A young Congressman stumbles on the powerful political underworld of 1950’s D.C. in this “potent thriller” (David Baldacci) and New York Times bestseller from CNN correspondent Jake Tapper. Charlie Marder is an unlikely Congressman. Thrust into office by his family ties after his predecessor died mysteriously, Charlie is struggling to navigate the dangerous waters of 1950s Washington, DC, … 1950s Washington, DC, alongside his young wife Margaret, a zoologist with ambitions of her own. Amid the swirl of glamorous and powerful political leaders and deal makers, a mysterious fatal car accident thrusts Charlie and Margaret into an underworld of backroom deals, secret societies, and a plot that could change the course of history. When Charlie discovers a conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of governance, he has to fight not only for his principles and his newfound political career…but for his life.
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Intense! Extremely thought provoking, and made me interested in the history of the 1950’s. This title had me looking up stuff as I read it, which is why it took a while to read, but it was definitely worth the time. I won this book through Goodreads Giveaway and got one heck of a hard to put down and memorable title. I hope there might be plans for a film adaption at some point. It might actually be a title worth turning into a graphic novel at some point. I highly recommend this title.
Intriguing story set in the political atmosphere of 1954 Washington DC in the middle of McCarthyism. Difficult to know who is the good guy and who is the bad guy until the very end. So much intrigue, greed and self-serving politicians. Reading of the craziness surrounding the McCarthy hearings and the DC political scene of the early 50’s reminded me of the current political scene where there is so much false information presented, racism/bigotry up front and so much personal greed on full display (“shoddy scholarship and twisted interpretations, a conclusion in search of evidence”).
This is both a brilliant historical record and the most entertaining of reads. Tapper gets the mood and undertone of the era exactly right without once sacrificing pace and suspense. It’s a great book.
I enjoyed the read although I found out my understanding of politics was lacking a little. It made me think about how Washington works (even though it’s a work of fiction) and question why power is so attractive and addictive.
This was a Historical Fiction which truthfully, I had not read a lot of. I found it to be an excellent read. It was very engaging. I actually had a hard time putting it down. I felt sad when I came to the ending because I wanted to continue with the storyline!
I hope to read a “Hellfire” part Two!
I enjoyed this book immensely. It had lots of twists and turns. It also felt pertinent in this political climate.
This was a great read. So many topics in a political thriller from the early 50’s still prevalent today made for a great book. Lots of action and twists.
It is a name dropper of political figures from the 1950s. Scary as the current politics. Fringhtening look at politics.
Great mix of history–the McCarthy era–politics, murder, and romance within a marriage. Fun read.
Just finished this book. Loved every minute of reading it. Good fictional characters interwoven with real Washington politicians back in the fifties. Crazy twists and turns, but some of the nastiness is a little too close to our current political circus!
I didn’t want to put this book down until I read it all. Jake Tapper does a masterful job of blending fictional characters with non-fiction historical ones. One surprise after another keeps the reader on his/her toes throughout. It’s easy to read and beautifully written.
Relatable to today’s political scene
As a political junkie, I loved this book!
Just o k. Didn’t finish
Great book! Fun to read and enough real history to make it believable and interesting!
Mr. Tapper provides well researched historical fiction set in the McCarthy Era. The reader has a ring side seat of Washington politics in the 1050’s viewed through the eyes of a freshman senator. The outside influences and the power plays at any cost find Charlie Marder fighting for his life when he takes a stand against providing new funding to a company that provided faulty equipment during WWII. The former veteran teams up with other recently elected veterans to expose corruption. This is a great read no matter which side of the aisle you lean.
Interesting take on alliances and threats during the McCarthy Era. A little unsettling as it can also foreshadow today’s Washington, DC. Of course there’s a little mystery and some not so savory characters (some fictional, some historical). All in all a good read.
“Plausible” probably isn’t the first word to come to mind here, but Tapper’s thriller is an okay read, impressively spilling over with political tidbits from the 1950s. It’s fun to read a tale where the Kennedy brothers and Joe McCarthy and Kefauver and others are part of the landscape. The story is brisk and entertaining, although the main character, Charlie Marder, is only mildly appealing.
The best part of the story comes in the last chapter, a thoughtful imagined scene between Marder and President Eisenhower in the Oval Office, where the President worries aloud about the growth and maniacal greed of the industrial-military complex. “We have, for the first time in the history of this great nation, a war-based industry that exists even though we are not at war.” There will be powerful people who will push for combat simply because it’s so profitable.
Then Ike says with quiet confidence something that should give us comfort even today. The McCarthy scare was about to burn itself out, he assured his guest. Why? “I am sure because I am confident in the idea of the United States of America. I believe that the combination of checks and balances and a free press and our democratically elected representatives ultimately will expose charlatans. I believe in the good sense of the American people, and I know in my soul that truth will win out.”
A nice ending, and I suspect Tapper intended it as a commentary on the times we find ourselves in now.
Loved the evocation of a time I was alive but too young to be politically aware. Will recommend to my book club, and eagerly anticipate a movie. The visuals would be terrific.