Rating: 
Summary: Full of suspense and humor
Review: This was one of the best books I've read in months and months, if not years. The plot was riveting, but far beyond that, the characters were real and full and funny, with backgrounds and traits that made you feel invested in their lives. And beyond even that, this book gave a fascinating inside view of how reporters really get their stories, and how they get along with the people they cover -- in this case, the president of the United States. After reading this, I feel like I've been in the Oval Office.A great read.
Rating:
Summary: AWESOME BOOK!
Review: What was McGrory thinking when he developed the premise for this book??? Evidently, he wasn't, in my opinion. There are so many minor flaws in this book, (for example, when he arrives back in Washington, he is met by Samantha Stevens, an FBI agent, as he is headed out to get a cab. Later, she asks if his car is at the airport and he says, "Yes") but all of those petty inconsistencies are so overshadowed by the solution to the problem the novel poses. A virtual unknown is runniong for president after being elected at the last moment as governor of IA and then succeeding to the vice-presidency through a death. He becomes president the same way. And along the line, no journalist- or opponent- has ever tried to get pictures of him as a child or talk with neighbors in his farming town. No one checks his academic records or looks into his achievements as a 4H member. Come on, folks! Many 50 years ago but, in today's environment, no one can withstand public scrutiny, or, in his case, no scrutiny at all. Give the reader some credit for brains, will you?
Rating: 
Summary: Pleeease!
Review: What was McGrory thinking when he developed the premise for this book??? Evidently, he wasn't, in my opinion. There are so many minor flaws in this book, (for example, when he arrives back in Washington, he is met by Samantha Stevens, an FBI agent, as he is headed out to get a cab. Later, she asks if his car is at the airport and he says, "Yes") but all of those petty inconsistencies are so overshadowed by the solution to the problem the novel poses. A virtual unknown is runniong for president after being elected at the last moment as governor of IA and then succeeding to the vice-presidency through a death. He becomes president the same way. And along the line, no journalist- or opponent- has ever tried to get pictures of him as a child or talk with neighbors in his farming town. No one checks his academic records or looks into his achievements as a 4H member. Come on, folks! Many 50 years ago but, in today's environment, no one can withstand public scrutiny, or, in his case, no scrutiny at all. Give the reader some credit for brains, will you?
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read
Review: While I am not a fan of the typical thriller genre, I loved The Incumbent because it includes everything the traditional suspense novel usually lacks. As one would expect from a novel lauded by the likes of Bob Woodward, it is an accurate and telling portrait of Washington politics and the press corp that chronicles it. And yes, the plot does keep you on the edge your seat. But the dirty little secret about The Incumbent is that is also laugh out loud funny. The dialogue is so true that it often reads more like it was written by a seasoned screenwriter than a first time suspense novelist. Driven by characters, not just a who-done-it plot, The Incumbent is a must read for anyone who likes good books....not just good thrillers.
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