Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely Thrilling
Review: I saw the movie when it first came out a couple of years ago, and this month I picked up the book and began to read it. They both start out very similar, but end in two totally different ways. I like the movie's ending much better than I did the book's.Both begin with Luther Whitney, burglar extraordinaire, witnessing a brutal murder. Now it's up to Whitney to save his own hide, and expose the bad guys at the same time. Question is will he expose them, and therefore turn himself in as well, or will he let them go, and get out of the country as fast as he can? I liked the book because it dealt with corruption and cover-ups at top levels, and how low people will go in order to hide the truth. I liked it so much that I went out and bought Baldacci's next book 'Total Control'.
Rating: 
Summary: ABSOLUTELY ENTERTAINING
Review: Baldacci's first novel is an entertaining story, but could use a good editor. It's hard-boiled suspense results in a real page turner. Good character development (something Clint Eastwood's film version is lacking) adds to the sometimes rambling story. A good first effort and a good read.
Rating: 
Summary: First Baldacci The Best
Review: Twists and turns in this suspenseful thriller made it a joy to read. The reader wants desperately for the arrogance of the Highest Office to come tumbling down. Suffice it to say Baldacci does not disappoint in this, his first and in my opinion, best story. Also, as usual the book far exceeds the movie for drama, excitement and entertainment.
Rating:
Summary: Damn, that book was good stuff!
Review: Well, I must say to Baldacci, Welcome to Barbados! It's where I'm from and you gave a pretty good description. You never painted us as backward island people and I was almost convinced the estate really existed! Well-written novel, I stayed up all night just to finish it. I never expected many of the twists so I was always at the edge of my seat(now I have a sore bum)! Looking foward to the next novel!
Rating:
Summary: DONT WATCH THE MOVIE
Review: Dont watch the movie...read the book. I absolutely hated the movie...they left out one of the main characters, Maybe if I hadnt already read the book I would not feel so strongly against the movie but the book was just so much better then the movie!
Rating:
Summary: Hadn't seen the movie, but
Review: Everyone I knew told me that I should watch the film rather than read the book! Well, I tried to rent it, even thought the book was on my shelf. I was glad I didn't watch the movie, because the book was so interesting! The story kept pace with the best of suspense novels, and the ending gave me GREAT pleasure for a reading experience! Can't wait to start the next Baldacci!
Rating:
Summary: Powerful reading, very capable author.
Review: Although this is the first Baldacci book I have read, I found it to be very powerful. His writing style was consistent throughout the book, and the subplots as good as the main plot. Baldacci seems to have an art for character development, which certainly helps with the overall assessment of the book. Haven't seen the movie, but am certainly glad I read the book!
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Powerful
Review: From the beginning of the novel, the reader learns what the president has done, and from this can almost conclude what is going to happen in the end. But I never expected the twists and turns that Baldacci makes in this fast-paced thriller. From the murders of Sullivan's young wife to Sandy Lord, power domintates the atmosphere of this novel. Yet in an ironic twist, Jack Graham, with the help of Kate and Detective Frank, shows that power itself is not as powerful as one may think. Baldacci is great. I would recommend this novel to all who enjoy a legal thriller.
Rating:
Summary: A Good One!
Review: This was my first novel by Baldacci - I'll have to find more! All the while I was reading this, I was thinking, "Man, this would make a good movie". Then my roommate noticed me reading the book and said, "Hey, I saw that movie!" - I'm gonna have to go to Blockbuster now that I've finished the book!
Rating:
Summary: Great concept, disappointing follow-through
Review: I am impressed with the concept. It has all the makings for a great thriller (and I'm not at all surprised that Hollywood bought it). The book does have its moments. But it sure could use a heck of a lot of editing and rewriting. By the time I was on page 300 of the 500-page novel, I was ready for it to end and I started skimming pages. Makes me disappointed (JEALOUS is probably more accurate) to think that such a mediocre book probably made its author megabucks.
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