The Chairman

A Novel

By: Stephen Frey

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 12 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

No one knows the dark side of "The Street" better than master storyteller Stephen Frey, author of such riveting novels as Shadow Account and The Day Trader. Now, in his most ambitious work to date, Frey proves that no writer can put a high-powered hero at greater risk, nor offer listeners more thrilling rewards.

A towering legend among New York private equity partnerships, Everest Capital is aptly named. When its founder meets an untimely death, 36-year-old superstar Christian Gillette gets the top job. But with the power and prestige come risks. The day he narrowly escapes a fiery explosion that consumes his limo and takes two innocent lives, Gillette instantly understands how intense those risks are.

It comes as no surprise to him that he has enemies in the world of multibillion-dollar deals. But now that he controls Everest, he's not going to let those enemies keep him from taking the firm - and himself - to even greater heights. Gillette has never hesitated to be aggressive, even ruthless, in his pursuit of success. This time will be no exception.

But in order to forge the alliances necessary to achieve his goals, Gillette forsakes a cardinal rule: Never trust anyone. The only certainties are the insidious campaign of corporate sabotage that could cost Gillette his job and the relentless assassination attempts that could cost him his life. To break a deadly conspiracy of greed, he'll be forced to walk, then run, an ever-blurring line between loyalty and betrayal, attack and retreat, survival and destruction...in the ultimate game of profit and loss.

With The Chairman, Stephen Frey presides with intensified skill over the market he has so dramatically cornered - sharpening his patented brand of hard-boiled high-finance intrigue to its keenest cutting edge yet.

©2005 Stephen Frey (P)2005 Books on Tape, Inc.

Excellent!

This book holds your attention from beginning to end. Scott Brick is outstanding as usual. I look forward to more books from this author. Very good read!

A Fiscal Thriller

I supposed I should have known that wherever there is a LOT of money there is thriller potential. This is fiscal, high finance, corporate intrigue. It has its twists and it certainly will entertain you. It is not dull. Brick has his usual high quality narration production (no icky sounds). I'm guessing if I read lots of corporate thrillers this is slightly above potboiler material, very good, entertains and does the job, never dull, just not great. (When I see 4 stars I expect GREAT (5 is genius) One can be a tad letdown by too high expectations.

Masterfully written and performed!

The characters are very well developed, and the twisted plot remains heavily veiled until the very end. Scott Brick really brings this great book to life. This has to be one of my top 5 picks.

Clever story

Insight into Private Equity, albeit a bit over the top, made it a fun read.

Good book but it lacks atmosphere

The story is ok but you are left with a feeling that something is missing. The missing part is a description of surroundings, the city the houses the rooms nothing is described, is it dark outside, is it rainy, is it cold, is it hot. The story is ok and so is the plot but you just feel and live the story.

Great Novel

Very realistic suspense story in a high-finance environment. Very good reader, decent character development, good story. Very entertaining and suspenseful throughout. Story does have one inconsistency, but only the most careful listeners will figure it out. No biggie, though.

Least favorite of the series but still worth the time

This is my least favorite of the series. There was a little too much time in detail spent on the intricacies of the agency. Got a little boring and redundant in the middle but overall I enjoyed it. The rest of the series is very worthwhile. Kristen Gillette is a great character.

Great Book

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. First one I've listened to by Frey. If you enjoy the Baldacci's, Connelly's etc. with a financial spin - you'll like this one.

The Chairman

I listen to 1 to 2 books a week and its been quite a while since I have enjoyed a book as much as this one.

Excellent corporate thriller

If you could sum up The Chairman in three words, what would they be?

Great book of twists and turns

What other book might you compare The Chairman to and why?

Joseph Finder's The Company Man

Which character – as performed by Scott Brick – was your favorite?

Christian Gillette, who else?

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No particular moments but the book is just GREAT