Absolute Power

By: David Baldacci

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 19 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

Available for the first time in audio, an all-new recording by Scott Brick of the first of the blockbuster thrillers by New York Times best-selling author David Baldacci. This book that will change the way you think about Washington—and power—forever.

In a heavily guarded mansion in a posh Virginia suburb, a man and a woman start to make love, trapping a burglar behind a secret wall. Then the passion turns deadly, and the witness is running into the night—because what he has just seen is a brutal slaying involving the president of the United States.

Luther Whitney is the career break-in artist who's in the wrong place at the wrong time. Alan Richmond is the charming U.S. president with the power to commit any crime. And Jack Graham is the young attorney caught in a vortex between absolute truth and... ABSOLUTE POWER.

©1996 Columbus Rose, Ltd. (P)2009 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"[A] first-rate storyteller who grabs readers by their lapels right away and won't let go until they've finished his enthralling yarn." (Publishers Weekly)

The story that got me hooked on audiobooks!

The hundreds of titles in my library are all the fault of David Baldacci and Scott Brick and this audiobook, which was intriguing and riveting.

My all-time favorite thriller!!!!

I used to loved mysteries and thrillers, but in recent years, I find myself bored with the genre. I read "Absolute Power" many years ago, and loved it. I decided to revisit it in audio format, worried that it would fall short of my very high expectations. With a great narrator and an amazing story, this novel exceeded my sky-high expectations. I could not stop listening, from start to end. In the first chapter, a high-end career burglar witnesses a murder involving a tryst with the president of the United States. The novel grabs you there and does not let go. This story of political cover-up and murder has characters I cared about and plot twists that kept coming. This is by far the best of Baldacci. My other two favorite novels of this genre were Finder's "Paranoia" and DeMille's "Gold Coast." While I enjoyed both of those audiobooks, "Absolute Power" was by far the best.

Over the edge characters but a great story

With the possible exception of the protagonist, Jack Graham, the characters in this book were a little too over the edge to believe. Still this was a story that kept you listening and presented some interesting ethical questions. Even beyond the question of ethics were a number of damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don't situations. The book was chock full of bad guys and you would be hard pressed to decide who was the worst. I'll listen to more of Baldacci.

Kept my Interest

I only listen to my audio books when I'm exercising and this book made me want to exercise more often and longer just so I could listen more. Quite compelling and it kept my interest throughout the book.

Awesome

This one I could not stop. Excellent story and great narrative I would highly recommend this book to all listeners

Absoulte Power Corrupts Absoultely

What did you love best about Absolute Power?

The supense in this book makes it a page turner ... you can't put it down and you are never sure what will happen ... the author's knowledge of the White House and how political events impact critical decisions puts into play many possible outcomes which keeps you on the proverbial edge of your chair until the final page ... add personal conflicts and characters with strong personalities, you have a great story, a super read/listen, and a very enjoyable time!

What other book might you compare Absolute Power to and why?

"All The President's Men" ... because it is closely akin in detail and it is a story about a man who is bigger than life but so full of hubris that he is capable of doing great evil...

What does Scott Brick bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Mr. Brick, as are almost all narrators I have listen to, is a polished story teller who is capable of making an exciting, suspensful story even more so with his verbal talent ... the best part of the audilbe boks is that it doesn't change your perspective from what you would have if you read the book ...it is very similar to listening to a radio show like they boradcasted in the '40's and, even though reading a book is most wonderful, listening to a well narrated story is equally wonderful plus it is much easier to listen to a book via your,ie, iphone than to sit down and turn pages .. just as good and easier to employ is a super way of doing anything!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The book actually is frightening and that fright does scare you when you consider how one single person can have such dramatic impact upon you and your family ... for one person to have such great power is scary in the least ...

Any additional comments?

A great listen ... if you like intrigue, excitement, suspense you will totally enjoy this story!

Timely

Well, how do I say this?
I think we've. Gotten ourselves a bigger problem than a philanderer!

Great story, I enjoyed the twists and turns.

Highly recommend! This story had great twists and turns. I really enjoyed the storyline, and the performance was flawless.

Enjoyable, though some caveats

So when I first joined audible I purchased a book based on the 'recommendation' of David Baldacci I believe - a book by Thomas Greanias, Raising Atlantis which I hated so I decided to never read anything from Baldacci. Then I read some really glowing reviews for this book and decided to try my first Baldacci. I actually enjoyed the pace of the story. However, too often there seemed to be implausible events or characters did stupid things which bothered me. I also felt that the stereotyping of women's behaviour became a bit grating -- although I suppose that women might be more likely to suffer from a breakdown or to cry or to exhibit signs of emotional frailty. Finally, the tone of Scott Brick's narration for some reason was a bit flat and a little annoying and he seemed to be reading a little differently than usual. I usually enjoy his narrations. Overall though, this book is engrossing and it's relatively long which is nice too so I would recommend it.

Better tha.n movie

Truth to fiction. Too close to what is happening today. Absolute power corrupts but the good guys win in fiction. Well told. Good character development. Dramatic plot develop that seems like it will never end. Provides closure like a good story should. A very good read