The President Is Missing: A Novel

So, I started this reluctantly, via a Preview on the Kindle. I don't read Patterson, and adding Clinton to the cover added to my reluctance. However, the reviews were surprisingly consistent and good, so I thought I'd at least wade in, if only for amusement. Well, two days of intense reading later, and I can say that the reviews are right -- the book is consistently good, with a propulsive plot, believable characters, a good balance of detail and pacing, and some cards played at the end that make it all come together nicely. While there is a quality of reveal to it that sometimes makes it feel a little too tidy for a minute or two, the pacing keeps you moving, and it's a great, fun read.

Upfront I want to say that I am a voracious reader. I am on my Third Kindle since 2011....and I do not play games.That being said....I am choosy about what I spend money on. I have read some of James Patterson's earlier books and I did read one of President Clinton's. So when they were on Steven Colbert's show talking about this book, I thought I'd get the sample chapters. I was drawn in immediately and purchased the book. I read for enjoyment mostly, on average 4-5 hours a day. So the premise of the President is Missing is that the press - and by reporting it - the public doesn't know where the President is. The characters were very believable, and I liked the insight to the people connected to the White House. I could see the input from President Clinton. Unless you are privy to the inner workings of the Presidency and political workings, this would not have been believable. Because I watched Designated Survivor, this book came alive for me. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it.Forget your political leaning...this could be any party's President, but the threat is universal. So, what I'd recommend is to get the sample and see if you want to spend the money on the book. Make up your own mind, don't be swayed by a good or bad review.

This book is about an attack on the cyberspace infrastructure of the United States - the Internet. Written by James Patterson, an author well-known for his thrillers, and former President Bill Clinton, the story, in a broad brush summary, is about a massive plot to disable the US by deleting all electronic files and sending it into the “Dark Ages,” the code word for rendering the US a crippled, paralyzed, and primitive zone of chaos.A virus is discovered that will cause this chaos to occur in record time. The story revolves around trying to find the code word that will disable the virus.The President is missing is not exactly accurate, but it’s what the world believes. The President has actually decamped to a secure, secret place where he amasses a team of experts to try to stop the virus in its tracks. This is a uniquely hands-on President, it seems.The story is compelling and in our times completely believable, including discovering a traitor inside the White House. However , the President tends to deliver periodic and lengthy polemics about the state of the world, which are thinly veiled attacks on our current administration. I will say this: I’m not a fan at all if the current administration and its policies. However, I think the fictional President’s tirades are unnecessary. They add nothing to the story and in fact detract from it, which is why I give this darn good ride of a story only three stars. You can pretty much tell what part of the story James Patterson wrote and what part Bill Clinton wrote. The distinction is that obvious.Nevertheless, if one overlooks the political digressions, this is an excellent tale.

1. The style. A new character enters the scene, says 1 thing, and the narrator spends 2 paragraphs of background. "I've known Bob for 25 years. We fought together in xxxx. His wife and my wife are close friends. He has a dog named Freckles." That's fine for a historical novel but not for an action/spy/thriller.2. Near the end, the main character (POTUS) makes a major speech to the country which is obviously a vehicle for the authors to make a speech to their readers about the current state of the country. So if you're looking to this as an entertaining novel, you may find parts that are inappropriate and disappointing.

In the first few chapters, after reading the internal dialogue of the president, I turned to my Mom & said “This could only have been written by a former president...it’s just too real, & much too funny!” It’s about a President who knows of a cyberterrorist’s plan to put America in grave turmoil. He knows what the plan will do, but must keep it a secret in order to prevent mass hysteria.I could NOT put this down (with the exception of sleep, of course). The characters are incredibly well developed, & I came to like one character whose job leaves precious little to deserve my liking her.The suspense of the book made my heart race a little, which to me makes it a great read! The plot twist at the end was unexpected and seriously well written! Buy this book - you won’t regret it!!!

I have always enjoyed Patterson and did not realize the collaboration with Clinton when I purchased the book. I got about half way through and was just bored. I may finish it just because I bought it but it is not a Patterson book.

After having read most of John Patterson's work, I usually enjoy his books and with all the hype surrounding this book and despite the fact that I'm not a fan of Clinton, I decided to read it. Well I attempted to read it. To me it sounded like one of Clinton's speeches...all mish-mash. Not even Patterson could help him out. I do not recommend this book to fans of Patterson or anyone who loves to read. It was a waste of time...such a waste that I skipped thirty or more chapters because I knew who the bad girl was at the beginning. The president was not believable. The vice president was an imbecile and so was the protagonist.

A rollercoaster ride over a long weekend when the very existence of everything American faces a cyber-threat of such magnitude it will return the country to the ‘dark ages’. This key word is known only to POTUS and his six closest aides: the NSA head, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, the Secretary of Defense, the CIA director, the secretary of homeland security and the Vice President - and yet… someone has leaked this trigger to the enemy.President Jonathan Duncan is facing a select committee hearing. The Speaker of the house seems determined to have him impeached for allegedly having a ‘phone conversation with the world’s most wanted terrorist - Suliman Cindoruk. POTUS invokes executive privilege. Why? For reasons only known to himself the president leaves the White House, his covert departure known only to his oldest friend and White House counsel, Danny Akers. The president is missing. Speculation as to why leads to a media frenzy. No-one knows where he is or what his intention is. But what faces the USA is certain destruction of everything dependent on the internet - and in this day and age that means - everything. And this book is truly unputdownable…I have read some ridiculous comments about this book. Why? Because Bill Clinton is a co-author? Really? What happens when two highly intelligent individuals cooperate on a political thriller (and I say that without prejudice) results in a story so riveting, so breathtaking, so pulse-racing, that took me behind the machinations of US politics into a world of subterfuge and nail-biting tension.I recommend The President is Missing without reservation.

It’s a fast-paced, action filled thriller in the style of 24 or Clear and Present Danger. An entertaining and enjoyable read that I raced through in my day off. Buying an extra copy for my Dad for Father’s Day and have no doubts he’ll love.

Unfortunately I found this book unbelievable, typical scenario American president saves the world. On a par with Independence Day those type of films where no one can save the world but the Americans. Boring politics thrown in towards the end which I skipped over. Wasted my money and my time .

Naturally when you see a book that is co written (or helped along) by a former US President the status of Clinton - you get all excited. After all this was a President with a big history of telling tales. Found by Judge Susan Webber Wright to be in contempt of court for misleading testimony - Clinton has one hell of a record for telling a big tale.Yet Clinton’s scale of telling tales isn’t evident in this one. It’s just a normal superb James Patterson. I’m sure Mr Patterson could have done just a good a job without Clinton.So the amazing combination of the planets best novelist plus the worlds most notorious men misleading tale teller just adds up to “worlds best novelist” - shame, but worth a read, great read page in page out :)

I have never liked a book written in the first person. However, this is quite a good read except for the over the top part of the President wandering the streets minus security and in disguise. Some of it appears wishful thinking as foreign heads of government attend a secret location within the US to meet with the President.However, I do greatly admire Mr. Clinton and most especially for his efforts to return peace to a small part of the United Kingdom.