Customer Reviews

Presidential Donor

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The plot may have been good at first, the route the author took to get there was horrendous. In addition to the usual typos, the writing errors are enormous. Starting with the premise that the acting President AND Vice President would not only be on Air Force One at the same time, but out of the country and at the same location, and things go downhill from there. Placing the story in Zurich could have been fun if the author had ever been there. Referring to one of the characters living at a ski resort just outside of the city puts more problems in the story. At one point I kept reading to see if maybe there was a Zurich in the US and I was just confused. This concept was exacerbated by the author having various parts of the US Government come in and push their weight around with the local authorities. The errors pile up one after another. Two of the worst that stick to my mind like bad oatmeal; glu vine is gluhwein, pions is peons. I don't know if a fact checker, an editor, a dictionary or a world map would be your best friend, but one of those things would help!

Just as Jack McDermott awakens from what was thought to be a fatal head injury sustained in a skiing injury in Switzerland, US President Thomas Lloyd suffers a massive heart attack while in Zurich to attend a summit with the Russian President. McDermott has already been placed in an organ donor database and matches perfectly, heart anomalies and all, with President Lloyd. This starts events with one faction wanting McDermott for his heart so the President can be saved and another wanting McDermott dead so the President will die. The chase is on. While it is still an enjoyable read if you don't analyze it too much and just want to be entertained, it becomes more and more implausible as it progresses, even in minor details. Personally, I like a story that is more believable than this.

While the basic plot about the President of the United States suffering a near-fatal heart attack while on an overseas trip is realistic, the story quickly deteriorates with several factual errors as well as impractical applications of US government influence. In the first place, the president and vice president NEVER travel outside the US at the same time. If the author had placed the vice president back in Washington and had him begin his covert machinations from there, the story would be more plausible. If the author had ever been in Switzerland, he would realize how little influence the US government and its agencies have. If the author had done even a little research, he would know there are not any US Army troops or helicopters stationed within Switzerland and that the Swiss are very territorial about their sovereignty in allowing foreign troops to operate within their borders. It just doesn't happen. The author also has too many American citizens in positions of authority within Switzerland.

The typos and misspellings are rampant; suffering, perhaps, from a good editor, or, at least, a good spell-checking program. Even with all these errors of fact and application, the author has the basis for a good story. It is unfortunate he fails to do even a modicum of research that would make the story plausible.

I liked the broad story line. It held me and I did finish the book. I so wanted the read to be outstanding. But with so many of the details being unbelievable and farfetched, the story suffered.

WHAT A GREAT READ! I KEPT TRYING TO PUT IT DOWN BUT, NEEDED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED NEXT. GREAT PREMISE AND VERY VERY FAST PACED. NORMALLY, I NEVER GIVE A THRILLER MORE THAN 3 STARS BUT THIS WAS SOOOOO GOOD

I really liked the premise for Presidential Donor by Bill Clem. Without giving too much away, the President is in need of a heart transplant and he has a rare congenital heart defect. That alone sets up a series of coincidences that propel our protagonist, the donor who is still alive, on a action filled journey. The novel takes place in europe during winter where high speed chases are better when on skiis than in a car. There is alot which will satisfy conspiracy theroists and medical thriller lovers alike. This is another great page turner and I highly recommend it.
Reggie
characterswellmet.blogspot.com

I was looking forward to reading this, but at 25% through, I am not going to be able to finish it. All of the extra commas are distracting, but when their is mixed up with they're or there... If this book were edited for grammar and punctuation and some of the errors were corrected, it might fly. But, as another reviewer mentioned, for the President and VP to travel together on AF One and all the rest... Drat! The styles of speech of many of the characters are implausible. I'm afraid too much is wrong with it for my tastes.

Great book. Fast read, totally written like a Movie. Would love to see this reviewed by Hollywood Producers!!! Bill Clem best of luck to you and your family!!!

This is the best book I've listened to so far of Bill Clem's. His work is like Robin Cook but I like his characters better! This book is about the President needing a heart transplant and a conspiracy to keep him from getting it. A can't put it down, and want more book!

I loved this book. It had a great mystery and conspiracy theory vibe going for it. I liked the character development too. The idea of a medical thriller and political thriller together is a unique idea. And in this case well executed! I'm looking forward to reading another book by Bill Clem.