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Madeline Turner #1
Power Curve
A shrewd, efficient and popular politician, Madeline O'Keith Turner was eminently qualified to fulfill he duties as America's first woman Vice President. But Fate elevated her to Commander-in-Chief. . .on the eve of her nation's most devastating modern crisis.
From her first day in the Oval Office, Maddie Turner has had to deal with bitter challenges from Congress and duplicity from within the ranks of the Cabinet she inherited from her late predecessor. Now catastrophe is brewing in the East China Sea. Chinese and Japanese fleets are set to collide in the biggest naval engagement since World War Two. And a single false step could result in Turner's impeachment. . .or, worse still, in nuclear war. An untried leader with enemies on all sides must now reach out to her one true National Security Advisor General Robert Bender, a loyal soldier determined to teach his president in record time everything he knows about swift, decisive action and bare-knuckling battling. . .even if it costs his career, and his life, to do so.
From her first day in the Oval Office, Maddie Turner has had to deal with bitter challenges from Congress and duplicity from within the ranks of the Cabinet she inherited from her late predecessor. Now catastrophe is brewing in the East China Sea. Chinese and Japanese fleets are set to collide in the biggest naval engagement since World War Two. And a single false step could result in Turner's impeachment. . .or, worse still, in nuclear war. An untried leader with enemies on all sides must now reach out to her one true National Security Advisor General Robert Bender, a loyal soldier determined to teach his president in record time everything he knows about swift, decisive action and bare-knuckling battling. . .even if it costs his career, and his life, to do so.
500 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 1997
35 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Richard Herman
34 books50 followersAlso publishes as Richard Herman Jr.
Richard Herman was a member of the United States Air Force (Weapons System operator) for twenty-one years, retiring in 1983 with the rank of major. He is the author of ten previous novels, including The Warbirds, Power Curve, Against All Enemies, Edge of Honor, and The Trojan Sea, all published by Avon Books.
(source Harper Collins)
Richard Herman was a member of the United States Air Force (Weapons System operator) for twenty-one years, retiring in 1983 with the rank of major. He is the author of ten previous novels, including The Warbirds, Power Curve, Against All Enemies, Edge of Honor, and The Trojan Sea, all published by Avon Books.
(source Harper Collins)
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 26, 2015
I enjoyed this book. A bad cold/flu gave me reason to read rather than listen to a book. It's been a while since I finished a non-technical e-book.
There are some shallow parts. Some predictable. But not all. I liked the portrayal of the woman president because she never did really compromise, and ultimately her instincts, even if timid seeming at the time, turned out for the best. A person pushed to ignore the deep convictions as a human in herself and act where there is no 'good' answer. Catch 22 style. No matter what she did, there was no perfect out. Which is true almost of all real life.
Oh no... maybe it's not THAT deep. But it's not bad either. I wish I could read the same book, but by a woman author. Just to see where it went.
I recommend it as an enjoyable read.
PS: No I am not going to recap the plot. Why do people do that? Review the book. Don't summarize it as cliff notes!
There are some shallow parts. Some predictable. But not all. I liked the portrayal of the woman president because she never did really compromise, and ultimately her instincts, even if timid seeming at the time, turned out for the best. A person pushed to ignore the deep convictions as a human in herself and act where there is no 'good' answer. Catch 22 style. No matter what she did, there was no perfect out. Which is true almost of all real life.
Oh no... maybe it's not THAT deep. But it's not bad either. I wish I could read the same book, but by a woman author. Just to see where it went.
I recommend it as an enjoyable read.
PS: No I am not going to recap the plot. Why do people do that? Review the book. Don't summarize it as cliff notes!
August 4, 2020
I rated it 8/10. China plot was surprising and very good.
July 6, 2025
I've had a dozen of these books for a long time, decided to give em a try.
Too much politics, too little flyin, action and tech.
Well, on to the next one
Too much politics, too little flyin, action and tech.
Well, on to the next one
May 22, 2015
Another excellent story by this author (Richard Herman).
I gave this book a 4 rather than a 5, because of the poor editing. A previous book, Firebreak, was as bad, possibly worse. All of the misspellings, misuse etc. we're annoying but, fortunately, didn't detract from the story. Before Amazon puts these books out for sale they should give copies to readers for proofing.
I gave this book a 4 rather than a 5, because of the poor editing. A previous book, Firebreak, was as bad, possibly worse. All of the misspellings, misuse etc. we're annoying but, fortunately, didn't detract from the story. Before Amazon puts these books out for sale they should give copies to readers for proofing.
August 19, 2015
Better than many military/political thrillers. Herman's many years in the air force show through in the military portions of this novel. And, as is Herman's style, there are several twists and turns.
October 19, 2023
This is the first book I have read by Richard Herman and really enjoyed it. Very fast paced - kept multiple storylines moving at the same time - brought a good balance to technical information and character development together- look forward to more of his books
August 1, 2011
so so; overdid on trying to dream up scenarios on how a female president might encounter unpleasant situations
Read
December 6, 2012good, politics, military
March 27, 2019
Simply amazing. One of the few books I have read more than twice!
Read
December 23, 2015Great
This is a book I couldn't put down until I was finished. Maddy Turner first female President rocks! Great read
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This is a book I couldn't put down until I was finished. Maddy Turner first female President rocks! Great read
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June 25, 2022
Story moved well except for some blocks of action scenes full of techno jargon that slowed me up.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews