Rating: 
Summary: thought provoking
Review: I found myself up to all hours of the night reading this book. The subject matter and circumstances happen to be extremely timely. The ethical dilemma presented was fascinating. I found the insight to the machinations of politics, both at a governmental level and a judicial level to be very disturbing, but belivable. Would readily recommend this book to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating pro-life story....
Review: This was a very interesting book about a pro-life teen fighting against her anti-life parents.Yes, the teenager's side is pro-life. After all, the baby's life cannot be saved, because it has no brain and would never survive outside the womb the way a healthy baby can after 9 months. If the teen gets an abortion, it dies. If she gives birth, it dies. So neither side is trying to keep her first baby alive, because that is impossible. The real disagreement is about whether or not the teen should be sterilized. If she gets an abortion, then she can remain fertile and have children after marriage. If she gives birth, the necessary surgery destroys her hopes of ever having living children and giving her parents living grandchildren. Last time I checked, many honest and moral pro-lifers oppose sterilization and mourn the loss of all the children whose births and lives it has prevented. So who's really pro-life here? The teenager and judge who want to protect her by preserving her fertility, or the parents who want to abuse her by destroying her fertility?
Rating: 
Summary: An ambitious effort. Intense.
Review: Richard North Patterson's newest is a follow-up to his excellent "No Safe Place" published several years ago. Kerry Kilcannon is now the recently elected Democratic President, and things begin to fall apart on his very first day in office. During Kilcannon's inaugural address to the nation, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court dies from a stroke while on the stage. Kilcannon's nominee for Chief Justice is a controversial female federal judge from California, Caroline Masters (also from his earlier novels). In the midst of the intensely partisan confirmation process, a volatile late-term abortion case is moving its way up through the California courts and appears headed for the Supreme Court. Patterson gives us a look at the interesting inner workings of the federal courts and the Senate as they wrestle with difficult issues. This book is a good read. I got a little tired of what seemed like overemphasis on the pros and cons of abortion, but I guess it was necessary in order to provide a balanced view. Nevertheless, this is one of those big, sprawling novels that you can really sink your teeth into. BUY IT.
Rating:
Summary: I couldn't turn the pages fast enough!
Review: This has to be one of Patterson's best written novels. While the storyline is terrific, character development is even better. It could have easily passed for NON-fiction. Easy to read, enjoyable, and I've been spoiled. It will be hard to find another novel to enjoy as much as this one. RWHayman
Rating:
Summary: Exciting book, given the current state of politics
Review: I love Richard N. Patterson's books, and this one was no exception. I was taken in immediately and didn't want to put it down. The process of confirmation was very interesting and makes me wonder how much of the back room dirty dealings actually go on. Probably more than we, the voters, ever know about!! The process that Mary Ann had to go through to get an abortion for a "nonviable" fetus was horrible, at best. Regardless of your politics or stand on abortion, this is an excellent book. I look forward to his next book.
Rating:
Summary: From the Best of the Lawyer-Writers...
Review: comes a novel which works on all levels---a great thriller, an excellent examination of our current political situation, and a real world discussion of how a very rare medical procedure become a hot button issue, with tragic consequences. Patterson continues to write the best legal thrillers going---his character are actually fleshed out with believable backstories, his plots are not by the numbers boilplates, and his dialogue always rings true. He certainly is one of the best writers of female dialogue in the genre. Reading this book today gives timely insight into the gamesmanship that goes into making a political appointee. Its survey of the judiciary is on the money. It is just such a wonderful book, I can't say enough about it. It is more than preaching to the choir, as well. Its insights into the mindset of opportunists and their minions, as well as those who actually think about the implications of their actions is telling and enlightening. In this era of tearing apart the lives of those who would serve their country, whether Democrat or Republican, it is only hoped that those in the position to destroy the lives of innocent people would at least be given pause. As I write this, the Ashcroft nomination is in hearings. As he is clearly the model for one character in the book, one can only wonder at the irony of all this. And the hypocrisy of those who would be so thin-skinned when having a taste of what Democrats have been living with for the last eight years. Highly recommended, no matter what your politics or bias.
Rating:
Summary: Exceptional literature
Review: Ric Patterson is such a mature novelist and exceptional court room dramatist that his books are literally "too hard to put down." His legal training makes his dialogue realistic, and his skill as a writer captures the reader to keep turning the page. He is far better than most, but seldom recognized as such. This book is as good as if not better than No Safe Place and makes you look forward to the next novel.
Rating: 
Summary: ok
Review: This is decent as a thriller, but it is a bit too polemic toward a liberal bent. My theory is that writers and actors are so often liberal because they never have to face the real world. They face a word processor or a movie camera. If you want a good straight thriller with no political agenda, try Craig Furrnas' THE SHAPE.
Rating:
Summary: A Fascinating Education
Review: Richard North Patterson dares to write a book that is essentially a long extended discussion of political ideas and the inner-workings of the courts and Congress. What a great read it is! Patterson remembers that politics is personal and consistently shows the human side of people's beliefs. During an extended trial, various people testify regarding third-trimester abortion. Patterson insures that all who testify have very strong, very personal reasons for their opinions and they frequently bring up many troubling issues. Patterson's greatest achievement with this book is that he is able to make you think about issues that you already thought you had long decided on. It is also a pleasure to spend more time with characters from his previous books. He cares deeply about what he is writing and the subjects that he brings up and you will finding yourself caring just as much from the first pages. Only Gore Vidal is able to capture in fiction the feel of politics with the same feeling of truth and quiet passion.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect Timing in an era of "Search and Destroy Politics"
Review: As always, I found Patterson's writing compelling, compassionate and brutally realistic. He is an author ahead of his time but not so far ahead that his futuristics thoughts are on the brink of stark reality. "Search and destroy" politics are present in our society, at any cost. Patterson creates a scenario in which he demonstrates that "search and destroy" politics cannot become something which defines the character of our nation. "Protect and Defend" is a tremendous novel in which the paradox each character is presented with transcends the individual and reminds us that we are human and are often forced to make painfully personal and human decisions. He reminds the reader that none of us walk through life without error. "Search and destroy" politics, in my view, are disgusting and serve only personal ambition. It can never serve the good of a nation. I feel this book is perfect timing and points out the posissble human tradgedies that can only result from "search and destroy" politics.
| 
