Balance of Power

By: Richard North Patterson

Narrated by: Patricia Kalember

Length: 23 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

Richard North Patterson’s masterful portrayals of law and politics at the apex of power have made him one of our most important writers of popular fiction. Combining a compelling narrative, exhaustive research, and a sophisticated grasp of contemporary society, his bestselling novels bring explosive social problems to vivid life through characters who are richly imagined and intensely real. Now in Balance of Power Patterson confronts one of America’s most inflammatory issues–the terrible toll of gun violence.

President Kerry Kilcannon and his fiancée, television journalist Lara Costello, have at last decided to marry. But their wedding is followed by a massacre of innocents in a lethal burst of gunfire, challenging their marriage and his presidency in ways so shattering and indelibly personal that Kilcannon vows to eradicate gun violence and crush the most powerful lobby in Washington–the Sons of the Second Amendment (SSA).

Allied with the President’s most determined rival, the resourceful and relentless Senate Majority Leader Frank Fasano, the SSA declares all-out war on Kerry Kilcannon, deploying its arsenal of money, intimidation, and secret dealings to eviscerate Kilcannon’s crusade–and, it hopes, destroy his presidency. This ignites a high-stakes game of politics and legal maneuvering in the Senate, the courtroom, and across the country, which the charismatic but untested young President is determined to win at any cost. But in the incendiary clash over gun violence and gun rights, the cost to both Kilcannons may be even higher than he imagined.

And others in the crossfire may also pay the price: the idealistic lawyer who has taken on the gun industry; the embattled CEO of America’s leading gun maker; the war-hero senator caught between conflicting ambitions; the female senator whose career is at risk; and the grief-stricken young woman fighting to emerge from the shadow of her sister, the First Lady.

The insidious ways money corrodes democracy and corrupts elected officials . . . the visceral debate between gun-rights and gun-control advocates . . . the bitter legal conflict between gun companies and the victims of gun violence . . . a ratings-driven media that both manipulates and is manipulated–Richard North Patterson weaves these engrossing themes into an epic novel that moves us with its force, passion, and authority.

©2003 Richard North Patterson (P)2003 Random House Inc., Random House Audio, A Division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Richard North Patterson has a keen eye for how Washington really works. His portrait of the gun lobby is right on–both in terms of its power and its political tactics. A must read for anyone interested in the gun debate.” –FORMER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON

“Balance of Power is a rip-roaring novel about guns, lawyers, and politics. Richard North Patterson has extraordinary insight into how Washington works, and a complex and heartfelt understanding of the effects of gun violence on our society. This is a great read by a masterful writer.” –SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY

“Balance of Power is a compelling story, fully worthy of Richard North Patterson, which is made even more intriguing by its detailed insight into the world of special-interests politics in Washington, D.C.” –SCOTT TUROW

Well... Balance is probably not the best word.

Wow! First of all, the WORST narrator ever. Aside from the fact her voice was really hard to listen to, all the character's voices sounded alike so there were times when it was hard to keep up with a conversation because you couldn't tell which character she was reading for. Really Bad!

Secondly, how many ways can you beat your readers over the had about the evil of guns and the gun industry. I enjoyed the previous stuff, but there is so little substance to this one, the author could have saved us all a lot of time and wrapped it up in one or two chapters. It would have saved me from the pain of having to listen to the narrator for as long as I did. I too, wish I had taken the time to read the reviews on this one. So, be warned, there's not much good about this one.

Get off the stump

Maybe it's because I'm a gun owner who has been to a gun show or two. Maybe it's because I don't share the views of the author. But I just can't find much nice to say about this book. The one thing I could come up with is to say that the workings of congress described in the book were intriguing. A political hatchet job laced with stereotypes but intriguing. People on the left will probably love this book. Those on the right will probably hate it. I would not buy this book if I had to do it over again.

Worst reading ever

I've been listening to and enjoying audio books for years and this is easily the worst job by a reader that I have ever encountered. It almost ruins an otherwise enjoyable story.

Balance of Power - No Balance

There's nothing more disheartening than when someone disguises a political speech as a novel. Sermons are better served in church. Political agendas belong on the campaign trail. This book is not entertainment, it's a political sermon with a reader who will put you to sleep. This should be a "money back please".

Misleading Title

The book started fine but I could only take the first 6 hours (of 22) before I gave it up. The whole storyline(?) appears to be nothing more than a continuous monotonous rant about gun control. If I want that I can just listen to any liberal politician during the election year. I'm from a western state where the definition of "gun control" is being able to hit what you're shooting at. I'm sorry I wasted a credit to get the book. I'm very happy that I didn't pay the listed price for it.

Wish I had read the reviews before getting this...

This book is nothing but an anti-gun propaganda piece, but not even a well written one. All of the characters are caricatures, and this book will only appeal to the most rabidly liberal and unthinking people. Setting up straw man gun-show scenarios in order to push a political point is sophomoric. And the pro-abortion comments are sure to please some.