Customer Reviews

Madam President and the Admiral

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I'm not sure how many women will appreciate this novel by a former naval officer with strategic and tactical war experience, including a number of tours in Vietnam. Although well-intentioned, the plot posits a number of assumptions as evidenced by Nelson's portrayal of Abigail Cass Steele, the first woman president of the United States. President Steele is conscious of her exceptional opportunity as the first president of this country's political hierarchy, entertaining her gentleman friend, Admiral Blake Lawrence, after hours in her private quarters. In an effort to understand the woman he loves and hopes to marry, Blake rereads a classic, having been told that "To understand President Abigail Cass Steele, one has to understand Jane Eyre." Although troubled by his position as secret boyfriend of the first lady, Blake remains loyal, asking Abigail to consider marriage; she isn't ready to commit after the death of her beloved husband, Buck.

In the political arena, Steele is challenged by the condescension of one of her cabinet members and the aggression of the Chinese against Russia, a conflict that endangers the open shipping corridor that is a critical supply line for oil to other countries. But she needs more information in order to deal with the problem and the intelligence so far has been limited. Lawrence is sent to China and Russia, his news ominous, devastating to national security when increased oil demands pit growing nations against one another. The situation worsens, becomes violent, the consequences grave for the US and China. Abigail is faced with a personal dilemma with the admiral, a situation where she has to consider her first loyalty to country or lover. That this should be a serious question undermines the authority of the protagonist; perhaps meant only as a plot device, it brings into question whether a woman can do the job without succumbing to female irrationality.

Confronting an intemperate challenge of historic proportions, Steel meets with the head of China, Wen Chen. To prove her mettle, Steele negotiates with great skill, accomplishing a reasonable settlement to dampen national disharmony that threatens world financial markets and resource security. At the end of their negotiations, Wen Chen considers his worthy opponent, "I sense you have studied the great Buddha. Are you sure you are not him reborn?" I believe the author is unaware of the subtle flaws that define his character, given her unique position in history; but the effect is the same: a woman unable to balance priorities without an epic internal battle. In a similar situation, a man would never question these priorities. Luan Gaines/ 2008.

Conflict is brewing on the other side of the world as China and Russia grit their teeth at one another, and President Abigail Cass Steele must decide the fate of the United States. "Madam President and the Admiral" is a delightful mix of genres, acting as both a political and a military thriller; as President Cass faces the personal element of having to send the man she loves to a potential death, an element of romance is stirred in. "Madam President and the Admiral" is highly recommended for community library romance collections and for anyone who enjoys a mix of genre.

A female president (widowed) with a boyfriend...problems...the Middle East... an energy crisis...a surging and aggressive China....a harbinger of our upcoming November presidential elections?

Not exactly, but "Madam President and the Admiral" brings a spirit and liveliness to American politics and presidential-Pentagon relationships that might make the reader wonder what could have happened if a different Clinton was elected in 1992.

Abigail Cass Steele is the unlikely POTUS (president of the US) in the midst of several crisis's; China is threatening to disrupt the world oil market, her son has a mental disorder, her love life is in disarray, and there is a potential revolt in the Pentagon against her.

Nelson is a good writer, and brings an air of authenticity to these situations. Madam President Steele is well-named, and the reader will both recognize the problems arising, as well as empathize with her. A president with whom one can associate and sympathize ? What a concept for November.

To fully appreciate Professor Nelson's ability one should read all of his works in this order "The Advisor", "Secret Players", and " Madam President and the Admiral".

Carl nelson could not have written these very excellent novels without extensive personal experience not only in war but also acutely monitoring the political scene in Washington DC.

There are traces of a near Pentagon mutiny which actually had some " spindly legs" during a certain President's term. I do not believe that it would ever have happened nor do i believe that the author did either. But having spent a lot of time in the Pentagon during that time frame , there were some whispers in the corridors.

All of these novels are very well written and are hard to put down once you begin reading.

All would make great movies and each naturally sequences to the next !

P J Smith

Imagine being a woman president, and Russia and China are poised to go to war, and China is threatening to disrupt the movement of oil through international shipping channels. President Abby Cass is facing just a crisis. President Cass doesn't want to involve the Americans in a world war but China's threat cannot be ignored.

President Cass isn't sure she can trust her appointed chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General "Bull" Mullin, but he is extremely popular with the public. Bull advises to attack China first, but that would ensure war. Can war be avoided? China has gone silent and there is almost no intelligence information coming from the area on what is really going on. Could China really want to start World War III or do they think President Cass will not respond because she is a woman?

President Cass does trust Admiral Blake Lawrence, her friend and confidant since her husband died, and lately her lover. President Cass decides to send ships to the area to "watch," and puts Blake in charge. If China wants war, they will get it but President Cass won't be the aggressor. Will her legacy be war? Has she just endangered the man she loves or will diplomacy work?

I love the premise of this story with the world poised for war and the U.S. has a woman President. The set-up for the situation and the drama are there, but sometimes I had a hard time relating to the main characters because of the number of side issues. It was like reading a news article, informational but not personal and I just didn't always feel plugged into President Cass (Abby.

I would love to see us have a woman president someday, and I like stories about women Presidents but I need the woman character to be personable, well rounded, and likeable. There are places in the book that I like her and then in the next section she seems a bit remote.

The story as a whole is a good story and is worth reading, and I think with a little more depth to the main characters, it could have been an excellent story.

Armchair Interviews agrees. Read the Q&A with the author on our web site in The Reader's Place and learn the backstory.

Madam President and the Admiral is just the right book at the right time. After America's ignominy of having a president blunder us into a senseless war with no idea of how to get out, Carl Nelson gives us a good president and a good war.

Abigail Cass Steele, the Madam President, has to take react after China shoots down a couple of our planes in international waters. Her first act is to recall her boy friend and lover to active duty. He is given one more star than any other flag or general officer and put in charge of everything that floats in the Pacific.

As an old sailor myself I enjoyed the book from start to finish, especially the part where Abigale fired an Army general.

I suggest this book to all who are tired of the tedious campaign for the presidency. It's nice to read of a president who knows how to do things right, even if it is fiction.