wanted to love this but I was severely disappointed and a bit bored. This wasn't the female power with interesting political plot as I wanted. After reading Rodham by Curtis Sittenfeild I've been craving a good political novel with female front, but I have had difficult time finding one. I really thought this would be the one but nope. Maybe I had to high expectations
May 20, 2015
I read the other two books in this series, but it was so long ago I just didn't remember what happened and I didn't get a good recap in this book, so I still don't know why Charlotte and Melanie were somewhat estranged. I enjoyed the insiders look at the White House that Wallace offers, but I find some of her character's choices hard to swallow - hiring your husband's mistress as your press secretary? That's a tough one. I also just wasn't getting why the president and her husband got back together since clearly they just didn't love each other.
October 29, 2023
This is the final book in a trilogy that Nicolle Wallace has written about a fictional first female president. Most of the plot centers around one day, during a horrific terror attack on the US, and how three characters: Charlotte, the president; Melanie, her Secretary of Defense; and Dale, her Press Secretary, process the events in professional and personal ways. All the characters are flawed in their own way, though Melanie seems to be the strongest of the three in many ways. After getting to know Charlotte better through the three books, I have to wonder how she ever got elected president to begin with. She just doesn’t seem to have the characteristics that would make a good leader. Dale is just too needy, broken and impulsive to be a credible Press Secretary.
Nicolle Wallace worked in the White House in the Bush administration during the 9/11 attacks. She references that day often throughout the book. She obviously has a lot of admiration for GWB and it shows. In her note at the end, she said she wanted to portray one day in the White House during a national emergency. To complicate things more, this was also a day that a news crew was embedded at the White House to film “A day in the life” at the White House, which added some unnecessary drama to the story. I really like the first book of the series but the two sequels weren’t as good in my opinion, as they devolved into soap opera stereotypes that happened to take place at the White House. The books are enjoyable if you like peeks at what it’s like to govern backstage at the White House, but they become too melodramatic and unrealistic for me.
Frankly, I think I’d rather read a memoir of the author’s time at the White House.
Nicolle Wallace worked in the White House in the Bush administration during the 9/11 attacks. She references that day often throughout the book. She obviously has a lot of admiration for GWB and it shows. In her note at the end, she said she wanted to portray one day in the White House during a national emergency. To complicate things more, this was also a day that a news crew was embedded at the White House to film “A day in the life” at the White House, which added some unnecessary drama to the story. I really like the first book of the series but the two sequels weren’t as good in my opinion, as they devolved into soap opera stereotypes that happened to take place at the White House. The books are enjoyable if you like peeks at what it’s like to govern backstage at the White House, but they become too melodramatic and unrealistic for me.
Frankly, I think I’d rather read a memoir of the author’s time at the White House.
January 20, 2021
4.5 Stars!
I am so surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I've had this book on my shelf since I first started booktube, about 3 years ago. Being a political junkie and really liking the ins and outs of washington, this was something that hit all the right buttons. It was essentially the West Wing tv show in book format.
This book follows the first woman president on what seems like will be a normal day at the office, but then a tragic terrorist attack happens that shakes everything off-course. It follows several people in the senior administration before, during and after these events. There was so much going on throughout the entire book and it was very action packed. I was never bored reading it or wanted to get through a portion of it faster.
Content Warnings: Talk of infertilty and miscarriage, terrorist attack and brutal death, suicide bombers, dying in a fire, drowning, cheating/affairs
I am so surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I've had this book on my shelf since I first started booktube, about 3 years ago. Being a political junkie and really liking the ins and outs of washington, this was something that hit all the right buttons. It was essentially the West Wing tv show in book format.
This book follows the first woman president on what seems like will be a normal day at the office, but then a tragic terrorist attack happens that shakes everything off-course. It follows several people in the senior administration before, during and after these events. There was so much going on throughout the entire book and it was very action packed. I was never bored reading it or wanted to get through a portion of it faster.
Content Warnings: Talk of infertilty and miscarriage, terrorist attack and brutal death, suicide bombers, dying in a fire, drowning, cheating/affairs
March 24, 2015
Madam President sounded interesting, and I have watched its author on The View. This is a good book, but I did have some problems with it. Finally we have a female president, but I think it is a bit much to also have females as vice-president, secretary of defense, and press secretary. I also had a problems with the story starting with terrorist attacks, and then going back 24 hours for over 1/3 of the book. I enjoyed the story, but would have liked more information. I really liked the sense of working together across party lines, without terrorism. I received a copy for review. I will be reading more by Nicolle Wallace.
June 17, 2018
Please, Nicolle Wallace, Write More Novels
I’m so sad to have finished all three of the Charlotte Kramer trilogy books. The characters are so well developed, relationships so realistically detailed, and story arcs believable. As a 30 year DC area resident not involved in politics, it’s fun to imagine real people in these characters, which have been developed by someone who knows of what she writes.
This was my favorite of the three, even if it caused me to feel that as a country we are more vulnerable than ever (Trump aside)
NDW you are the most direct and fair person on MSNBC, but please, please, start writing again.
I’m so sad to have finished all three of the Charlotte Kramer trilogy books. The characters are so well developed, relationships so realistically detailed, and story arcs believable. As a 30 year DC area resident not involved in politics, it’s fun to imagine real people in these characters, which have been developed by someone who knows of what she writes.
This was my favorite of the three, even if it caused me to feel that as a country we are more vulnerable than ever (Trump aside)
NDW you are the most direct and fair person on MSNBC, but please, please, start writing again.
December 21, 2016
I had hoped that this would be an insightful book. Instead it was chic lit with characters that I didn't care about.
May 11, 2021
Madam President is the 3rd and final book in the Eighteen Acres political trilogy by Nicolle Wallace. As in the other books the focus is on the 3 women who are the main characters; President Charlotte (now in her 2nd term), Melanie (previously Charlotte's Chief of Staff, now her Defense Secretary) and Dale (a WH reporter previously, who had had a relationship with Charlotte's husband, now her Press Secretary)
Madam President basically takes place over one day when America is hit by terrorist actions in cities across the US, bombings in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Miami and Washington DC. Charlotte is in the midst of giving a speech about Planned Parenthood when the first bombs explode. Dale is working out of the White House, coordinating a Day in the Life of the President and WH with a CBS crew lead by anchors, Lucy and Richard. Melanie has been in Iraq visiting troops and heading back to try and help Charlotte.
The story alternates between the 3, each chapter dealing with one or the other as they work on the crisis. It's a fascinating look at how a crisis is dealt with by the WH, the people involved, the relationships between the 3 main characters, their loved ones and the press. Of the characters, I continue to prefer Melanie, a level - headed, smart, quick decision maker. Melanie is now pregnant and trying to maintain contact with her husband, a WH reporter. Charlotte is still dealing with her tense relationship with her husband Peter and her children, plus with a possible leaker in the White House. Dale still reviews her feelings for Peter and a budding relationship with a WH adviser, Warren.
The story is an excellent mix between personalities, crisis management and relationships. The story flows along at an excellent pace and keeps the tension ratcheted up throughout. Personally I find the relationship aspect tiresome at times, but that's just a personal preference, but they are critical to the way each of the main characters react to the crisis. All in all, it was an enjoyable trilogy and an excellent final book with a satisfying conclusion. (4 stars)
Madam President basically takes place over one day when America is hit by terrorist actions in cities across the US, bombings in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Miami and Washington DC. Charlotte is in the midst of giving a speech about Planned Parenthood when the first bombs explode. Dale is working out of the White House, coordinating a Day in the Life of the President and WH with a CBS crew lead by anchors, Lucy and Richard. Melanie has been in Iraq visiting troops and heading back to try and help Charlotte.
The story alternates between the 3, each chapter dealing with one or the other as they work on the crisis. It's a fascinating look at how a crisis is dealt with by the WH, the people involved, the relationships between the 3 main characters, their loved ones and the press. Of the characters, I continue to prefer Melanie, a level - headed, smart, quick decision maker. Melanie is now pregnant and trying to maintain contact with her husband, a WH reporter. Charlotte is still dealing with her tense relationship with her husband Peter and her children, plus with a possible leaker in the White House. Dale still reviews her feelings for Peter and a budding relationship with a WH adviser, Warren.
The story is an excellent mix between personalities, crisis management and relationships. The story flows along at an excellent pace and keeps the tension ratcheted up throughout. Personally I find the relationship aspect tiresome at times, but that's just a personal preference, but they are critical to the way each of the main characters react to the crisis. All in all, it was an enjoyable trilogy and an excellent final book with a satisfying conclusion. (4 stars)
September 29, 2017
I have to be honest, and I hate to say it... but I struggled to get through this book. It's such a shame, because I loved the other two in the trilogy, and I genuinely think Nicolle Wallace is a good writer. I like the characters - President Charlotte Kramer, and the two other 'main' women of the trilogy, Melanie and Dale. I like them all for different reasons. The storyline, as it had been going from the first book, was fast-paced and engaging. Then I started this one.
Another Goodreads reviewer said it best as I was scrolling through to see what other people had written about this book. Something to the effect of - "for a book about women in power and a mass terrorist event, this book is really boring." I couldn't agree more. It seems most of the book takes place over the course of a day. A single day. And yes, this day happens to feature terrorist attacks in 5 cities, and the death of one of the White House staff members, but SERIOUSLY. Too much emphasis is put on the description of how the White House handles an incident like this. It focused more on preparing the President for her speech, on navigating around the city in the midst of chaos, and of the tense relations with the press.
The previous two novels featured much more angst and drama. A crumbling marriage, an adulterous affair, a mentally incompetent Vice President. There were fights and tears and drinking wine on the White House balcony. There was FEELING. This book fell so flat in comparison, I can't even describe it properly. Suffice it to say, it's a shame that an otherwise great trilogy ended on such a low note. As it is, I'll probably forget these characters fairly quickly, and if I recommend the series to others, it will only be the first two. You'd miss nothing by skipping the final installment altogether!
Sorry for the harsh review, but I'm disappointed. I'd looked forward to ending this trilogy with a bang and, well... no. Moved it up 1 star in this review purely because of the other two books.
Another Goodreads reviewer said it best as I was scrolling through to see what other people had written about this book. Something to the effect of - "for a book about women in power and a mass terrorist event, this book is really boring." I couldn't agree more. It seems most of the book takes place over the course of a day. A single day. And yes, this day happens to feature terrorist attacks in 5 cities, and the death of one of the White House staff members, but SERIOUSLY. Too much emphasis is put on the description of how the White House handles an incident like this. It focused more on preparing the President for her speech, on navigating around the city in the midst of chaos, and of the tense relations with the press.
The previous two novels featured much more angst and drama. A crumbling marriage, an adulterous affair, a mentally incompetent Vice President. There were fights and tears and drinking wine on the White House balcony. There was FEELING. This book fell so flat in comparison, I can't even describe it properly. Suffice it to say, it's a shame that an otherwise great trilogy ended on such a low note. As it is, I'll probably forget these characters fairly quickly, and if I recommend the series to others, it will only be the first two. You'd miss nothing by skipping the final installment altogether!
Sorry for the harsh review, but I'm disappointed. I'd looked forward to ending this trilogy with a bang and, well... no. Moved it up 1 star in this review purely because of the other two books.
January 16, 2025
Great series
What a great series, I hate to see it end. Lots of intriguing plot twists. I also liked how flawed Charlotte was, shows you can make a great leader but not have it all together at home. At times I wss frustrated with how much she misunderstood and misread the situation with her husband. I also liked the story subplot with Dale, wish we could have seen more of Melanie's private life. Wish there was one more book of what life is like after the presidency.
What a great series, I hate to see it end. Lots of intriguing plot twists. I also liked how flawed Charlotte was, shows you can make a great leader but not have it all together at home. At times I wss frustrated with how much she misunderstood and misread the situation with her husband. I also liked the story subplot with Dale, wish we could have seen more of Melanie's private life. Wish there was one more book of what life is like after the presidency.
August 5, 2021
Ladies are in the house for this one! The political fiction starts a bit slow, but then spins quickly in the second half. The perspective of women handling crisis in the nation was exhilarating to me. It was a new spin on a familiar plot. They did it well and not by hiding their feminism; but highlighting the intelligence, strength and empathy found in the 3 narrators. The characters showed great competence as they focused on accountability for hard choices and obligations to those around us. Kudos to Ms Wallace!
March 4, 2022
Tja... dan schrijf je een boek over een vrouwelijke president van de VS en een vrouwelijke chef-staf. En dan gaat het boek over mannen. De ex-man, de getrouwde minnaar, het vriendje, de goede vriend. En ik weet: het is een chicklit, dus het gaat om relaties. Vond de uitwerking echt heel erg mager, ook voor een chicklit.
March 20, 2020
Ok book
I don’t care for books that write about the characters individually in each chapter. I tend to get their lives and actions to confused.
I don’t care for books that write about the characters individually in each chapter. I tend to get their lives and actions to confused.
March 12, 2021
Ik had het boek bijna weer weggelegd toen de eerste zin ging over de prachtige Dior tas van het personage. Een echte chicklit die vooral in het begin teveel over mannen en te weinig over hoe het is om een vrouwelijke president te zijn gaat. Maar uiteindelijk las het wel lekker weg, een prima tussendoortje.
May 9, 2021
This book was so good. It was drama-filled and quick to get through.
America has a woman President. This book tells her story and the people that work in the White House with her. Madam President faces a lot of hard decisions and she's constantly working for the peace of her country.
America has a woman President. This book tells her story and the people that work in the White House with her. Madam President faces a lot of hard decisions and she's constantly working for the peace of her country.
July 22, 2024
Trilogy all in one post...
https://gabixlerreviews-bookreadershe...
https://gabixlerreviews-bookreadershe...
July 7, 2015
I'm torn with this book. I loved that everyone in power is female and seeing what could potentially be female solutions to domestic and international affairs at the highest levels of government, and I enjoyed seeing the various perspectives related to a situation like a terrorist attack (the president's, the press secretary's, and the secretary of defense's in addition to also getting a peek at what it'd be like for the press corps, and so on). But overall this didn't really work for me? The women were somewhat decently fleshed out, though all of the men in their lives were kind of bland and the same person, so when one of these men died I was like "wait which one was he?" making it very difficult to care about his death, which is bizarre because the women all care very much about his death. He was kind of a faceless character. And all of the relationship drama felt unnecessary to me...hundreds of people are dead, the president is dealing with this and trying to face the nation, and the drama in her head is about her husband comforting another woman? Puh-lease. In that sense it's like, why write a book about strong powerful women when you just turn them into catty and petty Gossip Girl characters? I did really love the fact that the presidency depicted was bipartisan, with a Republican president and Democrat VP...and that most of the decisions made came from this bipartisan sort of harmony where there's compromise. Don't know how this utopian ideal would play out in the real world, but it was nice to see it at least in a fictional world. This book is apparently part of a series, which I didn't know, but I don't think it's necessary to read the first two to understand this one.
May 5, 2018
I was so excited to read this book - this genre of political crisis (is that an actual genre? I don’t know) is one of my favorite in any medium. I started it with such high hopes and was quickly disappointed. I can appreciate the method of describing events in a prologue and then recapping them, but in my opinion, Wallace wayyy overdid it here. It took until about halfway through the book to even get back to the terrorist attack plot line. I like the idea of a female president or high ranking official in a book like this, but other reviewers are correct in saying that it seems unlikely that most of the major positions in the Kramer administration were women. The book did get better towards the end, once we were back to focusing on the terrorist attacks instead of the love triangles. Some of Charlotte’s decisions seemed unlikely. I didn’t really understand why she would put Peter and Dale in such close proximity, but this was sort of answered later on. Finally, while I thought the premise and idea were great, I didn’t think the writing was the best. There were some continuity issues I immediately recognized (or perhaps thought I did) and some of the dialogue just seemed inadequate. However, like I said, the novel did redeem itself towards the end. I was converted from not wanting to keep reading to reading the rest of it in one day.
Side note: The book cover never indicated to me that this was the final book in a trilogy. Others say the first and second are much better, so perhaps I’ll find those and give Wallace a second chance.
Side note: The book cover never indicated to me that this was the final book in a trilogy. Others say the first and second are much better, so perhaps I’ll find those and give Wallace a second chance.
May 19, 2015
Madam President is a fast-paced, tightly wound narrative about three women - POTUS, SECDEF and the Press Secretary - before, during, and after an international crisis of terrorism on American soil. Recommended for people who like political behind-the-scenes narratives, interpersonal relationships and political intrigue.
I thought the book would focus much more on the attack itself and I'm not sure why since the synopsis didn't hint at that. Instead, it spent about 1/3 of the book setting up the tenuous relational connections between the three women and most of the rest dealing with their day of the attacks. There's a brief bit at the end set one year later which follows up on things.
For the plot, four stars. For making me care about the characters, three. But, it is 3 of a series I haven't read so I'm giving Wallace the benefit of the doubt that she did that work earlier.
I will use this in class as a recommended reading for my "women in politics" lecture.
I thought the book would focus much more on the attack itself and I'm not sure why since the synopsis didn't hint at that. Instead, it spent about 1/3 of the book setting up the tenuous relational connections between the three women and most of the rest dealing with their day of the attacks. There's a brief bit at the end set one year later which follows up on things.
For the plot, four stars. For making me care about the characters, three. But, it is 3 of a series I haven't read so I'm giving Wallace the benefit of the doubt that she did that work earlier.
I will use this in class as a recommended reading for my "women in politics" lecture.
April 13, 2016
What an excellent third (and final?) installment in this brilliant series by Nicolle Wallace. The plot was a continuation from the first two novels which focuses on a female president and her staff. The story is suspenseful, vivid, and realistic. This particular storyline includes a tragic series of terrorist attacks and the administration's handling of the day. This one book centers primarily on the twenty-four hours around the attacks which at first seems a bit intense, but moves along rather quickly. Once again, Ms. Wallace's personal experience while working in the White House at the time of September 11th adds a layer of authenticity to the storyline. The characters are strong, complex, and fascinating. The entire series has strong women characters you cannot help but applaud. I highly recommend this third novel as well as the previous two. Happy reading!
April 28, 2015
What a fantastic read. I don't know how I missed the first two books with Charlotte Kramer as the President of the United States but I've already downloaded them to catch up. I had no problems with this story and really didn't realize it wasn't a stand alone book until I reached the end. I can only hope we have more books with the three wonderful women in this story. Melanie and Dale are an intricate part of the Presidents responce to the attack on the US. On a day when a news crew is shadowing the president there are 5 cities attacked by terrorist. A realistic look at both politics and grief as the days progress. I can't wait to recommend this book and it's companions to readers.
May 27, 2015
There’s nothing like reading a novel full of political intrigue written by a political insider. Bestselling author Nicolle Wallace was the White House Communications Director during George W. Bush’s presidency and that experience shows in her writing of Madam President. Imagine being president when the nation is attacked. That would be bad enough but add in an aggressive media team broadcasting from inside the White House when that happens and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. Read the rest of my review at http://popcornreads.com/?p=8395.
April 15, 2015
I discovered this soon-to-be-released novel featured in a bookish newsletter and was intrigued by it enough to search for and request a digital review copy.
It was interesting to read a political thriller with so many influential women characters. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and was surprised to discover, since it read like a stand-alone novel, that it was Ms. Wallace's third book featuring Charlotte Kramer as POTUS. I'll be reading the first two books in the near future.
I requested and received a digital review copy of this title from the publisher through Edelweiss.
It was interesting to read a political thriller with so many influential women characters. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and was surprised to discover, since it read like a stand-alone novel, that it was Ms. Wallace's third book featuring Charlotte Kramer as POTUS. I'll be reading the first two books in the near future.
I requested and received a digital review copy of this title from the publisher through Edelweiss.
April 8, 2025
Finished the third in the Charlotte Kramer trilogy
I wish there were more. I love these books..and stories
Thanks Nicolle Wallace.I wish we had a President like this one
I wish there were more. I love these books..and stories
Thanks Nicolle Wallace.I wish we had a President like this one
April 13, 2015
Fast-paced and interesting look at the White House in a time of crisis, both personally for our main characters and as a nation. Old hurts and rivalries, friendships and relationships, and professional desires rise to the top on the day the White House has agreed to let a film crew follow key staffers, including the president (who just happens to be female) -- the same day a series of coordinated attacks on the US are launched. Much less about politics than about the people involved.
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