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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
fascinating political thriller, May 6, 2008
This review is from: America the Beautiful (America Series #1) (Paperback)
Kate Rosen and Emily Benton met in high school. They became friends while Kate believed Emily was going to go very far. Years later, now the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Emily runs for president with Kate, her closest friend, as her campaign manager and her ethical conscience magnet.
Kate is a religious person who finds the dirty tricks of running for high office depressing. She fears her morals are being corrupted, but wants to be there for Emily. When Kate has a chance to go negative, she hesitates, but the race is ruthless and she must choose between her friend and country vs. her beliefs in God.
This is a fascinating political thriller that stars two fully developed characters who have come a long way baby. Back in high school, super K and the Big E were idealists out to change the world; but neither realized how much compromise of a person's ideals occurs to be successful. The bottom line in this insightful tale is does Kate have the stomach to destroy the opposition (think Swift Boat) with half truths, innuendos and one humongous exposé; all this contrary to her deep belief in God and what is right for her country may not be good for her best friend's run. Is there room for a true believer in the politics of America the Beautiful?
Harriet Klausner
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Captivating, but with twisted logic., November 23, 2010
This review is from: America the Beautiful (America Series #1) (Paperback)
I was looking for a good book to read when I stumbled upon this one. And I was glad to find a novel in the Christian literature that wasn't a frontier romance. Also, since I've worked in politics some this book seemed like a perfect fit as it deals with the Presidential Campaign of Emily Benton, a lady from a reknown political family in Virginia, who is vying to become the first Female President. The main focus of the book, however, is the internal conflict that Emily's best friend and campaign manager/advisor, Kate, feels between her Christianity and being in the business of politics. As a Christian who has been in politics some, I can vouch for those internal conflicts. However, my main bone of contention with the book is that the author has really warped views of what those Christian conflicts are. Kate discovers one candidate nearly committed murder in his college days, and she feels guilty about revealing it? What in the world? Is the author really advocating letting potential murderers into higher office because apparently in her mind that is not a campaign issue? In one early chapter the author goes into detail about how Kate doesn't want to reveal a video of an opposing candidate with his pregnant mistress because of all the pain that would cause the unborn child, the wife, etc. She says it appears he really loves the child. (Yes, the parallel between that and the John Edwards story was obvious.) So , if I'm interpreting the author via Kate's views correctly, the voting public shouldn't see this sort of reflection of a candidate's moral character because she considers it mudslinging and that isn't a campaign issue. And forget any kind of standards of morality and personal character being qualifiers for higher office. And this is supposed to be a Christian viewpoint? Even Emily as the Presidential Candidate turns out to have been involved in graft during a highway building project as Governor of Virginia. And the author feels it is okay to sweep that under the rug? Does she really not see the implications of such behavior for the highest office in the land? It is almost as though the author espouses a view of Christianity in politics that says it is okay if candidates have scurrilous pasts as that is mudslinging (Which where is that in the Ten Commandments?)and all we as Christians should be focused on is the pat answers that the candidates have memorized for issue related questions. I'm sorry to differ so from the author's viewpoint. But I'm sincerely incredulous at what she espouses. I will say that the book captured my interest. It is quite simply written so it makes for a light easy read. And the political related topic was interesting to me. However, I'm stunned at the version of Christian conflict she seems to be espousing. I would think issues like honesty in government would be a focal point. But she just seems really concerned about letting people off the hook for their actions.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting story, interesting perspective, June 12, 2009
This review is from: America the Beautiful (America Series #1) (Paperback)
Emily Benton wants to be the first female President of the United States. Kate Rosen is her best friend, her chief of staff, her campaign manager and her moral compass. This first installment of the American Series by Laura Hayden covers the campaign through election night.
Emily is high-powered and will stop at nothing to achieve what she wants. Kate finds that politics often clashes with her Christian beliefs.
I found this to be an interesting story, especially as it came out during this last election. While the book doesn't come right out and say who is the Democrat and who is the Republican, it is clear that Emily is a classic liberal who not only believes she can change the world, but believes that she is what America needs. She is young, attractive and fresh, and comes from a famous Kennedy-esque political family with the requisite closet skeletons. Her opponent is a thinly veiled composite of Bush and McCain, portrayed as old and out of touch. I never really came to like or care about her. I did like that she was portrayed as a woman who gained the presidential nomination on her own. She wasn't a VP candidate, she wasn't a sidekick. She was the candidate on her own terms and her own issues. That was refreshing.
Kate, on the other hand, I liked. She's no-nonsense and while she truly believes that Emily is what is right for America, she has a hard time compromising her values to find the dirt on Emily's opponents and blackmail them before they can blackmail Emily.
The behind-the-scenes look at a presidential election was fascinating. Not knowing a great deal about the inside workings of political campaigns, I nevertheless found this to be insightful and educational.
There is very little preaching. Kate prays a lot and prays with those close to her: her mentor Wes, especially. The story shows how easily a person's faith is tested, especially in the murky world of politics where it is much too easy to lose sight of one's values.
Overall, an interesting, easy read.
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