I purchased Eighteen Acres with the highest expectations of a good political story, replete with intrigue and analysis of decision making at the White House level. Instead I got a Gucci purse and a host of brand name clothing descriptions from the insider staff.
As one who advocates for female acceptance at the highest levels of government, I was pleased to see the characters cast in those roles. These should be the brightest among us, yet when a female reporter assigned to cover the White House has an affair with the president's husband, then is SURPRISED when, after exposure, she loses her job, I began to question the level of intelligence or self-restraint. Second, the chief of staff to the president then begins an affair with another reporter, assigned to cover the White House, expecting to be able to "privately" reveal actions taken, or about to be taken, within the confines of government, because they should be able to "trust" each other.
It seems to me that the author has a limited understanding of any security protocol, military style "need to know" or the real reason behind confidentiality rules. Clearly demonstrated is the fact that when one is shacking up, a slight disagreement can result in a break-up, bringing issues to a head. How can one expect security to remain?
The whole premise, while admirable in regard to showing women in power, is fraught with a simplistic understanding of the need for security at such levels of power. Revealing high security travel arrangements for the president in an off-handed manner defies description.
At least I HOPE this is not the cavalier way in which White House staff adhere to their responsibility (and duty) to keep their mouths shut. If not, then the "it doesn't apply to us" mentality so often bandied about by pundits would seem to be true.
Then, in the climax of the book, in perhaps the most egregious episode of the story, the president turns to her chief of staff, whose primary function throughout the story has been as her political consultant and campaign manager, and without the slighest mention in the story of her having military experience, President Charlotte asks her to be the new Secretary of Defense. Unbelievable!
Fashion runway, casual sex, and ignorance of the need for secrecy seem rampant in this novel. The first two are none of my business and personal value judgements, the third is of dramatic import in a world where information is king. And if the most basic credential for office as a member of the cabinet is "I really like her," then heaven help us as we move forward.
Gordon Ryan, Author
