Rating: 
Summary: Absoulte Garbage
Review: Absolute Power starts off very strongly, but degenerates into a series of improbabilities that made me start skipping pages three at a time toward the end. Why would Luther NOT tell the cops or the main character what happened? Why would the main character NOT go to the cops, instead running around like a chicken with its head cut off? Why would the cops bust in to save the main character's life JUST as he is about to get killed? ARGHHH it's so annoying. Come on Baldacci, you can write better stuff than this garbage.
Rating: 
Summary: Absolute thriller!
Review: I read this book when it was first published, and fell in love with David Baldacci. Unfortunately, Clint Eastwood butchered the movie and cheated movie-goers out of the true flavor of the book. Just last week, my husband and I listened to the book on tape and it was just as good--if not better, the second time around. How good was it? Well, our trip took us 14 hours in the car and we were tempted to sit in the car when we arrived home so that we could hear the end of the book! It was that riveting. Baldacci is definitely the best of the lawyer-turned-writers. His stories are action-packed, his characters are well fleshed out and believable, and his plots of full of suspense. For my money, give me Baldacci over that "other" lawyer anyday.
Rating:
Summary: A highly engaging thriller...
Review: One of the best suspense-laden novels I've ever read, "Absolute Power" will make the slowest of readers tear through its pages with reckless abandon. The story begins in a lavish Virginia suburb, where a career burglar named Luther Whitney has been casing a particular house for weeks on end. The night he finally makes his move on the house, everything goes perfectly, until some unexpected visitors arrive. One of them is the President of the United States, and when he murders his mistress, Luther witnesses everything.From that moment on, he finds himself immersed in a web of cover-ups, lies, and murder that rise to the highest echelons of government. This is one of those rare thrillers that will truly keep you riveted to your seat as you wonder whether or not your favorite character will be seen, caught, or who knows what! Definitely give this book a read. You won't be disappointed... Britt Gillette
Author of "Conquest of Paradise"
Rating: 
Summary: Top Notch
Review: What really gets me about "Absolute Power" is that the premise while far-fetched is written so well that you don't question it. Baldacci manages to drive the story at a breakneck pace with highly realized characters and subplots. This is one of the first books in a very long time where I did not know what going to happen until the last page. It's a smart read without making the reader dumb. I recommend this to Grisham, Cornwell and Sandford fans. You really can't do better than this, you will love every page.
Rating:
Summary: BEST BALDACCI EVER
Review: MOST INTRIGUING THRILLER YET. SUSPENSE? ALL YOU COULD ASK FOR
Rating:
Summary: Grabbed my attention from the start . . .
Review: This book grabbed my attention from the opening chapters and held it all the way through. This is a very interesting, well-written novel about a [dishonest] President of the United States and the theif that knows of the President's crimes. Until the theif is murdered, that is. It then falls on the shoulders of a young, big-shot lawyer and a police detective to somwhow expose and bring down the most powerful man in the world. But the President does not give up without a fight. This is a fast book that can be read easily in a few days, but will not bore you at all. Recommended to those who like leisurely reading and legal thrillers. Another well-thought out Baldacci book.
Rating:
Summary: A "Keep Driving Around the Block" Piece
Review: Most of the books that I'm able to read are ones that I get on tape to ease my commute. This is one that makes you want to keep driving...you just don't have the willpower to turn it off. Jack Graham is somewhat reminiscent of a lot of John Grisham's heroes...young, wanting to do the right thing, and on the brink of something really big. The effectiveness in which Baldacci brings the most powerful position in the world into this work leaves you breathless. He really convinces you near the end that the world is falling into some degenerate state where the good guys can't win. But, just at the last moment, when it seems all is lost, goodness triumphs. This is a great read...I'd recommend it to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: Another good one
Review: This was the only book by baldacci I had not read. I waited for some time after seeing the movie as I wanted to be ready to absorb and enjoy. We know the book is usually better than the movie. Well, for me it did turn out that way. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys politics, law and above all action. I will look forward as many others to his next book published.
Rating: 
Summary: not what I was hoping for
Review: I gave up on this novel on page 223. It simply didn't meet any of my expectations for a Baldacci novel. I enjoyed "The Winner" thoroughly, but "Absolute Power" falls flat for me. I saw the movie when it was new, and I remembered it being well done. Thinking back, however, this was probably due to the performances of Clint Eastwood and Gene Hackman, two actors who can make ANY material interesting. Eastwood also directed the film (I think), and edited this story down to the bare essentials. Thankfully, the movie was edited down. The subplots and goings-on which were not included in the film are trite and I did not find them compelling at all. I got halfway though and couldn't muster up one ounce of interest in anything the "Jack" character did. The Chief of Staff character was not drawn very well either... anyone who behaves in such an unthinking, "maverick" fashion would never be able to stage a cover-up so elaborate. Maybe I have a low tolerance for the "thriller" genre. I have a great deal of respect for the works of Ludlum, Clancy, McBain, Spillane, and Wambaugh, but have a hard time with your average thriller since they all seem the same to me. "Absolute Power" is no exception. The above authors all seem to bring something unique to the table; Baldacci does not. I have to conclude this by reiterating that "The Winner" was an excellent thriller, so Baldacci is 1-and-1 on my score sheet. We'll see the next time I try him if he redeems himself.
Rating:
Summary: Absolute Junk
Review: Luther an excon wants to pull one last heist. While secluded inside of a vault behind a one way mirror he witnesses the President of the USA murder someone. I'm sure many of you saw the movie with Clint Eastwood as Luther and let me tell you, the book is no better then the movie. I listened to this book and couldn't believe it. I almost couldn't stay with it to the end. It is so far fetched and like most book/movie combinations they don't go hand in hand. I will say that it is better then the movie. Folks, all I can say is don't waste your time on this one.
| 
